Victoria and Sullivan
It was a Wednesday night, two days after my “guess” date, and my family and I went out for dinner. When walking around target after, I felt like baby was sooo low. I knew things were going to happen soon. I had hesitations sending my husband (Travis) to work the next day, especially since it was snowy and he worked an hour from home, but off he went. I thought I might be feeling some fluid leaking throughout the day Thursday, but ignored it. My first and second labors began with my waters breaking and I was determined that wouldn’t happen again this time. This had previously resulted in inductions, one with cytotec and one with pitocin. I had done everything in my power to protect my amniotic sac and wanted labor to lead with contractions. Yet, as my toddlers napped and I cleaned the house, I got up off the floor and felt a gush. I knew exactly what it was, and I called Sarah crying. She was so excited to see me calling, and asked why I was upset. She reassured me that I was not on a clock, and that my body would know what to do.
I initially called my husband and told him not to come home yet because I wasn’t contracting, but quickly changed my mind wanting him home for emotional support. My mother in law picked up our 1 and 2 yr olds in the afternoon, and Travis and I had a date night out for spicy Mexican food. We came home and made funfetti “birth”day cupcakes. Sleep was minimal that night, despite my best efforts. Sarah came Friday morning and offered to further break my water if that’s what I wanted, which I did.
Having never had spontaneous contractions, I was so anxious of the same pattern repeating itself. Our stubborn little babe was not as low as I thought and Sarah was unable to safely break my water any further. She told me if I wanted to I could give castor oil a try, and oh did I try. 0/10, don’t recommend. All poop, no contractions. Pumping and the miles circuit also proved unsuccessful.
Friday night, Sarah and Nicole came by and saw me. I was crying again, and they gave me all of my options. I ultimately chose to try a dose of cytotec, as I had success with it in my previous labor. I was left with an extra dose to take if the first was ineffective and told to call them when things start happening. At 3 am I woke up and thought “shit, I’m waking up because I have to pee and not because I’m in labor”. When I stood up to go to the bathroom, a huge gush of fluid came out and a big contraction hit. It’s funny how you think you remember how labor feels, until that first contraction hits, and then you’re like “ oh yeah I have to do this again”.
The contractions started very short and close together, and eventually spaced out and became more regular. My mom and my good friend/birth photographer Emma arrived around 5am, followed shortly after by Sarah and Nicole. My second baby was born very quickly and Travis was nervous about us having a free birth (spoiler: he didn’t have to be worried).
My labor would rev up and then stall, over and over. Contractions would feel like transition stage contractions, but in between I felt fine. My mind wouldn’t let me go into labor land because I had too much time between contractions to think. I was in and out of the tub, swaying, on my hands and knees, walking stairs, etc. Sarah and Nicole sent Travis and I to our bedroom to be alone for a bit and contractions really progressed while I was in my “cave”. While we were laboring alone on our bedroom, Travis finally admitted how glad he was that we got to do this at home.
I really wanted a water birth, so I tried to get back in the tub, which slowed my contractions right back down. Then my lovely midwives pulled out the big guns: the birth stool. To me, it looked like a medieval torture device, but it was my saving grace. I may have hated every second of being on there, but within about 30 minutes of sitting on it, my baby would be born just after 11am.
Once I was on this, I began pushing with contractions, my mom sitting behind me in a chair for support and Travis sitting in front of me, waiting to catch our baby. As the head was born, a huge gush of fluid soaked my husband and basically everyone else. One more push and the rest of our little one came out. A boy!! He was all tangled up in his cord, but he was absolutely perfect. His cries sounded like a little kitten. With him on my chest, I moved to the couch to deliver the placenta and receive exactly ONE stitch from Sarah.
We finished off by weighing our 9 lbs. 1 oz. little man, and having egg sandwiches, cupcakes, and mimosas. Within just a couple of hours, my house was cleaner than it was before the birth and Travis and I were relaxing with our new little miracle. I am so happy with my experience, and would do it again in heartbeat
