I was convinced there was no way baby number two was going to come past my estimated due date. This was my second time around, surely things would move quicker along. But here I was, eight days past my estimated due date. We had gone in for a morning appointment with our midwives. They did a NST (non stress test) which is normally protocol after the due date has come and gone. Our babies movements were mild and not where they had hoped it would be. We headed out for an ultrasound that showed all was well, then ate some lunch, then back to the midwives for another NST.
This time the movements were still fairly mild.
At this point the midwives went ahead and striped my membranes, which was extremely difficult due to baby being so high up. They sent us home with instructions to "castor oil" things along. Lucky for us, we didn't even make it home before contractions started regularly.
We headed back to the birthing center around 4pm. Contractions were regular and we were walking around downtown Everett, up and down hill, trying to move things along. By 7pm I was dilated to 5cm so we decided it was a good time to break my water.
Jaymeson snuggling with me before they broke my water.
Baby was stuck...
Literally, that is what I was told. Our baby was in an awkward position and was not dropping down into the birth canal. This was not what I was expecting. Jaymeson's labor and delivery was a breeze, no complications. So at this point I was exhausted, confused, aching, and emotional. We started with many different positions and pushes on the bed, laying on my side, back, hands and knees, constantly moving. Finally I was able to get into the tub and labor where I wanted to be.
Jaymeson ran in to give me a kiss.
It wasn't working. The water was slowing everything down. It was making my contractions spread out way too far. I wanted to just stay in there, I was so exhausted. But I had to get back out and labor more on the ball, bed, and walking. Baby wasn't where he/she needed to be.
Finally, after my midwives broke their backs physically getting baby in the right position (worst pain ever), I was able to get back in the tub to deliver this little bundle we were so ready to meet.
Best husband ever.
We got back in the tub, and again, everything stopped. My contractions went away. I was not meant to have this baby in the tub. I was told we needed to get out. I stepped out and sat on the birthing stool, and my midwife practically had to catch the baby in the air, he/she flew out so quickly.
It's a girl!!
This picture is from the exactly moment she was born. Holy, moly, it's a girl! My husband was totally speechless. With our son, he yelled "It's a boy!" but with this little peanut, he couldn't say a word. I was the one who ended up yelling that we had a baby girl. We couldn't believe it! I was convinced it was a boy but during my labor, my midwife had said that the baby felt smaller than Jaymeson, so there was a little thought in my mind, maybe it was a girl? Sure enough, it was. Leonora Mary, 8lbs 13oz.
This squishy little girl arrived to us face first, yep, she was brow presentation AND posterior.
Posterior position means that babies back is to your spine, giving more back labor, and in general more difficult to deliver. Only about 4-10% of babies are born posterior. While 50% of babies may be posterior in the beginning of labor, they normally turn, which is why the percentage of babies born posterior is much lower.
What is brow presentation? This is where your the largest part of the babies head will be trying to fit through your pelvis during birth. This means that instead of the back of the head coming through the birth canal first, your baby will be looking up leading with it's forehead. The chance of baby being born "brow presentation" (also called "military") is .4% chance. I haven't been able to find a percentage for a baby being born BOTH posterior and brow presentation, but clearly based off the above statistics for each, you get the picture of how rare this is.
Needless to say, I am beyond grateful for my midwives. There is no possible way I would have ended up with a vaginal delivery if I had been in a hospital. It just would not have happened. Thank you, a million times to my wonderful team of midwives at Cascade Midwives and Birthcenter.
This birth scared me. I didn't know if I was going to be rushed off to the hospital, or what was going to happen. I was white as a ghost and in shock after Leonora was born. I didn't want to hold her. I wanted everyone else to hold her and I wanted to just watch. I was exhausted.
I couldn't even look at the pictures from her birth for almost a month. It made me instantly cry. I had PPD (postpartum depression). While I would love to go on to that subject, I will save that for another day, another blog.
Anyways, two years later I am over it. I enjoy looking back and telling my story, something I couldn't do for a long time. I am proud.
Happy Wednesday!
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