A Birth Story

Lenorah's story is so different from her brother's story.  It's funny because even though you know every birth is different, you sort of expect the experience to be the same.  With Dietrich I woke up in labor, with Lenorah I had been having false labor for two weeks, so I'm not exactly sure when labor started because I thought it was more false labor.  But it was around 5:30 on Tuesday April 3rd when I started to think something might be happening.  My MIL Laurel was coming over at 6:00 for her weekly "playdate" with Dietrich. so Bryce and I planned on going out for one last date.  I made us dinner and while I was eating started to think maybe I should time these contractions.  By 6:30 I met Bryce in the bedroom and told him I couldn't go anywhere, pretty sure this is labor.  

I didn't want to tell Laurel yet in case it was another false alarm, but shortly after that my mom called to check on me.  She was planning to come in to Spokane the following evening anyway, so I told her just come in tonight, this might be it.  I made a couple trips to the bathroom, which didn't happen with Dietrich but is said to be a sign of labor.  Then Bryce and I went for a few laps around the neighborhood.  Contractions stayed about 7 minutes apart at this point.  When we got back to the house we told Laurel I was in labor and started making plans for Dietrich to go spend the night with her.  For some reason in all the scenarios I played out I thought labor would be during the night, and Laurel would come over and be here when D woke up, or during the day and everyone could come out to the hospital.  I hadn't thought about what would happen if I was in labor and Dietrich had to go to bed.  I have only spent one night away from him and this was the first time he would spend the night somewhere else without us.  So we both cried for a while.

My mom arrived about 8:00 and was of course rather excited.  With Dietrich I didn't get to the hospital and I was dilated to 9 cm, so we were all a little nervous about being "late" to the hospital this time.  And at my last Dr. appointment I was already 3 cm and 75% effaced, so we expected things to move along quickly.  So I called the hospital to let them know what was happening and was so happy to discover my Dr was on-call!  Around 9:00 we headed to the hospital and by the time we were checked in it was 10:00.  Here's Bryce helping me into my fancy gown!

 Still feeling good and having fun!

 When the nurse checked me I really thought I would be at least 5 cm.  I was shocked and totally disappointed to learn I was still only 3 cm!  The nurse started hinting at sending me home (oh no!!!) but because we live about 40 minutes from the hospital she decided to have us walk around for an hour and see what was happening.  After many many circles around the very quite hospital things were definitely progressing and it was getting more difficult to walk through the contractions.  When we got back to the room I was at 4 cm, so at least I knew I was going to stay!  The Dr. offered to induce me which I quickly declined since things were obviously moving along on there own.

 The nurse was great offering me a birth ball, keeping me off the IV (although I still had a port just in case) and allowing me to shower if I wanted too.  All these things sounded good, but I couldn't convince myself to get out of bed.  The Dr. came in around midnight and suggested breaking my water to hurry things along, this sounded like a good idea so he did that.  The nurse said that the baby was a little bit posterior (so was Dietrich) so I decided to get on my hands and knees to help baby turn.  One contraction in this position and I was feeling so much pressure!  Bryce went to get the nurse and when she checked me this time I was at 6 cm.  I am pretty sure at this point I said "You have GOT to be KIDDING me!"  The nurse said that baby probably turned and was in good position now and that is why I felt so much pressure.  The next two hours I had contractions 2-3 minutes apart and they were intense.  I felt like such a whiner this time because I was so calm and quite and focused with Dietrich, this time I moaned and whined through every contraction.  I was always too hot or too cold.  Here is a lovely picture of me with a frozen diaper on my face during one of the hot phases.

 And now with a popcicle to give me a little energy and take my mind off of things.

 Contractions felt far more intense this time around and I spent much of them saying I don't want to do this anymore.  The nurse only once asked me if I was aware of my options and to let her know if I wanted to discuss them.  Every time I sent Bryce out of the room to get her she asked him if I wanted to discuss options.  At one point the nurse and my mom were asking me what they could do to help.  I told them, I just want it to stop, I just need a little break, then I can come back to it and finish.  They laughed and told me they were sorry they couldn't do that.  I never wanted medication, but I really wanted a break.  I finally reached 8 cm and continued to tell everyone I couldn't do this anymore, Bryce reminded me that this was a sign of transition and that it was probably nearly over.  My mom kept telling me you are doing it!  At this point the nurse told me only 14 more contractions and you will be ready to push, she WAY over estimated as it was only about 6 more contractions.

I told them I really felt like pushing and the nurse said I could bear down a little.  Shortly after that the Dr came in and I let them all know that I REALLY WANTED TO PUSH.  They said go for it, the Dr is here.  That first push was so painful I started to panic (it wasn't that painful when I started pushing with D!)  I said oh no that hurts I can't do this and Mom and Bryce both informed me that I was doing it and that the baby's head was right there.  It only took that one push to get baby's head out and then I had to stop because the cord was around her neck (no surprise here, that little baby MOVED all through labor), that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, I couldn't stop!  Finally the cord was clear and I could push the rest of her out with just one more push.  The cord was wrapped all around her body so we couldn't see what she was, the Dr. unwound the cord flipped her over and spread her legs for Mom and Bryce to see.  They both stared for a while, we were all so sure it was going to be a boy, and then "It's a GIRL!"

She was so blue and limp that I only touched her for a second and then they had to give her some oxygen, but it only took a minute and she was doing great and they brought her back to me.

In comparison with her brother, Lenorah's birth was much more intense and seemed more painful, but in the end I was still able to do it!  She was born at 2:23 in the morning on Wednesday April 4th (her due date!), about 9 hours after labor started.  I had to have IV fluids with Dietrich due to dehydration but didn't have to do that this time, yay!  Although it was more intense for everyone (Bryce agrees) everything still went smoothly and I was able to have another natural child birth, all 9 lbs 5 oz of it!