Birth story - Lizette and baby boy

Pregnancy:

We were fortunate enough to conceive just three months into trying and my pregnancy was very straight forward and simple. Luckily I did not suffer from the typical nausea or aversions. It only started getting tough at month 8 where my feet had slight swelling and I began experiencing fatigue. Regardless of, I worked out my whole pregnancy just like before and although I slowed down at the end I kept staying active at least 3xweek.

Labor:

My husband and I had hoped for the most natural labor and delivery. We learned so much and we used PBC, Sarah Lavonne, Christian hypnobirthing, and Built to Birth courses. We both found this incredibly helpful and had very open minds that things can always change and we have to “flex and flow”. At week 40 baby was still very comfy and I was not showing any signs of labor coming naturally. I was taken to do a NST and ultrasound to check my fluid. Everything came back fine and I had to return at week 41. During this visit my blood pressure was too high and I was told they’d have to induce for safety. I had a stretch and sweep preformed where I found out I was 4cm and 90% effaced! They still required me to be induced with Pitocin which was the last thing I wanted to happen and I told the midwives my concerns and they put me at ease saying they would start and move very slowly with the pitocin and adjust as necessary. I agreed, and continued to think of my positive affirmations.

We were taken to our private room and started on Pitocin, at the start I was able to sleep for about two hours before my contractions noticeably started. About an hour after, my contractions really ramped up. I labored sitting in bed, and tried laying down but I felt pressure and a pop which was my waters at which point I went on the toilet which was the most comfy place, then in shower (where contractions got really strong). I had a birth ball in the shower and was on all fours leaning on the ball while my husband ran hot water on my lower back and reminded me of my breathing. This was the hardest stage, which could have been my transition but I did not experience vomiting or the shakes. Originally I had wanted to be in the tub, but being the contractions were so strong I stayed out on the bed to have the gas and air which was a massive help. At this point we had the PBC audio tracks constantly on replay and just hearing this I automatically started my breathing techniques. It was crazy how engrained my relaxation response had become!

While leaning on the headboard on my knees, I was bearing down and pushing. After a while The midwives offered a birth stool and this was the most beneficial. I felt able to competently push and this was the most comfortable position. I did not have the ring of fire but I did feel a lot of pressure. Initially I struggled a bit pushing but the midwives coached me and I finally Roared out a scream and he was pushed out! I was then handed my screaming baby and was instantly so relieved and amazed!!

I did have a 2nd degree tear since baby had his hand by his face. The stitching and getting out the placenta was worse than the labor! I shook so much during this! I was given gas and air during the whole process while I just watched my husband and my baby and despite the pain of stitches I felt a rewarding high of what I’d just done! The midwives had been excellent and kept praising me saying they were very impressed by my coping skills and doing it all with just nitrous oxide! All in all I am very proud of everything and so grateful for all the education and organizations that helped prepare me through it. I would 100% recommend PBC to anyone!