Calla's Birth Story

I found out I was pregnant on July 4, 1999. I was 19 years old. In that moment I was overwhelmed at the sudden realization that I would forever be responsible for another human being and with absolute JOY that I was going to be a mother – I was ready for the challenge! Soon after, I made my first prenatal appointment at an office that had OBs and nurse midwives; I had always thought it would be cool to have a midwife attend my birth. I really hadn’t thought about how very different care providers could be. After talking to other moms I decided to switch to a different practice with more midwives. I enjoyed the care I received but began to feel uncomfortable with my choice after I had started my natural birth classes.  I knew I had to be with someone who supported my decision to birth naturally 100%, so I switched, yet again, about 5 weeks from my due date (it’s never too late!!). The woman I chose to attend my birth was WONDERFUL and very supportive of our wishes.

On Tuesday, my husband and I attended our last natural childbirth class, four days after my due date. I had had a lot of sporadic cramping (like menstrual cramps) through the day and during relaxation practice in class I could feel my uterus tightening and getting hard – I would never have noticed if I hadn’t been lying on the floor - I didn’t feel a thing! After class I had been talking to our teacher and telling her about all the things I had been feeling throughout the day and she said ‘I’ll probably hear from you tonight or tomorrow’ – truer words were never spoken!

Nick and I enjoyed our drive home as we did every week, talking about life and all that was coming in the future, and our new baby.

When we got home I got ready for bed. In case my teacher was right, I needed some extra rest. I called my mother – and the first words out of my mouth were ‘NO! I’m not in labor’ – to save her the trouble of asking. As any woman close to her due date can attest to – getting or making phone calls can be a real practice in patience. I said good night and got off the phone.

Nick and I were settling into bed. I reached up to grab the headboard of my bed to help haul me and my full term belly over onto my side. As soon as I tightened up my abdominal muscles I felt a… pop… twinge… and I said “ow” – just a little ‘ow’, mind you. Poor Nicholas sat straight up in the bed and said “what!?!?” sounding slightly panicked. I sat up just a little bit and felt something warm on my legs so I replied “either my water broke or I just peed on myself” (I was completely serious). I sat up a little further and felt a little more warmth and I knew my water had broken.

Within moments my body was completely taken over by my labor. I got no warning, no warm up contractions. My contractions were crashing down hard and furious with barely a break in between. I had long enough to think a thought before the next one came. With Nick’s help I made my way to the toilet hoping it would be more comfortable – it wasn’t. I knew I HAD to get on the floor on my hands and knees… Ahhhh! Relief! I am ever thankful that I went against everything I ‘thought’ about labor and listened to my intuition.

Now I could just let them come, let my body work and keep myself calm. I was in another place. I remember looking up and seeing my mother in the doorway of the bathroom- and having had three children herself, she could see I was clearly far beyond early labor. I was very close to having this baby.

I wanted to be nowhere else except that bathroom, I did not want to leave for the hospital (if we all knew then what we know now, I would have just stayed home! Live and learn…). My mom finally managed to get me out of the floor and Nick helped me to the car. By this time my endorphins and adrenaline had kicked in – so my contractions had slowed enough that I could handle them. I remember breathing as deeply as I could the whole way to the hospital and holding Nick’s hand.

When we arrived I was taken to triage, checked, and found to be TEN centimeters, completely dilated – I was elated!

This all happened within about an hour – the first call to my mom, my water breaking, and arriving at the hospital.

We were taken to a room and an on-call midwife was rounded up in case my doctor didn’t make it (though she did make it). Nick did an awesome job at fending off the IVs, monitoring and whatnot amidst the insanity. We even had a nurse leave and find us a different nurse! I guess she didn’t want to be with the crazy natural birthers!

Someone asked if we wanted anyone else in the room for the birth and though Nick and I had planned on doing this alone, we decided to invite my parents, a decision I will FOREVER be thankful for! I had my very own cheering section. My dad was at my left shoulder telling me what a great job I was doing, my mother by my left leg emanating excitement, Nick at my right leg almost climbing over me trying to watch our daughter be born, and the world’s most fantastic (and extremely exceptional) nurse at my right shoulder who was there with a sip of water or cool cloth before I could even ask.

I don’t remember exactly how long I pushed (my labor was a grand total of about 2 and a half hours) but I remembered feeling very determined.  I was excited to meet my baby girl!

I will never forget the moment her little body slipped out of mine. It was amazing, and I can only describe it like that moment when you go just a little too fast over a hill in a car. What a remarkable feeling!! My body opening up and birthing a brand new person! I’m glad I could feel every twinge of it!

As soon as she was laid on my chest she actually held up her little tiny head and looked at me – she was perfect…

That was seven years ago today.

Melissa
March 15, 2007