Birth Stories

 

The Birth of Olive Mae at the Wenatchee Birth Center

by Lyndsay

Little Miss Olive Mae, you joined God’s great world December 9th 2007.  Let me tell you about that special day.

I awoke, restless of course, after a night of wondering if I would start labor in the night.  Papa and I were concerned about the drive because your sister Willow labored very quickly from the time we left until we arrived at the Wenatchee Birthing Center.  I decided I needed to get out of the house and take Willow with so she could have some play time with other “kiddos”.

Our first stop was Kim and Tim Odell’s house just a few blocks up Twisp River.  Kim had called to see if I was doing okay (being 4 days “overdue”).  I told her I was going to go to church to give Willow playtime and she suggested I come over to play with her 3 kids for a bit.  Tim made me a second breakfast of eggs, bacon (yum!) and half an English muffin.  We sat and talked for a while and I had not a single contraction.  Darnit!  After a couple of hours I headed to church where the contractions began.  I remember 4 in one hour and I was telling Shia about them and she was excited for me.  Willow played around for a while and then we headed home for “naptime”.  I decided to eat and nap and then take LeRoy on a walk to start up the contractions again.  That did it!  I called Laurie and told her how my day was going and she wasn’t 100% sure I was in labor, but I was pretty certain because of one good strong contraction that made me stop walking.

We packed up and left and drove your sister Willow to Heidi and Chris Carter’s house, in town where she stayed for the night.  The contractions were still coming along when we arrived there and Heidi and Shia both prayed with me, hugging me while Charles and Chris unloaded Willow and her things.  The drive was great because papa and I were able to laugh and talk in between contractions.  They were about 5 minutes apart the whole drive, and totally manageable!  Perfect!  I called Robin and told her that I was coming and in labor.  She was planning on meeting us there.  This is a friend of mama’s that I worked with and is going to school for nursing in Wenatchee.  She helped me out a lot during trips to Wenatchee with Willow for my midwife appointments.  We usually picked up a burger at Red Robin every visit!  She is lots of fun!  She is like a sister to me. 

We arrived at about 6:30 pm and the midwife, Laurie Braunstein was there to greet us.  The birthing assistant she had was named Anna.  The upstairs room was set up so nicely.  I was excited to be there.  Robin arrived shortly after with some Taco Bell for papa.  (funny, I know)  Laurie checked to see how far I was dilated and she said I was at  4 cm.  hmmmm not much progress considering the week prior I was all ready at a 2-3?  Oh well. 
After walking around to and fro for two hours in my sports bra, underwear and wool socks, Laurie said I was dialated to a 7!!  Whoo Hoo!!  Awesome!  Through many contractions I remember saying things like “open open open”  “come baby come, I want to see you baby” 

Mama much preferred handling each contraction on my hands and knees.  And since everyone noticed me getting tired of this position, they offered to warm up the Jacuzzi tub for me, to try something different.  I had always wanted to try a water birth.  I was totally okay with this except I had heard that getting in the water can slow down the contractions and I did not want that to happen.  I felt as though it was taking forever as it was!  I was probably worried about that a little too much.  It is good, very good and beneficial to the birthing process to relax your body and mind throughout labor.  Laurie said I was thinking too much and needed to turn off my brain.  (ha ha ha)  Okay, so I got in the candle lit tub and everyone came in to watch.  I felt like a spectacle at times, but everyone was so supportive that I really didn’t mind being watched.  Birth is an amazing process!  These women had been through it and were honored to be present at your birth Olive Mae. 

The contractions continued and were feeling stronger, though not fast enough for me.  I still had good breaks in between and I wanted them to be closer together.  I couldn’t help it!!  Around 10:30 pm I asked everyone if they thought the baby would come before midnight and they all said yes.  I on the other hand did not think so.  Things weren’t happening fast enough for me.  Laurie could sense this and she suggested I get out of the tub. 

She checked me again and I was still at a 7.  Talk about being frustrated!  That hurt.  “Well, shoot” I thought/said.  She immediately suggested breaking my water to get things moving faster.  I was nervous about that, but agreed.  She broke my water at 11:00 pm and sent my body in to a whole other dimension.  Papa said that they all nearly pinned me down.  I couldn’t believe the pain that rushed through my body at that moment.  It was hard to breath, so I probably stopped because the next thing I remember was everyone in my face telling me to breath when I really could not.  But I tried as hard as I could.

We tried the birthing ball off the side of the bed and that hurt, so I kept standing and leaning over (on my hands, of course) on to the bed during the quick and intense contractions.  I knew I could push at any moment, so I did.  I yelled, “I’m pushing!! Ring of fire!”  Everyone let me push through that contraction and then helped me onto the bed for some more pushing.  I wanted to lay on my back again the same way I pushed Willow out.  And sweetie, in three more quick pushes, you were on my chest looking up to me, slightly upset, but beautiful as ever!  I love that part!!  And I love you.  You are amazing to me.    

 

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