Brooke's birth story :)

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Manders Posted: 03-08-2010 1:51 PM

Brooke's Birth Story

I was induced on Feb 22, 2010 for suspected IUGR. The ultrasound
showed that baby was growing asymmetrically (her head was measuring
bigger than her stomach and limbs) and she may have an enlarged heart. I
was not happy about needing to be induced because I was hoping for a
spontaneous labor and being able to stay home and labor in the tub, but I was also eager to just have her here safe and sound.

We arrived at the hospital around 6:30am. The nurse who showed me to my room tried to put me in a basic L&D room but I insisted on the whirlpool room because my OB
promised me that I'd be able to labor in the tub even though I was
being induced. After getting situated in my room, a nurse started the admission
process. There was a shift change an hour into it and a new nurse came
in. Her name was Jeni. She took blood and attempted to start an IV. My
vein blew out & my wrist around it started to fill with fluid. I freaked out and felt faint, so she called a senior nurse in to start one on the other side. That one
worked. After that incident though, I was nervous about what level of
care I would get from this nurse. As it turned out, she was (IMO) a good nurse with
18 years of experience. Anyway, she checked my cervix and there was no
progress from Friday. Still 1-2 cm and 25% effaced at best. She
started the IV (pitocin/saline/antibiotics for GBS) around 8am. She
asked what would "excellent care" mean to me and I said that I didn't
want a bunch of cervical checks and wanted her to be as "hands off" as
she could possibly be. I gave her a copy of my birth wishes with the
understanding that some of it would not be allowed b/c of being
induced. She knew I didn't want to just sit or lie in bed, so I was
hooked up to this portable monitor that the hospital just got a few
weeks earlier. She didn't act like this was an inconvenience to her at
all, which was nice b/c a lot of nurses wouldn't want the bother of
readjusting the straps of the monitors over and over.

Bob and I had brought a few movies (Bringing Down the House & Sweet
Home Alabama) to watch, so we put Bringing Down the House in to watch. I
sat in the rocking chair waiting for something to happen. Contractions didn't start until about 11 am and even then, they weren't that strong. I decided to do some
walking on the unit and Jeni asked if I would be interested in the
birthing ball as well. I said yes, so she brought one in for me to sit
on. Walking got things going, but every time I returned to the room and
sat down, they petered out. Around noon, I got hungry so I asked for
some cherry jello to eat, which they brought to my room. It was nice
to be able to eat and drink. This was the first hospital to allow me
to do that. I took full advantage of it too!

Around 1pm, Jeni told me that she had talked with my OB and she wanted her to break my water. I cringed and told her that I really didn't want that, which she knew
because of my birth plan. She acknowledged that and left me alone.
Around 2:30pm, Jeni sat down with me and encouraged me to consider
having my water broken because she thought that it would help things
progress faster. I knew she was probably right. At 2:40pm, my OB showed up and gave me the same pep talk. I finally agreed to
have my water broken....but only AFTER my OB said she would still
allow me to labor in the tub (despite "hospital policy"). My water was broken at 2:50pm. Stronger contractions started almost immediately. Jeni had already filled the
tub for me a few hours earlier, so she warmed the water and I got in. I labored in the tub until 4:24pm. With each contraction, I closed my eyes and breathed slowly and deeply, squeezing Bob's hand as a release. At one point, Jeni warned me that
my OB would want me to get out of the tub soon. I said, "oh, please God,
no...." It felt so good to be in the water. She left me alone. I was thankful that she wasn't one of those nurses who jumped as soon as the OB said to do something. It
definitely worked out in my favor. My OB came back in the room and quietly
hung out in the corner. I think she saw how well I was coping in the
tub and decided to leave me alone for a bit longer. They were able to monitor the baby
via the portable monitor I mentioned earlier. I think they were
impressed how well it worked in water. I was among the first to use it
and possibly the first woman being induced to use it. I stood up in
the tub to allow Jeni to check me. I was 6-7 cm. I knew that I would
progress quickly like I did with Hannah. I wanted to at least get a
few more contractions in before getting out of the tub. I pushed it as
far as I could. Finally, my OB was like, "Okay, I think we're getting
close now and we don't want to have a baby in the tub" so I got out.
I had a whopper contraction on the side of the tub. I knew I was getting
close because of the intensity of the contractions and I was shaking.

Jeni and Dr. K helped me over to the bed. I sat on the end of the bed
(still didn't want to lie down) while they helped me take off my wet
bra & put on a dry gown. I breathed through another 3-4 contractions
and just knew it was time to push. I was really quiet during all of
this and whispered only when I really needed to communicate. I
remember saying I was thirsty and I was handed my water. I also
remember saying "Bob" and holding out my hand to squeeze his. I
announced to Jeni and Dr. K that it was time to push. I was shaking
really hard at that point and I remember whispering, "Help me" as I
layed down on my side and clutched the side of the bed. I felt Brooke
descend and knew she was ready to come out. My body was in autopilot and just started pushing. Just like with Hannah, it felt like I needed
to have a major bowel movement. I felt the ring of fire with the first
push and with the second push, her head was delivered. I suspect she
looked blue/purple because Dr. K pulled her body out without asking me to push. It was 4:31pm.

Brooke was taken over to the baby warmer and given oxygen. Her apgar
scores were 7, 8, then 9. Bob took pictures of her while Dr. K helped
me deliver the placenta. I was surprised how hard it was to deliver
the placenta this time... I started massaging my belly to encourage it
to come out. I finally had another contraction and pushed it out. I
asked to see it. I was surprised how large it was! Dr. K explained
what everything was. It was really interesting as I'd never seen any
of my previous placentas before. I had already decided to donate the
cord blood to the hospital for research purposes. (They have a program
that doesn't cost the patient anything for donating.) Dr. K checked
to make sure I didn't have any tears. Thankfully, I didn't. After cleaning me up
and cleaning Brooke up, they handed Brooke to me to hold for the first
time. She looked so much like Hannah to me. We took pictures and soon
after, I was able to order my first meal! A grilled chicken breast
sandwich and french fries! It was Pure Heaven! Bob and I ate and then made
phone calls to our parents and my sister. After a few hours, I walked to my postpartum recovery room.

Brooke Alexis
Feb 22, 2010 at 4:31pm
6 lb 4 oz, 20 inches

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Calladona replied on 03-08-2010 4:08 PM

Congrats!!  What a great birth story!!  I know you were disappointed to have to be induced, but it really sounded like one of the best induction stories I've heard!!

Welcome Brooke!!

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JenniferM replied on 03-08-2010 4:40 PM

Congrats!! I am glad it all worked out Mandi!!

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ShaysMom replied on 03-08-2010 7:33 PM

Wonderful birth story! Thanks for sharing!!!

I'm so glad the induction went so well and that Brooke is just as healthy as she is beautiful! Congrats!

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AtomicMama replied on 03-09-2010 8:07 AM

Congrats!

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Tami replied on 03-09-2010 10:27 AM

Calladona:

I know you were disappointed to have to be induced, but it really sounded like one of the best induction stories I've heard!!

This. Very good as far as inductions go IME. I'm glad it went so well and that everyone was respectful of your desires. Congrats!!

Tami ~ 41  Steve ~ 42     Est. 3/19/94   Ryker ~ 14.2 (C/S)  Hudson ~ 11 (VBAC!)  Cameron ~ 9.5 (C/S) & Shepard ~ 5/6/10 (C/S)

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rgrace replied on 03-09-2010 2:41 PM

Excellent job, Mandy!

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Blessed2beaMom replied on 03-09-2010 9:45 PM

Congrats, that's awesome! I hope my induction goes that well. Just out of curiosity, how high of a pit dose did you end up at? I seem to remember the hospital telling me during my last induction that 20 was the "limit" on the pit. All I know is that it made the contx intense! You are an inspiration to me, I hope and pray that I can go med-free even with pitocin.

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crombie2121 replied on 03-10-2010 7:26 PM

What a beautiful birth story, Mandy!!! I am so happy to hear everything went so wonderful!  You did awesome!!  Gorgeous picture of you and your new little bundle!! Wishing you all nothing but the best :-)

Laura :-)

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Emery replied on 03-11-2010 2:35 PM

Wow that's a great story!  Good for you for standing up for yourself and what you wanted.  I'd love to have someone like you at one of my births to help me along.;)

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skins replied on 03-11-2010 2:51 PM

Just beautiful.  Many congratulations, and job well done!!!