It was terrifying, wonderful and exciting all at once. The day before (Monday), my midwife informed me that induction was to be planned if Baby didn’t arrive by Friday. Of course her intention wasn’t to scare me but man, was I scared. I had my birth plan in mind, yet it was unraveling right before my eyes. That night I took a leap and decided that I would try the Midwives Brew. It features castor oil, but other ingredients mixed in help to counteract the nasty side effects of straight up oil. I took it the next day at about 1:30, took a nap, woke up at 4 o’clock and began running errands. I did make a few trips to the bathroom, but felt no cramps and figured the drink hadn’t worked. At 5:30 though, I started feeling menstrual crampiness while hanging photos. Okay. Not getting my hopes up because I had been feeling this way for weeks now. 7 o’clock rolled around and they starred getting more intense, but I wouldn’t call them contractions. I brought some blankets and a pillow into the family room and watched a movie while drifting off to sleep. Then, at 8 something I started having real contractions! I won’t lie, they sucked. I was hot, cold and threw up once when I tried to switch positions. Still, I was convinced it was a false alarm(they weren’t any worse than my period cramps growing up) and told my sister no, not to call the midwife. At 9:30 she finally stopped listening to me and called her-she told us to come in, and so we got in the car and drove 35 minutes to the hospital. I started feeling this unbearable pressure, and I thought oh no, the baby is coming NOW! We arrived at about 10:30. At this point I was so focused on my breathing that I wasn’t communicating with anyone unless absolutely necessary. The regular entrance was closed and I said to my godmom, “I can feel the baby’s head. We’ve got to hurry”. She asked if in wanted to wait for a wheelchair instead of walking and I said no! The baby is coming now! So I waddled as fast as I could around to the ER entrance and walked past the security officer, not caring that I was supposed to stop. The receptionist was asking all sorts of questions and I eventually got a wheelchair. She was taking her sweet time-I don’t think she believed me when I told her how far a long I thought I was. Finally I stopped talking to her and a nurse came and wheeled me to the elevator and Triad. Finally! I thought, we’d get this baby out. Nope! This nurse was intent on asking me questions too. I told her I wouldn’t be able to pee ( she wanted a sample) but I went to the bathroom at her insistence. I couldn’t pee, but my water did break as I pulled up my pants. I called out to the nurse, and finally there was some urgency. All of this seemed like it took forever, but in reality by the time I reached the table it was about 10:55. I was checked by a nurse, and she called out to the other nurses that I was a 10. I was taken to L&D, my midwife arrived, and my sister set up my birthing music. I think the songs that ended up playing were smooth jazz. I started pushing at 11:30, and I honestly don’t think that was painful. I remember trying not to push too hard, because I didn’t want to hurt the baby (woman in labor logic) but my midwife told me that I needed to give it my all so the baby wouldn’t get stressed. Two pushes later and she was here 😌 it was the most serene setting. My nurses were all so supportive, my midwife respected that I wanted minimal talking and absolutely no telling me what do do. She was amazed that I was so quiet and focused throughout, and honestly so was I. The pain was minimal compared to what I had been expecting, and the time flew by. Honestly the healing process has been the worst part. I would do it all over in a heartbeat. My little angel arrived March 27th at 11:52 p.m.
thatpregnantvegan 