Everything Holmes: Birth of Brennan

Birth story-

This one was completely different from our first experience. Last time, as you might (or might not) recall, we got to the hospital at about 5am after Elizabeth had labored at home for about 14 hours and found out that she was pretty much nowhere near ready (2cm). We decided to stay rather than go home, which was our big mistake, and ended up being in a marathon hospital labor until 12:24 am the next morning after Elizabeth had succumbed to the pain and given up on her goal of a natural unmedicated birth. 14 hours of unmedicated labor followed by 5 hours or so of Pitocin and Epidural assisted labor made for a very long and trying day. But, in the end, we had a healthy mom and baby and that is the most important thing.

This time, Elizabeth wanted to try for a natural birth again, so we decided to work with a local midwife group and try a water birth at the hospital (from what I understand not many hospitals/practices offer this as an option). Needless to say Elizabeth was very nervous about a repeat performance so she was really worried when we decided to go to the hospital even though she had not really had a true pattern to her contractions. After 12-14 hours of labor at home, her contractions had gotten really strong, but they were not following the 4minutes apart, 1 minute long for 1 hour contraction pattern (which is the basic rule they tell you to follow). It just felt like it was time.

When we got to the hospital just before 10am Valentine's Day, we went into the triage area, and Elizabeth was checked immediately. The nurses reaction was "ok then, looks like you are having a valentines baby. you are 8cm right now." Elizabeth and I were overjoyed at the news and in a little disbelief (and glad that we had decided to go to the hospital before we unintentionally had a home delivery).

Next thing you know, we have 3 nurses rushing Elizabeth to the water birth room on her stretcher before they even took her vital signs. When we get there we find another 5 nurses/techs who were prepping the room and tub for our arrival and the on-call midwide Zerika who was happy to see us. They give her a quick IV for her required antiobiotic, and she's in the tub by around 10:45 at the latest. She finally had her blood pressure, etc. checked and signed all the paperwork after she got in the tub.

The next 1.5 hours were so surreal... I don't recall much of the timing of it exactly, but essentially we had Zerika and a nurse in with us 90% of the time coaching Elizabeth through her contractions. Her contractions were obviously getting more and more intense as her vocalizations, etc. would indicate, but she was doing great. Next thing you know she is pushing (before Zerika was even ready for her), and the baby was out before we knew it.

Long story short, we had a short 2.5 hours in the hospital before the baby was born and Elizabeth made it through the entire birth without any pain medication. It was absolutely amazing and moving to witness. I am sure she might have freaked out some other soon-to-be parents in adjacent rooms but I am so proud of her for achieving her goal and I know she is proud of her accomplishment as well. And most importantly, she is feeling great and Brennan is a happy and healthy little baby boy.

And on to pictures-

Elizabeth in the tub @ 2/14/2008 10:45 am .