A hospital birth after a homebirth

PLEASE REMEMBER I DO NOT EDIT MY POSTS....THIS IS A FREEWRITING AREA ONLY!

I wanted to quickly jot down my thoughts about having a hospital birth after a homebirth.  My homebirth was everything I wanted.  I remember the midwives asking me to describe how I wanted my birth to be.  First, I wanted it calm and quiet.  I didn't want people touching me, poking me, and talking.  I wanted my body to regulate the entire birth.  My number one goal was to see exactly how my body would labor.  Birth is amazing!  We as women are made to give birth...I know that not everyone can have a homebirth due to many circumstances, and I really wanted the experience.  That having been said....Daniel did not feel the same way.  He wanted a Doctor (he thought), drugs, nurses, and post-natal care for 48 hours after the birth so he could focus on our other children while I couldn't.  He didn't really complain, but he did let everyone know it wasn't his idea ;) 
Taylor's birth was amazing.  I got everything I wanted.  The midwives and Daniel were quiet except for minimal coaching.  The midwives did not leave me side, but they were not overly present.  My body dictated the ENTIRE birth.  It was AMAZING to see what my body could do.  Daniel admits it wasn't as bad as he thought.  He loved sleeping in our own bed just hours after she was born.  My body healed so much faster!  OH AND TO BE HOME!!!! (BTW the number one question people ask me is, "How messy is home birth?"  The midwives clean up. the birth area was cleaner after they left than when they got there.)  The only down side to home birth was pain, but that was what I wanted.  My home birth was perfect.

When I found out I was pregnant with Drew I figured we would have another home birth.  Since I am religious I had to pray and make sure home birth was right for us.  The more I prayed the more I knew that we could not have a home birth.  The answer was a clear "NO!"  Part of me was relieved  Daniel and I would not have to have the home birth discussion again. Part of me was sad that I would not be in the comfort of my own home :(   Then there was the Dr. vs Midwife discussion.  We chose Dr. Kells because he has midwives in his office, but I did not decide I who I wanted to deliver me until 35 weeks when baby failed a NST and a biophysical profile.  I went with Dr...I thought.

DREW'S BIRTH

Dr. Kells wanted to induce me when I went in for my appointment at 39 weeks 5 days.  My blood pressure was 150 over like 100.  I had +2 protein in my urine, and I was pretty swollen.  When he put his thumb into my calf in sank and when he removed his thumb the entire print stayed forever.  I did not really want to be induced, especially after experiencing all my body could do with Taylor.  I was done being pregnant though, and lets face it...my BP was high... :) 

When we got to the hospital it and they had me hooked up to IV penicillion (Group B strep +....LAME) and saline it was around 10:15.  I was watching the monitor and could tell I was contracting.  The nurse came in a short while later and told me they could not give me any pitocin because I was contractin every 4 minutes.  LOL...It wasn't intense at all.  My body contract on those stupid machines the entire time I am hooked up...nothing happens.  The nurse came back in around 11:30 to check and I was a 4.5.  I was a four when I got there so I wasn't impressed.  I kept thinking...this is going to take forever...I am not even in labor.  I was wrong.  By 12:30 my contractions were getting stronger, longer and closer together.  I was only a 5, but I was starting to get uncomfortable.  We had discussed epidural.  I wasn't sure what I wanted from this birth.  Baby boy is the last for us.  Did I want to experience the nature of birth or just enjoy it?!?!?!?  I wasn't sure.  The nurse knew how I felt.  She agreed she would come back in an hour and check on me.  At 1:30 exactly was having the LONGEST contraction of the day that was super intense.  I said out loud "come on!"  I was talking about the contraction, but my nurse came in and said, "It has been exactly an hour."  lol she thought I was talking about her.  I decided I wanted an epidural.  NOW I DO NOT CARE HOW ANYONE ELSE FEELS ABOUT EPIDURALS.....PLEASE KEEP YOUR OPINIONATED COMMENTS TO YOURSELF! Sorry, there are a few people who are driving me crazy right now :)  I was nervous to get an epidural though.  I didn't want to wimp out at 5 cm dilated!!!  I wasn't worried about the medical repercussions.  I have had 2 before.  I decided I wanted to enjoy the last time I would give birth.  I wanted to laugh, sleep, watch tv, listen to music, and enjoy the other people in the room.  Little did I know, there would not be much time for that....hehe.  They gave me my epidural at 2:00.  It should have kicked in at 2:15.  I admit some of the pain was a little less intense, but I was still having to concentrate on relaxing and breathing to get through the contraction.  I should have known I was in transition.  hehe.  At 2:30 the epidural was working well enough that I wasn't going to cry during contraction, but I could still feel everything my body was experiencing.  They checked me and I was a 7.  I told the nurse not to go anywhere because I would be delivering soon.  She called the Dr.   He was in the middle of a procedure in the office, but his midwife was in the hallway.  Midwife....GREAT, I LOVE MIDWIVES!  I only chose Dr. Kells to deliver me out of fear.  Ramona came into the room.  I was dialted to a 10 with no pressure to push....it was 3:00.  Now with my other hospital births the Dr's would have strapped me up and made me start pushing.  Not Ramona.  I told her I wanted to follow my body's lead.  She was all for it.  The epidural was PERFECT.  Minimal pain, but just enough that could tell exactly what was happening.  It was like a dulled natural birth.....kinda....lol.  Anyhow, I followed my body's lead.  Ramona was perfect because she gave me some insight as to what was happening and I let her know how I was feeling.  We laughed, talked, and enjoyed the birth process.  No crying and screaming this time.  I gave birth to Drew at 3:33pm.  He was 8 lbs 11oz and 21 inches long!  A big baby boy.  He was 1.5 to 2.5 pounds bigger than any of my other babies.  No tearing.  Perfect!   I loved having a midwife at the hospital.

Now, after having a traditional hospital birth, a home birth, and a midwife at the hospital, which would I choose if I had another?  I can't answer that.  I can say I probably wouldn't do a Dr. at the hospital.  Midwife all the way for me.  WAY BETTER CARE....at least for me.   Hospital vs Home.  It is too hard to say.  Taylor's birth was so special and so was Drew's.  They were both exactly what I wanted.  I wouldn't have either of them any other way.  Taylor's birth was the most spiritual.  Drew's was the most fun.  Carter's was the most enlightening.  Chase's was the most....well.... I think typical would be the best word. The good thing is... I shouldn't have to ever make that decision again! 

I will say this...there is not place like home!

Christmas in October

I did not record any of my feelings at the end of pregnancy with the other 3 babies.  At least not that I remember.  I could write it in my journal, but I thought I would let everyone know I am still pregnant.

There were a lot of people pregnant and due within two weeks of me.  Some before...some after....and one on the same day.  I am not used to being last.  The girl due the same day as me asked if I could feel myself getting grumpier every day.... lol.  Yes, that is exactly how I was feeling.  Then, last night, I made a mental note of all the things that are better about being pregnant. 

1. I slept through the night.  Yep the entire night!  I did not even get up to use the restroom :)

2. I have a midterm for Bio 202 next week.  It is brutal.  I do not have an extra cute distraction to keep me from studying.

3. NO little rinse bottle.  You ladies know exactly what I am talking about....  the bottle that replaces toilet paper. 

4. My mom will be here in 2 days!  She may actually be here for the birth of one of my children!

5. The baby gear is still in a box, and not all over my house.  No bouncer, swing, cradle, and car seat taking over the living room.

6. I am not leaking. (I really do not enjoy nursing)

7.  Taylor is not a total nightmare.  I am a little worried about the jealousy factor.  She is a little spoiled.


I am sure there are more.  I could go on, but I do not want to convince myself that I don't want a bay at all.  They are a lot of work, and I AM about to have one.

This morning I was not feeling as positive as last night.  A friend asked how I was feeling.  I told him "I feel like it is Christmas, and I only got socks."  That was a perfect description.  It conveys the secret jealousy of the other ladies.  It describes the disappointment I feel every morning when I wake up still pregnant.  It describes the anticipation and excitement.  Christmas....and babies.... Can you see the connection?

A lot of people are nervous I am going to have the baby and they will not get the news.  Do not worry.  I will shout it from the roof tops.  I will send out a mass text.  I will post of Facebook. I will even post on our blog. 

After all...it will be Christmas.