The birth story- part 2
Missed part 1? You can check it out here.
My heart sunk as I anticipated a suggestion that would take me off the path of my birth plan. Fortunately, our nurse was amazing and offered a progressive list of alternatives to a drug intervention. I was so thankful when the nurse handed me an oxygen mask with a warning that an IV would be the next step.
“Let’s see if baby needs some fresh air to get her heart rate up.”
I happily took the mask. In contractions beforehand, I had noticed that despite my best efforts to breathe deeply, they were too strong and hitting me too quickly without a break to keep some breaths from being shallow.
Thankfully, within moments of taking the oxygen, baby’s heart rate accelerated in sync with the contractions, just like they had been watching for. The nurse took the monitor away from my belly, and since my mind was no longer 100% worried about the baby, it focused back to the unbearable pain I was feeling. At this point, my entire body was still shaking and I started to sob as I asked how much longer it was going to last. The midwife was in the room –she was in and out during the labor process, and somehow knew when to help us, or just sit back and let us do our thing- and asked me if I wanted her to check and see how far along I was.
While I was laboring, I avoided being checked as much as possible since I didn’t really want to know, or get false hope. The number of centimeters dilated doesn’t necessarily mean anything since progress can change or stall at any moment, but when the midwife asked, I had to know. I had to know if everything I had gone through was going to leave me at 6cm dilated, or I’d be closer to the end.
“You’re 9cm and about 90% effaced. Your bag of waters is still intact, so if you’d like me to break it, it might help things move a little more quickly.”
That sounded good to me, so I asked her to go ahead and do it… and it felt heavenly, like so much pressure was released along with the warm water.
“Do you feel like pushing at all?”
I definitely had started to feel a pushing pressure, so I decided to try and see how it felt.
It felt wrong.
It kind of hurt in a strange way, like my body wasn’t ready for it, so I stopped trying to push and kept focusing on making it through one contraction at a time. The contractions became even more intense, which I didn’t think was possible, and were now 2 minutes apart and lasting at least 1 minute each.
This lasted for 3 hours.
During that time, Tom kept coaching me through every single contraction, encouraging me, and giving me sips of water while Tricia kept pressing the warm packs into my back. Tom left for a little while to update the family, and came back with photos and a video of them cheering me on.
It was the only time I really smiled during the whole ordeal, and gave me a little extra go power, because I was crumbling before then. All I could do was moan, breathe and let each contraction overtake my body. I was still draped over the back of the bed.
The midwife came back and offered to check me again, and discovered that my cervix was still slightly over the baby’s head, which was keeping me from being able to push effectively. She moved it out of the way, and then it was time to try push.
I laid on the bed and the nurse monitored each contraction, while the midwife rubbed warm oil and compresses down… yonder…to keep me from tearing.
My body was still shaking, and I can definitely see how pushing is an athletic event. I used all of the strength I had left to try and push the baby, and it felt amazing. It was such a relief to be able to use the contractions to my advantage, instead of just trying to make it through each one.
We held my legs back, I curled my spine, took a deep breath as each contraction began, and pushed for 45 minutes while we methodically worked her head out.
At first, it seemed like we had plenty of time to get the baby out and I could really focus on taking things slowly so I wouldn’t tear. I could feel the midwife rubbing oil inside my body in between pushing, and I was so thankful she was doing everything she could to prevent tearing. As soon as everyone could see the baby’s hair, things changed.
Her heart rate started to drop in between contractions; sometimes to half of what it was (which can be normal but caused some concern). We monitored her closely and urged me to take large, deep breaths to restore the heart rate each time. Up until this point, there was no clear answer for why I progressed so quickly initially then stalled so quickly when I was so near the end. As her head pushed out, we discovered the answer. The midwife told me that the cord was wrapped tightly around her neck. She wasn’t able to lift if over the baby’s head and instead of taking the time to cut it, the midwife gave me curt guidance that I couldn’t stop pushing. We needed to get the baby out, and I’d need to push as hard as I could to make it happen quickly. I didn’t even wait for the next contraction… I grabbed my legs, rounded my back, and pushed my heart out.
Her head was so out, so then it was quickly her shoulders, and then her entire body, along with a rush of fluid (so much for nice and easy).
They placed her on my chest and she felt warm, slimy and amazing.
I kept saying “Baby, baby, you’re here, you’re here.”
But as this was happening, they were quickly cutting the cord. Tom reminded the midwife we wanted to wait for it to stop pulsing, and she said we still needed to hurry because the baby needed oxygen. Tricia put the oxygen mask on the baby’s face and soon as the cord was cut, the nurses had to take the baby to a station near the bed to give her oxygen and check on her.
I was so worried….
I kept asking if she was ok while the placenta was delivered, and everyone assured me that she would be fine and to listen to her crying.
Before I knew it, she was back on my stomach, staring up at me
I instantly fell in love.
I did need a couple of stitches from the quick delivery, but the fact that we were able to get her out safely was all that mattered.
We had a totally intervention-free childbirth, but the thing is, I could have had a C-section, Pitocin, epidural, or birthed her out of my nose and would still be just as happy.
Looking back, I still can’t believe that things happened the way they did, that I was strong enough to make it though it, and that instead of Zumba-ing in my belly with me, she’s finally here.
Things would have never happened the way the did without an amazing birth team by my side. The nurses at the hospital were incredible, and never took the baby from our side. She slept in the room with us, had all of her testing and first bath done there, and if they saw we were sleeping, they left us alone until we were awake. I’m beyond grateful to our midwife, who delivered Baby so safely and swiftly; Tricia, who stayed by our sides for 12 hours; and Tom, who never ceases to amaze me. After the birth, I have a hard time looking at him without getting tears in my eyes, because I’m so very lucky.
So there it is: the end, and the very, very beginning <3
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Thanks so much for sharing this Gina! It sounds like quite the ordeal but you were so strong throughout it. Olivia is absolutely gorgeous. Can you already see bits of the Pilot and yourself in her facial expressions? I hope you guys are all doing well since returning home! 🙂
You. Are. Amazing! What a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing! Congrats to you, the Pilot, and Baby Olivia!
Amazing!!! My question is when are you putting up the Bella story. It appears she probably fell in love at first sight also. But inquiry minds have to know. Was it instant love or a little afraid when Olivia cried? I picture Bella and Olivia crawling around on the floor and being bestest friends. You have a beautiful family Gina. Congrats again. I am so glad Tom was there to help you bring your beautiful daughter into this world.
I have to admit, I am wondering about Bella’s reaction to Olivia too!!!
Beautiful, beautiful story! I hope I can write one even half as good someday. Blessings to you and your family!
Congrats again! I have 14 weeks to go and am still terrifed of labor but find it comforting to read others birth stories. I think the important thing like you mentioned isn’t how she came into this world (which you are a rock star for going natural – not sure I could bear that) but that she is HEALTHY! You are so blessed. The scary part for me is really that you do not know what will happen until your baby is born and its just a blessing she came safely and she is healthy. I wonder if you felt the tearing? The “ring of fire” and tearing (which seems much more than norm than anything from all the new moms I have talked to) has me already wanting to have an epidural.
The contractions hurt way more than the tearing- it wasn’t tOo bad
I agree with Ginna. With just over 3 weeks to go, I’m terrified of delivering au natural but really want to b/c I know it’s best for the baby (so he’s as alert & responsive as can be vs. getting drugs).
Ginna, you just have to tell yourself that millions of women for hundreds of years have been having babies intervention-free and survived. It just goes to show just how strong we women are!
And what a lovely birth story Gina – you are a total trooper! I admire you!
I cry at everything so of course now I’m crying. And I want to thank you for putting this out there. I think it’s important that women share the real story of giving birth… the good, the bad, and the ugly. You should definitely be proud! Enjoy your new addition and your amazing hubs!
I don’t cry at anything and I’m crying! This was such a beautiful story.
I’m crying at my desk at work — just had to go close my office door! What a beautiful, beautiful story. Raw, real, gut-wrenchingly precious. THANK YOU, Gina for sharing with us!
Congrats again!
WOW what a powerful slew of events! You are such a strong woman! I am so happy everything turned out just as it should and that everyone was happy and healthy after the birth! You two are so lucky to have such a beautiful little girl!
Awesome story… I’ve got tears in my eyes… again. 🙂
Gina,
What an amazing experience for you; I’m so glad that you had Tom and your entire family with you at this precious moment and defining moment in your life! Baby Olivia is so beautiful, and I’m sure all readers can agree we CAN”T wait to see more pictures and see her grow! Congratulations and enjoy your beautiful little family every moment!
Sarah
What a beautiful story. As someone who is a nurse, and who blogs about L&D nursing, this is why I do it! I love having women like you come in who know their birth plan and we can make it happen. That’s a rarity because we can’t control a lot of the elements that complicate labor. Good job Mama! And congrats on the peanut.
LOVE it! Thank you for sharing your story! She is SO beautiful! I am so happy your experience turned out well!
My third daughter had a tight nuchal cord as well and it was very scary. Hooray for experienced staff!
Oh this is amazing! I loved reading along and feel so proud of you (is that totally weird?)! Congratulations again to all of you!
Congratulations to you! I have been following your pregnancy from the beginning and your baby is beautiful. Your story could have been written by me 10 years ago when my son was born. Twelve hours of an intervention free childbirth ahhhh. If it makes you feel any better my daughter born 3 years later came out two hours after labor began!
What an amazing birth story! and she is SO gorgeous.
Oh my – tears happening here! Congratulations, and GOOD JOB! Loved reading your story, and am going to love seeing more pictures as your gorgeous baby girl grows. So happy for you guys. Million dollar question: would you go for natural again?
Yes but not anytime soon, haha
What an amazingly, beautiful story. You should be SO proud of yourself! Blessings to you and your family! <3
Part 1 had me in tears and part 2, well I’m officially a mess lol. So glad you and baby are safe- what a story! You’re even more of a fighter than I thought at the end of part 1 and so is that beautiful little girl!
Amazing story and great ending to the cliffhanger of part 1!! I don’t have kids of my own and although I believe every mother that goes through bringing a child into this world are rockstars, the ones that do it naturally never cease to amaze me beyond imagination. I know for a fact I could never do that naturally (bring on the drugs!) so those like you that do it naturally are my own personal mother heros 🙂
Loved your story, Gina! It was heartwarming and honest and detailed (without being, um, too detailed!), and reading it made me so excited for my own baby to arrive. My due date’s today, so of course I’m extra emotional, but I teared up quite a bit throughout. Your hubs and family are amazing people! Hope you’re enjoying the time with your new little peanut 🙂
aw, it gave me chills! obviously you did an awesome job, right from even BEFORE you got pregnant, in preparation, right all the way up till the last bits of pregnancy. i just know you’re an amazing mother.
and oh my gosh, i just cannot handle that picture of her looking up at you. it makes me smile every time!!
Again, congratulations to you, the pilot and Bella! I have to say, you brought tears to my eyes with that last sentence!
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story with us, Gina. It definitely brought tears to my eyes (and rolling down my cheeks lol). Although I am still in college and a looonnng way away from pregnancy/childbirth thing, I have really enjoyed hearing about your journey!
Absolutely beautiful story, thanks so much for sharing! Congrats again and your baby girl is simply beautiful!!!!
Your story was so beautiful and moving. It was wonderfully written and so honest. I am crying at work reading it and it has helped me realize that I AM ready to start a family with my husband. Congratulations and warmest wishes for you and your beautiful family.
Wow, what a great story! You have really made me realize how important it is to have a good team working with you and also that no matter what happens, everything is perfect when baby gets here 🙂 Congrats again!
o my gosh. you have me in tears over here. then you have me laughing with your “birth out the nose” hahaha this is amazing, gina thank you for sharing this with us. what a beautiful story! thank you again for sharing this with us, it just brings so much joy to my heart and makes me look forward to these moments if i’m ever blessed to experience the same. i can’t wait to read about your new family and where life takes you! God bless you all <3
WOW!! Such an amazing story!! I’m sitting in my office crying like a little baby. Can’t wait to see more pictures and watch her grow! Congrats to the whole Fitnessista family! 🙂
First of all, congratulations to you and Tom! Olivia is so beautiful, and you should be so proud of your strength in bringing her into this world.
I am almost 26 weeks along in my first pregnancy (also a girl!) and my husband and I very much want to have an intervention/medication-free birth. We’re taking an amazing childbirth class that I know is going to give me a lot of confidence in the birthing process.
Just wanted to say you and your story are such an inspiration to me–I know I can do it, too! Enjoy your little bundle!
You are amazing!!!!! Wow, so brave!!!! I had an emergency csection and I’m hoping for a vaginal birth next time (my doc said it is absolutely our possible). I hope I can be as strong as you, you are my idol! Lol! Olivia is so beautiful, enjoy every second, the year flies by!
You’re a rockstar! Great story!!! SO Happy for you all!!!
Wow. What an amazing adventure.. I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing all the details.. for a woman that wants to get into midwifery these are the birth stories I LOVE to hear 🙂
Congratulations to your new beautiful family!
oh gawd i’m going to cry!! thanks for sharing gina!! i felt so bad for baby olivia when you mentioned the cord was wrapped around her neck…but thank God she and you are OK! great job momma!! our bodies are amazing ain’t it!!
OH MY GOSH! Can I just say I’m sorry?! Rough go. I really lucked out with my birth I think. You really endured….you should be so proud of yourself!!! Amazing story!
And seriously…could you look any more amazing right after giving birth….especially after all that….WOW!
ugh crying all over my keyboard! this was beautiful, congratulations 🙂
Thank you for sharing your birth story, all of the details, etc. From someone who does not have children yet, it is refreshing to read such an honest story. Sounds scary and amazing at the same time! And it sounds like you have an amazing family, and husband!!! Yay for Baby Olivia!!! I look forward to more family posts as you share each new day with her in your lives!
Love everything about this. The pictures of your family cheering you on totally choked me up. <3
That’s how I felt. My son was intervention free, but after he was born, all I could think was “huh, wouldn’t have mattered how he got here, I’d still feel like a mom”
and with #2, I got over my needle fear, got an epi, and it was FABBBBBBBULOUS.
crying at my desk at work. so happy for you guys!!
What a wonderful story Gina-thank you for sharing. I love the pics of your family and am so glad you had such a wonderful team to help and of course sweet, sweet Tom! Olivia is just a little piece of perfection-she is so beautiful! Congrats 🙂
AMAZING!!!!!! I had no idea you were in labor or pushed for that long and you went through it all natural! You’re so strong and handled it like a champ! I’m so glad she came out safely too, the cord being wrapped around her neck scared the crap out of me until I read the next part. Mad props to you girl. I can’t wait till I have another baby so I can go natural again, it’s an amazing experience right?
And yes, I actually can’t wait to have another baby again haha 😀
Gina!! I was on vacation this past week and I couldn’t get wifi where we were, my girlfriend texted me and said ‘gina is in labor!’ (don’t worry – we’re totally normal lol) I am just now catching up on everything. My gosh , she is so beautiful, she doesn’t even look like a newborn – so alert and perfect 🙂 I am so happy for you. much love xoxo – Kat
I got tears in my eyes at the pictures of your family, then they kept coming. <3 So very happy for you!!
She is just so sweet and pretty! I love the picture of you and her, with her finger up near her lips. Congratulations to you and your husband. Your story made me tear up reading it!
Such a beautiful story…a little scary, but hey that’s life. The pics of your supportive family made me tear up. So sweet. Congratulations 🙂
I am crying tears of happiness for you right now! My husband and I had our first Bradley class last night and I am going to try to get him to read this story. You did a great job and your reward was one beautiful baby girl!
WOW you are so tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My daughter was born with a nuchal cord, too, and apparently it’s really common and usually harmless (which is wild to me). Congrats again 🙂
Thank you for posting this. What an amazing story. I too had an amazing birth team and could not have done it without them and again like you, my hubby was incredible. SO happy for all of you!
So wonderful, she is. What an amazing story. You are an amazing mom already! I am so happy your family was there giving you that support! Was Tom’s side of the family able to be there too?
No- they live in the southeast but should be visiting in a couple of weeks
Totally made me cry! Amazing-you are a rock star!!!