Ava's Birth Story - July 5, 2010

It was the evening after the 4th of July, a Sunday. My due date had been the first of July and that had come and gone. For weeks people had been predicting I was going to pop. I was also getting somewhat antsy since I was scheduled for an ultrasound on the 8th if I didn't deliver before then... I didn't want an ultrasound, and I definitely didn't want to be induced. I had tried Pineapple and everything I could think of help induce labor... including nursing Autumn as often as she was willing (since nursing stimulates labor). So that's exactly what I was doing at 3 a.m., the morning of the 5th-nursing Autumn because she had woke up crying. This time it worked. I started having contractions. I was sure that they would go away because I usually had mild contractions while nursing her that went away as soon as I stopped. This time they didn't seem to be stopping, and they were getting stronger, so we called the Birth Center. Regina was on call which I was thrilled about since she's one of my favorites. She told us to see how things progressed and to call her around 7:00 a.m. I stayed in bed and the contractions continued, gradually getting stronger, and by 6 or 7 I was having very serious contractions. We called Regina, and she told us she was heading to the Birth Center and we should do the same. Knowing what I know now, I suspect this labor progressed quickly and was my easiest because I was the the most relaxed. Through most of 1st stage labor, I had my eyes closed, was primarily in the side-lying position, and was consciously relaxing through the contractions to let my body work as nature intended. As Dr. Bradley said, "Relaxation is the key to labor."

It was all I could do to get from the bed to the car moving between contractions. Because the contractions were so strong, I was very anxious about the idea of not making it to the birth center in time, but I didn'tvoice my concerns. We didn't get a mile down the road and Regina called to tell us that the power was out in the Birth Center. She didn't know when it would be back on and wanted to know if we wanted to have a home birth. This is a normal thing for the midwives-their patients choose whether they want to birth at the Birth Center or at home. But this decision is made ahead of time. We had planned on birthing at the Birth Center because it was close to Arlington Hospital and Dr. Tchabo (the doctor that delivered Autumn). But now the Birth Center was no longer an option so it was a hospital or at home. That was a no-brainer for us-home birth it was. I told Adam to tell Regina and Kelly (our birth assistant) to "hurry" because I was having very "strong contractions" and a lot of "pressure". We turned the car around and went home. I got in bed trying my best to ignore the contractions that I was certain were "pushing" contractions while we waited for Regina and Kelly. Adam found the list of home birth supplies and when he wasn't encouraging me, he was running around the house searching for the things we would need.

Regina and Kelly arrived. They told me to try to get up and use the restroom while they put waterproof linens on the bed. As soon as I was back in bed, I told them to check me because I was feeling a lot of pressure and felt like
I was having "pushing" contractions. Regina hardly had to touch and said, "Oh, yeah-the head's right there. You can push whenever you're ready." Obviously, I wasn't looking at the clock, but I think it was around 8:00 a.m.  When they gave me the "go ahead", I was actually afraid. I had been ignoring the contractions for so long waiting on them to arrive that I wasn't mentally prepared to push. I remember repeatedly saying, "Are you sure I can do this?" and "I'm really scared". Adam, Regina, and Kelly encouraged me saying "you can do this" and "your body was meant to do this, and it will".

I pushed a little with the contractions, but I was waiting for a contraction that really felt like a strong "pushing" contraction. I knew it wouldn't be efficient use of energy to try to push if my uterus wasn't really working and pushing with me. The contractions were painful, but manageable-nothing like the Pitocin induced contractions during Autumn's birth. Mostly the pressure was just very uncomfortable. I just wanted it to be over, but I was afraid to push... probably because of all of the pressure and being afraid that I would tear. Finally, the contractions became stronger and I felt like I could push more. I had told the midwives not to tell me when the head or shoulders were out, but just to tell me when to push harder. I didn't want to "freak out"-I just wanted to focus on pushing. They told me, "you're doing it" and "keep pushing". I think between the head and shoulders they told me not to push for a moment so they could unwrap the cord from around her neck (both Autumn and Ava's umbilical cords were wrapped around their necks;  this is not uncommon). My water broke as I was pushing (just like it did with Autumn), and I was glad since that is the ideal (it helps cushion the baby during labor and helps push the baby out).

Ava Grace Kensinger was born at 9:51 a.m. on Monday, July 5th weighing 8 lbs., 6 oz., 20 inches. She has dark hair and eyes and amazing head control. She's just as healthy and alert as she could be. Regina and Kelly said that she was one of the most alert and active babies they had ever seen at birth. Autumn was also born on the 5th (December) in the 9 a.m. hour (9:15 a.m.)-if I had known what time it was, maybe I could have had Ava by 9:15 a.m.! LOL. That would have been something.  I couldn't believe she was a girl-not that I was at all disappointed, I just had been so sure she was a boy! She was immediately put on my chest to keep her warm, and she began nursing. I don't remember her crying at all. Regina and Kelly moved in close to check all of her vital signs and do her newborn tests. They were concerned with my bleeding so they gave me a shot of Pitocin (I don't know if it was the Pitocin or just because it was my second baby, but the after-birth contractions were worse this time.) After all of her cord blood was absorbed Regina helped Adam cut the umbilical cord. After Ava had nursed for a long time, Adam held her while Regina helped me to the shower. Kelly finished cleaning everything up while I was showering. I remember feeling a little light headed and like my insides needed to be held in, and I was a little light-headed, but I wasn't in pain. They said I had a tiny tear, but they didn't stitch it, and it never bothered me much… far less painful than the two with Autumn (they weren't stitched either).

Ava and I spent the rest of the day in bed taking it easy. Adam and I had a good laugh about when I asked Regina exactly what she meant by, "take it easy". Adam said he didn't even know why I bothered asking since I'm hardheaded and probably wasn't doing to listen! LOL-he knows me too well! My dad (Papa to Autumn and Ava) had been watching Autumn for us. They went shopping for a doll-sized baby stroller for "big sister", but they came back around 10:00 a.m. to meet "baby Ava" as Autumn would call her for many months to come. Autumn adores her baby sister, hugging and kissing her all over and even fetching diapers for mommy (at just 19 months old she was a very big helper and people-pleaser). My mom (Grams to Autumn and Ava) got in from the airport and to the house around 3:00 p.m. I had already called Mom since Ava was born before she got on the plane. She had made phone calls telling everyone so we didn't have to. We had a few other visitors, but mostly just spent the day enjoying Ava Grace--our newest bundle of joy. Little did we know what a joy she would be… she's so good, doesn't complain, and smiles constantly! I often call her "my little firecracker". We later learned what a little firecracker she can be when she doesn't get her way. You'd of thought she was born July 4th! Thank God for another healthy baby girl. I didn't know my heart could be so full.