On 9/17 my husband Warren and I headed down to San Antonio from our home in Kyle (over an hour away)! Today is the day we, hopefully, get to meet our baby! A little backstory, we had spent the past 3-4 weeks re-planning how we would bring our baby into the world since we found out she was breech at 34 weeks. After trying EVERYTHING she would not flip and we were being urged to schedule a C-Section by our current provider. My heart was broken. I had spent the past 30+ weeks prepping my body and my mind for a natural, unmedicated, vaginal delivery. I felt totally abandoned by my provider. The only option to them, and any OB I talked with, was a C-Section and I was crazy for wanting anything else. So at 37 weeks my husband and I contacted every provider/birth center in our area asking if they would help me. We got a lot of nos but finally a midwife connected me with Westover Hills Birth Center and Robin! After meeting with her I felt totally confident in attempting a vaginal breech delivery and was relieved they were going to give me the space to do so! I was going to do anything to avoid a C-Section and that meant driving an hour away and staying in a hotel for two nights after delivery!
So, on that Saturday, at 40 weeks 5 days, we met at the birth center for a membrane sweep and the first dose of Labor Tea from midwife Robin. At that point I was at 1 cm and my cervix was still pretty thick (had gone backwards since my previous appt.)
Almost immediately I started to feel different but nothing too crazy. Just a little crampy.
Warren and I went down the road and walked a lap around the duck pond! Very entertaining seeing all the ducks and turtles! Was still feeling pretty good!
We then went to the grocery store to stock up our hotel room with snacks! While we were there, I started to feel different. Cramps were a little stronger and I just had this feeling that we needed to get to the hotel.
By the time we got to the hotel I was definitely having contractions and had to lay down almost immediately. We texted the midwife and she suggested that I eat a meal. By the time that meal was over I was having stronger contractions. I needed to use the restroom.
While in there I felt a pop and a little liquid come out but I couldn’t tell if it was pee. I remember looking at my phone clock just in case. It was 1:37pm. I came out of the bathroom and texted the midwife again. She asked if there was liquid still coming out. When I went to check I felt a huge gush release….water everywhere!
I worked through a few more contractions in the hotel room and then it was time to head back to the birth center. Things started getting intense from here.
Once we got to the birth center I could barely speak through contractions and they were about 5-6 min apart. The midwife checked me again and I was 2-3 cm but fully effaced! Progress THANK GOD!
My doula arrived shortly after that. Perfect timing because I was not handling contractions well. She reminded me of my hypnobirthing training and to focus on my breath with nice long inhales, breathe it out and relax. It took a bit but I finally got it and was able to relax between contractions. I got checked again because I wanted to use the tub. I have no idea what time it was but it was still light out. I was 4 cm. Progress but not enough.
This is when I really felt like I hit my rhythm. In between contractions I would sit with my hands open breathing. When I would start to feel one coming on I would stand up bend over the bed, go into a squat and my doula would push on my back. After a bit like that I started feeling the urge to push. I let my body take control.
I was in a total hypnosis, everything around me seemed blurry all that mattered was me, my body and my baby working together one wave at a time.
Noises started coming out of me that I had no control of. It felt so primal. I was checked again. 9 cm!!! I had made it! I was going to meet my baby soon!
I moved to all 4s on the bed with the birth ball. The midwife gave me the all good to work with my contractions and start pushing. I was having so much trouble feeling where I needed to push. After a bit like that we flipped me to my back and I pushed like that. The midwife led me with her fingers and my doula helped me with my breath. It took a few times but I started to get it!
I just kept pushing with all my might and finally her butt came out and stayed out and I felt a fiery sensation. I wanted her out now lol!
I pushed again and heard the midwife say “right leg out, left leg out” I pushed again and heard “right arm, left arm” I knew I was so close! I heard the midwife say “look baby is tucking her head” I pushed again and felt her head come out!
“Holy shit! I did it!” I said!
Looking at my beautiful baby girl staring up at me with wide eyes not even crying. She is perfect! The most beautiful perfect moment staring into her eyes! I have waited so long to meet you!
