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Birth Stories
London Matthew
It all started in the wee morning hours on Fri. June13th. I woke a few times during the night thinking I may be having contractions. However, they weren’t painful, lasting or continuous so I figured I was either dreaming or they were just my usual Braxton Hicks. Well I woke at 6 am to regular, mildly uncomfortable contractions. I laid in bed for an hour timing them and found they were 4-5 minutes apart and lasting about 45 sec. I got up, showered, ate breakfast, finished packing my bags, watering the plants and some last minute cleaning. Called the OB and was told to come in to be checked. Got to OB’s office, was checked and I was now 5 cm dilated, 100% effaced and having contractions 3-4 min apart (was 3-4 cm dilated on Wednesday). Was sent to L&D and in the room by 9:30. Got my IV, was monitored and all checked in. At 10:30 am nurse checked me and I was now 7-8 cm dilated and having contractions 2-3 min apart. At this point, the contractions were getting pretty intense with pain and I was feeling strong rectal pressure and having to really concentrate and work through the contractions. I attempted to labor in different positions, however, the most comfortable for me was sitting curled up in a ball (a modified squat perhaps) on the side of the bed with my face buried in my husband’s stomach.
Over the next hour things intensified and I was soon feeling the urge to bear down. Unconsciously, at the end of each contraction my body was bearing down on its own and I was making strange grunting noises. I was told not to push that I wasn’t ready, but I couldn’t control it. The nurse did not believe that I was progressing as rapidly as I was. At 11:30 am, with one of my “pushes” my water broke with a loud pop and gushed everywhere. At this point I was extremely uncomfortable and could no longer hold back from pushing. My husband and mother made the nurse check me and to no surprise I was fully dilated and ready to push. Things got busy in the room as the nurse had to get everything set up and page the doctor. I went through a few sets of practice pushes and at 11:45 am the doctor arrived, saw that the baby was coming quickly and gowned up fast. I pushed hard, he came out very fast and with only a small tear. At 12:03 pm London Matthew made his entry into the world weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and was 21.5 inches long with a full head of dark blonde hair. Apgars of 9 and 9 and a very healthy baby boy. My labor and delivery was exactly as I had hoped without the use of any medication and no interventions whatsoever. My husband was absolutely wonderful through the whole labor and was so supportive the entire time. I had one moment of weakness where I thought I might want pain medicine, but he reminded me that I had done so well so far and that the doubt meant that I was almost done. I couldn’t have done it without him.
Mom and baby are now home and doing well!