Just starting to slip under the warm, comfy covers...
Then, "the phone call"...
" Michal! I think my waters broke...
"let's see if it's time to go "
7 Signs to look for when your waters break...
1.) Is your underwear a little wet or soaked?
2.) What are the colors you see in your underwear; pinkish, beige, brown, clear?
3.) When you stand up do the waters continue to drip?
4.) Does the water smell like urine or water?
5.) Are the waters crystal clear or murky?
6.) Are you feeling the baby move?
7.) Do you feel pressure in your bum?
Yes, she says the waters are clear and I feel my baby move...
What do I do ???🤷🏻♂️
There's no rush to go to the hospital. Let's see if contractions begin within the next few hours...
A few hours later...
Contractions have begun.
Wonderful news!!!!
REST IS BEST ...
Go to sleep if you can.
You're going to need your energy for mid-active labor.
A few more hours have passed...
Pressure from the family starts. Yikes!
Grandma is nervous, future dad is nervous
They say "let's go to the hospital "
I say "babies don't pop out especially 1st births.
They take an average of 8-10 hours of contractions that are every 5 min.
Mama says her contractions are erratic, sometimes 10 min., sometimes 20 min., sometimes 5 min.
A sure sign that baby is not in the optimal position (see Spinning babies.com., the three sisters of balance).
And that we are still in the early stages of labor.
There's no place like Home 🏠for early labor, (as long as you're feeling baby move).
You have the comfort of your own shower, clean toilet, kitchen, teas and you can dim the lights and move as freely as you please.
If you feel like going to the hospital but you're feeling fine, and baby is moving at least 5 times an hour (with some flutters in between), then you're doing great and it's a good idea to wait at home...
8 Reasons Not to Go to the Hospital During Early Labor
1.) Contractions many times Stop
2.) You're under bright lights that don't allow you to rest.
3.) Lots of waiting around in uncomfortable chairs in the lobby
4.) At least 20 other women are waiting for service too.
5.) No easy access to food.
6.) Constant monitoring (2 tight belts around your expanding belly).
7.) Unpleasant vaginal checks.
8.) Nowhere to rest and create your BIRTHING NEST
WAIT FOR THE 411
Contractions every 4 min
Each contraction lasting for
1 min. and that pattern continues consistently for 1
whole hour.
*Remember counting contractions are not football averages.
They either are consistent or they're not .
We waited for contractions to be every 5 min.
I knew it was too early by the sound of her voice.
But we had Dad, and Grandma, who had good intentions, but were struck with anxiety.🤷🏻♂️
At 7:00 pm Mama was checked ...only 2 cm. dilated...
Mama, Grandma and Dad were in shock, they all thought baby was popping out.
Mama really wanted her epidural, but delivery rooms were not available, and she was clearly in early labor
What Do We Do Now???
HOW TO BIDE YOUR TIME WHEN STUCK IN TRIAGE....
1.) Stay calm, you can be there for many hours.
2.) Find a quiet corner.
3.) Bring a small pillow and blanket.
4.) Bring food, drink and sweets (fun food also helps get a good monitor reading).
5.) Earphones for music.
6.) Blind fold to block out the bright lights.
7.) A Doula to get you through all the waiting with massage and other support techniques.
8.) Patience.
5 Hours in triage , and lots of waiting in a side room. Thank goodness for that room ,it had a physio ball, a bed, and some privacy...
At last! We finally got a Delivery Room.
Mama was 3.4 cm. dilated so she could get her epidural (more talks about epidurals in next blog)
She rested!!
Sleep is ESSENTIAL to relieve stress.
After a few hours of rest, changing sides, stretches, massage and different positions (to help baby descend)...
BABY GIRL BORN at 4:15am.,
3.620 kilo
(Vacuum birth, more about assisted delivery procedures in another blog)
9 hours after arrival to the Hospital and lots of...
EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL SUPPORT
Mama embraced her beautiful baby girl!
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