Peter's Labor Story

If you are one of those that is interested in all the nitty-gritty details of a birth, this post is for you.  The pictures are mostly from the previous post - put more in sequence here.

Labor and Birth of Peter Joseph:

I checked in at the hospital at about 3:45pm.  They got me all hooked up to the monitors and let me sit a bit to make sure baby's heart-rate was doing well.  About 4:30pm they decided baby was quite happy and started me on the Pitocin.

Posing for my adoring fans,

I was at a 2 at this point and maybe 50% effaced.  We started watching one of my favorite movies, Stardust.  

I had just discovered the bed could be turned into this "throne" position and thought it was an awesome way to begin my labor.

My doctor made it to the hospital a little after 5pm and checked on me.  I think it was a little after 6pm when she finally was able to break my water and help my cervix stretch a little – all the way to a 4.  

One of my favored labor positions - on the ball.  I often had to hold the baby monitor in the right spot (as I am doing in this picture), despite the belt, in order to make sure it was tracking the baby's heartbeat and not mine.

I was sitting on the ball a lot or kneeling on the floor by the bed, trying to get my hips to open up while watching the movie.  After a while, I finally started having a few more serious contractions – requiring a little deep breathing.  

My dear hubby was making fun of me at this point as I was just starting to breathe through some of the contractions.  Fortunately they were not too bad yet and I had plenty of breath and patience to tell him to shut up.  :)

Then somewhere around 8pm I was noting that things were starting to get serious.  I was feeling – well, just crappy (as I expect at this point in labor) – some nausea, starting to get the shakes – that means things are doing what they are supposed to be doing, though, so I was grateful for it!  

Things getting more serious - Gordie adding counter-pressure.

My doctor came to check me and I wanted to decline, but was also on the fence about turning up the Pitocin or not, so I let her.  I was sadly still only a 4.  This is part of why I hate being checked – not only is it uncomfortable, it is often discouraging!!  Despite this, we decided the Pitocin was at a good place as things were definitely beginning.  Shortly after that, things got serious.  I slipped into a sort-of “quiet comma” where I just blocked out everything and focused on relaxing and surviving contractions.  I was really comfortable resting my head and upper body on the bed at this point.  And Gordie started giving me counter-pressure in my low back during the contractions.  That really made them not nearly as bad as they had been in past labors.  I had Rebekah turn on some music for me – actually it was “The Stations of the Cross.”  Not that I was really planning on praying “the way” at this time, but it is the most soothing tape I have.  Seriously, it calms me and is so peaceful.  Plus, when I could focus again a little after each contraction there was prayer going – it really helped me as I begged God to help me through labor again.  I basically just survived things for a while.  

At some point – maybe around 9pm, I was starting to get really tired and ready to BE DONE!!  (which is usually a good sign that we are close to the end).  I asked the nurses to invite my doctor back in – she was around, doing some paperwork.  I knew things were getting close, but was afraid to tell them my guess on how many contractions were left because it is discouraging to find out there are more than I guessed – but I remember thinking I had probably less than 20 to go – maybe more like 10.  (At this point in labor, surviving one contraction at a time is how I roll.)  My doc kept asking me if I felt pressure and I kept telling her no as I distinctly remember how it feels when the baby is finally down and ready to come out.  I was still kneeling by the bed at this point – down to hands and knees, letting my hips sag back and open.  My doc wanted to check me, but this was an awkward position for her and she had trouble figuring out what was what.  She wanted me to lie down so she could check me and this is where I asked if I could just lie on the floor – which elicited chuckles from everyone.  Then I realized I did not have to ask them – this was my labor!  So I moved to lay on the floor and they all just dealt with it.  

The black shirt is my main nurse, the navy scrubs are my doctor, my husband is in the back, and you can see my head to the left side as they all had to gather around me on the floor - my position of choice.

My doctor checked me – I was at an 8 and I remember asking her how I needed to move to get the baby to pressure my last part of cervix.  She told me the baby was posterior or anterior – I don't remember which, but those words where too “doctory” for me to process at this point, so I just went back to my knees as that had felt the best for me.  

Funny side-note: The commentator on my Stations of the Cross tape would start each reflection addressing Jesus.  And every time my doctor heard him say “Jesus, . . .” she thought someone was cussing and kept looking around to see who was saying it.

Another couple contractions there and I told my doc I felt some pressure, but it did not feel quite as strong as normal but she asked if she could check me again, as maybe it was time to push!!  (I LOVE time to push – finally takes away the pain of the contractions.)  I stood up and squatted a little – leaning on Gordie, who was squatting even more as he is taller than me.  My doc checked me quickly, right before the next contraction and concluded I could push, but I could tell baby was not quite down all the way.  

Pushing.

Anyhow, I started pushing.  Normally a push or two is all I need, but the nurse told me later I was pushing for a couple minutes or so (which seemed like an eternity to me – hah).  My doctor told me later that it was because he was in there a bit crooked, but fortunately I have had enough babies my body was able to wiggle him as he needed to be and get him out ok.  Finally, I heard my doctor say “STOP PUSHING!!” and I remember responding, “I'M NOT PUSHING!!  I'M NOT PUSHING!! - and I was not trying to, but I think my body was doing it anyhow.  I'm not sure why she said that – maybe the cord was around his neck – my babies often come out that way.  Anyhow, she did whatever she needed to do and he was out on the next push – right as my Stations of the Cross tape finished.  

They handed him to me and it was like I came out of my “quiet zone” and could talk to people again.  I remember saying, “oh, hello everyone, nice to see you here” or something like that – because honestly I had not opened my eyes for the past hour and a half – hah.  And Peter (who had no name yet) was absolutely perfect.