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Week by Week

Travis

When my husband and I got pregnant with our second child, I was adamant into looking into doing a homebirth. My husband was not so sure about that idea. We went to the informational session at the midwife's office and my husband left the office two hours later absolutely convinced that homebirth was the only way to go in a healthy delivery. At last, a homebirth convert! So, we went on with the pregnancy making all of the necessary plans. I started having contractions at about 26 weeks. I wasn't too surprised, as the same had happened with my first child. So, off to the backup obstetrician a few times. In the hospital a few times for the dreaded Terbutaline injections. Anything it took to make it to term in order to have a healthy baby at home.

Eventually, I was about 36 weeks. I was having contractions a bit more frequently, and was about a centimeter dilated with 50% effacement. I held my breath. My then 2 1/2 year old watched lots and lots of videos as I stayed on the couch as much as possible. I was horribly uncomfortable, as my joints ached tremendously from lying down all the time. But, we managed to finish up our childbirth education classes just in time. On Wednesday October 22, I knew that it wouldn't be long at all. My contractions were fairly consistent. But, after telling everyone that I was in labor, and putting them all on alert, the contractions slowed. So, off and on we went for 2 more days. Saturday, October 25th I awoke with contractions that were getting stronger. My neighbor was having a yard sale, so I went over, of course- always looking for a bargain. There were lots and lots of baby things there. The owner of the clothes asked me when I was going to have my baby, when I said "probably today," she about fell over! Everyone there was totally astounded that I was in labor and at a yard sale! "Shouldn't you go to the hospital now?" they said. I responded that I hoped that I would not need to go the hospital at all! I got the same response when my brother called me from California and learned about halfway through the conversation that I was in labor. Boy, what a laugh he gave me by his reaction!

I went through the day doing normal things. We had to prepare everything. I had borrowed a birthing tub from a friend of mine and set that up in my bedroom. My son, Tyler, went to Grandma's house. I was afraid that he would be extremely distracting to me as things progressed, so I felt that it was best that he was not there. I really wished that he was just a tad bit older so he could be there, but I couldn't do anything different.

I called the midwife at about 5:00 PM. She called me back an hour later and decided to come out. Now, because I was preterm, they were hesitant about doing the birth before October 27th. (I sincerely believe that this is the reason that I lingered in mild labor for days and days...) So, she came and so did the other 5 people that I had asked to be there. Time went on, but the labor did not. My sister in-law came to the house and had decided to bring her husband along!!! That really set me off and slowed things down. I felt extremely inhibited about having him there. I just wanted to walk around naked and make my dinosaur noises. So, in the middle of the night, the midwife sent everyone home. I got up after not getting much sleep. I was feeling angry at this point. My husband had slept soundly next to me all night while I laid awake in pain and frustration. My midwife said perhaps she should leave also. I freaked out. I did not want her to leave! So, I was going to get serious about this baby thing. I went out for several long walks, having to eventually stop with every contraction along the way. What were my neighbors thinking about this crazy hippy woman having contractions leaning on everyone's cars??? Do you think I cared much at that point? Nope, not much.

Eventually, after many walks, meditations, cohosh tea and evening of primrose oil applied on my cervix- which was stuck at 5 cm. all day- I made some progress. People were called back. I got into the tub to relax. It was like having a girl party, only with my husband there. I did eventually ask the midwife to rupture my membranes, after I felt for hours on end that I was "stuck." This did the trick! Here we go into really, really active labor! I cannot remember particular events at this point. I was very, very tired and concentrating with all my might on trying to be as relaxed as possible. I do recall being too hot. I got into the shower, with my husband behind me and our childbirth educator in front of me. I kept on asking them to turn the cold water up. I was working hard and was hot! My poor husband was shivering when we got out. But, he didn't complain one bit.

I went into my bedroom, crying. I really lost it at that point. I leaned over the bed and just yelled that I wanted this to be over with. Wasn't this baby EVER going to come out? I was in labor for 6 days now. I had had enough. Everyone told me to calm down and try to relax... yeah, right-easier said than done. But, I got into my bed with my close friend, who is a massage therapist, behind me and my husband in front of me. After 2 long hours, I felt that wonderful overwhelming urge to push! I only had to push for 20 minutes, which zoomed right past. I was so tired that my plan to squat for the birth went right out the window. I stayed on my side, with my husband holding my leg up. Soon, Travis Wade came into our bed to join our family. He cried lots. We let the cord stop pulsating and then Daddy cut the cord. He was so excited that he was actually on the phone with his family while he cut it! Travis weighed 7 lbs 8 oz. He was approximately at 36 weeks according to the criteria that the midwife used. (I make really big babies). After nursing and looking him over, I got out of bed and went to the shower. Daddy got the honor of dressing him for the first time and then took him for his first look around our home.

I hope that this story may have helped you in some way to learn about homebirth or to help you make decisions for your family, or even just given you enjoyment. Travis is now 15 months old. I am now a certified childbirth educator, an educator for Cord Blood Registry- which provides cord blood storage- and a mom of two lovely boys. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would like to say a very special thanks to my husband Casey, Deanna, Cindy, Sheila, and most of all to God.