July 9, 2010--a busy Friday. I woke up with what I feared could be a yeast infection. Not positive it was, but I didn't think I had 3-4 days to figure it out. Labor could be any day now. Could I cure it before baby came? How could I cure it-- over the counter or naturally? I did some quick checks on the internet and saw I had some options. I called my doctor's office to confirm my options. The office thought I was calling because I was in labor-- no, not yet, false alarm. Figuring a natural approach couldn't hurt and might relieve the burn, I got in a tub of apple cider vinegar and warm water. This felt good. Then, I took the kids out of the house. Today we were going to catch the 50% off sale at Toy Fair. The kids enjoyed the toys while I shopped clothes and shoes. I got 1 new dress each for Nati and Milena and 1 new outfit for Alexander for school. Probably spent too much, but it was half off at least. We stopped to say hi to Carol Anglin at the ballet school and then headed home for lunch. My package of Kissaluv cloth diapers had arrived, so during lunch I put them through the washer. I also decided that I would be going to the pharmacy for Monistat later-- just in case it was yeast.
While the kids rested and napped I headed to the grocery store with a short list-- paper plates, juice, and a couple other things. Then, I went to Walgreens to pick out my feminine product. It was sunny but thundering, so I rushed a little and immediately tried my 1 day product hoping it would work in just one day! I didn't want an infection to distract me during labor or give my baby thrush!
Resting on the couch in order to give my product a chance to work (antigravity, you know), I thought that contractions were pretty tight and regular. I started timing. 5 minutes apart. Was labor starting? You always wonder. A couple hours later we were having dinner, and the contractions were still coming regularly. Mind you, they were tight but really painless, so this was either a false alarm or just the early labor, warm up contractions. I did tell Ricky and the kids to be ready, though. So far my babies always arrived in the middle of the night, so tonight could be the night. I also started doing laundry after dinner in case I did not get a chance on Saturday or Sunday. By 9 PM or so Ricky decided to call our doctor so that she too could be ready in case tonight was the night. Dr. Shattuck talked to me on the phone for a bit, and I informed her of what was going on. I'm sure she could clearly sense that I was not 'active' by how I was able to speak continuously. I told her that I was still very comfortable. My only concern was that with #3 I went right from nothing to active labor, no preamble. Was it possible that this time I could think I was in very early labor only to find out quickly, as in when my water suddently broke, that I was minutes from delivery. She assured me that I would feel crampy, more painful contractions before I was going to deliver and that the contractions might well change to this type once I settled down and went to sleep. She'd get her scrubs out, just in case.
Could I sleep at this point? Not ready yet, so after showering and putting my 3 babies down to sleep, I went downstairs to chill out and time contractions. Having just nursed Natalya it seemed that my contractions had started to change. By 10:45/ 11:00 PM they seemed close (5-6 mins) and a bit crampy, especially low on my perineum. Ricky finally made up his mind to save the cord blood and sat down at the computer to fill out the final paper work. While watching late night TV I waited for the mild crampiness to get stronger and for contractions to get closer. By timing them, though, I soon realized they were all over the place and, if anything, they were getting farther apart: 7 mins, 10 mins, 8mins, 10 mins, 11 mins.-- this kind of thing. By 1:00 AM I couldn't say that I would be delivering in the next couple hours, and because I was feeling very tired, I decided to turn in for the night. I woke up around 3:30 and felt one mild contraction. The next didn't come until over 20 minutes later. These were definitely not getting me anywhere fast, so by 4AM I was back in bed to sleep some more. No baby tonight. Thankfully, I fell asleep easily. I woke up at 6:30 and really could not detect any noticeable change. Contractions were only mildly crampy and far apart, at least 10 minutes. I felt a little itchy, so I decided to go back to the warm tub with some apple cider vinegar. At least I could relax there and get rid of any itch before starting another busy day. My parents and sister were going to arrive at the airport at 4 PM. With my laundry under control (I think I did a little folding at this point to finish up) and my bath done, I decided to rest in bed for a few minutes. It was just about 7:30, and Natalya awoke and asked for milk. I indulged as usual. We enjoyed our cuddly time, and just before 8AM I decided to get up. I had begun to feel some stronger crampy contractions. Downstairs I timed a few-- they were regular-- 6-7 minutes-- and they were not lightening up. This could be it--unless they stopped as soon as the 'oxytocin' from the nursing wore off. They kept coming, though, and soon I moved to my pilates ball to roll with my contraction waves. In between contractions I felt fine, but during the 60 secs. of the contraction I certainly had to concentrate to stay comfortable. Staying comfortable was difficult with Alexander poking me and trying to pick my head up-- Mommy why are you showing us your head? I was trying to go inside myself and breath through my pain, but he didn't get it. Natalya was a bit kinder, she just got close and let me breathe with my lips on the top of her head. I actually liked this. At some point early on I took breaks from my ball when I could and alerted Grandma Cecile, our neighbor/ babysitter, Robin, and Dr. Shattuck that labor had kicked in and that we would likely be going to the hospital in the next hour or two. Dr. Shattuck decided not to go to the stable to see her horse that morning after all, under the circumstances. Too bad, I guess, but she is an OB, and it was rainy anyway.
Ricky videotaped my labor dance and read to the kids. We were all in the living room together. Contractions were not too close together (as in 2-3 mins. apart), but they were strong-- indicative of active labor, not the piddly stuff of the day before. I also noticed some bloody show when I went to the bathroom, also a sign I was dilating. A little after 9:30 AM I told Ricky we needed to get ready and leave for the hospital. He wondered if we could wait longer, as in until my water broke, but I had my own rather strong opinion, which I voiced. Based on my previous labors of 3-3.5 hours of active labor I could certainly be pushing baby Anya out by 11 or 11:30 AM. She could be a little later, but she might even be a little earlier, so we should be at the hospital by 10/10:15 AM-- so as not to have to make a disorganized mad dash or stress about not making it on time. Ricky complied, and we started packing the car: overnight bag, kid activity bag, music box, cord blood kit, etc... I/ we also managed to alert Robin, grandma, and our doctor that we would be leaving very shortly.
The car ride was only uncomfortable during the peak of my contractions-- I think I had 2. By a little after 10 AM we made it to Highland hospital. Cecile and Robin were right there to meet us, and so was Susan Shattuck. I remember walking into the hospital holding my childrens' hands. We were all excited for this day. It seems the doctor and the nurse (Candy) were surprised that I was walking, calm, and happy. I certainly didn't need their wheelchair, even though I was having another contraction by the time I reached the entrance door. Was this really active labor? I'm not sure what they were thinking, and I soon began to wonder myself if I was far enough along to be here. As I got settled into my room (133), contractions seemed less intense than at home and may have even spaced out a little. I wasn't really timing, though. I didn't know what to think when we entered my "room" and the nurse said that I could be a patient now. I didn't want to be a patient. I refused the hospital gown. I just wanted to labor until baby was ready and then push her out. I wasn't ill or anything. The nurse did take some data and check me in. A few times a CNA came in to get my temp and blood pressure. Once, the nurse decided she needed to monitor. I was a little concerned, untrusting of fetal monitoring. She only monitored for 5 mins. though and baby looked really happy, even through a contraction. Knowing this, relaxed me immensely.
I tried to keep labor going. I didn't want Dr. Shattuck to spend several hours just hanging out if nothing major was going to happen for a while. Contractions felt stronger when I squatted or when I sat on the toilet, especially since this toilet did not have a seat cover I could sit on for counter pressure. In this labor I felt the contraction/ cramp in my lower abdomen but, unlike other times, I really felt them in my lower back, butt, and quads too. Now, I think I did feel these sensations in other labors, but this time these 'pains' equaled the abdominal cramp. The pain was less concentrated/ more spread out, I think. Anyway, I went back and forth between trying to achieve stronger contractions on the toilet and trying to achieve 'more comfortable' contractions. For more comfortable, I liked dancing with Ricky, hanging over the bed, and, most especially, hanging over the birth ball. I tried different soundtracks but mostly enjoyed Bebel Gilberto's samba songs this time. You could say I "samba"ed through my labor.
Back to the birth ball-- that was kind of funny. Ricky told the nurse and doctor that at home I was laboring on my red pilates ball. They immediately sprang into action-- and had something to do. We have one of those balls, said the nurse, and she went to get it. Well, they had one, but it was totally deflated and needed to be pumped up. I listened from the commode as Ricky pumped that ball up in no time and Candy and Susan encouraged him and told him how impressed they were with his abilities to inflate. Once they were done I felt kind of obligated to use that ball; fortunately, I did find a comfy position or two on it.
As time passed (10:30-noonish), I worked through my contractions but never had the perception that I was losing it or that they were just unbearable. In between I was quite cheerful and even conversed with my visitors: doctor, nurses, Milena, Cecile. How close was I? No one knew. Ricky says he stepped out at one point-- I could tell he was probably getting bored. I didn't use/ need him too much, though I didn't mind the company. I basically like to withdraw into myself during contractions and don't require 'coaching' or 'cheering' or even massage perse. Anyway, he kidded the doctor, saying he thought he might go check in at work. She suggested they check me first. No one had ever checked me during my previous 2 labors until the very end, if at all, but I amicably agreed. One check was probably OK. Susan asked me to guess how dilated I was. I thought 6 or 7. Ricky guessed 8. I was actually 9 cm with a bulging bag of waters. Now I knew I was close. That water just had to break, and by the sound of it, that event could be coming up fairly soon. In any case, even though my contractions were not causing me great anguish, they were definitely doing something. They were strong enough! No one was going to leave for work or lunch now, though lunch was sounding good to me.
Minutes passed. I changed into my Binsi birth skirt because things had to be close, right? Ricky, Susan, and I got into a conversation about the Argentine film she was still planning to see that afternoon. I hadn't heard of it-- surprising, but true. Ricky started telling her about my plans to organize a Mexican film festival for the fall at the Robinson. I started to say a few words, but then a strong contraction came, and I was no longer in the mood for conversation.
I escaped to the bathroom commode soon after, and at the end of another strong contraction-- POP, the water broke. I came out of the bathroom at 12:19 PM with warm water dripping down my legs. Pushing contractions would soon start. It was show time. Ricky went to get grandma and the kids, and Dr. Shattuck suited up. I laughed to myself because it looked like she was really expecting to get completely drenched by whatever water and fluids would accompany my precious baby. I think she may have even put on goggles.
As predicted, I had the urge to push with the next contraction. I intentionally got on the bed and lay on my left side. I had chosen this position with Natalya and didn't tear, so I thought it could be a good position for me. A nurse asked if I wanted stirrups. Was she joking? Our doctor pointed out something to the effect that I didn't even really need a bed. I was a professional and knew what I had to do. The next contraction I started bearing down, letting out that primitive grunting sound that always accompanies the birth of my babies. I was a little self conscious of all the eyes on me. I hoped they couldn't see my bottom, but I also definitely did not want them to miss seeing this miracle, so I was OK-- plus I was mostly concentrated on the work ahead of me, so I couldn't be too worried about it. (The video later showed that my skirt kept my bottom well covered; I'm sure the kids saw quite a bit from up close, but I think I kept as much of my modesty as possible). It didn't take long for hair to show. A couple of pushes and I could feel that strong ring of fire burn. I soon pushed the top of baby's head out. I felt its slimy warmth with my hand. Then her little eyes came and her nose; it took another strong push before her chin popped out. I couldn't see much on my side, but I could hear my doctor's voice. I was trying not to push hard, so I wouldn't tear; however, the burn was incredibly strong. This baby didn't come out in just a push or two but instead inched her way out. At a certain point I just wanted her free more than anything, tear or no tear. The doctor said "You're doing great, Maureen." Finally, one or two throaty grunts later, her shoulders came. With that, the rest of her slid out easily. What sweet relief! Ana was soon in my arms once the doctor removed the cord from her neck. It was so awesome. She didn't cry, maybe just made a quiet noise or two, but we could tell she was pink and healthy. She got an Apgar of 10/ 10, a testament to her robust color and alertness
Milena could have cut the cord but instead preferred to watch closely while the doctor did it. Ana's weight was a big surprise--7 lbs 15oz, the nurse said. Even before that the doctor thought she was fuller than my other girls. At almost 8lbs she was bigger than expected. No wonder she took just a bit more than 2-3 pushes to birth. Luckily, I only required 1 stitch. Healing was a breeze. The placenta followed easily. After pains were strong, but only for a couple days. I vaguely recall some efforts to get the cord blood. I was too busy getting cleaned up and enjoying my newest baby girl. Anya was so sweet. She latched well and ate happily throughout our first afternoon together. I enjoyed her kitten soft hair-- as did the rest of the family--and her prominent soft spot just above her forehead. She also came with the tiniest toes, the cutest turned up nose, and the sweetest fresh- from -the -womb -scent.
The kids had quite a morning. Birth was maybe a bit overwhelming, but it was probably worth it. They did all bond with and consider baby Anya their own right away. They know she came from papa and mama, and that she came directly from mama's body, as had they. Alexander told my parents that first day exactly where Anya came from,but he's since moved on. Natalya looked frightened just after the birth but is now fine. She has her own brief version of how Anya came out; the best part is her grunts. Mama said ummmm and baby came out. Over the past couple weeks I have been entertained by almost nightly versions of birth stories performed by my children.
thank you so much for working with ricky and me and for taking my birth plan so seriously my labor with Anya and her birth were exactly what I had imagined and hoped for and couldn't have gone more perfectly. i really appreciate your meeting us at the hospital and waiting there throughout my labor. sorry anya took about an hour longer than expected. of course, i loved my home birth, but Highland turned out to be just fine. I am very glad that I was able to share this baby's birth not only with Ricky but also with her siblings and with you.
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