Finally, Max's Birth Story

As momnesia begins to set in, and I begin to forget about both the pain of labor and the amazing, wonderful journey that brought Max to me, I should probably finally write out my birth story.

Baby Max (at that point baby no name) was due on September 14, 2010. That Tuesday came and went and still no labor. I had said through the entire pregnancy that he would be 2 weeks late and that I would be fine with it. Ha. By two weeks before he was due, I was doing anything I could to get him out. I had a doctor's appointment on Friday, and Thursday night I got eggplant parmesean from Olive Garden, just in case. 

I went to my appointment on Friday and they did an ultrasound and a non-stress test. They said that baby looked great, but that my placenta was stage 3 and that baby was big (estimated to be close to 10 pounds). I knew that the estimate could be up to a pound off, but event then, he would be an almost 9 pound boy. My midwife, whom I trusted completely, said she would like me to go to the hospital at 6pm for a 7 pm induction. I cried as I left the office, called my friends Susanna and Becky, who both wanted to be there for the labor, my mom, and some friends on my way home. Once home, my midwife called me to check and make sure I was doing okay. We talked about it, and while I really wanted to go into labor on my own, I wanted baby to be okay. I was growing more comfortable with the induction. She expected it to take awhile. She would insert a prostaglandin suppository when I arrived, then after 12 hours insert another. I packed some extra books, crossword puzzles, and some dvds to entertain myself while I waited for the induction to kick in. My friend Leah came over, and we watched some friends and baked cookies for the nurses. At 5:30 pm, my mom came to pick me up and take me to the hospital. We arrived a little after 6 pm (late, of course!), and Susanna was there waiting. I still feel so lucky and blessed to have had her at my birth 

I got checked in, and the nurse hooked up an IV port, but didn't hook me to an IV. I had the most wonderful nurses the entire time I was in the hospital  . The night nurse, Stephanie, allowed me to stay in my own clothes, and I am so thankful for that. The prostaglandin was inserted, and instead of the expected 12 hour wait, I was having regular contractions within 10 minutes. They were regular and about 4-5 minutes apart and 1 minute long, but not strong, although I did not realize that at time. At 8 pm or so, after putting her kids to bed, Becky arrived. Leah and Andrea also came in to visit me. Kelli wanted to so badly, but already had a huge weekend of wedding planning organized up in Traverse City. I did a crossword puzzle to take my mind off things, and Andrea french braided my hair for me. I was also texting with Trish, Anna, and my friend Jenn who was at work. At some point, I laid down to try to get some rest. Around 1 or 2 am, things started to get harder. The nurse checked me, and I was dilated to a 2. I sat on the birthing ball, laying my upper body on the bed quite a bit. Susanna and Becky took turns rubbing my back for me, and it helps immensely. My mom was thankfully able to get some rest, which would be wonderful after Max arrived, as she would be awake enough to hold him and be with him while I rested. 

Jenn came after work and took her turn rubbing my back, and was another amazing cheerleader throughout my labor. She and Susanna were so wonderful about reminding me what kind of labor I wanted and why. I was in hard labor and spent time in the bath, the shower, and on the birthing ball. I also walked to halls repeatedly. At some point in the morning, probably around shift change for the nurses, I was checked again and was only at a 5. I was disheartened, but had no choice. I had to keep going. My new nurse was Kristen, and she was AMAZING! I really don't think I would have been able to have my natural birth without her. As my labor progressed, she realized that I wasn't dilating, and Max wasn't moving down. She figured out that he was posterior, and we did a ton of different positions trying to flip him. I walked and squatted during contractions, I sat indian style against the door. I tried laboring in the tub again, but it was too uncomfortable. She kept trying to get me on all fours to flip Max, but it was so painful I just cried. Finally, she tried something called a trafalger roll. She took a water bottle, rolled it in a blanket, put it under my pelvis, and she and Susanna pulled it very hard back and forth under me. The baby flipped!! It also got him to drop. Soon after, I was at an 8. I walked the halls more trying to hurry along the last 2 centimeters. After about 2 hours, I was ready to push. Everyone told me that pushing would feel like a relief, but honestly, it never did. For me, it felt even worse. By the time my midwife arrived, I was sobbing and begging for medicine, for a c-section, and eventually I just wanted to go home. I was convinced that baby was stuck and not coming out. I pushed for awhile standing, and squatting on the bed, but the most comfortable position was actually reclining slightly, sitting on the bed. I did eventually get an IV of fluid to help rehydrate me. After 19 hours, lots of throwing up, and little to eat or drink, I was exhausted and dehydrated. 

I pushed for over an hour an a half. Finally, the midwife had me feel the baby's head as he was crowning. I don't remember this, but I was later told that after feeling it I said "Eww!". After three contractions and the worst burning sensation of my life, Max was born into the world at 2:56 pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Even though he had flipped during labor, at some point, he had flipped back. He was born posterior; face up, with a hand by his face, waving at the world  Immediately after he was born, my midwife slid him up on my chest. I have never felt anything more warm, cuddly, and amazing! When he was born, I was surrounded by some of the most important women in my life. My mom, my brother's fiance, my friend's Leah and Jenn, and Becky and Susanna. Having all those women around me gave me so much strength. While I was worried I might not want that many people there, I'm so happy they were all there. It was amazing! My mom came up to see Max and asked me what I thought of him. I said, "I think I love him!"  And I did! He is still the most incredible little man ever. He was 8 lbs 12 oz and 22 inches long. He was a little jaundiced, but it cleared up quickly and we went home on Monday. 

My life has changed so much since Max has arrived, but in so many amazing ways! I wouldn't change it for anything.