Pregnant with our first child, I was convinced that I would be overdue – as it had been ingrained in me that most first pregnancies go past the due date. AnnMarie and I even discussed and changed the due date to coincide with the 7-week ultrasound I had rather than using the cycle calendar because I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be induced with pitocin. Funny how I didn’t need to worry about that looking back!
But let’s start with how we ended up choosing the Madison Birth Center in the first place. When we first determined that we were pregnant, I made an appointment with the local hospital, as that was where I had my annual checkups performed. I hadn’t researched other delivery options and what was available to us at that time. Our doctor and nurse were very friendly and the hospital was nice and close to both our house and work. However, I am the type of person that reads ends up reading all sorts of books on childbirth and parenting, and around 20 weeks was when I started to think about labor. At the beginning of my pregnancy I had the opinion of “If I need an epidural, then great, I’ll get one, but I’ll try the natural way first.” However, the more I read, the more I wanted a natural childbirth, especially a water birth. At 26 weeks I toured the Madison Birth Center and was so impressed with their facility and how they operate. I don’t think I truly appreciated how special the birth center was until my first appointment – which was at 30 weeks! I wish I had switched earlier – it was the best experience of my life! Even though the birth center was an hour drive from our house (definitely not as convenient as the local hospital!), it was worth every minute!
I was fortunate to have a very “easy” pregnancy with no issues – I exercised 4-5 times a week and even spread 3 yards of mulch in my yard at 37 weeks! Perhaps my higher level of activity is what caused a tear in my bag of water. Regardless, at 38 weeks, I started getting really mild contractions after a walk. Later that evening, I started feeling the sensation of a slow “leak.” I wasn’t sure if it was amniotic fluid or not, so after a night of poor sleep, I called the birth center that afternoon and spoke with AnnMarie. Since we live an hour away, I didn’t want to drive all the way to the center (on a Sunday as well) and find out that it was just extra discharge! So, AnnMarie said I could test it with a pH test strip. So, I went to the local hardware store and picked up pool and spa water pH test strips! I went home and tested the fluid, and sure enough, it confirmed that it was amniotic fluid. AnnMarie asked that I come in the next morning, and come packed and prepared for having our baby!
I wasn’t ready at work yet – I had in my mind that this baby was coming late! So, both my husband Andy and I went to work and prepared for our maternity and paternity leaves! The contractions were stronger by this point, and I was feeling like Monday May 9 was going to be a birth day!
After another night of poor sleep, Andy and I left the house thinking that when we came back we would also have our baby with us. We drove up to the birth center and met with Natalee, who examined me and determined that I must have had an upper bag of waters tear that had sealed up, as there wasn’t any fluid leaking during the exam. She determined that I was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced with a -1 position. Wow! After hearing that I was excited – we were getting close! The exam brought on stronger contractions closer together, so she suggested we stick around in town a bit to see if they progress or if they slow down. We ate some lunch, and the contractions slowed down, so we went home. I went back to work to finish up a project while enduring some uncomfortable contractions for the afternoon, and then napped on the couch when I got home. At 8 p.m. I felt a big gush of water – it felt like I peed my pants! I thought, okay, this is definitely my water breaking. So, I called the birth center, and we planned out coming to the center in the morning (unless things progressed quicker). I took a sleeping aid pill, but I didn’t take the full dose like I should have, so I got another poor night of sleep. (word of advice – follow the dosage instructions and listen to your midwife!) Tuesday morning we drove to the birth center, again convinced that this was going to be a birth day!
We were given an herbal induction regimen, which we started in the car ride up to the center. I ended up taking the caster oil root beer float concoction at the center, rather than in the car. When we got to the center we continued the herbal induction, and also tried acupressure. We went on a walk, I took a cold shower, and then we discussed acupuncture. The birth center called the acupuncturist, and we drove to their office at noon for an acupuncture induction. What a neat experience! I was nervous about having it done, but it was effective. However, my contractions slowed down again that afternoon. We then tried other methods to get my contractions moving along – I was starting to get frustrated. This wasn’t my plan! I had been convinced that since my pregnancy was so easy and I was in good shape, my labor would be quick. Not the case. AnnMarie, Amie and Ty all were so supportive and kept my spirits up. Andy and I went on a long walk in hopes of speeding up the contractions, but no such luck! We then had the acupuncturist come to the birth center at around 9 p.m. She decided to do a relaxation type of acupuncture, instead of an induction, in hopes that my body would rest up and then be ready to have this baby! I slept great for 2 hours!! It was the best sleep I’d had in several days – the only issue being that my contractions were nearly gone!
AnnMarie suggested that we actually go home and sleep and come back in when the contractions sped up. It was 11:30 p.m. and I was worried about the hour drive and if things started moving again that we wouldn’t make it in time. So, we decided to stay at the center. I couldn’t sleep, and was trying all of sorts of movements to get the contractions going again – with no luck. I started to get upset. And that’s when the truth of AnnMarie’s recommendation came forth – I am most comfortable in my own home. So, at 4:00 a.m. we drove home! Andy was exhausted too!
When we got home we went straight to bed. I wasn’t able to sleep much because the contractions started getting strong – located in my back now. We ate breakfast, started the herbal induction again, and left at around 1 p.m. with strong contractions. On the way to the birth center, our normal one hour drive turned into one hour 40 minutes because there was an accident on the interstate!
We finally made it to the birth center around 3:30, and AnnMarie, Amie and Ty helped with labor positions and moral support. They were wonderful! AnnMarie checked me at around 6:30 or so, and determined that I was at 10 cm and that I could get in the birth tub! I was so excited – it was what I was looking forward to since I switched to the birth center! And that’s when things came to a screeching stop! I had no contractions for about 30 minutes! The tub was wonderful – I must have been so relaxed that my body forgot I needed to have this baby! So after enjoying the tub for a while, we decided to try getting things moving out of the water! This worked – Natalie Grace was born one hour later at 8:05 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
Throughout this labor and delivery, Natalie has taught me patience! Even though this birth wasn’t what I had “planned,” it was absolutely perfect. I had wonderful support in my husband and the wonderful staff at the Madison Birth Center – going the route of an epidural didn’t even enter my mind throughout delivery. Thank you Madison Birth Center!
