Baby Miles - Dec. 18th
"The induction was not what we had pictured...Laurel (our doula) really helped talk us through each step and assured me that these interventions are for situations like this."
Miles Christopher Milliken
Friday, Dec. 18th.
7 lbs 11 oz and was 20 inches long!
Our Birth Story:
I went for my 38 week appointment on Wed. and Dr. Ramos did an ultrasound and was unable to find any pockets of amniotic fluid to measure. She explained that the placenta was no longer optimally functioning with little fluid and she was concerned about the cord being pinched. So, she sent me to Labor & Delivery to be induced. I started with 12 hours of Cervadil to hopefully thin the cervix out and get the contractions going, then another 12 hours of Cervadil. Contractions with the Cervadil were about 4-5 min. apart, but became less consistent once the Cervadil was out. I was 3 cm dilated at this point. Dr. Ramos then broke my water at about 6:30 pm on Thursday in hopes that would kick my body into laboring - no luck. I started Pitocin around 12:30 am on Friday, slowly turning it up. We had Laurel, our doula, come about 4 am on Friday morning as contractions were feeling much stronger. My sister and Chris were with me throughout this whole process and would take turns sleeping and eating. I continued laboring on the ball, in the shower, rocking chair, used a heating pad on my back, listening to music. I really focusing on breathing, relaxing my shoulders and anywhere I was holding tension; I used a low deep hum through contractions. About 8:30 Friday morning, Dr. Ramos gave me IV fluids to stay hydrated. I was not hungry at all and occasionally throwing up between contractions. At 11 am, I still was only 3-4 cm dilated, but my cervix was really thinning out, baby's heart rate was dipping with contractions, so they put me on an internal fetal monitor. At 2 pm, I was 5 cm dilated, which was progress, but very discouraging for me. I didn't know how long I could keep going. At 2:45, I was checked again because contractions were so strong and I had intense pressure on my tailbone. I labored a lot in a modified child's pose on the bed. At 3:30, I felt like I was at my breaking point and asked for an epidural. The nurse checked me and I was 10 cm! I was shocked - 45 min. from 5 to 10 cm! I was very relieved to be able to push. Dr. Ramos had to run over from her office. Baby Miles was born at 4:10 pm! Chris helped to catch him and he was immediately on my chest and nursed after about 20 min.
The induction was not what we had pictured and it was discouraging to go through one intervention after another. Laurel really helped talk us through each step and just reassured me that even if we had planned a home birth with little amniotic fluid, we would have had to go to the hospital and be induced. She confirmed that these interventions are for situations like this. The nursing staff was very good overall with a couple of nurses being exceptionally great - both in labor and on the maternity ward. The lactation consultant was also very helpful. We chose not to have him circumsized and gave him a sponge bath without soap, in the room ourselves. We are now home and just enjoying this amazing time together!
Kristen (& Chris)
Friday, Dec. 18th.
7 lbs 11 oz and was 20 inches long!
Our Birth Story:
I went for my 38 week appointment on Wed. and Dr. Ramos did an ultrasound and was unable to find any pockets of amniotic fluid to measure. She explained that the placenta was no longer optimally functioning with little fluid and she was concerned about the cord being pinched. So, she sent me to Labor & Delivery to be induced. I started with 12 hours of Cervadil to hopefully thin the cervix out and get the contractions going, then another 12 hours of Cervadil. Contractions with the Cervadil were about 4-5 min. apart, but became less consistent once the Cervadil was out. I was 3 cm dilated at this point. Dr. Ramos then broke my water at about 6:30 pm on Thursday in hopes that would kick my body into laboring - no luck. I started Pitocin around 12:30 am on Friday, slowly turning it up. We had Laurel, our doula, come about 4 am on Friday morning as contractions were feeling much stronger. My sister and Chris were with me throughout this whole process and would take turns sleeping and eating. I continued laboring on the ball, in the shower, rocking chair, used a heating pad on my back, listening to music. I really focusing on breathing, relaxing my shoulders and anywhere I was holding tension; I used a low deep hum through contractions. About 8:30 Friday morning, Dr. Ramos gave me IV fluids to stay hydrated. I was not hungry at all and occasionally throwing up between contractions. At 11 am, I still was only 3-4 cm dilated, but my cervix was really thinning out, baby's heart rate was dipping with contractions, so they put me on an internal fetal monitor. At 2 pm, I was 5 cm dilated, which was progress, but very discouraging for me. I didn't know how long I could keep going. At 2:45, I was checked again because contractions were so strong and I had intense pressure on my tailbone. I labored a lot in a modified child's pose on the bed. At 3:30, I felt like I was at my breaking point and asked for an epidural. The nurse checked me and I was 10 cm! I was shocked - 45 min. from 5 to 10 cm! I was very relieved to be able to push. Dr. Ramos had to run over from her office. Baby Miles was born at 4:10 pm! Chris helped to catch him and he was immediately on my chest and nursed after about 20 min.
The induction was not what we had pictured and it was discouraging to go through one intervention after another. Laurel really helped talk us through each step and just reassured me that even if we had planned a home birth with little amniotic fluid, we would have had to go to the hospital and be induced. She confirmed that these interventions are for situations like this. The nursing staff was very good overall with a couple of nurses being exceptionally great - both in labor and on the maternity ward. The lactation consultant was also very helpful. We chose not to have him circumsized and gave him a sponge bath without soap, in the room ourselves. We are now home and just enjoying this amazing time together!
Kristen (& Chris)