Birth Story Series: Courtney

Early in my pregnancy I knew I wanted my ideal birth plan to center around a vaginal unmedicated birth. I took the online course, Built To Birth and listened to all of the lessons multiple times. Each day I carved out time to practice the techniques, journal positive birth affirmations, and visualize the positive birth experience I wanted. I also communicated to my OBGYN my birth goals and she supported me fully. In all of my preparations I did educate myself on emergency interventions. I allowed myself to be guilt -free if my ideal birth plan didn't go as I wanted, for the health of the baby or myself.  

The weeks leading up to the birth of our son I experienced a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions. Just as these contractions are your body's way of practicing, I used them to practice my breathing and fear-pain-tension release techniques.

On April 4th, 2023 at 2am I woke up with contractions and this time they were more consistent and stronger. I had a feeling this could be the day so I instantly went into a relaxed preparation mode. I also began my breathing techniques and swayed on the birth ball, while sipping on a warm cup of tea. I listened to my birthing meditations and maintained complete calmness. I already had an appointment at the hospital with my OBGYN at 8am so I decided to just continue my breathing techniques and attend my appointment. 

When I saw my doctor I requested a cervical check for my own peace of mind to know if I was dilated or not. The contractions were consistent and strong but I was not in much pain. I started to wonder if I was actually in labor because society tells us that labor has to be painful. It turns out I was 3cm dilated and 90% effaced. My doctor told me it was quite possible that the baby was coming today. I told her that I didn't want to check in to the hospital yet and she agreed that I could leave, get something to eat, and check in to triage once my contractions were closer together. 

I left and decided then that I wanted to labor at home/outside of the hospital until my water broke and my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart. I went back home to get my husband and continue my labor. By this time it was 1pm and I was still just breathing through the contractions. My friend, Mary came over to stay with our 3yr old son and she was amazed at how calm I was. My water still had not broke but my intuition and body were telling me it was coming soon. I took a 10 minute walk on my treadmill and within minutes my water broke! The contractions then started getting stronger and closer so at 4pm I told my husband I was ready to go to the hospital. 

When I arrived at triage I told them I was in active labor and needed to check in. They all remarked too at how calm I seemed. I felt so good that my preparation and breathing was working. I felt calm, focused, and ready. When they started setting me up in the hospital labor room I advocated firmly but politely about what I wanted and didn't want. I allowed them to place an IV port but told them my preferred location so it was as comfortable for me as possible. I told them I needed to be able to get out of bed as needed for labor and they were very supportive. From 5pm-10pm I was in a complete meditative state, using a peanut ball to breathe my  baby down and silently repeating my affirmations. At times I also listened to my birth music and swayed through a strong surge. Although I was offered an epidural many times I did not even think twice about saying no each time. It may sound unbelievable but while the contractions were strong and I recognized the presence of pain, I was not in pain. I accepted these sensations and let them go with each breath. 

At around 10pm I felt a sudden sensation. It was like a bowling ball had been dropped from my ribs to my pelvis. It jolted me up and I knew that this was something significant. When the nurse came in I told her about it and she went to get someone to check me. An on-call resident came in and told me the baby was at zero station (head fully engaged) but that I was still only 6cm dilated and I was getting there but still had a ways to go before birth. My body was telling me though that the baby was coming. The surges were extremely strong now and something about the resident telling me those words, "a ways to go" made me start to panic for the first time. For a brief second I thought, "Maybe I need an epidural. Maybe I can't do this." I felt tears come to my eyes and I held my husband's hand, crying for a moment. As another powerful surge came, I talked to myself outloud saying, "Breath. Don't panic."  I told my husband, "Go get someone NOW!"  My body was telling me one thing and the medical resident, another. My OB came in this time and checked me, telling me she could see the baby's head. In that moment all of my panic dissapeared. My body was right! I did not have a long way to go. I told her I needed to push. My body needed to push.

In an instant flash a whole team of people rushed into the room and assembled instruments and other preparations in what felt like a total of 20 seconds. I was screaming that I had to push. My OB looked me right in the eyes and said "You're in control. Breathe." In that moment I closed my eyes, breathed, and pushed. An involuntary, primitive scream came out during that first push. Then I went to a meditative place, almost out of my body. I know there was pain and there was the infamous "ring of fire" but it was nothing I couldn't handle or breathe through. In this moment I realized just how truly incredible our bodies are. 

Then the head, shoulders, and body of our precious baby boy all appeared. The feeling of complete and total relief was all consuming. My OB handed him up to me and I silently said to myself and to our baby, "We did it.". It's the greatest feeling I'll ever know. I feel so grateful that I was able to have the positive unmedicated birth experience I dreamed of. 

Thank you for letting me share my story!

Courtney

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