Johann's birth story: I would like to start by saying God answers prayer!
I had been 2cm and 70% effaced at -2 station for three weeks as of last Friday. I only had one pelvic check at 36 weeks, 4 days just to see for myself what was happening. I had been losing some of my mucus plug at that point, but it really picked up after the pelvic check.
Flash forward to last Friday, I was 39 weeks 4 days and very anxious to meet my little man. I walked as much as possible, mostly around the mall and Target, did some "cat and cow" back stretches, saw a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks of pregnancy to have the webster technique done, and took in good amounts of red raspberry tea/ pills, dates, and evening primrose oil within the last week or two.
As usual, I had trouble sleeping last Friday night and was up around midnight Saturday with my equally anxious husband. He was playing baseball on the Wii and I was busy stimulating my nipples to see if that would help me start contracting. Boy did I really get things going! By 12:15 am I had contractions that were 6-8 mins apart and then litterally "pop" my water broke! It was light pink/clear in color and I didn't feel anything drop into my vagina, thank God! My baby blocked the majority of the gush with his head I continued nipple stimulation and had my husband call our doula, Teresa, to let her know of the events. She told us to let her know when labor intensifies to the point where I can't talk through the contractions and they become closer. My husband started packing the hospital gear like a mad man as things progressed with my labor. He then tried to get some rest as we knew Johann was coming soon. By 4 am I had contractions 4 mins apart and could not talk through them, so I called Teresa to come over. I woke my husband too as I needed more help managing the contractions. He and Teresa rubbed and applied pressure to my feet and heels as well as my lower back. I labored leaning over my birthing ball while on my knees with pillows supporting my belly and sitting upright in a chair while at home. By 5 am my contractions were 2 mins apart and we decided to go to the hospital. I purposely waited until I was sure he was coming before heading to the hospital to avoid being sent back home and having a need for intervention. Labor in the car was not as bad since my doula described it as 5 contractions between home and the hospital.
Got to the hospital and got checked and was 5 cm 90% effaced and -1 station! They had my birth plan on file and there was no issue following it. Labor continued to progress and I entered a zone where my primary focus was managing my pain and contractions as I opted for a med-free birth. The support of my husband and doula was crucial in helping me get to the second stage, pushing.
I was all over the place! In the shower, on the birthing ball, standing while leaning over the bed, and eventually sqatting on my knees on the hospital bed with the back of the bed straight up. My husband said I started pushing around 11am, but it felt like an eternity. I had the most trouble staying on the bed to maintain my position between my legs getting tired and my knees losing grip. My team encouraged me all the way, I had complete control! Whatever I needed to do, I did it. My legs needed a break and I tried shifting to be on my side, but that was not good enough, so back to my knee squat I went. Later my doula said everyone was amazed at my willpower and strength. I was driven! I'm pushing at will and being encouraged to use deep grunts to help guide him through the birth canal! After what seemed like a while, he was crowning. "We can see his hair!" Everyone kept telling me to push. I felt like giving up after what seemed like forever and his head was still not out, but I hunkered down and after screaming at the top of my lungs through the burning fire I felt as he descended through my body, it was complete! I HAD MY SON VAGINALLY!
The worst of it came after when my placenta, which was quite large, had trouble detaching. I could have done without the pushing on my belly and tugging on the umbilical cord. I lost a lot of blood too and am still recovering from anemia. In the end it was all worth it. Johann (Yo-Hann) Dominic Tinker was born November 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm weighing 8#15oz and 19" long!
I had been 2cm and 70% effaced at -2 station for three weeks as of last Friday. I only had one pelvic check at 36 weeks, 4 days just to see for myself what was happening. I had been losing some of my mucus plug at that point, but it really picked up after the pelvic check.
Flash forward to last Friday, I was 39 weeks 4 days and very anxious to meet my little man. I walked as much as possible, mostly around the mall and Target, did some "cat and cow" back stretches, saw a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks of pregnancy to have the webster technique done, and took in good amounts of red raspberry tea/ pills, dates, and evening primrose oil within the last week or two.
As usual, I had trouble sleeping last Friday night and was up around midnight Saturday with my equally anxious husband. He was playing baseball on the Wii and I was busy stimulating my nipples to see if that would help me start contracting. Boy did I really get things going! By 12:15 am I had contractions that were 6-8 mins apart and then litterally "pop" my water broke! It was light pink/clear in color and I didn't feel anything drop into my vagina, thank God! My baby blocked the majority of the gush with his head I continued nipple stimulation and had my husband call our doula, Teresa, to let her know of the events. She told us to let her know when labor intensifies to the point where I can't talk through the contractions and they become closer. My husband started packing the hospital gear like a mad man as things progressed with my labor. He then tried to get some rest as we knew Johann was coming soon. By 4 am I had contractions 4 mins apart and could not talk through them, so I called Teresa to come over. I woke my husband too as I needed more help managing the contractions. He and Teresa rubbed and applied pressure to my feet and heels as well as my lower back. I labored leaning over my birthing ball while on my knees with pillows supporting my belly and sitting upright in a chair while at home. By 5 am my contractions were 2 mins apart and we decided to go to the hospital. I purposely waited until I was sure he was coming before heading to the hospital to avoid being sent back home and having a need for intervention. Labor in the car was not as bad since my doula described it as 5 contractions between home and the hospital.
Got to the hospital and got checked and was 5 cm 90% effaced and -1 station! They had my birth plan on file and there was no issue following it. Labor continued to progress and I entered a zone where my primary focus was managing my pain and contractions as I opted for a med-free birth. The support of my husband and doula was crucial in helping me get to the second stage, pushing.
I was all over the place! In the shower, on the birthing ball, standing while leaning over the bed, and eventually sqatting on my knees on the hospital bed with the back of the bed straight up. My husband said I started pushing around 11am, but it felt like an eternity. I had the most trouble staying on the bed to maintain my position between my legs getting tired and my knees losing grip. My team encouraged me all the way, I had complete control! Whatever I needed to do, I did it. My legs needed a break and I tried shifting to be on my side, but that was not good enough, so back to my knee squat I went. Later my doula said everyone was amazed at my willpower and strength. I was driven! I'm pushing at will and being encouraged to use deep grunts to help guide him through the birth canal! After what seemed like a while, he was crowning. "We can see his hair!" Everyone kept telling me to push. I felt like giving up after what seemed like forever and his head was still not out, but I hunkered down and after screaming at the top of my lungs through the burning fire I felt as he descended through my body, it was complete! I HAD MY SON VAGINALLY!
The worst of it came after when my placenta, which was quite large, had trouble detaching. I could have done without the pushing on my belly and tugging on the umbilical cord. I lost a lot of blood too and am still recovering from anemia. In the end it was all worth it. Johann (Yo-Hann) Dominic Tinker was born November 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm weighing 8#15oz and 19" long!
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