Jonathan's Birth Story

Looking back today, over a year later, I would have made the same decision to have a natural delivery. Even in my late teens and early twenties, I knew I wanted to have my children naturally. And at 26, when I found out I was pregnant, when people told me, “You definitely want the drugs,” that didn’t change my mind.

After what seemed to be so long, nine months passed and I was two days overdue. My doctor told me if I didn’t go into labor in the next two days, she was going to have to induce me. I had heard that being induced usually made labor harder and more painful. Knowing this, I really wanted my baby to come without having to be induced.

That week, I did have very dull back aches, but they didn’t bother me. I was so large and just couldn't get comfortable in any position to sit or sleep. We had just gotten new carpet in our bedroom and it was October 13. I was relaxing and watching some movies. Throughout the day, I had sharp pains, sort of like period cramps but these were isolated to one area. I started getting nervous because I knew my baby would be here soon.

Later that night, after much tossing and turning, I decided to take a hot shower to relax my muscles so I could try to get some sleep. I walked into our bedroom and sat on our newly-carpeted floor to read some more of my baby book. All of a sudden the water gushed from me! I do recall a very slight popping sound.

We called my doctor, only to learn she was out of town on an emergency! I would have an on-call OB! The fear in me grew more; I wasn't sure I could do this without her walking me through it! The nurse asked me how far apart my contractions were, and I told her I wasn’t sure I had any yet, at least none that I knew of. As I was finishing packing though, the contractions hit me. That’s when I realized, “This was it; this was real!” The contractions started about six minutes apart. I thought I would have all this in-between time, but I didn’t! My husband had to help me down our stairs, and this was a task all in itself! When the contraction would hit, I would have to stop and wait it out before I could take another step down. But I finally got down the stairs and into our truck.

My hospital was 25 minutes away. I told my husband that we were never going to make it, that I could feel the baby coming! He put on his flashers and sped up. At this time, halfway there, my contractions were about two minutes apart and growing stronger and closer together.

I kept thinking about all the labor stories, and how everyone I talked to told me about their 13, 25, or even 39 hours of labor! With me, this was not the case! It was NOW! I was shocked that everything was coming on so quickly! When I got out of the truck, I felt this drop, and it must have been the baby dropping under my pelvic bone. I knew we’d better hurry! We got up to my room; fortunately my doctor and I had already reserved it the previous day when we talked about inducing. I got into my gown and when I was checked, I was at 10 centimeters! It was go time! For a split second I wasn't sure I could do it, but it was too late for pain medication! It was time to push! The nurse ran out in the hall and told the doctor to come in, shouting, "I can see the baby's hair!" The doctor told me to push. I had one nurse on each side holding a leg, and my husband holding my hand, offering encouraging words. There was so much pressure, and it seemed like more pressure than pain at this point. With my first push, I kept my whole body completely relaxed except for the muscles I needed to use down below, and out came my son’s head. It felt so good! How could it feel so good? It relieved so much pressure that it was like a sigh of relief! With my second push, I almost completely stopped, and for a slight moment I didn't think I had it in me. Then I pushed again, with all I had, and he came out even more. Though I didn't feel this because of all the pressure, I did tear in three places. Sometimes tearing is just going to happen no matter what. Then the doctor said the best thing, “One more slow push,” and that was it! There was my beautiful little boy, Jonathan, all eight-pounds, one-ounce of him! He was so beautiful, I didn't feel any pain or discomfort any more! I looked into his eyes and looking at him took all that pain away! The only medication I asked for was a local to numb me while my tears were being repaired.

Would I do it naturally again? Absolutely! It’s funny how much more you appreciate what your body can do after you have had a child!