Jameson’s Birth Story!

[Heather209]

I had a c-section with my first son. The only reason for the c-section was that he was breeched. He was a big baby and by the time we discovered he was breeched it was pretty much too late. My doctors tried to turn the baby, via an external cephalic version, but it was unsuccessful.

When I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I began researching VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). I knew that I wanted a VBAC because of the extra long recover time after my c-section, very little memory of the first 2 days after my first son’s birth, and the failed breastfeeding which I believe was caused by the pain medications I received. I also decided that after much research that I was much more likely to achieve a VBAC if I sought out a midwife. I tried to find a midwife through my insurance company but they didn’t have any. I also came up against a negative view of VBACs in general by all doctors and many hospitals who refuse to allow them. I decided my only option for the best possible outcome was to find a midwife and plan a homebirth.

I finally found a great midwife, Cheryl, at about 10 or so weeks into my pregnancy. She was happy to take me on and saw no medically necessary reason to have a repeat c-section. We began to plan the homebirth and I received great prenatal care from her. I also did the required blood tests, which all pregnant women get, only to discover I had gestation diabetes. My body wasn’t processing sugars properly which put us into a sort of predicament. Gestational diabetes can cause a range of complications or have no effect at all. I began testing my blood sugars 3 times a day and went on a pretty strict diet. Luckily, I was able to keep my blood sugar under control with just my diet. But because of this new complication Cheryl decided that it just wasn’t safe to have the baby at home. I was upset for awhile but I decided to keep my ultimate focus on having a successful VBAC. Cheryl found a great doctor, who fortunately accepted my insurance and who was willing to let me continue with my VBAC plans. We did change our location of the birth to be at the hospital where my new doctor delivered at. I began seeing Dr. Hurley at 38 weeks. I only saw her twice but I liked her anyway.

Cheryl and I decided to try to get my cervix ripened as quickly as possible because the longer past my due date that I’m pregnant the worse the outcome could be. I began taking evening primrose oil and blue and black cohosh. I have no idea about the effectiveness but I believe it did help. On my due date Cheryl and I also decided to try to kick start labor by having me take castor oil. My goal was to go into labor naturally, not have my water broken by the doctor and avoid all induction medicines.

Well, we succeeded! I went into labor on my due date. I began noticing regular contractions at about 8am. A little after noon I noticed a slow leak which was my water breaking. Contractions became intense around 3pm or so and painful around 5pm. I was in contact with my midwife during this time and we made the plan to meet at my parents house at around 6:30pm so I could continue laboring. Once we got there she checked me and I was at 2 to 3 cm. We were going to head in to the hospital once I got to 5 cm. I was in a lot of pain and sick to my stomach so Cheryl got me in the bathtub and had me gulp down some water because she was worried I might be dehydrated from taking the castor oil earlier. The bath wasn’t helping so I told my mom that I wanted to get to the hospital to get some pain meds. So she told Cheryl and she decided that she wasn’t going to fight me on it because she could tell I needed to go. As I got out of the hospital my water fully broke and gushed out everywhere. I was trying to get dressed at the time and needed to put on new clothes. I was really surprised at how much came out. We left my parents house around 8pm. Justin drove me and my mom & Cheryl followed in their cars. Ian and my dad stayed back to wait. Cheryl needed to stop by her office to pick up my records so she was a few minutes behind us. We got to the hospital at about 9pm and went in through the ER. They called labor and delivery and someone came down and got me. She started pushing me so fast that I got dizzy and yelled at her to slow down but I don’t think she did. Once we got to the right floor they put we in a triage/holding room where I changed and where we were supposed to get my information put in the computer. Pretty quickly after I changed I told my mom and Justin that I felt a lot of pressure and that Justin needed to get a nurse. He brought one back and she immediately checked me and said I was already at 8 cm. I believe she then left to get the labor room set up, to call other nurses and to page Dr. Hurley. I was quickly taken into the labor room. One nurse was trying to get my info into the computer, another nurse was checking my vitals, putting in an IV, and the pediatric nurse was setting up the baby station. I was having a really hard time with the pain and wanting to push and trying really hard to hold it all in that I asked for some pain meds. It was too late for an epidural so a got something in my IV. I can’t remember what it was called. My midwife and doctor arrived at the same time. Apparently, they met on the way up and were both surprised at how fast my labor was going. Once Cheryl arrived she helped talk me through not pushing while D. Hurley put her gown and gloves on. As soon as she was covered she checked me and said I was ready and fully dilated. I had wanted to squat to push but I completely forgot about that or anything other than the need to push. I rolled over onto my back and put my feet in the stirrups. My midwife told me that the fastest way to get the baby out was to curl up over my belly. Dr. Hurley let me feel the baby’s head as he crowned. She helped me deliver the head by applying pressure around. I learned later that they kept loosing the baby’s heart rate on the monitor so the faster I delivered the better outcome we all would have. I tore but I asked to not have an episiotomy which is good because if I had I probably would have needed more repairs. Jameson Maddox was born after just 3 pushes at 10:23 pm! He was 8 lbs 3 oz and 19 3/4^th inches. We were only in the hospital less than an hour and a half before he was born. No one realized how quick it would be and we’re all glad that I asked to go to the hospital when I did. He was born so fast that my pain meds hadn’t kicked in and they hadn’t time to affect the baby either. Jameson was doing really well and having no breathing problems or any other immediately noticeable issues. Once he was out they put him on my belly where I got to cut his cord. Justin didn’t want to cut the cord and he pretty much stayed up by my head the whole time. The pediatric nurse was really great. She made sure she asked me or let me know anything before she did it and she let me nurse as soon as possible because she knew how important that was to me. She cleaned up Jameson while I was being stitched up and before we realized it everything was said and done. We were taken to the recovery room where we all stayed. I wanted to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible so I kept asking about that. We wanted Jameson to be circumcised and the pediatric doctor said they wanted to wait until he was a day old. So we ended up staying for 2 days and I got to observe the circumcision which I’m surprised they let me. I had a great day nurse but I didn’t really care for the night nurse. They woke me up more than the baby did to constantly check my vitals and temperature. I also had my blood sugars tested a few times & they returned to normal. Jameson also had his tested and his were normal. I guess the gestational diabetes was just a fluke!

I am so happy to have given birth vaginally. I was up on my feet the next day and while I’m a little sore I’m not in any pain. I remember how much pain I was in after the c-section and this was nothing compared. I’ve also had no major issues breastfeeding which is great. It’s nice to be able to relax this time around! We’re all adjusting slowly but nicely to having a baby in the house and I hope things just keep getting better!

[tialisa]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

[Celyn4]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 5:55 PM

He's adorable! Great job!

[MSugarKane]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 6:29 AM

What a beautiful baby! Congratulations!

[go_romanovs]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 1:20 PM

congratulations! He is beautiful! And what a lovely birth story! So refreshing to see a mom who does her own research to make important first decisions for her baby!
I wish there weren't any pain meds (especially since you were transitioning!) or circumsision.. but I guess I'd have to be you and feel what you felt to be able to really understand!

You did an awesome job and have all the right to be so proud! :))

[mommalynde]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 1:45 PM

He is so adorable! I am so glad things went so well for you and your family.  Enoy...this time goes so fast.

[Heather209]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 1:55 PM

go_romanov... Thanks!

And I just wanted to say that if I'd known how fast I'd push the baby out then I probably wouldn't have gotten the pain meds. But you know hind sight is 20/20...

I have mixed feelings on the circ issue. I asked my hubby what he wanted & he wanted him circ'd so that's what we did... I did watch them do it so I feel better that he wasn't alone.

(Original Poster)

[nathansmommy413]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 2:27 PM

Congrats!  Your story is very inspiring!

[Lb128f]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 2:57 PM

[heather.pierce]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 5:38 PM

Oh, yay!  Congratulations, and very inspiring!

[krart]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 7:51 PM

congratulations- what a cutie!