Nurse's Negativity Slows Labor

Liana Marie was born at 5:15 a.m., November 18--one day before my due date. She was 7 lbs. 8 oz., 21.5 inches.
I was very fortunate to have an easy pregnancy, but toward the end I was ready to be done. I had major nesting going on at home and at work. Every night I left work I would post sticky notes on everything just in case I wouldn't be in the next day. I was having mild contractions on and off for two weeks, the baby was at 0 station, and I was 2 cm dilated for 2 weeks.
My water broke at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17th right when my alarm went off for work. It wasn't a huge gush, so I wasn't positive, but I had been having mild contractions all night long and I felt really crampy all night. So I woke my husband up and told him I didn't think we were going to work that day!
We went back to sleep for a bit, then I got some last minute things done around the house and ran some errands (I went to three different Wal-Marts looking for a glider, because I hadn't bought one yet.) I was having pretty mild contractions that were about 7 minutes apart. Throughout the day they got closer together, but weren't really strong.
I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, but I tested positive for Group B strep, so I knew I had to get antibiotics once I went to the hospital. I called West Allis Hospital at 2 in the afternoon and told them I thought my water broke and they told me to come in right away. I wanted a natural, drug-free labor, so I waited a bit longer and went in at 4. My contractions were still about 5 minutes apart. When I got there they checked me and sure enough my water had broken so they admitted me.
The first nurse I has was very abrasive. I told her I wanted a natural birth and gave her my birth plan and she basically laughed in my face and told me I wouldn't be able to handle it. She made me really tense and I think that actually slowed down my labor. I was starting to regret having a hospital birth. My contractions slowed to about 7 minutes apart for about three hours. they wanted to give me Pitocin pretty early on, but my doula, Addie Wescott, convinced them to give us another hour of walking to try to speed things up naturally. I was hooked up to an IV for the Group B strep, and since my water broke I had to be constantly monitored., They did attach portable monitors, but it still felt somewhat limiting.
My husband, Addie, and I did a lot of walking to try to get things to progress. I also tried some different laboring positions, but the only thing that felt comfortable for me was to rock back and forth standing. Sitting in any form was way too uncomfortable for me--I couldn't even sit on the birthing ball. Luckily shifts changed and I got a new nurse, Gretta, who was awesome!! She was so nice and wanted to do everything she could to give me the birth experience I wanted. They did end up giving me Pitocin, because things just weren't progressing. My doula, Addie, was wonderful and asked them to give me the smallest possible dose. Luckily I didn't need much to get things moving, and they turned it off a few hours later.
Finally at 2:00 a.m. I was fully dilated. I never really had a strong urge to push though. I kind of felt like my body was pushing without me really trying or feeling the urge I ended up pushing for three hours though. It was exhausting! They also gave me some Oxygen because I was so exhausted, and out of breath. There were a few points where I was getting worried and the doctors were too because it was approaching 24 hours that my water had been broken. I don't know what was holding her up, but I was pushing with all my might! I was so tired that I was falling asleep between contractions even when I was standing up. I had also been awake for almost 24 hours by that point too. I kept waiting for the doctor to say they were going to have to do a C-section too. I could hear the doctor and nurse whispering, and they kept saying that I had to get the baby out. I also feared forceps or the vacuum!
When it came time to push again I was so worried about interventions that I pushed with all my might, and instead of her head coming out, then waiting for the baby to turn, she just kind of shot out in the last push. I ended up with a 4th degree tear since she didn't have time to turn. I didn't really feel it when I tore, but the stitches hurt worse than anything!! I didn't have an epidural or anything, so they did numb the area a little when they stitched me up, but I could still feel. it. HI held Liana for a few brief moments, but she was grunting, so they whisked her off to the NICU to monitor her breathing. Luckily she only had to be monitored for a few hours, and they brought her up to our room around 6 p.m. that night.
I couldn't have had a natural birth without my wonderful husband, Carlos, my amazing doula, Addie, and my knowledge from Coral's Bradley Method classes. I really turned inward to get through my contractions, and visualized myself opening up like a flower. I also remembered a quote from one of the books I read, (Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally), "If I don't float I'll sink." I kept saying that to myself over and over! I imagined the contractions as though they were waves and I was floating over them. I would definitely go the natural route again. Maybe next time it will be at the Birthing Center!
Serene & Carlos, Milwaukee

Decision to Use the Birth Center

The idea of an out-of-hospital birth was one that I hadn't considered until I was a few weeks into my pregnancy. I had never considered it because everyone I knew had their babies in the hospital. I had no idea another world even existed. No one every talked to me about different options until a mentor of mine recommended the Well-Rounded Maternity Center. she shared her story with me about her experience giving birth in the hospital vs. the birthing center. I realized then that I had the power to choose my birth experience. I began to read (a lot!) and research midwifery and natural childbirth. The more I learned about out-of-hospital births, the more at ease I felt about my choice.

What I wanted was a peaceful, loving and private experience. The hospital environment simply could not offer any of those to us. My husband was supportive of my vision and after his own research and Q&A he was behind the birth center 100%. Coral was wonderful about answering our questions and addressing our concerns. She even gave us recommendations on midwives. We also attended the birthing classes offered by the center.. We credit our preparedness and wonderful experience to the thoroughness of our midwife, Coral and her classes. By the time our big day come we were confident, excited and ready!

The one word I would use to describe our birthing experience is... perfect. We felt at-home in the warm space set-up for us at the center. As a family and as a team Samuel Roland was brought into this world with no strangers, no bright lights, no loud machinery and most importantly, no invasive procedures. My husband and I worked together in the birthing tub just as we had planned. Because of these elements our son had as gentle a journey as possible. I would, without a doubt, highly recommend the center to any and everyone expecting a new baby. We cannot wait to visit the center again when the time comes for us to expand our family!

Scott, Alexandria and Samuel Mente, Waukesha, WI