Ian was my first baby. I had taken Bradley Natural childbirth classes and was using an obstetrician. Obviously he was partial to modern medical convenience and I was not. I wanted a normal, natural birth. He was pushing for an induction when I went in for my visit on my due date, June 16, 1999. I pushed for a NST (non stress test) for 1 week past my due date. He warned of possible problems with late babies and scheduled the test.
The morning of my test at around 9:00 I started having contractions (which happened often during the last few weeks of my pregnancy), but figured they would stop. I had lost some mucous the night before (which had also happened twice before) and noticed a small bit of spotting before I left to go to the doctor. By the time I got there, had the test and was checked by my doctor I was at 3 cm. (10:30 a.m) He instructed me to go to the hospital. I wanted to go home expecting a normal 8-12 hour textbook labour.
At 10:45 fifteen minutes from the office my contractions hit really hard. I went to the hospital--which is baby friendly and has a lot of natural births.
I checked into my room at 11 a.m. I was ok untill I had to lie down for IV and fetal monitor. This made my contractions hurt very much. No matter how
much I complained my nurse would not allow me to get up until my baby moved more. However my contactions were not any minutes apart. They just got stronger and lighter--they never gave me a break. I had constant cramping and shakes.
By 12 I couldn't take any more and ordered an epidural. This
was
the most painful part of the birth! At 1:00, when I sat up for the
epidural, I remember the pains were, well, less painful. I now know this
was
due to the fact that I wasn't lying on the nerves that go to the uterus anymore! Too late. I was checked after the epidural and at a 6. at 2:45 my contractions felt weird. The nurse checked me at 3:30 and I was fully dialated and effaced. That's why they felt weird--it was time to push!
![[Ian at three months]](ian3months.jpg)
My water broke on the third push! He was born at 4:45 p.m. A beautiful, calm, alert 7lb. 7 oz. boy! All in 7 hours from the first contraction!
I found childbirth miraculous and beautiful. It changed my life so much that I
became a natural childbirth educator. My next child will be born in a
birthing center, with a midwife and no epidural. Ian is now a happy 4
month
old baby. He is a blessing. He plays all day, rarely cries and loves
music.
I hope to have many more children to love that are just like him!
Copyright 1999 by author
Used by permission
Story published October 20, 1999
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