She was due on Tuesday, but that day obviously came and went with no baby. By this point, she was getting pretty frustrated because she had been having contractions on and off on different days for about a week. One day, she texted me and said she was feeling lots of pressure and puking. I thought to myself, "Oh boy, she's in transition already!" But, when I asked her how her contractions felt and how regular they were, it was apparent that she wasn't really even in true labor yet. A few days later, she informed me that she was having contractions every ten minutes. I had a meeting that night and took my bag with me, along with directions on how to get to the hospital from my meeting location in case I had to leave in a hurry. Nope, nothing came of those contractions either.
Then, last night, she texted me in the evening around 8 pm. She was frantic because I had not gotten her previous texts throughout the hour letting me know that she was indeed in labor. AUGH! Good thing my phone decided to start working! I let her know I would have my phone on, volume as high as it can go, right by my pillow that night. She agreed to text me the moment they decided to go to the hospital. At that point, I thought it might be a while, seeing as how contractions were 6 minutes apart, but only lasting about 30 seconds each time. Still early labor, or so I thought.
At 10:58, I got the text, "We're headed to the hospital." I immediately got up, put my shoes on, kissed my still sleeping husband good-bye, and grabbed my bag to head out the door. When I arrived at the hospital, the only parking spaces I could find were "Outpatient Parking Only 4 Hours." Well, I hope I don't get towed, but I have to park and this is the only spot available. I made my way up the elevator and to the waiting room for labor and delivery. Mom and dad still weren't there yet, so I just checked facebook and prayed for a safe, fast delivery, seeing as how my back-up babysitter wasn't able to cover for me the next day. I would need to be back home by 7 am to greet my daycare kiddos, not to mention take care of my own two girls.
When Mom and Dad did arrive, her mom was there as well. She would be the breathing coach. I wasn't really sure what my role was going to be, except to do my best to help her not tear when it came to pushing. I was scared I wouldn't know what to do with myself since Mom had let me know she didn't want anyone touching her or talking to her during contractions. Um, my wrists were going to fall off after my last doula job because of giving prolonged back rubs and massages!
Only one person could be with Mom in the triage room where they checked to make sure she was indeed in labor . As if the slow, waddled walk and contractions making her stop and breathe deeply every 3-5 minutes weren't signs enough! At first Dad was with Mom so she could lean on him, but several minutes later he came out into the waiting room with me and her mom went in to help her breathe. That was how they had done things the previous two labors and it had worked well. So, that was the game plan again.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Dad and I were invited to come into the labor and delivery room. Mom was in her hospital gown and getting hooked up to the wireless fetal monitor. I was so thankful they had that, letting her walk and move freely during her entire labor! Shortly after that, she had to get the saline pick, just in case something were to go wrong, she would be ready for an IV. Again, I was thankful they let her have this option, giving her complete freedom of mobility. We stood up during contractions for awhile, and surprisingly, she asked me to put my hand on her back. BUT NO PRESSURE. Just have my hand there, kind of like a "good job, you're doing great" type of reassurance thing. That was so weird for me, but so easy too!
The nurses were great, though they did have to ask her height and weight, a bunch of medical questions, and what pediatrician they would be using, all while Mom was having contractions about 2 minutes apart by this point. Mom wanted to know what doctor was on call. The nurse told her that they had just paged the doctor and she would be arriving soon. Mom was kind of nervous that the doctor wasn't at the hospital yet and didn't want to make any progress until she was! The nurse assured her the doctor would be there shortly.
Mom's legs were starting to cramp, so we had her sit on the birth ball, with Dad sitting on the hospital bed in front of her so should could lean her head on his lap. We eventually got the bed up high enough and three pillows stacked on his legs so she could be comfortable resting her head without bending over. Not too long after that, the nurse returned to let Mom know that the doctor had actually been at the hospital all along, as it was her night on duty. Mom was quite relieved and immediately asked the nurse to check her to see how far along she was. The nurse told her the doctor was on her way and could do that herself in just a few minutes.
The doctor did come in and talked with us a bit. We were able to explain that we would like to push on all fours or in an upright position to avoid tearing, and the doctor was great! She said Mom could push wherever and however she wanted! I was so relived! We helped Mom get from the ball to the bed so the doctor could check her. The exam revealed Mom was about 7 cm dilated, two more than where she had been when she was admitted just a half hour earlier! The doctor said she didn't even feel the bag of waters yet, but that Mom was doing wonderful and was progressing nicely. She would be back in a bit to check on her.
No sooner had the doctor left the room, then Mom informed me she felt like she was going to poop and had a lot of pressure. I reminded her to not push until she absolutely couldn't, that she was probably just feeling the baby move down in the pelvis to get into position for birth. I should have listened to Mom and trusted her gut a little more. Within minutes, her water had broken and she was breathing differently, grunting and screaming just a bit. This was very different from her extremely relaxed breathing earlier. I took over for her mom and reminded her to take nice, deep, slow breaths.
She quickly told me that she could feel the baby coming! Sure enough, I could see the very top of the baby's head as well! The nurse rushed to the phone and called for immediate help in delivering the baby -- it was coming NOW! I helped Mom get as upright as possible, even squeezing behind her on the bed. I knew she didn't want to tear and I wanted to do everything possible to help grant her wish.
Well, Mom did amazing and not 5 pushes later, her baby boy was in her arms! I have never seen a mama so happy and giddy to see her baby. They had waited to find out the gender of the baby, and were absolutely delighted with a son since they have two little girls already! Mom was all smiles as she took her son to her chest, where he stayed, untouched by the nurses for over an hour! The doctor let the cord finish pulsing before she clamped it and let Dad make the cut. She let the placenta come on its own as well! Mom did have the tiniest of tears, needing just ONE stitch -- way better than what she had experienced in her previous labors! I couldn't have been happier for her, or prouder of her!
When I left, baby boy and Mom and Dad were enjoying their time together. I just LOVED that they hadn't even weighed or measured the baby, cleaned him off, or done any tests on him!!! In my book, it was a perfect labor and delivery! I was super impressed with the hospital staff and their support of her desire for a natural labor and their concern to have baby and Mom bond undisturbed for that first hour, at least! I am looking forward to going back to visit tonight, with a BIRTHday cake for the family and staff to enjoy as we celebrate this precious baby boy's arrival!