Birth Story of April

April
1973
AO Presentation
7 lbs
19"

10 days overdue, second baby, second pregnancy, (previous baby breech.) I had much rehearsal labor over several days, which would stop when I'd go to bed. I was very eagerly awaiting this birth, as I was "crowded in there," and was awkward caring for 27 mo. old. I interpreted the pattern as my uterus getting into shape and making progress, then letting me rest so the "real thing' would be more leisurely. I had absolute confidence and again took beginning childbirth classes, since Dad was nervous & wanted to learn. We drove to a hospital, where dads were permitted to attend births & I'd found an OB who would even attend nearby home births (he wouldn't come as far as where we lived, though. The Veterinarian next door declined, alarmed by my suggestion that he attend me.)

The 1/2 hour car trip was surprising comfortable (unlike with #1). Again my labor stopped until I was settled in. I welcomed an enema to encourage labor to continue. It did. This time I was prepared for a feeling of "panic" to accompany contractions, and I was not at all afraid. I felt contractions from the front, below, and a little behind, as if surrounded. Nevertheless, I moved about to encourage labor to continue, eager to meet my baby. I was bewildered by sharp discomfort under my right thigh. Again I used a trusty mirror. The nurse who "prepped" me had evidently sliced a 2" shallow gash in my upper inner thigh for me to sit upon, with no explanation or pardon!

My water broke spontaneously during a contraction with a "pop," feeling as if some knot just below my belly button suddenly slipped open. I was delighted & tried to see over myself to determine that the water was clear. We buzzed the nurse & we were moved to a delivery room soon afterwards. Again the lithotomy position on a delivery table. I declined the hand ties, supported by the Doctor's "permission." This hospital offered whiffs of some gas from a mask held by the mother herself. No special effort was made to offer me this option, I had merely been informed of it early on. I could see a reflection of myself in the equipment cabinet glass door, which the doctor adjusted further with his foot.

With complete confidence in birth, my 7#, 19" daughter was speedily born. She emerged so quickly after the doctor said, "You can stop pushing now," that I was embarrassed. He caught her, nevertheless. I reached for her at once, to be stopped by the nurse because I wasn't sterile. I talked them into letting me hold her from underneath the drapes. One of the most wonderful moments of my life! I was filled with the marvel & wonder of her, as was her present father.

Even though before sleeping I confirmed at the nurses station that Dr.'s orders were to bring her to me for night feedings, she was not. She had been given a bottle of sugar water in spite of instructions, requests, and confirmation. It is my most fervent wish that I had taken her home at once, instead of having to spend such a potentially joyful time in "punished" by "solitary confinement" -- alone in a room of strangers (one nurse insisted so powerfully in spite of my protestations, I ended up tearfully taking pain medication for which I felt no need.) with baby "abandoned" in a nursery and Dad at home. I signed us both out Against Medical Advice the next day, in spite of dire warnings that "renal failure" might not have shown up yet. I vowed, "Never again!" (Now the first time mothers are practically pushed out the door by insurance companies hours after birthing. Will we never learn?)