Birth Story of Alexander John Hubert
February 11, 2003
9 lb 13 oz, 23.75" long,
15.5" Head
The story of Alex's birth starts Monday, February 10, 2003. I had my regular appointment with Catherine, the student midwife. My blood pressure was a bit elevated and given my history of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (with Meghan, our third), it was a small cause for concern. My urine was negative for protein, and I had no major swelling, but protocol for midwives is that two readings with a diastolic number of 90 or higher, requires a consult with an OB for blood work and twenty-four hour urine collection.
Catherine and I decided that it was worth a risk trying a "stretch and sweep" on my cervix, to see if we could move things along, and if perhaps the prodromal labour I had been having was ripening my cervix. I was about 50% effaced. Very stretchy and about 4cm dialated. Cervix was still posterior.
Wendy, my second (or "back up") midwife was consulted and it was decided that I would take my blood pressure again myself that night and call Catherine right away to let her know. If the result was over 90 again, we would arrange for a consult the next day.
I went home to rest. That night, I went to a local pharmacy and the machine they had said 145/93. I admit, I started to cry right there in the pharmacy. The pharmacist noticed me (I had been there the day before to get antibiotics for my oldest daughter) and asked what was up. I explained to her the situation and she pulled out her own cuff and stethescope! This time, my BP was less than 90 (88).
I called Catherine and let her know. She said that she would discuss with Jan, my primary midwife what to do and call me back only if a consult was needed. Otherwise, she would see my Wednesday for a repeat BP check.
Catherine did call back, but not to recommend a consult. She and Jan agreed that perhaps we could try some natural methods to get things going. My cervix was favourable for them. They recommended an enema or castor oil.
I decided to do the castor oil the next day after a good night's sleep and a nice supper.
On Tuesday, February 11, I was woken up at 5am by Meghan, our 20 month old. It's been a while since she's done this, but I welcomed it. She wanted to be fed and rocked and I obliged. We rocked for a long time and snuggled. I think she knew this was her last day as my "baby".
When she was back to sleep, I downed the first two ounces of castor oil in some orange juice. I went back to bed and woke at 7:15am to get our girls off to school. I realized at 7:30am that the castor oil had done nothing in the way of bowel movements, so I took two more ounces. Again, I went back to bed until 9:15am when Meghan woke up.
Catherine called at 9:30am and I told her nothing was up. It hadn't worked, but that I was not going to push it. I would see her the next day for our scheduled repeat BP. I went about my day as usual. I was not overly anxious or concerned, but felt an excitement I couldn't put my finger on. I did get the poops twice or so, but nothing major.
After Erin returned home from school, we ate a light lunch and Meghan went down for a nap at 1pm. Erin went to a friend's house to play and I laid down for a nap. At about 1:30pm, I noticed a tightening in my belly. A few minutes later, another. Ten minutes later, another. They were sporadic, but definately there. I felt the need to get up and clean our room, where I planned to birth. I gathered things and put things away.
At about 2pm, I went downstairs and told John I thought something could be happening. I am the queen of false labour, so I know he didn't really take it to heart!
I finally laid down and slept some. I would wake up when the contractions came though. I knew this was real, but didn't want to get overly excited. I called my mother to let her know, but told her not to come just yet. To wait and see.
Catherine called again around 3:45pm. I told her what was going on and she was very encouraged. She asked if we wanted her and Jan to come. I knew traffic would be awful, so I insisted she wait. She said she would call back in half an hour. I must have missed her call, because we didn't connect again until 4:30. I told her that I really did think something was up and perhaps to come out. She heartily agreed. Because of traffic, I didn't anticipate they would arrive until 5:30 or so.
I told John to think about getting some pizza for dinner. He knew the midwives were coming, but since my demeanor was still so good, I don't think he though they would be staying. Deep down, I didn't either!
Jan and Catherine arrived at 5:30pm, just like I thought. By then John had pizza in the oven and we invited the midwives to have some. They said they would check me first to see how things were going. I was a very stretchy 5-6cm and 70% effaced. My cervix was still a bit posterior but baby was in perfect position and almost completely anterior.
They decided to wait around for one hour. They said they would just watch me and how my contractions progressed.
I puttered around. Feeling excited and anxious, I prepared lunches for our daughters the next day. Got the girls pajamas ready and ate some toast. Made a pitcher of Gatorade and some ice. As I did, things started to progress. I could tell. My abdomen was very round and tight. I was breathing heavily throughout them and concentrating harder. However, they were still about 7-10 minutes apart. I was very concered with what was going on in the house. I was very preouccupied with my girls and getting them settled.
Around 7pm, Jan let me know that perhaps worrying about the girls was holding me back. My mother and she both told me to relax and let her (my Mom) handle them. It was her "job" that night. So, I did. I locked myself in my bedroom and settled in.
I was still restless. I was pacing the room. I still felt the need to get things ready. However, my contractions changed when I let go of being "Mom" for a few minutes. I was breating really hard. I looked at Jan and told her "I'm not having fun anymore". She suggested I get in the tub. I really welcomed that. Catherine lit candles and turned out the lights and I climbed in.
At this point, the girls had all been put to bed. They went without a fuss! I told John that I did not want him to leave me anymore. I needed him there. I got in the tub and tried to relax. Pouring water over my abdomen really helped with the contractions. It got to the point where I just pointed to the bucket and John would get cracking. I wanted to water to be really warm, as the lukewarm water felt worse.
Sitting up felt good at that point and ensured that my belly was immersed in water. Laying back or sidelying were not a good feeling. My contractions were still sort of wide apart. About 5-7 minutes with a few 10 minutes spaces. They really really hurt though. Catherine said that she would not examine me unless I asked her to. I could feel the baby push down with each contraction, but I it also felt as though something was hindering him. She said it could be my bag of waters and that it was my choice to have it broken or not.
I asked to be checked, for my own sense of where I was. I climbed out of the tub. On the bed, I laid down and Catherine checked me. I was now about 7cm, but I still had that bulging back. Just as I was having a contraction and was going to ask Catherine to break it, she said it basically broke in her hand. Now things would move!
I got back in the tub. Things were very intense. The contractions really hurt and the only thing that helped was the water and deep deep moans. Still, I was not comfortable. My bottom was hurting from sitting on it and lying down was not comfortable. Jan was concerned with the space of the contractions and suggested I get out for just 15 minutes to walk around. It sounded good to me.
It was about 9pm at this point. I got out of the tub and was shivering. I walked three steps and had a killer contraction. Walked another three steps and again. I made it to my bed, but did not want to get in. I leaned, on my knees on the edge of the bed. My head was on the bed.
The contractions came and came. 2-3 minutes apart and lasting a long time. I realized then that I was in that place called "labourland". So many things were going through my head. The sounds of the room faded and I heard nothing but my own breathing. It was fast and deep. I thought that I was yelling out in pain, but apparantly, I was silent.
I talked to myself in my head. I knew that I just had to work with my body to get him out and have it over with. The thought of reentering the tub never even went in my mind.
I had one contraction and thought to myself that I could no longer do it. I knew this meant I was nearing the end, but thought I had a while to go. With the next contraction, I felt his descent. It was quick and intense. I yelled out "Here he comes!" and Catherine was right behind me and said "Yes, indeed. Just work with your body and push out your baby." John told me that as soon as I started some "grunty" breathing, the midwives were right there, right away.
I started pushing deep inside me. It was so intense. I could hear the flash of the camera and some pencil scratching by the midwives, but nothing seemed real. With one push, he was crowing. Because of my leaning forward position, I did not feel a ring of fire, but had some burning on top. Another very deep, strong push and his head roared out. When they announced his head born, I was inspired to push harder and I did. His shoulders were big, so it took a couple of small, controlled pushes and a bit of fenagling for Catherine, of which I felt all of. Then, HE EMERGED! He slipped out easily and I was told to lean back, that they were passing my son through my legs.
I looked down and could not believe what I saw. A very slippery, but not at all vernixy little boy! (Our girls had all been at least two weeks early and covered with vernix. Alex was 10 days early and clear). My vision was blurred and I remember it like a dream. I was dazed and a bit confused by what had just happened. They had me turn around and get up on the bed. I held my son close and lay down. About 10 minutes later, the placenta came out nicely. Our son, Alexander John, was crying throatily. He was letting his presence be known in a big way. I think we were both a little shellshocked at his quick descent and birth!
He had a bit of bruise on his face, but he looked perfect! I was in complete awe of this little person that just came out of me!!
We settled up at the head of the bed and got covered up. It's a little fuzzy, but I drank some water, talked about what just happened with my Mom, who had missed it. We started nursing and he latched on quickly and nicely.
It was time then for the newborn exam. Catherine started with his head. She did it once and then said "Let me check that again". It was the same the second time, 15.5". She was very impressed! Then his length, again done twice to be sure, 23". His weight, also done twice, 9lb 13oz!! I was overjoyed. I was so proud to have birth this gorgeous BIG baby boy all on my own, in my home!!
The midwives did their thing. Cleaned the room, changed the bed and cleaned the tub. I got up and showered. Had something to eat while John held his first son and beamed! Our vitals were checked again and my BP was perfect! Alex looked fantastic.
Jan and Catherine left for home about 11:30pm. I wonder how you feel when you leave someone's home after being so key in such a moment? Our entire family was touched by what they did for us and I will never forget how they helped me on this journey. For a brief period, it looked as though things were not going to go as planned, but they kept me on track and did not lose faith.
The next day, Jan and Catherine came by to check on us. Jan said it was very cool to watch me go through the classic "birth steps", from being excited and anxious, preparing my space, to more serious, to dedicated to labouring and working on birthing my baby.
I realized that I really did most of it myself. I went into a place where I needed to be "alone". I had the physical presence of my husband and midwives, but mentally, it was just me. I never realized what a mental thing birth can be until this, my fourth birth and first homebirth.
I learned a lot about myself in just a few hours. I realized that I am strong. Stronger than I thought. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I never had faith in my ability to concentrate and focus the way I did that night. Nor did I have a firm faith in my body to perform such a task. I think a small part of choosing to birth at home was that I felt the need to prove something to others, but I came away with something more, what I proved to myself!
