In my post, Ireland's Birth Story: Part 1, I left off with my water breaking Thursday evening, August 19th. Before I posted the rest of the story, I wanted to get my birth pictures to go with it. I'm sorry it has taken so long......
The next morning, I awoke and was surprised I didn't wake from contractions. I called Kelly to let her know nothing had happened and was quite disappointed. I, of course, had to be very careful with my water broken. We didn't want to introduce anything foreign that could cause infection and limit the amount of time I could go with my water broken. We didn't have any vaginal exams done, no public restrooms, wiping toilets at home if someone else had used them, etc. Jonathan and I went for walks, spent time with family, watched movies, and I bounced on my birthing ball...a lot! I had some contractions here and there and sometimes it would seem they were consistent for almost an hour and then would get erratic again. I went to bed again that night frustrated. Why wasn't this working the way I thought?
When Saturday morning rolled around, we decided to try and stimulate labor naturally. We used the breast pump and it worked GREAT! Contractions would come very well and get stronger. I was taking some herbal medications to help labor along, but after four hours of stimulation and a good long (and VERY hot) walk my contractions slowed down and were again all over the place. We of course always monitored the baby and I and everything was fine, but it just wasn't happening.
Around six Saturday evening, Kelly came in and had a talk with us. She told us if there was anything emotional holding us back that needed to be discussed we should lay it out. (As I've educated myself on birth, I know that emotions, life events, etc. can cause delayed labors and even complications) She left and JQ and I sat together and he asked me if there was anything wrong. I didn't think there was, but then I started crying my eyes out: "This isn't how I planned it, or how I wanted it to go. I'm so disappointed in myself and this slow process. It's taking so long and I don't understand why it's not happening." Then it hit me. "I feel pressure to perform. With everyone here, I know there is a dead line when they have to be home. I know that they think we are crazy for doing this and I want to show them what can be. I feel like I'm upsetting everyone. I need to be alone with just you and our family." Jonathan comforted me and we decided and agreed to send everyone to a different house, to have my parents bring Eviana back home, and for us to just relax, watch a movie and go on as if everything were normal. The minute everyone left and Eviana was home, I had my first real contraction and they came consistently and got stronger.
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Ireland Rain Quillin: Born Sunday,
August 22, 2011 at 6:02am |
We put Eviana to bed and called Kelly to let her know I was in active labor. The "rushes" continued and my husband and Kelly were right there to support me and keep me going. I was so tired by this point I had hardly any energy. I ate consistently to keep my energy up and I can't imagine how I would have done what I did in the hospital with NO food to give me strength. I'm not going to lie, labor was hard and it did hurt. I have to say though, it is the only pain that brought me joy. I knew with every contraction my baby was on its way into the world and the harder they became the sooner I would see her. I could feel my hips widening and the pressure of her moving down and there were times I wanted to cry, but I never did. I fell asleep in between almost every contraction the last several hours before her birth. The last part of labor was the hardest, of course, I started to lose control over the pain and found myself trying to reel myself back in. Kelly would gently say, "Say YES to your baby. Say Yes to Ireland. This is for her." Amazingly, these words worked very well.
When she realized I was close to or in transition we did the first vaginal exam. I was a 6 (where I had stalled out last time). I continued to labor and we checked again later and I was an 8. I decided I wanted to get in the birth pool at this point. It felt SO wonderful and relaxed me completely. I sat in the pool on my knees with my arms and head leaning over the side. I had a few more contractions and the water helped tremedously with them. I'm not sure how long I was in the pool, but it didn't feel like long until I felt a sudden and uncontrollable physiological pushing. I told Kelly and she told me to reach down and see if I could feel the baby. I did and I COULD! I felt her coming and couldn't believe it was time and I would see her soon. I started pushing with contractions, but my body did most of the work on its own.
Let me tell you, the "ring of fire" ain't no lie! It's hard to wrap your head around that sensation, but Kelly was there to coach me through it and supported me through the whole thing. Ireland's head was delivered and Kelly could tell the cord was wrapped around the neck a few times, but JQ was still able to deliver her. When she came out in the water, he slowly twirled her out of the cord, brought her out of the water, and handed her to me. I couldn't believe I was holding our baby. I was sobbing, without tears. I suppose I was so exhausted I couldn't physically cry. Ireland didn't cry when she was born, but she was healthy and perfect. She looked up at me and just stared and then started sucking on her thumb. "I did it! I can't believe I did it!" I don't know how many times I said that, but it had been so drilled into my head that I couldn't deliver a baby naturally after a C-section, but I did.
I hear many women say that a natural birth is a right of passage. I didn't understand until I did it myself. It is so different!!! The strength and courage I found within myself and in God and the way he created us is enlightening. My husband said I became more beautiful to him and he loved me more than ever after he watched me go through labor and birth. I can't explain how amazing the experience was and I would never do it any other way. I love Kelly and the services she provides. She is an amazing midwife and helped me have the most invigorating, amazing experience of my life. Thank you, Kelly, for everything you did for me and my family.
Midwife:
Kelly Miller, LM, CPM
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| cutting the cord |
The next morning, I awoke and was surprised I didn't wake from contractions. I called Kelly to let her know nothing had happened and was quite disappointed. I, of course, had to be very careful with my water broken. We didn't want to introduce anything foreign that could cause infection and limit the amount of time I could go with my water broken. We didn't have any vaginal exams done, no public restrooms, wiping toilets at home if someone else had used them, etc. Jonathan and I went for walks, spent time with family, watched movies, and I bounced on my birthing ball...a lot! I had some contractions here and there and sometimes it would seem they were consistent for almost an hour and then would get erratic again. I went to bed again that night frustrated. Why wasn't this working the way I thought?
When Saturday morning rolled around, we decided to try and stimulate labor naturally. We used the breast pump and it worked GREAT! Contractions would come very well and get stronger. I was taking some herbal medications to help labor along, but after four hours of stimulation and a good long (and VERY hot) walk my contractions slowed down and were again all over the place. We of course always monitored the baby and I and everything was fine, but it just wasn't happening. 
Around six Saturday evening, Kelly came in and had a talk with us. She told us if there was anything emotional holding us back that needed to be discussed we should lay it out. (As I've educated myself on birth, I know that emotions, life events, etc. can cause delayed labors and even complications) She left and JQ and I sat together and he asked me if there was anything wrong. I didn't think there was, but then I started crying my eyes out: "This isn't how I planned it, or how I wanted it to go. I'm so disappointed in myself and this slow process. It's taking so long and I don't understand why it's not happening." Then it hit me. "I feel pressure to perform. With everyone here, I know there is a dead line when they have to be home. I know that they think we are crazy for doing this and I want to show them what can be. I feel like I'm upsetting everyone. I need to be alone with just you and our family." Jonathan comforted me and we decided and agreed to send everyone to a different house, to have my parents bring Eviana back home, and for us to just relax, watch a movie and go on as if everything were normal. The minute everyone left and Eviana was home, I had my first real contraction and they came consistently and got stronger. 
