Childbirth Planning is the Key

by Jamie
(PA)

Be prepared for anything and everything possible! This was my fourth pregnancy and my plan was simple; go into labor, get to the hospital, get an epidural, and have my baby. This proved to be to difficult this time around.

My baby girl stayed comfortable in a sideways breech position and I was scheduled for a C-Section. I had never imagined I would have to go this route. I quickly researched the surgery and recovery and was terrified and felt I haven't had enough time to plan accordingly.

Thankfully, 2 days before the surgery, she decided to give me a break, and moved into the wonderful head down position. Everything was finally going my way, the way I had planned, the way all my other pregnancy and birth had happened. Until her exact due date.

I had Braxton Hicks contractions on and off for about 2 weeks, so I didn't think this day was any different. I noticed the contractions around 10:30 am, and started timing them at 11 am. They were always between 7-9 minutes apart, and continued that way all day. They never became stronger or more painful, and never got closer then 7 minutes apart. At 11:30 pm, I noticed a lot of bloody show. I didn't think anything of it, since my contractions were still barely painful.

All of a sudden, the baby wanted out. My contractions went from about a 3 on the pain scale to a full 9. I had to call my mother to pick me up because my husband was working and by the time she arrived, it was almost 1:00am. I had to drive her car because, due to a medical condition, she can not drive at night. So I drove to the hospital in full labor.

We arrived around 1:45am and the first thing I said was that I wanted an epidural. The midwife checked me and said I was 8 centimeters dilated and the baby was coming now and there was no time for any medication. I never planned for a natural birth. I didn't know about breathing techniques or positioning to help manage pain. I was hysterical and the pain was now at a full 10 on the pain scale. Next thing I know, its time to push. It was the most intense, painful, exciting and liberating thing I've ever done.

I'm now thankful I got to experience a natural childbirth, but I wish I would have been more prepared for it. So even if you don't plan on a C-Section, or natural birth, or anything like that, still do your research and remember that no matter what you have to go through, your baby is worth it!