Liz's second hospital birth story: The Compleat Mother

My second hospital birth was somewhat better than the first, but hardly a positive one. I decided to change O.B.s. My first doctor was a male, so I felt that a woman doctor would be a smarter choice for me. I felt that things would be better this time around. They just had to be!

Toward the end of my pregnancy, my blood pressure began to climb again. My new O.B. advised me that induction might be a possibility. I explained that I was terrified of being induced and told her of my previous baby's birth. She assured me that I would be allowed to stand up and walk around whenever I needed to during labour. She lied!

Twelve days before my due date, I was admitted to the same hospital for induction. Again, I was given a Pitocin pill to swallow, and I was put on the Pitocin drip. Again, I was forced to wear an external foetal monitor, blood pressure cuff, and oxygen mask. At this point, at least, I wasn't in any pain. My baby was high, and nothing was happening. No pain whatsoever. They kept increasing the Pitocin time after time, but I remained dilated at about 2 to 3 cm. The nursing team appeared to be somewhat mystified as to why my labour wasn't starting.

I was getting frustrated as my back was really sore from lying down, and no one would unhook me from the monitors so that I could get up and move around. Finally, my O.B. appeared and decided to break my amniotic sac. Once this procedure was completed, she quickly left the room and raced down the hall. I was finally allowed to climb down from the labour bed and stood next to it.

Now, my nightmare was just beginning. Believe it or not, I began to dilate in a matter of SECONDS. It was excruciatingly painful. I begged the nurse for an epidural. She looked at me as if I was the biggest wimp in the world. Finally she agreed to check me. After just a minute or two, I was at 9.5 cm. This surprised the nurse greatly, and she immediately called for the O.B. I insisted on walking to the labour room myself. I was terrified of being forced to lie on my back again.

There I was, just me and the nurse, alone in the delivery room. My husband was off frantically donning his hospital scrubs while I stood clinging to the side of the delivery table. I began to push. This was frightening for me as I did not know what the urge to push felt like. The nurse became very cross with me and insisted that I climb up on the delivery table. She did not want me having my baby on the floor, she said. I relented and painfully climbed up, placing my legs in those awful stirrups yet again.

The doctor finally arrived and my 8 lb. 15 oz. daughter, Brigit, was caught. Fortunately my husband made it in time to see the birth. Again, I suffered from the dreaded lengthy double peaked contractions endured during my first birth experience. From the first twinge to delivery was a mere 40 minutes. Ouch! Things progressed so quickly, that my body was totally unprepared for the pain and I really felt out of control. So much for Lamaze class.

We were wheeled into the recovery room to have some private time together. Just me, my husband, our new daughter, AND THE TECHNICIAN WHO NOISILY COUNTED ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE SURGICAL TRAYS. Plink, plink, plink.

This time, I was able to stay in a semi-private room. Hooray, I thought. More privacy, more peace and quiet. I was very happy. Then, I realized that I had the roommate from hell. She monopolized the telephone and carried on noisy conversations all day long. To make matters worse, she had sleep apnea and snored AS LOUD AS A LAWNMOWER. This is no exaggeration. She would snore and then stop breathing for extended periods. It was very distracting and troublesome. I begged for another room, but there was nothing else available. I finally found myself wandering down to the nurse's station in the middle of the night hoping that someone would take pity on me and give me a sleeping pill. Thankfully, they did because they knew just who my roommate was!

Again, I was not allowed to room in with my daughter. She had to be returned to the nursery several times a day, including during the night. I think that they gave her sugar water too. Fortunately, her suck was much better than my first daughter's and we didn't need help with latching or positioning. That was a good thing as I quickly realized that I knew more than the nurses about breastfeeding. They were shocked to see me tandem-nursing my two daughters simultaneously (Rachel, my two year old, and Brigit, my newborn). They learned a thing or two from ME.

~ Liz Fry

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4th birth- A Homebirth!

My fourth baby was a planned homebirth. I used the services of midwives this time. Everything went better than I could have imagined. My midwives were a wife and husband team. Both were supportive and so helpful to me. I continued to empower myself by reading.

My blood pressure problems were handled much differently than I was used to. I was encouraged to use Passion Flower Tincture to help keep my blood pressure lower. I was also advised to rest on my left side as much as possible (at least two hours during the day).

My pregnancy was fairly uneventful. Right around my due date, I went spontaneously into labour. The midwives arrived quickly and were so professional and non-intrusive. I knew that they were there, but they made certain not to disturb me as I laboured. Only when they felt it necessary would they listen to my baby's heartbeat. They didn't bother me with internal examinations (especially when I was in the midst of a giant contraction!). They did keep tabs on my blood pressure which was a necessary thing, but they didn't force me to wear a cuff at all times.

I laboured for most of the time holding on to the back of a sturdy chair, and I rocked and I counted. This really helped me to cope. I was allowed to follow what my body was telling me to do. Unfortunately, my blood pressure started to rise again. My midwife, who was monitoring this situation, advised me to lie down on my left side. I stalled because I wanted to remain standing. At this point, my midwife reminded me of my birth plan. She pointed out that if I didn't lie down to lower my blood pressure, I would be forced to go to the hospital. I did NOT want another hospital birth, so I finally complied.

I'm glad that my midwife cared enough for my wishes and our health that she convinced me listen to her. I got down on my left side and remained that way until delivery. I was surprised at just how comfortable that position was. My baby son, Steven, was born upstairs in my bedroom on a mattress next to our bed. He was 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was another posterior presentation. Pushing him out was much easier on my side, and definitely more humane for us all. I didn't have to bring my legs up around my ears even once!

This homebirth was so lovely. My husband was there, as were my two older daughters (Rachel and Brigit), my Mom, my Best Friend Wendy, and my Mother-in-Law. My two year old son, James, played happily downstairs with my Dad. There were two midwives in attendance, and one apprentice midwife. Surprisingly, the room was so peaceful during the birth that barely a sound could be heard. I felt much more in control and wasn't afraid at all. This completely natural birth lasted approximately two and one half hours. Not bad eh?

This birth experience was pretty close to perfect and is one that I will always treasure in my heart. :)

Liz Fry

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