In the Middle – A Progression Through Four Birth Experiences Part 1

This post is part of the Carnival of Birth Reflections hosted by Patti at Jazzy Mama and Zoie at TouchstoneZ. Participants are writing about how birth has transformed them into who they are today. Read through to find submissions from other carnival participants.

I offer this series to liberate any ideas about how birth should be to accept and appreciate the experiences that mark the entry of new life moving through us into this crazy, yet amazing world. When I realized each birth story was turning out to be more than 1,000 words I decided to break them into parts. I do encourage you to read all four to experience the progression.

Birth signifies the first moment of conscious relationship between mother and child and yet it is a process of becoming, a literal blossoming from pregnancy. Each birth has its story and we get to define and re-define the version we not only give, but live.

The first – Learning

I always wanted to be a mom. As I prepared myself for the birth of my first child with nourishing foods, books, and supportive discussions about birthing naturally I thought I was ready. It was easy to give up partying habits and birth would be easy, too. It’s a natural process women are born to perform, right?

Reality hit when contractions came and intensified with no dilation. What was happening in my body? Where was my ability to meet the pain? Why didn’t I feel supported? Much of the book knowledge didn’t seem to apply and fear set in. Relaxation and sleep felt impossible. I was not prepared for this.

Three hospital visits and two prescribed sleeping pills later, I was called in to begin the process of birth. I was ready. Still contracting, the doctor punctured the bag of waters and I relaxed in a warm tub as I dilated to 4cm. Although I had read a bit about the potential dangers of medication, I was consumed by the experience of pain and I chose to use them anyway.

First, Nubain, which resulted in feeling drunk… and sleepy. Interesting combo for someone about to experience the most arduous physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual marathon of her life. Relaxation set in and I was able to rest. Finally, rest.

Second, an intra thecal, a spinal sort of anesthesia inserted in the back with the purpose of relieving pain – but not blocking it. I recall signing the forms to receive it thru my Nubain induced drunkenness and something about a 3% morphine “cocktail”.

Then the itching started – profuse, intense itching. All over my body, most notably my face. I asked my friend for a washcloth so I could rub it, over and over. I actually ended up rubbing a layer of skin off of my face. And I still experienced pain.

Through the experience I attempted to open and after a few hours of having my cervix both manually stretched and through intense contractions with Pitocin, I was given the go ahead to push. I did, this way and that. On a birth stool, on my side, on my other side, legs up, legs not so up. Finally, I suggested a catheter because I could not pee and one tidbit I had remembered from my reading was that a distended bladder could take up just enough space for a baby to not be able to push through.

It didn’t appear to make a difference.

As the pushing neared three hours, the medical staff quietly prepared a c-section room unbeknownst to me and I continued to push. The baby’s heart rate had dropped. The doctor, knowing my desire to birth naturally and vaginally if at all possible, suggested an episiotomy. I conceded. I wanted to have my child, safe and healthy.

About thirty minutes later in an effort to help me finally birth this labor of love, my mom recognized what I was needing: the support of my spouse. He had been present, but was not touching me. As she instructed him to put his hand on my shoulder I felt what I was missing all along, although I did not realize it. Within moments, the first being I was given to cherish and nurture popped out!

What is it? A girl! As the staff put her on my belly I reached down to touch her slippery skin. I felt happy, and exhausted. She was rubbed off and swaddled, then handed to me for nursing. But first, I had to kiss her. The daze in my eyes from the lack of sleep and several medications shows through in the picture of that first kiss – and so does the love I hold in my heart for my oldest child, and fervent teacher.

As I tell this story it is easy to see that I did not meet my own expectations and that brought some disappointment for a while. I learned that I needed support, like a coach, someone who would smile in my face, hold my hand, and be with me. I learned that certain medications did not work with my body or provide the relief I desired. I learned that I had little skills to relax through intensity (which was marked in other areas of my life) and I wanted some more. I learned that books are great, and knowledge applied with practice is necessary for it to have true meaning in my life. I learned that love is stronger than fear. I became a mother and scary as it was, it felt amazing. Thank you, Althea.

In the Middle – A Progression Through Four Birth Experiences Part 2
In the Middle – A Progression Through Four Birth Experiences Part 3
In the Middle – A Progression Through Four Birth Experiences Part 4

***

Visit Jazzy Mama and TouchstoneZ to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Birth Reflections!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• In the Middle – A Progression Through Four Birth Experiences Amy at Peace 4 Parents shares her birth experiences and the central focus that holds them together.
• A Birth Story-The Post Where I Finally Let Go Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama finally frees herself of all of the negativity she held onto regarding the way in which her daughter came earthside.
• From Hospital to Home Birth Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling explains how it took three pregnancies to realize that birth is a natural, empowering life event to be celebrated at home.
• Preparing for Joyful Birth-Making Peace with my Soul Shana at Tales of Minor Interest prepares to birth her second child with joy after a traumatic first birth experience.
• Reflections Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis reflects on the planned cesarean birth of her breech daughter.
• The Top Five Utterances of my HBAC Leah @ Zen and the Art of Cloth Diaper Maintenance comments on how an HBAC brings many new expierences and phrases.
• Labor Phases: Latent, Sleep, Transitional, Hell CatholicMommy shares the surprises of her birth story.
• The Birth of My first Child – Our Miracle Baby Darcel @ The Mahogany Way Birth Cafe shares her story of the traumatic birth of her first child. Darcel still feels guilt over the birth and is looking for ways to heal.
• My Thoughts on Birth: 10 Months Later Adrienne at Mommying My Way compares how she feels about her son’s birth now that he’s ten months old with how she felt right after he was born, and how that impacts how she relates to other new moms.
• Jasmine’s Birth, My Rebirth Patti at Jazzy Mama discovered that the birth of her third daughter would change her entire view of her Life.
• Birth Reflection: It Only Takes A Second Zoie at TouchstoneZ reflects on her third homebirth-the birth of her second living child