Jennifer's Story- 11 pounds- Birth Center

11 pounds

22 inches long

15 inch head circumference

Birth center

Mother's Height: 5' 9"

How was your pregnancy?
It was great. It was long - he was born at 41 weeks 6 days.

How did you feel about your upcoming birth?
I felt great. I was very tired of being pregnant.

Description of your birth experience:
I went into labor around noon on Friday and my water broke right about then. The contractions were close enough together that we left for the birth center around 7pm. I labored at the birth center and went into transition around midnight. I was so happy - as I recognized the signs from our birth class. And I thought "yay, it's nearly over." But he had other plans. I labored at that stage until around 7am. Apparently I had a cervical lip, and we had to get it folded under before he could get out. The worst point was when they had me lay on the bed after pushing had started and told me to try not to push. That was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. He was born around 9am, and barely fit. His shoulders got stuck and so I had to flip quickly from the stool, to the floor to my back to get him out. But then he was there and everything was wonderful.

How did you feel after the birth (first month)?
It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but completely worth it.

How did you feel six months after the birth? One year? Now?
I am so happy that I was able to have a vaginal birth. And I still feel it was worth it.

What did you learn from this birth?
Trust my instincts. I was sure all along that I'd be able to do it.

Any words of wisdom to impart?
Get a second, third, or fourth opinion. My son was my first child and was large, I am AMA, my blood pressure was elevated (but no signs of pre-eclampsia - we tested over and over), and I had a lower uterine fibroid. All of these things would have made a different care provider pull the "dead baby card" (i.e., tell me "your baby could DIE if you don't have a c-section") and not have let me try. But I stuck to my guns and got the best advice I could get. And it was perfect. The only thing I would say in caution is that if you don't know your body well (I'm an athlete) then you should be careful arguing. But if you do know what you can tolerate and know how to get the care you need - up to and including a c-section if that ends up being necessary - then don't let them bully you.