My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

I had a wonderful birth with guidance from the Stony Brook Midwives. My goal was to have a 100% natural birth. My contractions started at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 16th. They were really erratic at first but by 9:00pm they were getting much more serious and much closer together. I started losing my mucus plug on Friday after an “aggressive internal” from my midwife. I couldn’t tell if my water broke… It was more like a slow leak or so I thought. I noticed that the contractions were easier to take if I was standing up. If I had a contraction while I was sitting or laying down the pain was like 100 times worse! By 10:00pm I decided to get in the shower to put some warm water on my back since at that point I was pretty sure I was having back labor. It felt sooooo good! By 2:30am the contractions were 3-5 minutes apart and we left for the hospital.
When I got to L&D my Midwife checked me and said that I was 6 centimeters dilated and that my water wasn’t broken yet. I get admitted and I start telling my midwife that I can handle the pain from the contractions better if I’m standing. She confirms my back labor (oh joy!) and starts the shower in the bathroom so I can put more warm water on my back. I was in there for about an hour. After I came out I was so exhausted because I was laboring on my feet since 3:00pm the day before - so about 16 hours of standing. My body just wanted to lay down and I was getting nervous that I wouldn’t have enough energy to push the baby out if I didn’t get some rest. So I decided to try and lay down no matter how bad the pain was. Well…. the second I got into the bed I was hit with such a bad contraction that I yelled for my husband to help get me up immediately! As soon as I stood up I heard a pop and felt a gush. My water broke! By 9:00am I was 9.5 centimeters dilated and my midwife wanted me to star pushing. I tried and she tried to manually move that .5 to get me to 10 but that put me over the edge and at that point I was begging for an epi. I got one! Not sure why they let me get one so late in the game but at that point I didn’t care. I just wanted to be able to rest a little so I could push the LO out! Which is exactly what happened. I rested until 12:00pm when they turned off the epi and by the time I started to push it was gone and I felt everything. The baby was sunny side up, I pushed for 3 hours and had a 3rd degree tear.
There was a point, I’m guessing it was during the crowing that I really thought I couldn’t do it and DS could stay there forever. But by the next second I was screaming to get him out lol.
It was so emotional and I was so lucky to have my DH, my mom and my aunt there for support.
DS finally arrived and it was the most amazing moment of my life.
I proudly introduce
Gavin Frank
January 17, 2011
4:17pm
8lbs 9oz
20.5 inches

All pictures by Amanda Picone Photography

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Wonderful birth story Barbara! I feel your pain!! Even now almost 11 w PP, I still ache sometimes where the stitches from my tear were. You did a great job!!! He's such a cutie!

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

congrats!!!

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Great story B. But you know im needing further details when i see in a few weeks.lol LOVE U GUYS! XOXOXO

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Great story!! Gavin is adorable!!

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Great story!!!!!!!!!!! Gavin is beautiful!

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

What a story! He is so adorable, congrats

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Gavin is beautiful! Congrats hun!!

Re: My Birth Story - Gavin Frank 1/17/11

Wow what a great story!! You did amazing!! Gavin is a beautiful baby!!!