My first birth: unmedicated & intervention-free hospital birth

Julian’s Birth Story: 

My contractions began at 2:00am on April 28th. I remember distinctly knowing the feeling of contraction, a dull but deliberate tightening of my stomach. I was able to sleep through them for most of the night. I remember turning to my husband David and asking "what should I do again?" He reminded me: sleep! I was able to rest until morning and the contractions started up again. David made me a giant breakfast and I was able to eat it while laboring. I remember from my birth class that said: take a nap, take a shower, eat, sleep & if you can't do these things anymore- you might be in real labor. So I worked my way around the house and found I was most comfortable laboring on our rocking recliner. With each surge of a contraction I began rocking so David was able to time it just by noticing the rocking. My water broke at 12:00pm on April 29th. I also lost my mucous plug around that time and the adrenaline started to kick in. Despite my nerves David and mom were very comforting while I labored at home. David kept reminding me over and over to relax and store my energy. After changing from my water breaking I took a shower and went about my normal routine and for some reason put on makeup! (Which you will see smeared all over my face after labor, that wasn't a smart idea to wear eye liner!) It was a slow process but I felt peaceful throughout the morning. The contractions came in small waves but weren't overwhelming (yet!) That's the beauty of a long and steady labor! After my water broke we went to my OB Doctor Worford's office and she said I was dilated 6 centimeters and was ready to go to the birthing center! She was actually a little annoyed with us for waiting for so long to come in. She laughed and said- "what are you doing here instead of the hospital? Your in active labor- go have your baby!" Once we checked into Poudre Valley Hospital I was in the zone of full active labor. Definitely not fun getting your blood pressure reading and answering questions to the admin nurses while working through strong contractions. I was also getting these big surges of adrenaline that would make my legs shake! The nurse who checked me in said, "honey, you can head straight for the tub." I had been mentally “saving” the tub for when I was in full on labor but definitely embraced the comfort of the water. The birth center jacuzzi tub had fantastic water jets and I cranked them up to the max! The nurses thought it was funny as they said usually the moms liked the bath calm! Not me! After that, David called Kristen (doula) who lives in Boulder and she left for the hospital. When she arrived she found me in active labor in the tub. She immediately assessed that I had painful back labor and set into massaging my lower back. The pressure she put on my back helped so much. David and Kristen took turns holding my hands and counting through the contractions and massaging (more like pressing with their elbows!) on my lower back.  My mom said David was calm despite seeing me in pain from back labor. David told her about the “P.A.I.N.” acronym from class. She approached Kristen and said- "does Katy need interventions?" Kristen calmly replied, "Oh no, Karen she is fine and won't need any." My mom said it was too hard for her to hear me labor naturally with all the interesting sounds I was making (and loud!) so she went to the waiting room and my twin brother joined her. I labored primarily in the jacuzzi tub because it was ideal for back labor because between contractions I would roll over and Kristen or David would rub my back. But then as I got closer to needing to push David had to coax me out of the tub. I didn't want to leave! I got really annoyed whenever anyone asked me to get out of the tub. This was during transition so David decided I should stay there until I had to push. After back to back contractions, I started making lower sounds- a good sign that you are ready to push. They coaxed me out of the tub and I labored for awhile on the toilet which helped as it relieves your pelvic floor and you are able to urinate and relieve pressure on the bladder. After that I tried different positions on the fancy hospital bed that had all sorts of devices.

I finally got the sensation to push but Julian had not effaced yet so my doctor told me not to push. This was the worse torture of the entire process trying not to push when I wanted to so bad! Kristen gave me advice on how to breath differently and David still laughs as he said all my noises were crazy and sounded like "Wheeeee!!" But it seriously helped to change focus. David followed our Bradley Method techniques (and even had the Student Workbook in the room)  of saying encouraging words like "every contraction brings you closer to Julian" and "you are so close!" After what seemed an eternity the doctor said I could push!  At that point it was about 19 hours of active labor so I was pretty exhausted but I suddenly got an adrenaline rush to push! Not to say I wasn't clinging onto the oxygen mask during contractions, which helped! David grabbed one leg and Kristen grabbed the other and were so encouraging! I just clung to their voices and faces which were reminding me to focus, breathe and push. Throughout my labor I had beautiful worship songs playing over in my mind. With each surge it was like someone was turning up the volume and it provided me great relief. I knew God would see me through this process. The pushing didn't seem to last very long but I think it took about an hour. I changed positions a few times and labored on my side for awhile. After what seemed like forever pushing Julian finally arrived! They immediately put him on my chest for skin to skin contact and he pooped all over me! Everyone laughed and said it was a good thing that he got his meconium out of the way. Apparently it's good luck to get pooped on by your baby! I couldn't stop crying I was so happy! I couldn't believe Julian was finally in my arms. I kept saying, "I did it!" He was kept on my skin for awhile and attempted to latch. 

There is nothing more exhilarating and empowering to have a birth your way. Not every birth looks the same but being able to stay focused, manage pain naturally, use all the techniques and coaching we had so prepared for: was like winning a race you'd been training for 9 months for! To have my husband help birth my son was such a gift and knowing we worked through it together bonded us even closer. Holding your first child in your arms for the first time is the greatest rush, the greatest most ultimate thrill. YOU did it momma.