Genevieve’s Birth Story
I was scheduled to be induced June 5th at 6:15am. I was so bummed out because I wanted to labor naturally but baby girl was getting bigger by the week and I’m not gonna lie, I was in pain the days leading up to it. The night before Johnathan and I packed all the things and dropped off the kids at my best friend's house. Her husband was out of town and I ended up hanging out until around nine something that night. She asked if I wanted to just stay the night since I was scheduled in the morning and her house is roughly five minutes from the hospital.
We had a cute little mommy and me sleepover, the kids all passed out scattered on the floor. Around 3:27am I started feeling contractions. I wasn't ready to call it just yet because the week before i had contractions but I hadn't progressed past 3cm, they were doing something but not sending me into actual labor. Eventually I found myself not being able to talk through them. Bethany got out all the things to help me labor a little longer. She's done all her births naturally at home and we joked about her being my midwife. To be honest I would fully trust her to be my birth doula if I were to have another.
We started off by putting a blanket over the pullup bar on the door frame of her bathroom. I pulled on it in a squatting position. Later I moved to the floor and squatted while resting my arms and head on a cushion from the kids nugget placed on a chair. I did this for a while because I wanted to progress further to give myself the chance to labor naturally at the hospital.
Some may think it's unnecessary BUT I was induced with my first, ALMOST went natural with my second (made it to 7cm before caving) and my third I had the epidural as well. Unfortunately they punctured me in the wrong spot leading to a spinal leak and to this day that spot in my back still hurts. I didn't want them poking me again this time around to avoid further damage.
When I did get to the hospital I was 5cm, almost caved at 8cm but persisted. I was able to move about and try different positions. She came out while I was on all fours and trying to turn back onto my back. I ended up pushing her out sort of squatting while on my side. I was holding on to the top of the bed one leg up. I think whatever I did in that turn opened my pelvic bone more and she flew on out.
8lbs 1oz, completely natural (unmedicated) my biggest baby and easiest recovery. (The nurses brought us a little celebratory tray which I thought was so cute) I felt and still feel fabulous. Johnathan has held the fort down completely, taking care of the house, the kids, catering to me in bed so that I can do the 5/5/5. Basically it's 5 days in bed, 5 days around the room and 5 days around the house but slow movement, nurturing the healing body. I do believe I am thriving because of the way he’s taken such good care of us on top of doing things naturally. Would I do it again??? Maybe. Who knows what the future holds but for now we are soaking in every moment with our girl.