TheHolisticParent.ORG The Birth Story of Kaden Liam

The Birth Of Kaden Liam

My first two births were epidural births. With the first birth, I planned to use
medication for pain management from the very beginning. Honestly, I knew no
different, and I was scared of labor. After an 18 hour (2.5 hour pushing phase)
back labor in which the epidural did not last for, while causing a stiff neck; I
started to think about my options. 13 months later, I found myself with another
back labor with the birth of our second son. For this birth, I was managing just
fine with my husband applying pressure to my back in the shower and made it to
7 cm dilation. The nurses made me get out of the shower, taking me away from
my source of comfort to go on the monitor. I panicked and asked for an epidural.

For my third birth, I decided there would be no epidural. I did not need an
epidural. My body could handle birth. Everyone told me I was brave and crazy. I
trusted in my body, even with having limited support. At 30 weeks, I presented my
birth plan to my doctor who refused to sign it. Hi partner, who happened to be his
brother, totally disapproved of me being able to walk after my water broke. I
started to feel very uncomfortable with how this birth was going to go, but held
strong because I had faith that it would all work out. My husband and I prepared
for him to be more involved this time and took Bradley method classes, which
were excellent. These classes were the best decision for us. My husband was
just was proud as I was when Kaden was born, and I did not need any drugs for
pain management.

My due date of August 28,2008 finally came. I made it through my final exams.
Contractions had been coming off and on for a couple of days. My husband and I
had been walking that morning. At one point, we decided maybe it was time. We
headed to the hospital because we lived 45 minutes away from where I would be
delivered. We anticipated a fast birth because as a chiropractic student, I utilized
chiropractic care during my pregnancy.

I received Logan Basic Technique along with a soft tissue perineal contact,
which released my ligaments, helping the “door” to open more efficiently. I also
had Webster technique done on me each week, which stretched the round
ligaments that held my uterus.

We arrived at the hospital around 1pm. I was checked and still at 3 cm, which
was what I was at my last doctor’s appointment. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t
progressed any, even with all those contractions. The contractions kept coming,
but they became a but irregular. I contribute this to my being in the hospital and
feeling timid. At 4pm, my water was broken by hospital staff, which was an
intervention I had decided I was fine with, although many would disagree. I
dilated to 4 cm as soon as my water was broken, and active labor started. The
contractions I experienced were very strong, occurring every minute and lasting
30 seconds. It was pretty intense for me, but I felt the contractions in my
abdomen this time, which was vastly different than back labor. To me, it was
much more manageable.

The nurses at the hospital were overwhelming. I guess since I was the minority
and wanted an unmedicated birth; they felt the need to be in the room constantly.
I hated this. I wanted it to be more of an intimate experience with my husband
and I. Sometimes, I felt as if they were pushing him away just so they could place
their hands on my abdomen during contractions. They would push down hard,
which made the pain much worse. My husband was excellent though, at helping
me stay focused and relaxed. Just the sound of his voice was soothing. I labored
on my hands and knees the most in a pelvic tilt position. I also rocked back and
forth in the rocking chiar, which tended to relax me too much according to the
nurses.

After 2 hours of the same type of contractions, I was not dilating like the hospital
staff thought I should. I was still at 4 cm, and everyone seemed frustrated. After
the hospital staff pressuring me for a long time, I finally agreed to allow some
Pitocin. I was administered the smallest dose for 45 minutes. This medication
made my uterus contract so hard that I started to doubt myself, and my body
because of the pain. This pain was not the pain of the contractions I had before
the medication. It did not feel natural. It did space out my contractions
“appropriately”, and I quickly dilated to 5 cm. I decided I didnn’t want the
medication anymore. I had to ask several times for it to be turned off. When I
finally convinced them to turn off the medication, I started to feel very sick. At this
time, I was still rocking in the chair. The room got very hot, and I felt like I was in a
panicked trance. I remember the nurses telling me the doctor wanted me to have
an epidural now; that he felt it was best. This was not the first time they
pressured me to have the epidural, but it was the first time I was allowing myself
to listen and consider it. My husband asked them to leave the room and to come
back in a few minutes. He helped me get through some more contractions. He
encouraged me to go farther and to get checked again. He felt that it was almost
over, and that I was in transition.

The nurses came back in, and I asked to be checked again to distract them from
mentioning the epidural again. I was 6 cm already, and this comforted me
because I knew I was almost done. After a few pretty strong contractions and
about 10 minutes later, I started to feel a great deal of pressure. I immediately
told my husband to get the nurses in there because I felt the urge to push.
Nobody believed me, but when the nurses came in, Kaden’s head was already
crowning. Of course, everyone panicked, especially since my doctor would not
make it back in time. He had left for a parent teacher conference and wasn’t
going to be back until later. This is probably why he wanted me to have an
epidural; the medication slows labor. The nurses were yelling at me not to push,
but my body wasn’t listening. It was doing what it was designed to do, and there
was nothing I could do to stop it. My doctor called my husband in the hospital
room and asked if I could possibly hold the baby in a few more minutes until he
got there. There was no way I was holding this baby in.

The nurse started to deliver the head when the on call doctor came in. I had
never met this gentleman before, but he applauded my natural birth, and stated
that this is the way things should be and many women are not brave enough to
even try anymore.

Kaden was born just a couple minutes later with minimal pushes at 8:34 pm, 4
hours after active labor started. He weighed 8 lbs 9.5 oz and was 20.75 inches
long. Once Kaden Liam arrived, he quickly came to my breast, and I was amazed
with my accomplishment. My labor was beautiful, and I was able to feel
everything. I felt an emotional connection to my baby that can never be explained
just from the birthing experience.

Since the birth, I have done a great deal of research on the uses of Pitocin during
labor as well as homebirthing. I regret having Pitocin during my labor, but am
grateful it was only on for 45 minutes, and that I was able to get it turned off. For
my next birth if I am low risk, I plan to have a homebirth so I can be in a much
more natural relaxed environment.

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