Her manner of coming into the world was quite a different experience than what we'd had with Janna. While our biggest concern was of safety of delivery for baby and me - it was a bonus that we were able to have such a wonderful (I will not say easy because that wouldn't be correct.) natural labour and delivery.
What follows is Alexa's birth story because I felt I needed to write it out and share it but if you're squeamish about such things you may want to stop reading now. Okay you've been warned. :)
Contractions woke me at around 2:30 am. I stayed in bed trying to figure out if they were the real thing or just strong Braxons. By the Tim's 3am work alarm went off I was pretty sure they were the real thing and decided to get up and check for any other labour signs. Sure enough - I had some light pink streaking. Contractions were stronger once I'd gotten out of bed. I had Tim help me put on the TENs machine. I switched it on intending to lay back down and try and get some rest and thinking we were a long way off yet. I set Tim to work saying "nothing will likely happen until this evening".
I found myself restless and decided time would be better spent packing any last items into my hospital bag, emailing my Doula, posting for friends on Facebook "sitting on an exercise ball with the TENs machine on - and contracting. Hows that for a status update!" and leaving posts for friends on several other message boards of which I'm a part.
After that I went upstairs - still intending to rest - but still found myself restless, contractions were stronger now and I really needed to concentrate on breathing to get through them. Some were so strong they left my legs shaking uncontrollably. Started to feel some pressure and kept needing to move from the bed to the bathroom and on the second of one of these trips I felt a pop and gush. I remember saying "oh, I guess this is really happening." I sent a text message to Tim to let him know the situation and several strong contractions later I was able to gather myself up to call my Doula. After listening to me a little while she said "holy cow Jenn it sounds like things are really happening, I'm packing up my stuff and coming - if things get really crazy call me again."
My mother had woken by this time, Janna had been awake and complaining quietly. I let Mom know I was in Labour but it wasn't "too bad yet" and "don't worry until you start to hear me screaming." :S.
Things were indeed happening. 30 minutes later contractions were now so strong that I was vocalizing loudly between them - couldn't be helped it was all I could do to cope. The TENS machine was very helpful and when I'd forgotten to hit the toggle switch during a contraction I really knew it! By the time Cindy (Doula) arrived she found me still in the bathroom holding the counter and leaning into it. She took some time to coach me through a few "surges" - reminding me about breathing and helping me along. I remember her saying. "Um I think we need to get ready to go to the hospital and I don't think we're going to make it to Abbotsford." I of course was in complete denial but in my own defense contractions never became regular, I would have one then a longish break, then another coupled with another, then a break then another three together then a break... I still didn't think I was that close and based on my experience with Janna I couldn't be that close - not that quickly! I didn't feel that close. Of course to help back my position, at that point I had a break in contractions longer than one minute and I looked at Cindy and said, "whew I think I'm going to get a nice break here." She looked at me hesitantly and asked "did you want to try a warm shower?" "Um..sure" I said but "I've got the TENs on - I'll have to take it off - electro-shock hazard." At that she laughed and no sooner had she begun to relax than another contraction - a good intense one happened but it was short. "Okay I'm thinking we need to go to the hospital now" she said. I wasn't in the mood to argue any longer.
She went downstairs and started recruiting my mom to help her pack her jeep. While she was gone I started having another contraction, then another and another back to back and I felt the slightest push urge but it was gone quickly. After what seemed like awhile but was likely only minutes - Cindy returned and offered to help me dress but I really didn't care to get that complicated; it's funny how Labour is really good at making you lose all modesty and any sense of decorum. Instead I simply asked for my big fuzzy house robe and my slippers and we were off down the stairs - slowly. Before we made it out the front door I had another strong contraction and there it was again, a slight, fleeting pushing urge. Cindy helped me through it and then looked me in the eye. "Jenn" she said. "Tell me the truth, are you feeling pushy?" I looked at her and said "yes just a little" "Okay" she said, "I think we're going to need to go to Chilliwack"
This was really not part of what we'd wanted - we had chosen the Abbotsford Hospital and because of past experience and result with Janna; I really didn't want to go to Chilliwack again. "I think we might be okay - I don't think I'm that close." I maintained. "Okay" Cindy breathed "we'll see how things go but by the time we get close to the Hwy we need to make a decision either way."
She helped me get in the jeep, I found I couldn't lift my leg to step in and it was necessary for Cindy to help lift it for me. During which another strong contraction but I was in and we were on our way. I had another contraction with a small push urge just as we were a minute into the drive. "Jenn honey I think I heard a push?" I nodded, "yeah just a little one - it was quick and now it's gone." She was quiet a moment. "Jenn, we're going to Chilliwack" "um no..." I started and then there was another strong contraction and a push urge. "Okay!" I yelled through it, "Chilliwack... Chilliwack!"
The ride was quite uncomfortable and I know I'd had at least 4 more contractions on the way with another stronger, less controllable urge to push. We arrived at Emerg, Cindy parked in an Ambulance stall and tried as gently as possible to rush me across the Emerg driveway. "Come on hon, we have to get off the road." Another contraction for me as we made our way slowly across to the Emergency room doors. I remember a women leaving the hospital trying to make eye contact with me as asking if she could "help" me. I really couldn't respond to her at all, I was having contractions more and more quickly now. An emergency nurse appeared and asked "chair?" "Yes please" exclaimed Cindy, she returned quickly with the chair and they both helped me to lower my body onto the chair as contractions had made it almost impossible for me to manage sitting in the chair on my own.
"I guess I don't have to ask where you two want to go?" the nurse quipped with a smile. I had a quick smile myself in reply but it was fleeting as my body was really commanding all of my attention.
I was wheeled quickly though the hallways to the elevator. I found myself arching and lifting my body with my arms to keep the weight off my bottom in the chair and there it was another strong push urge - It was impossible not to give in a little. I felt a gush as I was wheeled right past a dumbfounded and then panicked Maternity ward desk. Cindy was barking out orders and snapped the nurses into action all while wheeling me into the first available delivery room.
A nurse and a resident met us there and the nurse said - "We'll need you up here" motioning to the gurney in the delivery room. Because of my general condition and the fact that the foot rests were still in place getting out of the chair was awkward if not impossible. I said "I'll need help" Cindy noticed my situation immediately said authoritatively; "can you move the footrest for her while I help her up." Once they had me up the next challenge was actually getting on the bed. Both the resident and the nurse were telling me I needed to "hop up into bed" again I had to say. "can't lift my leg, you'll have to lift it for me."
Once I was up in position I had another contraction and one of the hospital staff asked if I wanted to try the nitrous oxide "gas" I nodded yes and it was provided for me and I was instructed how to use it. After I'd had 2 puffs the nurse proceeded with an exam to chart the position of the baby.
Her exam prompted another strong contraction along with an extremely strong push urge - The nurse obviously noticed this and she looked at me "Dont push,..." I couldn't help a small push "DONT PUSH" barked both a paniced nurse and resident in unison. At this point Cindy leaned over and whispered into my ear. "It's okay Jenn, you're ready - do what your body is telling you to do." I felt a wave of relief as the urge to push was now overwhelming and I proceeded despite the loud protests of the hospital staff.
In less than 2 good pushes I felt Alexa's head emerge then another push and her shoulders came free and all 7lbs 3oz of our screaming baby daughter was in the hands of the nurse who had been conducting the exam. Looking back I have to laugh - I guess the baby's position on the chart should have read "nurse Barbra's hands".
Alexa was put on my tummy and a warm towel was draped over her and I looked at her in disbelief. I was shocked with the realization that I was very close to having had her in Cindy's jeep. In about 15 minutes more I was being assisted to breastfeed and Alexa was quite interested and latched like a little pro.
I felt a number of things, shock, relief, happiness and euphoria that everything had gone so well and this little person I'd managed to deliver into the world looked so health and vigorous. The experience was not only positive - after my experience with Janna in Labour and Delivery; Alexa's birth granted me peace, healing of old wounds that I hadn't been aware still lingered.
I'm more grateful for what Alexa's birth gave back to me than I can put to words.
