Birth Story

Disclaimer: This is our birth story and it may be a little detailed as I want to remember everything that happened. So if you don’t want to know all about it then I would suggest not reading any further. Oh and it is really long!

Early labor started steadily Thursday, May 5th probably around 9. Actually if I’m being honest, I was probably in early labor all day. I just didn’t feel good and knew something was up. Anyway, around 9 I started timing contractions to see if there was a pattern and there was! I texted our doula and her instructions were to go take my melatonin and a hot bath and SLEEP! (Remember our plan was to do a natural birth and sleep is a must.) So I followed instructions and fell asleep around 11pm. Well I woke up around 4am-ish hurting and having a little bit stronger contractions but nothing unbearable. Texted our doula again and she said to repeat the melatonin and hot bath and sleep. *Let me just say here I was a little frustrated I wanted it to be TIME but I was being patient and trying to get rest because I knew it would be a long day. Need less to say I did not go back to sleep. Contractions started really picking up and at about 5:30am on the 6th. I texted our doula again at about 6:15 and my contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart and were MUCH stronger. I also couldn’t find a good position to really get in to relieve the pain. At that time she asked if I was ready for them to come here and I was like YES PLEASE!!

Active Labor: My “birth team” consisted of Jay, Holly (our doula), Whitney (our “student” doula), and my best friend Monica, who all arrived between 7:40-8 that morning. Well except Jay who had been here and up with me most of the night. When Holly got here she checked me and I was 4cm dilated and 100% effaced. So indeed we were having a BABY that day! To really get things started we decided to go for a walk. Okay so I forgot to say Jayci was still here but sleeping during all this. My MIL came here to get her around the same time everyone else got here.

Okay so we are walking, MIL is getting Jayci ready to go, and contractions are picking up some. Well about 9 Jayci leaves to go with MIL and we take another walk and boy do contractions really start to pick up! I guess my body just knew to wait until my girl had left.

We made it around the block one more time and decided that if we were going to make the 35 minute trip to the hospital that now would probably be the time. As I was hurting pretty bad with each contractions now.

We arrived to the hospital about 10:30am. They checked me and I was dilated to 7cm. So WOO-HOO I was making progress even though I was hurting like CRAZY!

Somewhere between 11 and 1 I broke down and asked for some morphine. Received one dose and was a little better. They checked me and I was a 9 but he was still at a –2 station (which is still pretty high). My water was bulging but was definitely holding him up there. At this point the doctor said they could break my water to help him come down but that was going to make my contractions worse or we could just keep going. Well, I knew I didn’t want them worse and I was hurting so so bad so I opted to get my epidural and try to continue to labor down. The epidural got started around 2ish and at first we just started with bolus doses (no pump) and this would hold me good for about an hour to an hour and a half. I know I asked for one more bolus and then after that they hooked me to the pump. I was definitely feeling better as in not feeling contractions but the pressure down in “that area” was INSANE!

I’m not sure what time it was but they eventually came in and broke my water (my choice) and I just knew it would be good to go from there. Well this point it just became harder for me. I was still a 9 he was still high up and I was just so frustrated and tired. I cannot express how many times I wanted to give up. Of course in all of this process we tried many different positions as far as sitting up, laying more flat, hands and knees. Apparently, little man was stuck on my pelvic bone just a little so that wasn’t helping any either.

Okay well at 6pm they checked and I was a 10. WOO-HOO! Finally going to get this show on the road. Let the pushing begin. Remember I am also trying to push him past my pelvic bone. I started out pushing in just that normal everyday position that you see every one do. However, at some point my doula suggested we try pushing in the hands and knees position to maybe help move him. Well, this way hurt sooooo freaking bad. Why you ask? Probably because it was working. I know I said some things that were not very nice. In fact, I know I swore up and down I would just schedule a c-section next time.

So here we are: Me on my hands and knees pushing like crazy. Everyone telling me I’m doing a good job and it is working and he is coming. But all I could feel was him come down and go back up. To say I was pissed is an understatement. I know at one point I said, “I’m done.” And I guess no one really had any thing to come back with because I remember Jay leaning down right in my face and saying, “Okay that is fine. He will just stay there.” Now I know that sounds mean but at this point it was my dose of reality that I needed.

Well apparently he started coming further down where they could really see him and I could really feel him. But he was doing this peek-a-boo thing so I could feel him go back up. And I was just WHY CAN’T SOMEONE GRAB HIM. I just didn’t understand. Eventually, Holly decided to come help me push for long enough times and count backwards from 6. I know this really helped. It gave me a specific goal to get to. If I could just make it to 1 that would be one less to go. And it worked! (Not that it was any easier but it was more effective for me) After I could really feel him coming. I started begging for the doctor. If you work in L&D or you have ever had a baby, you know the doctor doesn’t come until baby is pretty much out. Well to me if the doctor was there that meant Korbyn was almost here as well.

Finally, after I got close enough they got the doctor in the room. I remember pushing through a few more contractions and KORBYN WAS HERE!

Korbyn Rusden arrived 8:05pm on May 6th, 2011. Weighed 8lbs 2oz and 20 1/2 inches long!

So all in all I was in labor for about 24hours total but active for about 12 hours. Pushed for 2 hours and delivered him in the hands and knees position. Oh and I had no episiotomy, tears, or hemorrhoids so that is a total bonus!!!

I know this was a super long post but it was something I wanted to remember forever and at least most of the details. I hope you made it through with out going cross-eyed.

Oh and just so you know. I do not regret any part of this birth. In fact, if we decide to have another child I would do it all over again. The recovery between my c-section and this vaginal birth has been a billion times different. I know outcomes are different for everyone. I also know that c-sections are there for medical reasons and are great when needed. I just know that my first one was probably not so this made this birth very empowering for me.

Also, a super big thanks is needed for my birth team. I could not have done it with out each of them. They all had their roles and did them well. I truly do not think I would have had a successful VBAC without each of them present.

Okay well I will leave you with one last picture:

I’m sure there will be many more to come!

~Kristen