I want to start by saying how I prepared for this birth. For our first, I had focused on learning about the baby and his development with each passing week. I had been induced with my first at 41 weeks and after pushing for 3 hours and the babies heartbeat decreasing, the doctor said: "we are going to have to bring the forceps". Thankfully, my first eventually came out without said forceps. But I kept wondering if I could have done something more to be more prepared. With my first the baby kept moving back up to what seemed to be the same place after I pushed. "Hold him there, then breathe again, then push again" the nurses would say.
My Two Boys
With that backstory in mind, during my second pregnancy, I focused my energy on breathing techniques and less on the progress of the baby. Of course I was excited to see him grow with each scan, but my focus was on breathing and on mental strength. My conditioning consisted on yoga, reading Ina May's guide to childbirth and some youtube videos.
More specifically, yoga by yogawithadriene.com. At first her free videos on youtube, and then I purchased the prenatal program. One of her recommendations was to do keegels every day. I did this starting my second trimester which was when I purchased the program.
I fell in love with Ina May's approach to childbirth. Specially her focus on knowing that your body is made for this and that it doesn't have to be a bad experience. I wanted to give birth naturally and without epidural.
I don't remember all the videos I watched on youtube, but this one stands out. It just made sense for me to picture all the techniques and to practice when having bowel movements.
The final preparation, involved prayer. We prayed with my husband for the safe arrival of our son. We also received prayers from our family and friends.
Our due date was October 27th, that date came and went. I waited patiently, and although it was getting harder to sleep, I was trying to still put some one on one time with my toddler. Around this time, I talked to my OB about scheduling an induction. She mentioned to me risks associated with stillbirth if waiting past 41 weeks, but that we could do later, and would require additional monitoring. I decided to go with 41w+1day. This was a different doctor than with my first. I was happy to have a woman doctor. She seemed to be more gentle with the checkups while still getting the job done.
I hoped for my body to start things naturally, but it did not happen that way. On November 4th, 2020 right after Election day, on St. Charles' day, we headed to the hospital with my husband. There is something about nice about an induction. That is, you can plan the birthdate of your baby! At first I wanted a Halloween baby, but then I thought that giving him the chance to come naturally was more important. Then I liked November first as it is All Saints day and my husbands birth month. I did not like November 3rd as it is election date and the current elections and year has been very heated. I wanted all the doctor and nurses to be fully focused on delivering our baby and not on which presidential candidate was winning the race.
This year there were additional protocols due to Covid-19. I had taken the test a few days early and tested negative. That was a relief as a lot of mothers who had tested positive are told to quarantine to heal before bonding with baby. Also it was a relief as I did not want to deliver while having a mask on. As I was saying, we headed to the hospital at 4am on 11/4/20. We got checked in, but had to wait a few hours for one room to open. I was glad we had not been sent home. This time I had asked about eating and my doctor had approved a small breakfast. At the hospital they also let me have a snack before they started the protocol.
The nurses put an IV on my arm with penicillin as I was group B strep positive.
Later that morning the Doctor came to break my water. This, I felt. She tried once, and was not successful. "It's pretty hard" She said as she tried again. The nurse was holding my arm. It was extremely painful. I kept thinking, if this is so painful, how am I going to handle the actual birth? Followed by...The nurses probably think I'm a wimp.
After a few hours, I was told how I managed on handling pain. I said I opted for epidural. If you read above, you know my intention was to do this naturally. However, I changed my mind when I knew that I was doing an induction. I had heard those contractions were harder than natural and since it was what I knew, I opted for epidural. When the anesthesiologist came, he cleaned my back and pinched me. I knew something was wrong because I felt an electric jolt on my feet. This had not happened my first time. My first time I had felt the liquid go slowly towards my legs in the most calming way, like a river flowing through my legs. I told the doctor about the pain and he restarted the procedure. The second time it was better, but it still was not like I had felt it with my first. It was kind of numb but not fully numb. I also did not get a button. I wondered the whole time if it had been placed correctly. Now writing my experience, I wish I had asked, not just wondered!
As I waited, I was listening to a podcast on racism. I would doze off and on. My husband was in the room resting as well. I knew that I needed all my energies for labor. I was happy and anxious at the same time. The nurse mentioned that all the rooms had the TV off; no one wanted politics involved! As I kept dilating, the nurse put a peanut pillow to help align my hips. Then we did two practice pushes around 5pm. I changed the playlist to Fonseca. It was very upbeat and set the mood to party mode. The nurse said she was going to call the doctor. An entourage of nurses came followed by the doctor who requested the lights to be adjusted. I think there were 5 total plus the doctor in my room. My husband was told to hold one of my legs. The doctor instructed me to push with the contractions. I pushed pretty hard the first time. I could feel my babies head stuck in the birth canal. She asked me to push again, I breathed and imagined him coming out while doing the J breathing (mentioned above by the doula). The nurse helped me do a crunch position to prevent the baby from moving up again. As I pushed, the baby came out right away. It had happened so fast. I know my first baby paved the way for this one. I wasn't prepared for it to be this quick. Specially for an almost 10 pounder! I don't even remember my husband cutting the cord. They propped him on my chest. He was unique, pure love.
Holding him for the first time...
Daddy holding him for the first time!
Posing before leaving!
Ready to meet the Family!
It was surreal to know that my second son was in my arms. He is the biggest blessing for us this year. After a few minutes, more nurses came to check on him and to bathe him.
This birth was great in that it let my husband and I bond with Camilo without any interruptions. Since visitors were not allowed, it was just us. I enjoyed and valued that extra time with Camilo as he entered this world and made us a family of four! <3
My little Angel
Brothers!
Family of Four (One week post partum)
My sweet Camilo!
