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I want to share my experiences of becoming a mother. From having the baby to all the adventures after.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Birth, without an epidural and many other things

I just gave birth to a little girl. This was my second pregnancy, I placed a little girl with her adopted family five years ago, so I knew a little of what to expect. Well, for a delivery with an epidural. That is not what happened.

My labor was only 6 hours long. I arrived at the hospital a little after 8am and our daughter was born at 9:36am. The anesthesiologist was sent next door first since I was just dilated to a 5. When he finally arrived it was too late. I was dilated to a 9 and my body was telling me to start pushing.
And that is what I did. My body at this point took over and just started pushing. I didn't have any control over what my body did (including the screaming).
Thankfully I had read about what happens when you give birth naturally since sometimes there isn't time for an epidural or it fails when given. So I was a little prepared for it.
My little one gave me quite the scare when she was born. She was born in her water sac, no time to break it. She had already passed some meconium and they were afraid she may have swallowed some poo. Lastly, she had the cord around her neck and it was a little tight.
So, even though I had wanted them to wait to cut the cord until it had stopped pulsing since it is easier on the child, it was cut immediately, to my horror. Then, the midwife did not hand me my baby but gave her to a doctor. I was unaware of all the complications of her birth and just wanted to hold my baby.
Luckily, in spite of all this and an apgar score of a 1 at birth, she was just fine, with an apgar score of 8 only 5 minutes after birth.
They still took her for a few tests to make sure she was okay. The were worried about her since her weight was also low for a full-term baby, 2 days late to be exact. She was only 6lbs 15oz at birth but I wasn't too worried since she had been a lower weight the whole pregnancy.
Mom was fine too. My recovery was a lot faster and easier without the epidural, and luckily I didn't tear.
I don't recommend going natural, because I am not good at tolerating pain and enjoy the birth more with an epidural. But to each their own and I recommend preparing yourself with classes or a doula (birthing coach) to prepare for the birth.

1 comment:

Beth said...

I am so glad you wrote this down so quickly. What an amazing story!