My birthing waves started around 4 am on Monday, April 11th, but they were irregular and mild so I got up, got ready and went to work anyway. While at work I timed my waves, and after they had been regular for 2.5 hours, I called my midwife and she advised me to head home and get any rest I could, as she suspected (rightfully) that I would be laboring into the night.
I got home around 2:30pm. Kurt joined me and the midwives arrived around 7pm. I was confirmed to be in "active labor" and they were ready to hang with us for the evening. I got into the birth tub around 10pm and that was so comforting. I loved being warmed and supported by the water. I used my Hypnobabies training to keep myself calm and relaxed through every wave as they came.
Around 3:30am my midwives suggested I get out of the tub and lay down to rest for a while. I am an easy sleeper, so I was able to fall asleep in between my birthing waves, and Kurt was able to get some rest as well which was much needed for both of us!
I was back in the tub around 5am, then my midwives wanted to check my progress so we did around 6am. They discovered that my water had not yet broken, and since I was so far progressed they offered to break it for me. I agreed and they did, though it took them a couple tries because apparently it was so strong it made it a bit more difficult! I took that as a compliment and testament to my healthy pregnancy.
At this point I was not fully dilated, I still had a slight lip that was a little swollen in the front. I also had vomited a handful of times throughout the night, so there was concern over my hydration level. My midwives used awesome homeopathic remedies to help the swelling and the nausea, but we did decide to put in an IV for fluids around 7am to give me the support and strength I would need for the pushing phase. Perfect timing as shortly after I began feeling the urge to push.
I was back in the tub around 5am, then my midwives wanted to check my progress so we did around 6am. They discovered that my water had not yet broken, and since I was so far progressed they offered to break it for me. I agreed and they did, though it took them a couple tries because apparently it was so strong it made it a bit more difficult! I took that as a compliment and testament to my healthy pregnancy.
At this point I was not fully dilated, I still had a slight lip that was a little swollen in the front. I also had vomited a handful of times throughout the night, so there was concern over my hydration level. My midwives used awesome homeopathic remedies to help the swelling and the nausea, but we did decide to put in an IV for fluids around 7am to give me the support and strength I would need for the pushing phase. Perfect timing as shortly after I began feeling the urge to push.
The hardest part of my whole birthing process was the start of pushing... since I still had that little swollen lip of cervix but could not stop myself from pushing, my superhero midwife helped to hold the cervix until Vienna's head had passed it. This required an extreme amount of extra focus to keep my mind and body relaxed which was very challenging.
I got back into the tub around 8am, and pushed on my hands and knees through every wave as hard as I could - I was so ready to see our baby! Her head was born at 9:25am, and Kurt let me know, "her eyes are wide open babe, she's looking right at me!" I couldn't wait for the next wave so I could push her out and see her myself!
Then at 9:27am on April 12th our beautiful baby girl was born. I sat up and lifted her out of the water in front of me, she was wide-eyed and screaming from the moment she was out. 10/10 on her Apgar score right out the gate!
We waited to cut the cord until it had stopped pulsing to ensure Vienna got all of her precious blood that she needed. Then into bed we went as a family for skin-to-skin snuggles, tears of absolute joy, phone calls to family and friends, and of course some well-deserved food and rest!
I have to thank Jennifer and Rachel - my rock star midwives that have given me everything I needed and more throughout my whole pregnancy, birthing time, and postpartum period. These ladies are incredible beyond measure and I am forever thankful for their assistance in this life-changing process.
And a big thank you also to Anne for the invaluable Hypnobabies instruction she gave us. Preparation was key for me and it enabled Kurt and I to feel confident and at ease through the whole process.
Speaking of Kurt - he is my rock and his loving encouragement was everything to me. The first thing I said to him right after Vienna was born was, "this is the greatest thing you have ever given me." He made me a mom and I couldn't be happier or more thankful for that gift.
I got back into the tub around 8am, and pushed on my hands and knees through every wave as hard as I could - I was so ready to see our baby! Her head was born at 9:25am, and Kurt let me know, "her eyes are wide open babe, she's looking right at me!" I couldn't wait for the next wave so I could push her out and see her myself!
Then at 9:27am on April 12th our beautiful baby girl was born. I sat up and lifted her out of the water in front of me, she was wide-eyed and screaming from the moment she was out. 10/10 on her Apgar score right out the gate!
We waited to cut the cord until it had stopped pulsing to ensure Vienna got all of her precious blood that she needed. Then into bed we went as a family for skin-to-skin snuggles, tears of absolute joy, phone calls to family and friends, and of course some well-deserved food and rest!
I have to thank Jennifer and Rachel - my rock star midwives that have given me everything I needed and more throughout my whole pregnancy, birthing time, and postpartum period. These ladies are incredible beyond measure and I am forever thankful for their assistance in this life-changing process.
And a big thank you also to Anne for the invaluable Hypnobabies instruction she gave us. Preparation was key for me and it enabled Kurt and I to feel confident and at ease through the whole process.
Speaking of Kurt - he is my rock and his loving encouragement was everything to me. The first thing I said to him right after Vienna was born was, "this is the greatest thing you have ever given me." He made me a mom and I couldn't be happier or more thankful for that gift.
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