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birth stories | birth announcements
Birth Stories
Ethan M.
I arrived at Henrico Doctor’s on Tuesday, 11/27 (my due date!) at 1:30 pm after my 40-week checkup. Apparently, my amniotic fluid levels were low. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to withstand a couple days of waiting with the worry of a cord collapse or meconium issues, I went with the doctor’s recommendation to induce. Tuesday afternoon they started softening my cervix to efface with cervicil; and Wednesday morning at 5 am I started pitocin. Twenty-six hours later, Ethan was born on Thursday, 11/29, at 7:15 am. That’s the short story. The long, long, long story involves working very hard for a very long time, dealing with contractions, vomiting, a sunny-side up baby who was manually turned, and pushing. My husband and our doula were my saving grace, and they helped my avoiding an epidural. Focused, focused breathing, relaxation and low moaning got me through contractions. The advice in the Bradley Method to relax totally so that your body can do the work was very helpful. Without an epidural I was able to experience the birth of my child. I absolutely LOVED pushing out the baby – all of the discomfort and intense concentration was ALL worth it to feel Ethan enter this world. This sequence of events obviously wasn’t “ideal”, but the cool thing about birthing a baby is that however it’s done, you have a baby!! YAY BABIES!!! I have so much love in my heart for my son, my awesome husband and women mothers everywhere!
Sandra M