Birth story - Laura and baby Evie

Backstory: With my first baby I was induced with Oxycontin. My water had broken at 8 in the morning and contractions never started so I sat in triage for 12 hours waiting for a room. By 7 PM I was in a birthing room at my local hospital and had an epidural by 9 PM because I hadn't slept in 32 hours and was still only at 1 cm. I needed rest and birthed him at 4:12 AM. We hardly had skin on skin, he was taken from me to be cleaned right away, feeding was never established, and I ended up not loving the birthing experience.

This time around I got my prenatal care through a midwifery clinic in my city, which was already a much better experience. I started this pack in hopes of a natural birth with lots of skin on skin for babe and I. I needed a more natural approach to feel better about birth. When my due date came and no baby was in sight my midwife started talking to me about induction possibilities since in my city its standard to be induced at 41+3 and how we can get things moving before then. I accepted a sweep at 40+3. I started showing some signs of progress but still nothing was happening. At 41 weeks I was required to go for a non stress test for baby. That morning my midwife called and asked if I wanted another sweep before the weekend came to try and get labour started before a hospital induction was required. I was hoping to labour at home and so I accepted. I went for another sweep and then drove across the street to the hospital for my NST. After the 20 minute marker a nurse came in and said baby failed and I needed an ultrasound. Baby needed a score of 8 out of 10 on the ultrasound and the lovely resident told me she failed this too. Baby wasn't showing breathing motions. The resident went to speak with the on call doctor and contacted my midwife. Both agreed I needed to stay in hospital and be induced that day. I cried a little, one because I was sad that this was the last day of my pregnancy but also because I really wanted to avoid as much intervention as possible but it needed to be done. I called my mom and asked her to bring my bags since we thought we would be coming home for the weekend.

I was admitted into the hospital, my mom brought my bags and my midwife swiftly, after my mom left, broke my water. There was meconium in the waters so I was informed the NICU team would have to be there for delivery in case baby wasn't breathing right away. 2 hours later my contractions were 2 minutes long but also 6 minutes apart and that wasn't good enough to get things moving. My midwife asked if I brought my breast pump, which I did and I used it to try and get Oxycontin flowing naturally so my contractions could get closer together. Another 2 hours had passed and still no progress. At this point I was given all information about next step and getting put on an Oxycontin drip. I used the BRAIN method and knew at this point in time I needed to accept the drip, get focused and get baby out safely. I was transferred care into the hospital and the on call OB came in to introduce himself. He informed me the epidural would be available all night just in case but I just smiled and said "No, thank you."

The drip honestly wasn't as bad as last time and I could breath through all of my contractions. I started falling asleep between them because it was getting later and I needed my energy for pushing. Eventually I started only waking up when my contractions were at their worst and I started saying that I couldn't do this. So my midwife, bless her heart, looked at me and said I needed to stop falling asleep and drink some juice to really focus on getting through this. I was checked and was 7 cm. She then asked if I wanted to try the tub. I said yes and they started running the water. They checked me one more time after 5 minutes and said that I was 9 cm and it was too late to try and get into the tub. Looking back I now realize those "I cant do this" thoughts were part of transition.

I felt elated and on top of the world. I had made it and could push. I ended up being most comfortable on my back and started pushing during contractions. I couldn't even help it. It was like something else took over me and just did it for me. Eventually my midwife looked at me and told me I am going to feel that ring of fire and that I needed to push through it. I never got that feeling. I was so in the moment and focusing on breathing/pushing baby out and getting to meet her that I kept wondering when this burning feeling was going to come. It never did and a few short pushes later baby girl was born and on my chest without any pain. All I could say was "I did it!" She was the cutest little slimy baby who cried right away. So the NICU team left and my husband got to cut the cord. We had uninterrupted skin on skin while I was getting my second degree tear sewed up. The doctor who wanted to make sure I knew the epidural was always available said with a shocked look "This was a really good birth, how it should be." And I just thought, if this is how it should be then why do you mention an epidural before your even told me your name?! The second midwife showed up just in time for the birth and even mentioned she thought I had an epidural because I was so calm. I got to go home 2 hours after birth with a healthy happy little baby.

This pack gave me the tools to birth naturally with confidence. Breastfeeding unfortunately didn't work out, even with a whole village of support. It would be incredible if a breastfeeding pack would be available so women could be empowered in knowing whats normal and how to cope with the demand of a newborn when breastfeeding. I think it would have been a great support. I'm a little sad about my short breastfeeding journey but over the moon with my natural un-medicated birth. I couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.