Benjamin's Birth Story

My husband, Rod, and I became pregnant almost immediately after we decided to try. I had a relatively easy nine months, except for back and hip pain and fatique in the last trimester. I was seeing a group of midwives during my pregnancy and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend using a midwife to anyone considering it.

Once I reached 36 weeks I began drinking (as recommended) copious amounts of raspberry leaf tea and taking evening primrose tablets in hopes that I would begin to dilate and have my cervix soften. No such luck. Women kept telling me I was crazy to be even considering giving birth without any drugs, but I was determined to give it a try. I was not making any promises though because I did not want to be disappointed in myself if I gave in to the pain.

My water broke the evening of March 17 (five days before my due date) but I didn't have any contractions. I asked the midwife if I could stay home and sleep and she agreed and told me I would need to come in by 6 AM the next morning. Through the night I attempted to sleep, but spent most of the time walking the hallway, desperately trying to induce contractions because I was scared that I would need Pitocin.

My husband and I checked into the hospital the next morning and they started me on Pitocin immediately since I had not had any contractions yet. My contractions didn't become regular until 7 PM that night and then they were very painful. Unfortunately, I was only dilated to about four centimeters and had been for quite some time. The nurse and midwife kept asking me if I was cold because my legs kept shaking and my leg muscles were spasming due to fatigue and stress. I just could not relax between contractions. The midwife understood that I did not want an epidural, but recommended Nubain, which would allow me to move around, and also help me relax and possibly sleep between contractions. All I can say is, God bless Nubain.

The Nubain wore off in two hours and I had reached seven centimeters. The midwife gave me the option of taking one more dose of Nubain, saying I probably would not give birth until after midnight. I took it and was really kind of out of it for a while. At 10:15 PM I felt the urge to push and the midwife, though surprised, agreed that it was time.

Benjamin Peter, born at 10:38 PM, was seven pounds, four ounces, and 21 inches long. For me, pushing was the easiest part!

In hindsight, I wish I had not had that second dose of Nubain because I believe that both Ben and I were still pretty groggy at his birth. Ben was slow to latch on for breastfeeding, but we both eventually figured it out and he is now happy and healthy at five months old. Rod and I are already talking about having number two!