Baby Boy - 6lbs. 14.2oz, 18.75 inches - born 10:01PM 1/19/09 - Breech Vaginal Birth

[Serafyna]

Jared and I nervously loaded into our car at a little after 4AM Monday morning. Neither of us had slept more then three hours, anticipating the induction today. Looking up at the moon it was hard to believe if all went well we would have our son in a few short hours.

We loaded into the hospital, as usual I had packed everything but the kitchen sink. Jared muttered about being my pack mule. By 5:30AM we were settled into our room in Labor and Delivery. They started the induction a little after 6AM.

9AM - My OB came to check on me, and attempted to break my water, but our son was too far back to safely break the water. The OB explained - with his head so far back in the birth canal, breaking the water too early can cause the umblical cord to come out ahead of him, which would mean a c-section. They baby trying to pass the cord could get tangled, or could constrict it causing oxygen problems.

1PM - OB came again, and the labor was progressing frustratingly slow. We did a sonogram to make sure the baby was head down. Head was down, but he was still unable to break my water.

2PM - Dilated to a 4-5, major contractions. I get my epidural.

3PM - Finally able to break my water, and we have high hopes things will progress quickly.

6PM - Nurse checks and I am dilated to a 7cm. Doctor comes in sometime later, checks and lets us know he's headed home but lives 10 minutes away.

9PM - Nurse checks.. and there is a problem. We're dilated to a 9cm, but she gets another nurse for a "second" opinion. She won't tell us what's wrong. Second nurse checks.. they seem confused. They tell me they have gotten meconium (a baby bowel movement). We're all trying to figure out what this means. Both nurses believe they are feeling our sons butt in my birth canal. They call my doctor. Jared and I are shocked at the possibility.

9:20PM - Our doctor shows up, he confirms by sonogram.... somehow our son managed to flip around during active labor. He is indeed - breech. He measures his head, belly, legs. He checks how he's positioned. He tells us we have a breech baby and have two choices - vaginal breech or a c-section. C-section is more commonly done. It's more predictable. Most doctors would not even consider a vaginal delivery. He tells me if anyone is going to be able to do this - I could. This is my third child, he's smaller then my previous babies. Jared is worried about our safety. I tell him - I can do this. I believe I can have this baby. My doctor says we will go to the OR either way. They will be ready for an emergency c-section, or to cut my cervix is the baby gets stuck. It's decided. I am going to attempt a vaginal breech birth.

10:01PM - Our son is born. Vaginal breech. 6lbs. 14.2oz 18.75inches long. People asked me how I felt, I said, "Like I've just given birth to sandpaper." (Oh my did my lady parts HURT) We were not pushing long though... it was very short and very intense.

We still don't have a name for him.

My brain is fuzzy. I hope some of this makes sense. So much is a blur of emotions, hard choices, anxiousness and disappointments with things not progressing. It was a lonnnng day.

All worth it.

[Needsalife]

Jan. 21, 2009 at 11:30 PM

Oh my gosh he is SO cute! Congratulations on the birth and well done on the delivery! =)

[shybabe]

Jan. 21, 2009 at 11:31 PM

He is beautiful. You did well momma, Congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xandersmomma]

Jan. 21, 2009 at 11:43 PM

aww Congrats Momma! You have a beautiful baby boy.

[MommyPeck3]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 9:07 PM

Congrats.  Our babies have the same birthday.  But wow and breech vaginal, all the power to.  My little girl was born on Jan. 19, 8:46pm.  She was 8lbs and 20.5 inches.  Again congrats and take care.