Epidural vs unmedicated birth series // Part two :: Henry's birth :: unmedicated hospital birth3/3/2019
Welcome to part two of my epidural vs unmedicated three part series!
As I mentioned in part one, my goal of this series is to share my two very different experiences as a resource for expecting Mamas. There is no right or wrong way to birth, and every Mama and pregnancy are different. You have options, and you should feel free to birth in whatever way you choose! Now, let's get down to it.
My pregnancy with Henry despite being very healthy, was really draining for a couple of reasons- I developed severe migraines around 13 weeks, and those lasted most of the second trimester. I also developed antenatal depression and anxiety right around the same time as last pregnancy, but was able to get that under control well before he was due thankfully. I had many more tools and coping mechanisms than I did during my first pregnancy. I was able to utilize diet changes, supplements, exercise/yoga, and hypnobirthing techniques to help deal with the anxiety and depression. I was amazed at the difference those lifestyle changes made!
The night before I went into labor with Henry (a Thursday), I did a ton of exercises on the yoga ball and different yoga poses that I hoped would encourage him to engage (up until that point he was still up pretty high). I was desperate to go into labor on my own, because my midwife/obgyn office had me schedule an induction date (because he was a “big baby”) and I’d pushed that as far as they’d allow. That night when I was getting up to use the restroom for the millionth time I was really uncomfortable and could tell that he definitely had dropped lower. I had cramping that night, which had me feeling hopeful, but by the time I woke up it had stopped- I was so disappointed! I went about my day as usual (Friday). Garrett went to work, and I went grocery shopping and to my 41 week prenatal appointment (I was 41 weeks exactly). I was having what I assumed were Braxton Hicks all day. They weren’t painful, just tightening all throughout the day. At my appointment the midwife I saw that day told me I was 2-3cm and 50% effaced (at my prior apt I was 1-2cm and 50%), but his head was really low and my bag of waters was bulging. Up until that point he was so high, so this was really encouraging! I consented to a membrane sweep, since the clock was ticking for my induction ( I was scheduled for Sunday night). That evening I went out to dinner with Garrett, Jack, my sister and my Dad. I was still having the “Braxton Hicks” contractions. They were coming every couple of minutes, but not painful at all. I thought this could be labor, but wasn’t sure since it really wasn’t painful! I did have an odd feeling of urgency, like maybe we shouldn’t stay long and that kind of tipped me off to what was happening. When we left dinner we called my Mother in law and asked her to come over in case we needed to go to the hospital. I felt silly because I wasn’t sure I was actually in labor, but she insisted she didn’t mind coming (she had a 45 minute drive to our house) just in case, and she would just stay the night. I went to bed that night around 10:30pm and was listening to my hypnobirthing relaxation track. When it was almost done, I felt what I can only describe as a pop, so I got up to use the restroom. I thought my water had broken but what I actually saw was bloody show. Once that happened things got real fast! My surges became more intense (but manageable) and I was having them every two minutes or so. I called the midwife on call, and we headed to the hospital. We got to the hospital at about 11:30 and by the time I got out of the car, the surges were intense and I really needed to breathe through them. In triage they told me I was 5-6cm and had me put in a room. When I got to the room I asked to use the labor tub, but almost as soon as I got in the tub the nurse could tell I was acting “pushy” and asked if I could get out so she could check me. I was 10cm and ready to push! Everything happened so fast that my midwife even missed the delivery! Janice(our doula) made it just at the end thankfully. The doctor on call at the hospital had to do the delivery. He asked if I wanted my waters broken and assured me if I did that the baby would be here in 5 minutes. I thought he was exaggerating, but consented... well three pushes later (and probably less than 5 minutes) Henry was here! He was born at 12:42am) I was SO relieved and so happy to have my baby in my arms. And proud that I was able to have the unmedicated birth that I wanted so badly (not even an IV port!) despite him being a “big baby” (he was 8 lbs 11oz). He was healthy and perfect and came exactly when he was ready (41+1) and I’m so glad that I trusted my instincts and my body- it really did know what it was doing! Stay tuned for part three! Xx, Rebecca *Sidenote There were a lot of things that I did differently in my pregnancy with Henry to prep for an unmedicated birth- I am considering writing a post on that if there is enough interest.
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Rebecca JamiesonI'm the Mama of two boys, and wife to a good man. I'm on a mission to make healthy living more attainable for families. Archives
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