I'm telling my story because I have been asked a million times why I chose to do it natural and what it was like. If you pregnant and considering doing things naturally for the first time, please remember that this is MY story, My experience, My opinion, and My outcome. I don't want to scare anyone off! Haha! Also remember that I am by far the biggest baby anyone knows and have 0 tolerance for pain!
Ok. . .So Little Ryiah wasn't due to join us until April 2nd. Well plans changed quickly with my last two doctor appointments. Ryiah was always a very calm, very mellow baby my whole pregnancy, but toward the end she was a bit too lethargic. She was monitored 3 times at the office and 2 times at the hospital and she just wasn't reacting the way that she should have been. On March 24th at my appointment, Dr. Swainston told me that he had a very strong feeling that she needed to be delivered as soon as possible. I was kinda hesitant, partially due to nerves, but more than that, I did not want to be induced! I wanted her to come on her own time when she was good and ready. Swainston looked at me and said, "What I do is based 90% on my feelings. I feel very strongly that this baby needs to come out today. I don't know the exact reason, but her environment isn't good for her anymore. I really think we need to get her out." That meant a lot more coming from him knowing that he is a bishop and has that spirit with him, rather than just a doctor speaking medically. So after I broke down and bawled at the office I called Sean and told him we were going to the hospital that night. I went home to get things together and cried the entire afternoon out of nervousness and fear and excitment and stress.
We got to Mountain View at 5:30pm. By 6:30 I was all hooked up (I was still crying). The nurse checked me and I was dialated to 3 centimeters. She asked if I was planning on any narcotics or an epidural. When I told her no, she looked at me like I was crazy and then asked again to double check my insanity! I told her absolutely no narcotics, but if it got to the point where I couldn't handle it, I wasnt opposed to an epidural. I just didn't want opt for it before I knew what I could handle! My doula, Tiffanie showed up, then a few friends, my brother, Nick, my brother Nathan and his family and my parents. The nurse checked me again after a couple hours and I had jumped to 5 centimeters. Things were progressing nicely. I was in no pain and was perfectly content. The next time the nurse came in I was still at a 5 and she said she was going to break my water for me so that I would continue to progress. I asked her not to. I wanted things to progress as naturally as possible. We had already rushed the entire thing with induction, I didn't want to put anymore stress on my body or the baby! So she got irritated and said that the doc wasnt going to be happy and that if he started yelling at her then she was going to patch the call through to my room and make me talk to him. Um, OKAY! That's fine you crazy Biatch! I was so bugged that she would be so rude. Whatever. I was in labor. . .I wasn't going to spend my energy on feelings toward her! So she left me alone for a couple more hours. The next time she checked me I was moving along just fine! Surprise, surprise! I think I was dialated to 7. She asked me at that point if I wanted the epidural. She needed to know because the anesthesiologist was 30 minutes away. I was actually to point where I was definitely uncomfortable and knew that when my water broke it was going to be super intense. I was scared and freakin' out and Sean could see that. He told me to just get it. I figured that I would regret it big time it if I didn't. So I said yes. She left to call him. My labor was getting really bad. I was crying so hard that I couldn't breath well and my body started shaking uncontrolably. Sean was right there holding my hand and telling me that I could do it and that I was doing great. Nurse Bitter came back and said that the anesthesiologist was here. She checked me and with a shocked expression on her face said that I was almost at a 10 and that she could feel my water bulging! She said I could still have the epi if I wanted it, but by the time it kicked in, it might be pointless and that I would just go numb for hours afterward. Sean looked at me and told me that I could do it without it and that I should just go for it. He was my rock! Tiffanie was saying the same thing and promising me that I wouldn't die! I really thought I was going to! So I said no. . .like a friggin nutzo! Who says no to good drugs? At that time the nurse kicked everyone out and started setting up for the delivery. I was at the point that with every contraction I felt like I needed to push! Nurse told me not to push yet, but let me tell YOU - when you don't have drugs and you can feel every last thing happening to your body, it is IMPOSSIBLE not to push! So my mind told me not to push but my body said F*** you Nurse Bitter! I pushed! My water busted like a massive water balloon! That was the first and only time I swore! Haha! "OH SH*T!" It scared the crap out of me! I told Tiffanie that I could feel the baby moving down with every contraction and it felt like her head was right there ( I was so sure that her head had to be coming out! That's what it felt like). Tiffanie said that she couldn't see her yet, but I assured her that this kid WAS COMING OUT NOW!!! The doc FINALLY walked in and said I could push when I felt the urge. FYI doc. . .you're a little late, K! I felt the URGE to kick him and the nurse! OK, so I was shaking and bawling and couldn't breath. I had an oxygen mask in my way and I was friggin annoyed by everyone telling me to "JUST BREATH". So the first contraction I pushed through didn't count in my eyes. I couldn't get a good enough breath to hold it for a good push. The next contraction came and I got 2 pushes in and knew that if I didn't get this baby out with the next push alone, I would willingly give up and die and the table. I was NOT going to push again! I got in one more push that made my whole life flash before eyes and THEN IT HAPPENED . . . as I felt the most unbelievable pain I could ever imagine in my life, I let out a sceam that would have topped any horror film known to man and little Ryiah came out wide eyed and crying (just like her mommy)! She was crying before she was even all the way out! I'm thinking it's because my scream scared her to death and she decided it's better on the inside where mommy is a bit more muffled! There was no pause or hesitation after her head was out. She came out so fast, Tiffanie said that Swainston really had to catch her! My pain was immediately gone. From the moment the pitocin started dripping to the moment Ryiah took her first breath it was only 6 hours! Everything happened so quickly! Everyone tells me that I am so brave and strong and they can't believe I went through it that way. I say, yes, I think I'm brave for even considering it! Definitely! But strong? I don't think so. That would mean I would opt to do it again! I'm not sure on that one! I would say, however, that I am so happy that I did it! I am very proud of myself for the choice I made and that I'm alive to tell it! Lol! I would love it if everyone chose to do it naturally at least once just to have the experience and then decide for yourself if you would do it again!
WELL, it seems that Dr. Swainston being guided by "a feeling" was a total blessing. When my water broke, they found terminal meconium. If I had waited to have her any longer, she might not have made it! I cannot even imagine that outcome! So even though things didn't happen exactly how I would have liked them to, I'm happy that I have Ryiah safe in my arms now. She is absolutely the most beautiful miracle. I now know why they say " the miracle of giving birth". It's because it's a miracle that you and child make it through the experience alive! Lol!
Sean preparing for the long road ahead. . .like the next 18 years at least! This is when things started getting to a level I was not cool with!
At least Sean's not worried!
Slimy! But still perfect!
He's a pro already!