In the early morning, I was made aware that a couple I was supporting was in the stages of early labor. They were planning to stay home as long as possible, so we stayed in contact about how things were going, and I reminded them to get rest and alternate with movemnent, hydrate and eat nutritious food, and of course, pee. I went to bed early expecting that I may hear from them in the night, and of course, did just a few hours later. Dad informed me that they would really like to head to the hospital, and that contractions were becoming unmanagable at home and had been about 5 munutes apart for the past hour. Mom had not really been able to sleep since very early that morning. I left to meet them at the hospital.
When the nurse checked mom, she had a difficult time finding her cervix. Mom, the best friend, and myself decided to walk the halls to see if that might help things progress more, while dad tried to get some sleep. After about an hour of walking, mom decided that she should rest also, but again had a hard time getting comfortable enough to really rest. She decided to try taking a bath instead. Again, her contractions were coming about every 5 minutes. Then the nurse came in to check mom again, and informed mom and dad that her progress was the same as it had been a couple of hours ago. The nurse gave Mom the option to stay and rest for a couple hours or go home. The best friend and I left the room so that mom and dad could talk it over and make their decision. They decided mom wanted to try taking some medication to help her get some much needed rest, and also see if sleeping would help her body to progress. At this point, mom was pretty discouraged. I reminded her that her body was making progress, even if it was slow progress, and that each contraction was doing something to help baby be on its way. The best friend and I decided to go home and rest also so that we would be at our best and ready to help whenever we were needed. A couple hours later, dad called to update me saying that they were heading home, and that mom was still feeling discouraged. I offered encouragement again, and also offered to come to their home and labor with them if they would like or just be there. Dad said they would call me if they needed me.
A few hours later, dad called me to say that mom had started feeling very nauseated, and that she was still unable to sleep or rest at home. They were heading back to the hospital. I started on my way, but as I was getting close, dad called again to say that they were going to give her a stronger medication to help her to rest. I told him to call me as soon as she woke up and that I would meet them there right away. A couple hours after that, dad called to say that mom had woken up, and was now dilated to a 6! So far, the greatest lesson I am learning is that sleep can help your body progress more than anything when you have been without sleep.
When I made it back to the hospital, mom was laboring in the tub and feeling the urge to push. Dad and I were with her in the bathroom with her, helping her breathe through contractions and to make low tones to help her relax and allow her body to contiue to open up. Some of the medication was still wearing off. Mom seemed more stearn that she usually was and was also insistant that the midwife come in right away so that she could start pushing. I told the nurse, and we got mom out of the tub.
Mom was checked and at this point was complete and ready to push. Mom pushed on the bed in a semi-sitting position, then holding onto a sheet wrapped around the birthing bar on the bed, on the toilet, standing, and grabbing behind her knees...for 3 hours.
There were several times that mom asked to have an epidural. In our prenatal meetings, mom had told me that she wanted to try to avoid having an epidural, but was not completely opposed to it if she felt it was necessary. I had suggested that, at the point of wanting an epidural, I would count back about 10 contractions. If she was still wanting an epidural at the end of these 10 contractions, she could have it. The reason behind this, of course, is so that hopefully she can push through that time period where it seems unbearable and make it. She was still wanting it after about 10 contractions, and dad looked at me very concerned, and said, "She wants an epidural, she is exhausted. What should we do?" As a doula, I cannot give advice-- though I felt bad because mom was not in the frame of mind to be able to talk through this decision with dad, and I knew he felt a lot of pressure to make the "right" decision. I told him that he should talk about all of the risks and benefits with the midwives, and that it would be up to him to decide what to do. I stayed with mom in labor, and dad went with the midwife to talk to her about the pros and cons. They decided to get an epidural, hoping that it would help her to rest so that she would have the strength to push again. An epidural was administered, and everyone left the room so that mom could sleep.
She was sleeping only for about an hour, but seemed like a brand new person to everyone who saw her. Her husband came in the room beaming, "There you are, babe!" She had brand new energy and strength, and had an overall more positive attitude-- there was life in that momma's eyes again! After about another hour of pushing, the baby's head began to crown. Mom really liked it when someone was counting down during the contraction so that she would know how long to push. At the same time, she also wanted someone to help her hold her head up so that she could tuck her chin to her chest. Two people were always holding up her legs for her during her contractions. After a little while, the nurses became concerned with the baby's heartrate. It was dipping lower than they like it to be.
They decided to call an OB to come and use a vacuum so that baby could be helped to come out. Dad talked with the OB about the risks of using this, and decided that they were okay with this being done because the baby's heart rate was getting low, and they wanted to be certain that baby would be safe. Mom wanted complete silence during pushing except for the one person counting down for her contraction. Some friends, family, and hospital staff even were trying to be encouraging, as this is what many people like during pushing. Mom did not appreciate this, however, and did an excellent job speaking up and telling people that she needed them to be quiet in order to concentrate. Moments later, baby was born. They suctioned his mouth a little bit, and he began to cry. He was laid onto his mommy's chest, just after his dad cut the cord. All friends and family who were in the room, including myself, were teary eyed at this wonderful miracle. I have never seen a mom and dad fight so hard for a child, and work together so well as a team. It was a gift to see all three of them together--a beautiful family!
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