This summer started my last semesters of my first year in my MSN program. This first summer semester I have been doing my Community Health rotation at Vidant Occupational Health. Being 9 months pregnant and being on my feet for about 30 hours a week has been a little challenging, yet I am thrilled to have been keeping busy. It was a Thursday, May 30th and I was having Braxton Hicks contractions as usually. They had been starting earlier in the day and lasting longer, but it was to be expected, being 38 weeks along. That day, during clinical, we had a fire drill around 2. My shift ended at 2:30, so I was ready to go. I had started this roation a week early so that I could finish the day before my due date, which is what I had envisioned the day Burke would be born. I never expected to have an early baby! During the fire drill, we all stepped outside and the RNs I was working with asked me if I was having contractions. I must have had a look about me that said uncomfortable. I was having Braxton Hicks, but nothing seemed different. After my shift I went home. I got comfortable in my chair and started my hypnobabies track, like I always do each day after school or clinical. I fell asleep during this track, which usually happens. As soon as I woke up, I hit the floor with a good strong contraction. I really couldn't believe this was happening. I text Sam, who was at work till 5, that I had just had a contraction that made me hit the floor on all fours. He text back that he was shocked and he was in a bit of denial, too!
Sam came home after work and picking up Bristol. By then it was 5:30 and my contractions were 10 minutes apart, lasting about 30 seconds. I still was in denial. But, I decided to text my doula, Kim, and let her know. The text verbatim- "Hey! Don't think this is it, but I wanted to touch base. Having contractions about every 10 minutes.. I've had 2 in the last hour that are making me stop and bend over." She responded "Oh my. Thanks for letting me know. Exciting! I'm still in New Bern, just keep me posted." Kim was doing her clinical in New Bern which was 45 minutes away. I knew it was going to be awhile so she would have time to get back here. At this point, it was 6 and I needed to get my treats ready for my nurses. I made some rice krispy treats and that helped keep my mind off of things.
That evening, my group for class was going to meet and work on our mock Health Fair project that we would present the next day. I knew I probably wasn't going to be there the next day, so it was important that I work on it that night. My classmate, Marissa, text me to offer me a ride to school that evening so we could work on it. I told her yes, but did not tell her I was in labor. When she showed up at my house, there was no denying my need to stop during the contractions to breathe. But, I was determined to go to the library and help out with the project. I felt great, just needed 30-45 seconds every 10 minutes to breathe! :) So, we went to the library, met up with Courtney and got a private room. We were able to complete most of the project and I was just laboring along nicely. It always helps to get your mind off things. The girls were great to allow me to come and I was grateful that I could help with the project! Marissa came back to my house to put some finishing touches on the project around 8. By then my contractions were 7 minutes apart and lasting 45-60 seconds. Progressing!! I text Kim to tell her, and she started driving to our house.
Once Marissa left, it was just Sam, Bris and I and I was in more need to be on my hands and knees during the contractions. I found the best position was with my exercise ball. Bristol was trying to do the "exercise" with me which was so sweet, but a bit of a distraction. I really needed to start using my hypnobabies training. So, Sam wisked Bristol to Audrey's, our amazing neighbor who volunteered to take Bristol, and I was able to make my environment extremly calm and comforting. I turned down the lights and started my hypo track- Deepening. As soon as I did that, everything became relaxed. I was feeling my contractions, but they were just pressure. I could work with my body to make myself comfortable. It was amazing the change that it made! Audrey ended up coming up to our house and left Sam to watch the kids so she could give me a foot massage using acupressure points to make the birthing progress. It felt amazing! I am so grateful for her, especially during this time! We were able to talk and carry on a conversation, pausing during the contractions so I could focus. By this time it was 9:30 and Kim was well on her way.
Kim arrived around 10pm and by then I was about 5-6 minutes apart and 45-90 seconds long. I felt great, still able to get comfortable and still found the best position to be the ball. I had mentioned to Kim that the 2 nights before this I was up till midnight, with too much energy to fall asleep. This never happens to me, especially when pregnant. It's the curse of Mother Nature, giving women all this energy BEFORE labor. So, Kim encouraged me to try to sleep, which at this point I felt like this could be an option. So, I got up into my chair, laid back and put on the deepening track, which usually makes me fall asleep. I was able to lay there for about 10 minutes before I felt things intensifying. I got back down on the floor, with the ball and now my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart lasting 60-90 seconds. I could hear Kim and Sam whispering in the background and I knew this was probably the time to head to the hospital. I asked Kim what was up and she informed me that we should probably go. I really wanted to walk to the hospital for 2 reasons. One, we live right across the street. Two, I was determined to walk through my transition and NOT sit down. I felt like that was the biggest mistake I made during Bristol's birth and I was determined to not make it again. But, Sam really did not feel comfortable with me walking at this point and neither did Kim. I also wanted to arrive at the hospital at an 8, and did not want to be disappointed. I kept telling Kim that and at this point she said she promised that I would not be.
So, we loaded the car, and drove to the hospital. As soon as we arrived, we had to walk about 100 yards to get inside. It was a good thing we didn't walk from our house because I had to stop about every minute to breathe through a contraction. I guess with me walking, it put more pressure on my pelvic floor and made my labor progress and get a lot more intense. It was hard because even though I had my hypno track playing, once you get out of a rhythm, it takes a few minutes to get back in. But, when contractions are that close, it is even more difficult. But, it was bareable and I was still holding strong and feeling really good and confident in myself. We were admitted right a way and I was able to talk to my midwife on the phone before they took us back. While we were at the desk I was feeling pushy and knew it was close. I told my midwife, Lisa, that and she said she was on her way, about 30 minutes out. I was so happy Lisa was on call that night because she was the midwife I initally met with and really liked. I also shadowed her during Christmas break and delievered a baby with her.
After I got to my room, the nurses were amazing. We requested to be on the floor, with an exercise ball and they were right on it. When I got in there, my bed didn't work, so they had to get another one which slowed things down a bit. But, after the bed and ball arrived, I was able to get back into my routine and listen to my track. Kim dimed the lights and played some relaxation music so everyone could feel peace and calm during this birth. I think that helped a ton! My nurses were amazing. They had to start an IV with antibiotics because I was GBS positive. I distinctly remember looking at them on the ground with me, telling me to leave my arm where it was wrapped around the ball so they could put the IV in. They waitied until I wasn't contracting to do so. The other nurse was laying on the ground trying to put the fetal monitor on! It was amazing!! I don't think some L & D nurses understand the difference they can make by doing the small things like that for a women who is laboring naturally. I was so impressed and knew I was in the best hands! They wanted to check me, so I had to get up into the bed. I was at a 7.5, and looked right at Kim and told her I was very disappointed. She laughed because I wanted to come in at an 8! Little did I know that I would progress so quickly once I got there.
After they were done, I went right back to the ball and was in my zone. Kim kept at my side, along with Sam. Sam was rubbing my back and putting cold cloths on the back of my neck, while Kim was taking me to my "happy place." Don't laugh, it really worked! This was probably why I transitioned so fast. I remember telling Kim over 2 contractions that I could no longer do this and she kept saying "yes, you can." I let out one good moan and the nurse spoke up and said, "Was that harder than the last?" I said yes and she said "Alright, I'll get Lisa and she'll check you. She just got here." She came in and I got into the bed again and she said I was complete and it was time to push. I could hardly believe it. That was NO transition as I remember it. Bristol's was 2 grueling hours of the most intense discomfort I have ever experienced. This was maybe 20 minutes of a little more discomfort than the previous 8 hours. It was awesome! I got up into the bed and pushed for 25 minutes (which was crazy once again, I pushed for 2.5 hours with Bristol!) until Lisa told me I could pull him out. I loved that she let me deliver my own baby. Of course I was overly excited and he had the cord wrapped around him a bit so she had to hold me off until she got him situated, but once the time came I remember just pulling him right up to my chest and seeing that beautiful baby boy! He was perfect. I was filled with this amazingly surreal emotion and looked right at Sam who was experiencing the same thing.
Every moment of this birth was exactly as I pictured. I could not have planned it better myself. I felt the love of our Heavenly Father each moment and especially bringing that beautiful perfect boy into this world. I am very blessed to be his mother and to have him in my life. We took 2 long days to give him a name, but Burke Samuel seemed perfect. The next best moment was to see Bristol meet her baby brother for the first time. She was elated and loved him instantly. She couldn't get her hands off of him and wanted to touch him constantly. She is going to be the best big sister.
