Autumn's Birth Story - December 05, 2008

My water started to leak in moderate, but noticeable amounts at 4:00 am on Thursday morning (Dec. 4th). Our due date was tentative, based on my estimated last menstrual period (because I didn't know when it was). But since our due date was set for January 3rd, I was somewhat concerned that my water was leaking already. Since I wasn't really sure what I should do, and I wasn't completely sure it was amniotic fluid, I went back to sleep and then got up as usual and went to work.

Later, after reflecting, I realize that my water had actually been leaking some the week of Thanksgiving when I had flown home to Texas to spend the holiday with the family. I wasn't sure if it was amniotic fluid then, but now I am. Apparently, the bag of waters can leak and then reseal. I think I was further along than my due date indicated, and I should not have been flying. I blame the pressure of the flight, but knowing what I know now, I would not fly during late pregnancy. And I probably should have been put on bed rest to avoid premature or induced labor.

By about 1:30 pm, it was evident that the leaking was not going to stop and that it could be nothing but amniotic fluid. I called my birth assistant for advice, and she was concerned about the risk of infection since my amniotic fluids were leaking. She advised me to go to the Birth Care Center immediately to have the fluids checked to be sure they were amniotic fluid. So I left work and drove by the apartment to grab some things before meeting up with Adam at the Birth Care Center at 3:00 pm. The test results confirmed my suspicions—the fluids were amniotic fluid. The midwife called the hospital to ensure we could birth with the doctor we wanted, and we headed to the hospital to be induced.

This wasn't at all the "natural" birth we had and planned for (with midwives outside of the hospital), but we maintained a positive attitude while anticipating and praying for a healthy birth and baby. We were encouraged that we were going to be birthing with a doctor that had been highly recommended by several individuals in different circles of "natural" birthing advocates. We got checked in at the hospital by 5:00 pm, and were very comfortable with the nurses and people that would be involved in the birth. We consulted with the doctors, and devised a plan.

Antibiotics were started immediately, to protect our baby from GBS and other possible infections. Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin injection) was started at 12:00 am. Contractions were very mild for about 6 hours. I tried to sleep but was never able to get comfortable in the hospital bed. At 6:15 I felt the baby drop down into my pelvis (it was a very noticeable feeling that the baby had dropped 1-2 inches lower in one quick second). At the same time, I got a very strong contraction, about 10-20x stronger than the previous contractions. For the next 3 hours the contractions were on that same level in strength or stronger. When they began they were 1-1.5 minutes apart, and they got closer and closer until they were only 15-30 seconds apart. Adam encouraged me to relax and breathe and kept an ice cold wash cloth on my head most of the time.

Because of the intensity and frequency of the contractions, I was not getting sufficient time in between contractions to breathe and relax. By 9:00 am, I was completely exhausted (drenched in sweat and shaking from exertion). My confidence was wavering, and I was telling Adam, "I don't think I can do this anymore." I informed the nurse (for the second or third time within that hour) that the Pitocin needed to be turned off because I could not maintain that pace and still have energy for the pushing later. She agreed that I needed a break. She shut off the Pitocin and got a rocking chair so that I could get out of the bed and try a different position to relax for 30 minutes or so.

As I moved to the side of the bed, the baby shifted drastically, again. I got a definite "pushing" contraction. I told the nurse to get the doctor because it was time to push. She didn't seem to believe me, and said she'd have to check to confirm that the baby's head was down. She barely touched me, and then started calling for doctor's, nurses, etc. I resisted the urge to push during the next couple "pushing" contractions. Within a few minutes the room was full of 10+ people (doctor's, nurses, infant care specialists, etc.). I panicked because I was having serious pushing contractions and no one was telling me what to do. Two nurse-widwives got my attention and held each leg. They tried to convince me to wait for my doctor before starting to push. I told them that I couldn't and so I began pushing through the contractions. With just a few more pushing contractions (about 5-10 minutes), we laid eyes on our baby girl, and I said, "I knew it was a girl from the beginning" (we didn't "know" the gender because we never had a sonogram).

Autumn Sky was born at 9:15 am on Friday, December 5th, weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz and measuring 19.25 inches long. Unfortunately, I was "out of it" and didn't stop them from cutting the cord, but they did clean and check her quickly and put her right back on my chest for skin-to-skin contact and nursing. I remember being really tired from the Pitocin, but she was a doll. I held her and just stared in awe of our little girl. She smiled from the very beginning, just as happy as could be. We refused vitamin K and all vaccines, but they did want to take her to the nursery for some reason… the PKU, maybe? "Daddy" went with her since I wasn't quite ready yet. He never left her side--he actually went into the nursery every time that they took her. She is a healthy baby girl and had no complications whatsoever, aside from mild jaundice (I suspect because she was a little early and they cut the cord early). I had a few small tears, but I didn't need stitches, and was comfortable getting up and walking almost immediately. Unfortunately, the nurses didn't inform me that the water squirt bottle was to make urinating less painful. I eventually figured that out after a lot of unnecessary pain. Autumn took to nursing pretty well from the beginning. Unfortunately, at the hospital they were pushing us to use some formula so she did have some formula, but we never bought any after leaving the hospital. My dad, Debbie, and Grandmother and Granddaddy (my dad's parents) all came to visit and hold Autumn the same day she was born. My mom flew in from Texas and came while we were still at the hospital. We were finally able to go home on Sunday morning. Autumn was considered "full term" despite the January 3rd due date. I suspected all along that the due date was off because I didn't know when my last menstrual period was (which is what they base the due date off of). She is perfect—she has melted our hearts from day one with her precious smile. She is our bubbly, happy child--all blue skies and rainbows with her head in the clouds!  I hope she stays that way always. We are so very blessed.