Раждане вкъщи - 3

Наложи се да родя със с-секшън. ОК, може да не е най-добрият вариант, но ако се наложи процедурата, не виждам защо трябва да е лишена от хуманност.

I should start by saying that things started to progress on Wednesday night the 4th of Feburary. I experienced some bleeding, nothing too concerning just an indication that labor may be starting. We got rid of the kids that night to a great friend who just dropped everything and picked up our three to add to her four (Thanks Kate!). Labor didn't start that night but I did have some contractions and then Thursday afternoon I thought my water broke. Had mild contractions most of that day, but even more then contracting I just had a lot of 'downward pressure' that I had to deal with. Kate kept the kids Thursday night also b/c we still thought labor should be starting. Friday morning my Midwife (Mollie) came by to check on my progress. We found that I didn't have anything to check. My water had not officially broken, just a high tear that sealed itself up, and Mollie didn't want to do an internal exam b/c she didn't want to risk me bleeding again. So off Bill went to work and home came the kids. As frustrating as it all was it was nice to be back into my routine again. Friday night more slight contractions but nothing really to get excited about.

Saturday morning I woke to somewhat regular contractions that felt decent. I decided to get on the horn and let everyone know we were having a baby that day. Bill had already gotten the pool ready on Wednesday night and nested like a man has never nested before so everything was ready to go. Now all we needed was regular strong contractions, sadly by lunch there was nothing. I was ready to give up on the idea of labor and baby. After dinner Bill and I put the kids to bed and decided to lounge on the couch and watch some TV. Around 10pm I noticed contractions getting stronger but not on a schedule, by midnight I was having semi-strong contractions about 4x an hour. Bill asked what I wanted to do, I was tired and didn't really trust my uterus anymore so decided to go to bed.

I would say about an hour or two later sleep wasn't really an option. Contractions were still all over the board, again maybe 4 to 5 an hour but just increasing in intensity. At 3:30 I was around 10 minutes apart but at 4am I jumped to 5 minutes apart and was in an increasing amount of pain. I woke Bill up at 4:30 and told him I thought we should call Mollie b/c of the pain. On the phone I informed Mollie what was going on, but again no need of urgency b/c contractions were still so far apart. Bill started filling the pool and making phone calls to our family.

At this point laying in bed wasn't an option anymore, I had to be upright and swaying with the contractions. Leaning against doors, dressers or banisters I rocked with each wave. Bill came over to apply pressure on my back as needed. Mollie arrived around 5:15 and asked if I wanted to be checked before getting into the pool, I agreed just to see how far I'd come so far. Still a tad leary b/c I felt like the contractions weren't close enough for real progress even though they hurt like nothing else I'd ever felt before and I had started trembling as a sign of transition. Mollie checked me and right away got a strange look on her face. She asked about the baby's movement and if I had felt any strong turns. Right away I knew baby had decided to go bottom down. Mollie confirmed my suspicion and said on the brighter side she could tell me the baby's sex if I wanted. Laughing through contracting I declined the offer and got into my pool instead as Mollie informed Bill and I of the risks of home breech delivery. Bill asked what I wanted to do and all I knew was I didn't want a cesarian, which I was sure they would give me at the hospital. Mollie had stated I was a very stretchy 7-8 centimeters, so Bill and I decided to stick it out at home and see how we did. We had every confidence in Mollie's ability and my body to make it out okay.

This whole time I was focused on keeping my face relaxed, not to tighten up my forehead, as that being a sign of tensing up the rest of your body. And as we all know, a tense body doesn't deliver quickly. I think I got into the pool around 5:30-5:45am. As I mentioned before I had started shaking while awaiting Mollie's arrival, in the pool I was on tsunami alert! I was laughing at myself in the back of my mind b/c of the waves my body was making in the water. The pool was in no danger of popping, but my body's spasms were a danger for making the pool water spill out!

I don't know if I could of gotten through those last 3-4 centimeters w/out the water. I was able to move around easily and try as best I could to be comfortable. I never truly 'lost it' but at the end didn't know exactly how to best handle the painful contractions. I was completely aware of my situation and the needs of my body and that of my midwife to care for me. If she needed me to move into a better position for her to check me or the baby I could do it without too much difficulty. Mollie never left my side, nor did my husband. She checked the baby's heartbeat regularly and found that it never dropped nor showed any signs of distress, she comforted me and encouraged me throughout. At one point Mollie asked if I wanted to check the baby's progress myself and see if I could feel anything in the birth canal after a contraction. I checked and felt something spongey and squishy quite far close and informed Mollie in some sort of labored breath I'm sure. I figured I had just touched my baby's bottom and was silently elated that she was already so far down. Mollie checked herself and said it was my water bag, slightly disappointed I laughed at myself. Here I am thinking this squishy bag is my baby's bottom, obviously I'm not the midwife here.

Not long into being in the pool did I start to feel that urge to bear down. I never tell anyone when I start pushing or bearing down, probably due to my first two hospital births. I just don't want anyone telling me when I can or can not push. Well, Mollie was all over it, without a word she got into position and knew what I was about. I stayed in the pool, which was not the original plan but due to the breech seemed to be the best plan available. I bore down during two contractions and then it was game time. I could completely feel my body being taken up by this baby and it was time to get her out! I believe it took me two or three full fledge pushes to get her out completely, and what an experience that was! In a normal delivery you have one big head/shoulder lump to get out and then it's done, no more pain no more lumps. Breech babies have two huge lumps to push out. First you have to get that big 'ol bottom/hips out then comes the shoulders/head, each hurts just as much as the other. Though in honesty, the head/shoulders combo comes as a surprise so maybe that hurt more. There was no 'ring of fire' on my perineum, instead it was a ripping/stinging burnation radiating upwards. I honestly thought I would never pee the same again. *laugh*

But to back up just a tad, Bill was right there the entire time and got to see the most amazing birth he's ever witnessed. My water bag never broke, I've always joked that I have water bags of steel, they've never ruptured on their own with all three previous births they have been ruptured for me. Well, when Emily's bottom and hips came out they came out in my bag. Only when her legs shot out did they break the water bag. I had that lovely cushion the entire labor and I am ever so thankful I had even that small barrier to help out w/pain management. I remember opening my eyes for a moment when her legs came out and seeing her bottom, and not seeing a penis. *laugh* I wasn't 100% but I was pretty certain I had a girl to look forward to. But that thought fled quickly as another contraction and yet that 2nd lump had to be delivered. Mollie quickly got Emily's shoulders and head out and just like that I had a baby to hold. At 6:42am I had a new infant in my arms. She came out perfect, she came out without any meconium or any other sign of distress. The only thing off with the entire birth was the umbilical cord was very short. As soon as we brought her up I could feel it stretching against me causing pain, so we cut her cord somewhat quickly just so I could assure myself she had enough room to breath w/out her face going back into the water (I was very concerned about there being enough air around her head for breathing, my sister thinks this was the funniest thing she had ever seen. Here a woman giving birth in water and I couldn't get my baby out of the water quick enough.)

And even in all that pain and knowledge that I was ripping from within I didn't tear. Not a single stitch was needed afterwards. What a blessing that is! After I choose to get out of the pool I was able to shower and get into bed and be with my baby girl and just relax. My husband was wonderful and emotional and great. My first three children did wake up and come scrambling out of their room when I delivered Emily due to my loud birthing roar. *laugh* But after my sister explained to them that the baby had arrived they were all excited and happy, and then content to watch cartoons while we finished up with everything else. My daughter, Kailyn, couldn't stay away and got her first lesson of post-birth midwifery care and was a complete angel.

From pool to birth was only an hour or so. I thank God for Bill's willingness to let me be and for Mollie's knowledge and first rate care. I highly doubt we would have even made it to the hospital had we chosen to give up on our home birth. And if we did make it, it would have been no where near as beautiful an experience for us. In all the pain and confusion it was a wonderful birth and I doubt I would change it, even the breech position. Going through that type of labor definitely shows you what kind of strength you have, or maybe just fear of cesarians. *laugh*

My daughter was born on February 8th, 2009 at 6:42am and weighed 7lbs 1oz, she was 20inches long and we named her Emily Jane Alexy. She is doing great as am I. Long live home birth and great midwifery care!!!

Намерих и много полезни съвети за подготовката за домашно раждане. Като идея само ще цитирам използването на завеси за баня вместо непромокаемите постелки, имаше и други хитринки  , ще го постан цялото, но по-нататък, за да не ми става километричен поста 

Depending on how much time you have, you might like to start making things like casseroles and lasagnas that you can freeze. You'll probably find these helpful for the first couple of days after the birth.

I agree with the previous posters - shower curtains would probably work well. Another option might be a ground sheet such as you would use for camping. On a previous thread, one mom shared the following tip if you want to give birth in the bed: you make your bed the usually way, spread a plastic sheet or shower curtain over top of it, then make the bed again on top of it. This way, you can just put the soiled sheets in the laundry, throw out the shower curtain, and you have a nice clean bed underneath, without having to remake it.

You might like to have a CD player and CDs of your favourite music, or something relaxing. Things to suck on, like Popsicles and lollipops, might also be a good idea. You'll also want to have the freezer stocked with ice chips.

I DEFINITELY agree about warming up towels. When I used to work in labour and delivery, I'd always get the mom a clean gown out of the warmer and wrap her in warm blankets before I took her back to her room. We always made sure we had blankets, gowns, and baby linens in the warmer. Shivering is a very common phenomenon after giving birth.

Tennis balls or a rolling pin are also a good idea. These can be used to apply counterpressure if you have back labour, and have a lot more stamina than someone's hand If you want to try massage, baby lotion might be helpful.

Snacks that you can grab on the run will be great for your midwife and coach, and for you if you feel like eating during labour. Healthy fruits and veggies, and granola bars or fruit bars are great. For yourself, another option might be consomme or broth if you decide you don't want to eat. I also agree that Gatorade is a good idea - you want to keep yourself hydrated.

Don't forget a camera! You'll want to take lots of pictures! Plus, you might think about putting a baby blanket in the warmer with your other blankets. This will help keep baby warm. You don't have to put them in the warmer, but setting out a diaper and maybe a sleeper for baby is also a good idea. I'm just trying to think about the things we had available in the hospital when I worked labour and delivery.