Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Welcome, Neena Mae

Neena Mae
January 7, 2010
4:11 pm
7 lbs. 10 oz., 19.5 inches



I woke up at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6 to contractions that were anywhere from 10-15 minutes apart—these were definitely different feeling than the Braxton Hicks contractions I had been having for the past 4 weeks of my pregnancy. The pain radiated through my lower pelvic area to my back. I knew this was most likely the start of something! Sure enough the contractions continued and got longer and stronger.

We had a midwife appointment scheduled for 10:00 on Wednesday so we went to that and sure enough I was dilated to 3 cm and 80% effaced. I was hooked up to the monitor and was having some pretty good contractions every 7-8 minutes. We decided to go home and continue laboring.
When we got back home I wanted to try to get some sleep in so that I could be prepared for what was ahead of me. I managed to get little snoozes in between contractions. Jake was timing my contractions and was quick to point out that they were getting to be 5 minutes apart. By 4:00 the contractions were anywhere from 3-5 minutes apart and were pretty strong—we decided to head to labor and delivery. I was checked and I was 4 cm dilated and still 80% effaced. Once again, we decided to go home to continue laboring (I wanted to avoid being at the hospital as long as possible). By this time I was feeling pretty tired and the weather outside was getting nasty as a big snowstorm was blowing its way through Iowa.

While laboring at home I found dim lights and piano music really helped relax me and get me through some pretty painful contractions. Jake and I also did a lot of swaying, cuddling, and talking. Jake was the most perfect birthing partner.

We labored at home until 8:00 and decided it was best to go to the hospital because of the impending weather and the fact that my contractions were continuing to be strong and close together. I was still 4 cm and 80% effaced when we arrived at labor and delivery. We got set-up in our room where I continued to labor—I walked and bounced on the birthing ball a lot. The nurse, midwife, and myself were all pretty sure that the baby was not going to come that night so we decided it was best for me to get some good sleep because I had a big day ahead of me. My midwife suggested I take a sleep-aid so that I could actually sleep through some of the contractions. Jake and I talked about the medication and decided that it was in my best interest to take it so I could sleep—I absolutely DO NOT regret the decision I made as I fully believe it enabled me to have strength for the next day because I has been laboring for so long. I got about 3-4 hours of semi-good sleep before I woke-up fully. When I woke-up I immediately began walking the halls of labor and delivery. When I was examined at 10:00 a.m. I was 5 cm and 90% effaced—YAY! for progress! I continued laboring, making sure to use all of the techniques I had learned from the Bradley courses we had taken.

I was experiencing some pretty wicked back labor and found that the whirlpool tub and being on all fours while Jake massaged my lower back really helped with that pain—the positions really helped me get through some pretty hard contractions, and Jake did a wonderful job of reminding me to breathe and telling me how strong I was. Every time I had a contraction I told myself I was one contraction closer to meeting my baby and that REALLY helped. The nurses assisting me were also very good about telling me how great I was doing—never once did they offer any interventions, they seemed to be very knowledgeable in the Bradley Method and our birth plan.

At 2:00 I was checked for progress and I was 6 cm and 100% effaced and I had a bulging bag. We decided to burst the bag which really got things going and by 3:00 I was 10 cm and sooooooooo ready to push. The pushing was the hardest part for me as I was so worn out from all of the laboring I had been doing. I had to pull deep down within myself and really work with the contractions every time I pushed. I found that grunting, moaning, and screaming helped me get through the pushing. I was so tired that I would actually fall asleep in between contractions. I tried pushing in several positions—squatting with the birthing bar, lying on my side with my top leg bent into my chest, and sitting nearly straight up with my knees to my chest. Finally, after an hour of pushing I conjured up everything I had and dug deep down inside myself, let out a huge grunt/moan/scream and pushed Neena’s head out—the midwife told me to stop pushing because the cord was wrapped around her neck, which immediately sent me into a frenzy, but our amazing midwife was quick to act and freed Neena from the cord and I was able to push the rest of her out. She was immediately placed on my chest where she let out the most beautiful cry I’ve ever heard---I was so overcome with emotions, it truly was the greatest moment of my life! It took a few moments before I realized I still didn't know if I had given birth to a baby boy or baby girl, I asked Jake, "What is it?". Jake and the midwife took a peek and proudly annoucned, "It's a girl!"-- I couldn't believe we had a little girl! Neena stayed on my chest for 45 minutes after delivery—we gazed into one another’s eyes and she breastfed. Jake was right there with us the whole time and we were able to bond as a family. What an amazing experience!


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Your baby has the exact same name as me. Neena Mae :)

 
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