Lucy's Birth Story. A triumphant VBAC!

Preface:
When I was pregnant with Evelyn her due date was a Monday. I
stopped teaching the Friday before and that night I went into labor. Working up until the due date was definitely
helpful as it preoccupied my mind and I was not counting down the days. I took off 2 weeks before my EDD with Lucy
and that was tough. I thought I would go
into labor the day I stopped work, because that’s what happened with Evie. I’m glad I didn’t. I kept thinking when I finish her quilt maybe
she will come. Maybe when I clean the
bathrooms the baby will come. The
weekend before my due date was the super moon and I was thinking maybe now the
baby will come. So I stocked up on my
labor snacks and made my affirmations.
No baby. At my 39 week appt with
Dickerson on Monday he informed me that he would be out of town Thursday and
Friday for a family event in Dallas. My
husband was working nights part of the week.
Sherri was attending the Preserving Natural Birth Conference in
Lafayette. So if the baby would come on
the EDD, March 23, I had it worked out to the hours of the day on particular
days it would need to happen in order to make sure Dickerson was in town,
Taylor would not be returning from a 12 hour shift through the night, and
Sherri would be able to go to the conference.
To add to that my parents were coming into town on Sunday (March
27). And while there was no expectation
from them that a baby be there, they live in Ohio and it would have been great
for them to see their newest grandchild.
Lucy waited to make her arrival Monday, the day after my parents
arrived, the day I would have my stress test with Dickerson, and Sherri got to
attend the conference. In fact my
contractions started picking up an hour before my husband had to go into
work. My little Lucy knew when the
perfect time would be to make her appearance!
Expecting around the same time as a good friend (Melissa)
was a blessing and a curse. Everyday we
talked about our “progress.” She
definitely had more evident progress than me, I was definitely happy for her,
especially since she had an earlier due date than me, but it was still
difficult. When Sage arrived I was happy
for her, but I wanted to know when our baby would arrive.
The last few weeks were a bit of a mental battle for me, if
you couldn’t already tell. It was
helpful that at the last few appointments with Dickerson he didn’t put a
deadline on things. I didn’t feel like
he was pushing me into a corner. But I
knew that the further I got from the EDD that having a successful VBAC would
become challenging: increased size, harder baby’s head, etc. But I didn’t want to do anything to make
labor happen. The last thing I wanted
was a repeat of my labor with evelyn.
Let the Story Begin…
March 27: Around 8pm or soI started having contractions. They were coming within at least 20 minutes
of each other, so I thought I may as well time them. But I decided I wouldn’t put too much stock
into any of it. They didn’t last
incredibly long, maybe 20-40 seconds and they weren’t really much to “write
home” about. I think around 10ish I
decided I should probably head to bed, even if the contractions continued I
knew I would be able to sleep through them and I knew that would be the best
thing for me. They did continue through
the night but they weren’t really that strong enough to wake me, but I think I
must have known I was having them.
Around 1 I got up to use the bathroom, I had lost my mucous plug and had
some bloody show. A few days earlier I
had some light blood but this time things seemed a bit more realand I had a
sense that things were going to happen soon, but again I knew I should go back
to bed. Then at 2:30 things started to
pick up a bit more. I couldn’t really
sleep through them anymore, I’m not sure it was because they were painful but
because I was excited. I turned the stop
watch on, grabbed my labor notepad and began recording the contractions. Taylor was beginning to stir around 3am
because he would be getting up soon for work.
He was given strict instructions not to move in bed because it made the
contractions harder with all that moving around. In between contractions we discussed whether
or not he should call into work. At
3:45, 15 minutes before he would need to leave he made the decision to call in,
thankfully. He asked if we should call
Sherri and I thought it best to get a longer pattern of contractions to make
sure it was the real deal and wait til a more suitable hour. I rotated between the toilet, the edge of the
bed, and laying down. Everywhere I went
I carried my water bottle, crossword, labor notebook, and phone. At some point I decided to grab the ball and
I set myself up at the edge of the bed with Taylor sitting on an ottoman
applying counter pressure to my back. Every
several contractions I stood up to do my stretches Dr. Cathy recommended to
release tension in my back. That helped
tremendously.

A 6am I made the decision to call Sherri. I explained that I had bloody show, lost my
plug, and had been timing my contractions since around 2:30, they were about
4-5 minutes apart and lasting between 45 seconds to a minute. I had two contractions mid conversation and
was unable to talk, so it was evident that they were relatively strong. Somewhere I think it got lost in translation
that I had contractions through the night.
Once that got cleared up she made her way over to our house.
The three of us spent the next hour in our bedroom, Taylor
applying counter pressure and Sherri gently touching me in various places as a
reminder to relax my body. But she
commented that I was doing a great job of keeping my body relaxed or at the
very least releasing tension when she touched a particular spot. In between contractions I was compiling two
lists: last minute things to put into our suitcase and things to remember to
tell my mom about Evelyn. At this time I
also remember explaining to Sherri why this was perfect timing: my parents flew
in from Cleveland the night before, she was able to attend the preserving
natural birth conference in Lafayette, Dickerson could be with his family,
Taylor had a full night’s sleep, I would get to miss my doctor’s appointment
and the stress test, and Dickerson would already be at the hospital since it
was the work week. Man, did my baby have
everything worked out. Sherri said she
also had a sense that Monday would be the day as well.
As the time neared 7am Sherri commented that I was burping a
lot and my contractions were getting shorter, and I was also nauseaus. Apparently all signs that I was entering
transition. She thought it would be wise
to begin thinking about heading to the hospital so we could avoid a Chinese
fire drill at the hospital while in transition.
I told Taylor to call the assessment center and insist they begin getting
a tub ready and to call Dickerson, because that’s what my charts said to
do. We then headed down the stairs, and
there I was greeted by my mom, dad, and Evelyn eating breakfast. My folks both said, “this couldn’t have been
more perfect timing.” Seconds before
walking out the door I threw-up. I was
convinced that I would arrive at the hospital at least 7cm if not more, and
ready for the baby to arrive. I’m
thankful Woman’s is only a mile or two away because the trip was less than
ideal. It felt like we had to wait an
eternity to turn into the parking lot!

I proceeded to walk to the reception desk to work through a
contraction. I’m sure the old woman
meant well but she kept asking me to sign in mid-contraction. Umm…hello?
Taylor informed them we had called in already and that we were to skip
the assessment center and go right up to labor and delivery (little white lie
never hurt anyone). The next thing I
knew I was in the little receiving room, they wanted me to fill out paper work. For real?
Dickerson met us down there and explained all the rooms were full but
one big enough for a tub should be ready for us in 30 minutes, so we would hang
out in the assessment center. Shortly
after we left we were instructed to go upstairs. Sherri and I were both confused, but we did
as we were told. As we exited the
elevator the nurse on the 2nd floor looked just as puzzled and
sherri and I both felt. “You’re not
supposed to be up here for another 30 minutes, we don’t have a room ready for
you.” Sherri responded, “that’s what we
thought, but they sent us up here.” So
we made our way back down stairs and the nurses in the assessment center gave
us a bit of a hard time for disappearing on them.
Once inside a room the nurse checked me. “You’re three centimeters, maybe I can fit
one more finger there. Your baby is way
up there. And your bag is bulging.” Wow lady, thanks for the encouragement. Needless to say I was discouraged. I thought I was displaying signs of
transition at my house. And after 30+
hours of labor with Evelyn I only made it to 4cm. I was trying not to cry or let it play with my mind too much because
I figured my mind could be my best friend or worst enemy. Of course she checked me on my back and of
course a contraction came. I cried out
to Taylor to help roll me to my side. The
nurse wouldn’t let me get off the bed while I was being monitored and she said
there was cause for concern because the baby’s heart tone’s “dropped” to
112. Once she left I asked Taylor and
Sherri to set me up on the ball. And
wouldn’t you know the heart tones got right back to normal. I knew 112 wasn’t something to be of concern
but I’m glad it got the nurse out of there.
Finally the time came to make our way up to my room. The aid refused to let me go upstairs without
pants on and not in the wheel chair.
That was not about to happen. So
please her I said if I put pants on under this gown can I walk, she asked for
permission and we were on our way.
Although she didn’t seem all that pleased to have to stop periodically
for me to ride out a contraction and neither will she be getting an award for
encouragement!
We were told that the tub would be set up by the time we got
up to the room. It was good thing I was
only 3cm because there wasn’t even a tub in the room. Needless to say my first hour or two at
Woman’s was less than impressive! The
nurse put in the heplock for the first round of IVs because I was GBS positive
and wanted to get heart tones. I
questioned the necessity of this as I was just on monitors not 3 minutes
prior. I also made her confirm several
times that I could be mobile or submersed in water with the monitor. I must say that I did a pretty good job of
advocating for myself. I’m sure I was
also coming across as a bitch but I wanted to make sure they knew what I wanted. Things were not very calm in the first hour I
was in the room, 3 nurses and Sherri were working to set up the tub and I was
hooked up to a monitor and an IV pole. I
just wanted to start focusing on the labor.
Once the monitors came off we decided to walk the halls, it
was just easier that way. Sherri had her
Doppler, so she could check me at any point anyway. One of the first things we heard in the halls
was shouting, “PUSH! PUSH! HARD!” Sherri
leaned over to me and said, “That will be you soon, but it won’t sound like
that.” All three of us were surprised by
how many people stopped to ask if I was ok.
I could hear a bit of annoyance in Sherri’s response, “She’s in labor
she is just having a contraction.”
Another nurse thought I was a visitor and again we informed her that I
was in labor. Another nurse reprimanded
us for being in the halls and insisted we get into my room. We let her know we would clear the halls once
this contraction stopped. It was evident
to me that the staff was not used to people actually experiencing labor.
Once we were back in the room I spent some time on the ball
which was fantastic! It felt great to be
supported but still feel like I was letting gravity do its thing. At one point Dickerson had one of the nurses
bring in the birthing stool. I tried
that for a contraction or two and that was it.
It was too hard and provided too much pressure. The next time the stool came in handy was as
a foot rest while I was on the toilet!
Periodically Taylor asked Sherri if I could get into the tub, and I
think I kept telling him I’m not ready for it or I don’t want it. Several hours into laboring in the room
Sherri thought the tub would be a good idea.
I told Taylor I was afraid of the tub.
I got in much too early with Evelyn and I didn’t want to stall out. Even if I didn’t stall out I didn’t want the
psychological battle. Sherri said we had
two options 1) get in the tub, maybe things slow down, but I could get some
relief and rest and have the strength to birth the baby 2) keep walking around,
labor progresses, but I exhaust myself and potentially not have the strength
when I needed it. A minute later I was
in the tub. Immediately I felt relaxed. Imagine that!
It was easier to move from position to position, but there wasn’t much in
terms of support. And applying counter
pressure was a bit difficult I would imagine.
It was at this time that I also started the honey sticks. It was like picking assorted chocolates out
of the box, some were great and some well….went to my husband to finish! They provided a great source of energy. But each one needed to be followed up with
some water. By this time I think we were
nearing the end of the work day. I had
the thought in the back of my mind that I wanted my water to break, but I never
voiced it. Coincidentally Sherri
tactfully brought up the possibility of Dickerson breaking my water. She explained that it would relieve a fair
amount of pressure and depending on how far along I was could really pick
things up. At this point I didn’t need
to be convinced that this would be the best next step. I told Taylor I’d been waiting hours for
someone to suggest this! Dickerson came
into the room shortly there after.
Sherri began talking with him about breaking my water and Dickerson then
wanted to be sure it was what I wanted. I don’t think he got more than 2 words
out when I said, “YES! Do it!” I made my way out of the tub and insisted
that if he check me I not lay on my back.
That was probably a given. Laying
on my side, Sherri held up my leg (which felt amazing) Dickerson checked me and
said I was 7. Triumphantly I said,
“That’s 2 times further than I made it with Evelyn!” He confirmed again that I wanted my water
broken, “Yes! Yes! Do it!” I cried and laughed simultaneously while he did
it. It felt so good, it relieved
pressure and psychologically I felt like I was in 7th heaven. Later, Taylor told me that he started to tear
up.
Once my water was broken I thought we’d have a baby in no
time, it would be another 6 hours or so.
Sherri suggested I lay on my left side, apparently one side of my cervix
had more than the other and laying this way would help open things up. Shortly after switching sides I started
having trouble breathing. Not sure how
long it lasted, but felt like at least an hour.
She had my sit up to help me feel like I could get my breathing under
control. I was really out of it. My eyes rolled to the back of my head. Sherri started to get concerned and said
something to the effect of, “I’m not going to lose you.” I really think I wanted to pass out, I wanted
it to be over, and this seemed like a respectable way for it to be over and for
me to get the baby. I “rolled” over to
my right side to get some better.
Thankfully things returned to normal.
We thought it may have been a result of all the honey sticks.
Eventually I got back into the tub, who knows for how
long. I was starting to feel an urge to
push. Sherri didn’t want me pushing
until she knew I was 10cm. Every few
contractions I also felt a burning sensation.
Around this time a Dickerson had asked the doctor on call to check on
me. I told her she could check me but
not on my back. The raised the head of
the bed, I leaned against it while on my knees.
10 Centimeters! I DID IT!!!! I MADE IT!!!!
If I wanted to push I could push, but I had to let my body do it. I spent more time laying on my side. Sherri told me not to do the pushing and not
to bare down, but instead take in deep breaths and let out 3 short
breaths. I had to have Taylor do this with
me. I wanted this baby out and I knew
gravity would be the most helpful. I
switched to standing and resting on Taylor.
Of course my right groin repeatedly cramped which definitely “cramped”
my style. If that wasn’t bad enough my
left calf started to cramp as well. I
knew staying in this position would not be the most effective or
efficient. I then went to hands and
knees on the bed, but for some reason what I really wanted to do was
squat. So squat I did. After a period of time the nurse called Dickerson
to let him know I was pushing but that it would probably be a while. Everyone seemed to think that, I tried to
ignore it because damn it I wanted this baby out! =) He
said to call back when they saw the head.
Well what do you know, the next push and my little Lucy started to poke
her head out! Everyone was talking about
how long it would take Dickerson to get here, in between contractions I said it
shouldn’t be too long because he lives nearby.
It felt like an eternity though until he got there. When he arrived he made himself comfortable
on the floor. At that point there was no
way I would get into a position that would be more conducive for a doctor. It was my birth and I would do what I wanted
to do! From Sherri, to the nurses, to
Dickerson, everyone commented on how relaxed I was remaining, how ontop of my
breathing I was, and that my body really knew what it was doing. Sherri would think of a slight change of
position and I would get into it before she had a chance to voice it. Taylor positioned a mirror so I could
watch. To be honest, much of the time it
felt like I was making more progress pushing out a terd than a baby! I remember thinking I don’t care if I rip
from here to kingdom come, I wanted Lucy out.
(I’m glad that didn’t happen). I
was in such a deep squat, that was something else that was surprising to
everybody. Finally Dickerson thought it
would be best if I got on hands and knees on the bed because he was worried I
would collapse if I stayed in a squat any longer. AFterall I had been in a deep squat for
nearly an hour. So with the baby’s head
literally half way out I made my way to the edge of the bed. Several pushes later out came my Lucy! What a sensation that was! Through all of the pushing Dickerson’s voice was
hardly louder than a whisper. He kept
saying, “so smooth. So gentle.” A stark contrast from the doctor we heard
yelling “PUSH! HARD” as we walked the halls.
Words really helped me get through my contractions. I said Lucy a lot, talked to her and encouraged
her to come out. I told her Evelyn
wanted to play with her. I said “I Can”
which then would change to “I Am.” At
times when things got hard out came “I can’t,” but usually by the next
contraction I changed it to either “I can” or “I am.” Another phrase I used often was “Oh Lord,”
and that surely came from the depths of my being.
When Lucy came I was exhausted. Of course I suppose 22 hours of hard labor
would do that to you. But I did it! It took everyone a few minutes to realize I
was still on my knees and wanted to sit, but preferably not in all the blood
and goo. Finally in a resting position
it occurred to me that it wasn’t over yet that darn placenta needed to come
out. The thought crossed my mind for
Dickerson to just rip that thing out so I could be done, again glad that didn’t
happen. Out it came and he took the time
to give me a little tour of it. I needed
one stitch and that was it. Through all
of this the staff kept saying how amazed they were at the birth. They couldn’t believe it was my first vaginal
birth. Dickerson said I made it look
like it was my 6th successful vaginal birth. After the nurse not so gently cleaned me off
she said, “that was inspirational.”
While my preference would have been a slightly shorter birth
=) I don’t think I could have asked for a better experience. The nurse that was with us at the end was
phenomenal. She was like a second
doula. When Sherri had to leave the room
she didn’t hesitate to be a calm support to me.
I couldn’t have asked for a better support team.