birth story

One of the biggest mysteries to me during pregnancy was wondering what our birth story would be. Despite it being a bit more medical-ized than we had imagined we are happy and feel content with how everything unfolded. I had assumed that I would go into labor naturally, spend early labor and some of active labor in the comforts of our home. But got a big surprise when we went in for our Biophysical Profile at 10 days over due to make sure all was ok. Well, it wasn't because they found very low amniotic fluid levels which led us to be admitted to the hospital 2 hours later to start induction. Even with a Pitocin drip he still took his time coming and didn't make his arrival until 36 hours later. But he was so worth the wait. After a little drama towards the end of labor with some decelerations in his heart rate and lots of meconium, he came out with a cry which let us all know he was ok. The first thing I was able to see were his little feet as our midwife quickly cut the cord so he could be taken to the warmer for assessment. Mike was there by his side and my mom tells me how concerned Mike was with getting him to me as soon as possible. It wasn't but a few minutes later that he was placed on my chest. It was pure joy to finally be able to see his face and hold him in my arms.

Here is our doula's version of our birth story...

Jackson!
June 2, 2011
5:12 AM
Swedish Ballard, Seattle

Serena’s estimated due date of May 21st was a distant memory, and after noticing amniotic fluid levels were low, it was time to get things moving through induction. Serena and Mike arrive at Swedish Ballard on the afternoon of May 31st and settle in for a long night of Pitocin, resting and sleep. June 1st brings slow steady progress and grandma Gail’s arrival. Serena slowly dilates to 3 cm throughout the day without too much discomfort, but everyone is getting restless! Around 6pm, contractions start gradually intensifying and by the time I arrive around 8:30pm, Serena is in active labor in the Jacuzzi. Mike coaches and supports encouragingly for each contraction, and Grandma takes care of every physical need, bringing ice, towels and love.
Contractions are coming nearly on top of each other with no break in between. Our fabulous, kind nurse Laura turns the Pitocin down by half, and we soon see longer breaks in between. Serena experiments with slower breathing and rhythm to manage the increasingly intense contractions and increased pressure as baby moves down.
By 10pm she is done with the tub. We return to room 545, and Serena seeks a comfortable position lying on her side in bed. Mike’s attention is unwavering and Gail continues her quiet, helpful support. Focus, massage, relaxing, solid…
11pm up to pee. Big contraction, bloody show, contractions stronger and closer. Serena‘s focus meets the challenge. What an amazing woman! Sally stops in for a visit around 11:30 and checks to find that Serena is dilated to 6 cm – great job! After another several overwhelming Pitocin contractions, a very tired Serena lets us know that she would like an epidural. Some relief is on the way! Tatum the anesthesiologist arrives around 11:50pm and Gail and I step out for the procedure. We are all back together by 12:30am, and the medicine is clearly taking effect as we see a smile cross Serena’s face and even a giggle a few minutes later at Mike’s joke. Ahhh. By 1am everyone is down for a nap.
1:45am - Sally is back with her capable and sweet midwifery student Tara. Sally checks the cervix to find that Serena is fully dilated! Whoo-hoo! Sally breaks the bag of waters, though there wasn’t much “waters” left in there. There is some meconium present, but Sally isn’t too worried… Time for more rest and a chance to let the baby move down more on his own. Serena sleeps again. Mike uses the time on the computer. Gail returns from her nap in the family waiting room.
At 3:15am we try a few “test pushes” with nurse Laura. Serena is a natural at pushing, and we can see a tiny bit of the baby’s head during each one, so by 3:30 Sally and Tara return to get Serena pushing in earnest. Mike and I support her legs, Gail is nearby and the team rallies around. Serena works hard - amazing focus, great progress. After half an hour we see some deceleration in the baby’s heart rate during contractions. Sally inserts a small monitor onto the baby’s scalp so we can be sure to track. We put the neo-natal team on alert just in case. Things seem to stabilize quickly. At 4:30 contractions have decreased in intensity a bit, we turn the Pitocin back up, and also change positions. Serena holds the ends of a sheet in both hands like reigns as she pulls back against the bar. This is a very productive position and Sally is soon taken by surprise at the imminence of baby’s arrival. We can see lots of head, colored greenish from the meconium. Sally asks to get the baby doctors in, suddenly lots going on, small decelerations occasionally in baby heart rate, busy in the room, and before you know it, we are one push away. He is so ready to come out; Sally doesn’t even wait for the next contraction and has Serena bear down. Out pops his head, and his body and with him comes lots of meconium and the shredded ribbons of his amniotic sac making it a bit confusing to catch him. Sally gets him, and he lays on the bed a moment while she cuts the cord, immediately making a small cry to let us know he made it, and he is well. Just to be sure, Sally brings him to the warmer where the baby nurse rubs him up and checks him out. Yep, he is fine, soon crying lustily. They cancel the baby doctors – no need. All is well; Jackson is born! Phew! Sally is amazed by the perfect Figure 8 knot in his long cord – explains those decelerations in his heart rate…
Soon Jackson is on his mama, and daddy is right there just like he has been all along, and there is such joy in the room! Grandma is so happy. Thanks to Sally and Tara and Laura. Mike welcomes his son with a song, Serena is beaming so brightly, and Jackson is soon smacking his lips and rooting around for his first snack. Everyone is feeling the big love in the room!

By Marnie Valenta, Doula

The impressive Figure 8

Grandma Gail - Love at First Sight