Beginner's Luck!

I couldn't wait to tell you some of the details behind the birth of our daughter, Lucille. Mary was amazing. She began having contractions around 6 am on Saturday morning--I got out of bed around 7 am, and they were fairly short, and consistently about six minutes apart. We had some plans for the day that we were trying to decide on keeping or breaking, as Mary had felt uncomfortable for a few days. Well, we sat around the house, watching TV--and because I'm borderline OCD and needed something to do, I was timing all contractions. At about 10:30, we went for a walk, and we were seeing contractions around 4-5 minutes--but sometimes much sooner-- and most were about 40 seconds long. Mary wasn't describing them as very strong though.

We watched a movie, and tried to eat, though Mary wasn't in the eating mood. I continued to time, and the rest periods were erratic, and contractions were consistently around the 4-50 second mark. They started getting stronger, though Mary still wasn't reporting "knock down" contractions. Around 3 pm, I called Dr. Trebian and told her we had 5-6 minutes between 40 second contractions--she advised that we wait to see how things progressed. We then had Mary take a sower because she was shaking pretty bad--this helped--she then got into bed, we turned the lights low and played some relaxing music. After about an hour plus, we had no rest periods exceeding three minutes, and contractions in the 50 second range--I decided "knock down" contractions notwithstanding, it was time to go. We called the doctor and headed to the city. We got into triage at 4:15, and the resident checked Mary out--she was 8 cms! Beginners luck, or nerves of steel? Who knows, but it was perfect timing!

That was just the news Mary needed to hear to dispel her doubts about making it without the epidural. We were in our room by 5 pm. Dr. Trebian and our nurse were incredible. They allowed Mary to try pushing on the toilet, using the squatting bar, side lying and also in hands and knees. Making a long account somewhat shorter--our daughter was born at 7:15 pm on Saturday, without the use of any drugs or intervention. it was easily the most amazing thing I've ever seen--Mary was so focused and diligent--the nurse and Dr. T were so supportive--and I think you trained me pretty well as coach. Lucille was able to come right to Mary's chest--and the nurses even allowed for over an hour's amount of bonding. No IV, not even an Ibuprofin--we were home by 10 am Monday. Your class definitely made all the difference in this experience--and I would recommend even to someone who isn't gung-ho on trying to birth "naturally."

Mike & Mary,