danou
10-09-2006, 12:28 PM
Hi there ladies…
On Saturday I was called for an induction which I declined, because I was still a week away from my due date and felt fine. Monday, I went for my pre-natal apt and was seeing a new ob, as my old (& nasty) one was on holidays. She took my bp and was very concerned as it was dangerously high (171/102)- she did an ultrasound and saw significant calcification of the placenta. I was freaked out because I was concerned with induction that other procedures and interventions are more frequently performed. I was bawling in her office and very panicky.
We left the office with a prescription to fill and a nst to go take at hospital. We had a bite to eat and went over to hospital where another ob reiterated the concern and need to induce. They were flying around the “c-section” regularily and I was not happy, but understanding the severity of the situation. My doula re-assured me that she would not have felt comfortable with me at home in labour, and that if I’d had a mid-wife, I would have been transferred to ob care.
I received the first dose of prostaglandin gel around 11pm on Monday. My cervix was 3cm high, completely closed and baby was not reachable internally. I made it very clear to doc that I wanted to avoid pitocin etc as long as possible. By middle of the night, I was feeling cramping and was encouraged that something was happening. My biggest fear was to not progress and be forced to do a c-section. The next morning and during the day, I was having mild but consistent contractions and had continued to efface and by 9-10pm I was 1cm. Earlier in the day, they did a ROM and things went much faster and more intensly. We called Holly, our doula, and she came around 11pm on Tuesday. That night, I didn’t sleep and continued to progress well. I was very pleased and that kept my motivation up to keep moving around… walking, bending, and hanging out in the shower. I loved the shower!!!! Next time, I would like a water birth!
Tuesday morning rolls around and things seem to be slowing down a bit and getting less intense. I was expecting/hoping to deliver by mid morning. The contractions were changing- getting longer, more painful but further apart. It hurt to lay down, it hurt to sit, my lower back when walking was killing me, plus my groin muscles and ligaments. I was getting discouraged as everything seemed to be getting longer/slower rather than closer and more intense. I was at 7-8cm for hours and had visions of a c-section and other nasties that I didn’t want. We went upstairs to the physio to see about borrowing TENS (muscles stimulators) to manage pain (as I didn’t make it over to my friends to borrow hers). Who do we see up there- my friend… so she gave keys to dh to go get the machine from her clinic.
While, Barry was out, my doula sensed that there was an issue blocking things… I was fearing not being able to continue on my own, the fatigue was wearing at me and I was scared of not being able to get the baby out on my own. She said that we needed to pray and release those fears. So we did… and literally in minutes the contractions changed again and she asked the nurse to check me. Sure enough, I was fully dialated and ready to push. We called dh and asked him to return quickly…
For pushing, I was leaning over the bed and sqatting, unfortunately that wasn’t so good for doc and nurse to get at things. Doc was on the floor and almost under the bed getting a look. They moved dh to a chair and I used him to squat with… within minutes the little man arrived at 3:03pm on Wednesday!
Joshua Evan Forbes weighed 5lbs 11.5 oz (2650g) and was 19in (43cm) long. He was/is so tiny… he breathed perfectly, suckled right away, and was so amazing. His father and I fell in love immediately. I didn’t have any tears or episiotomy- just a little “road rash” as doc put it. I felt better by supper than I had felt in weeks. I was blessed by having a doc who listened to me and respected my wishes and functioned within the constraints of my and baby’s safety. My nurses were also super respectful of my desires- they were so amazing! My dh and doula were the stars of the show!
On Saturday I was called for an induction which I declined, because I was still a week away from my due date and felt fine. Monday, I went for my pre-natal apt and was seeing a new ob, as my old (& nasty) one was on holidays. She took my bp and was very concerned as it was dangerously high (171/102)- she did an ultrasound and saw significant calcification of the placenta. I was freaked out because I was concerned with induction that other procedures and interventions are more frequently performed. I was bawling in her office and very panicky.
We left the office with a prescription to fill and a nst to go take at hospital. We had a bite to eat and went over to hospital where another ob reiterated the concern and need to induce. They were flying around the “c-section” regularily and I was not happy, but understanding the severity of the situation. My doula re-assured me that she would not have felt comfortable with me at home in labour, and that if I’d had a mid-wife, I would have been transferred to ob care.
I received the first dose of prostaglandin gel around 11pm on Monday. My cervix was 3cm high, completely closed and baby was not reachable internally. I made it very clear to doc that I wanted to avoid pitocin etc as long as possible. By middle of the night, I was feeling cramping and was encouraged that something was happening. My biggest fear was to not progress and be forced to do a c-section. The next morning and during the day, I was having mild but consistent contractions and had continued to efface and by 9-10pm I was 1cm. Earlier in the day, they did a ROM and things went much faster and more intensly. We called Holly, our doula, and she came around 11pm on Tuesday. That night, I didn’t sleep and continued to progress well. I was very pleased and that kept my motivation up to keep moving around… walking, bending, and hanging out in the shower. I loved the shower!!!! Next time, I would like a water birth!
Tuesday morning rolls around and things seem to be slowing down a bit and getting less intense. I was expecting/hoping to deliver by mid morning. The contractions were changing- getting longer, more painful but further apart. It hurt to lay down, it hurt to sit, my lower back when walking was killing me, plus my groin muscles and ligaments. I was getting discouraged as everything seemed to be getting longer/slower rather than closer and more intense. I was at 7-8cm for hours and had visions of a c-section and other nasties that I didn’t want. We went upstairs to the physio to see about borrowing TENS (muscles stimulators) to manage pain (as I didn’t make it over to my friends to borrow hers). Who do we see up there- my friend… so she gave keys to dh to go get the machine from her clinic.
While, Barry was out, my doula sensed that there was an issue blocking things… I was fearing not being able to continue on my own, the fatigue was wearing at me and I was scared of not being able to get the baby out on my own. She said that we needed to pray and release those fears. So we did… and literally in minutes the contractions changed again and she asked the nurse to check me. Sure enough, I was fully dialated and ready to push. We called dh and asked him to return quickly…
For pushing, I was leaning over the bed and sqatting, unfortunately that wasn’t so good for doc and nurse to get at things. Doc was on the floor and almost under the bed getting a look. They moved dh to a chair and I used him to squat with… within minutes the little man arrived at 3:03pm on Wednesday!
Joshua Evan Forbes weighed 5lbs 11.5 oz (2650g) and was 19in (43cm) long. He was/is so tiny… he breathed perfectly, suckled right away, and was so amazing. His father and I fell in love immediately. I didn’t have any tears or episiotomy- just a little “road rash” as doc put it. I felt better by supper than I had felt in weeks. I was blessed by having a doc who listened to me and respected my wishes and functioned within the constraints of my and baby’s safety. My nurses were also super respectful of my desires- they were so amazing! My dh and doula were the stars of the show!