Moving to the Music

First Baby
2008 Women & Infants, Alternative Birthing Center (ABC), Women’s Care Midwifery

S’s story…I had mild contractions the evening of the 20th. I thought that they were Braxton Hicks and wasn’t too concerned. My husband, A, made me a mint chocolate chip and coffee ice cream hot fudge sundae and I went to bed early. We woke up around 3am and made love. Went back to sleep. I woke up around 5ish, hurting. We went and showered together. By the time I got out I was asking him to call the midwife. Camille, the midwife intern, returned our call and said to try to come in around 7am since I hadn’t been up for that long. It was kind of quick to come in. I was hurting badly, had this deep need to get to where I was going and told my husband we had to leave for the alternative birthing center (ABC), now. So A, my parents and I set out. I threw up in the car but the car ride wasn’t too bad. I just kind of surrendered that this is where I was and I would get to the ABC as soon as we got there. When we got there the triage nurse called down and Camille and another midwife greeted us. We got to my room, I was restless, hurting and I couldn’t seem to get on top of my contractions. I asked for something for pain. So after they took my vitals, listened to the babies heart beat through a contraction, and gave me a vaginal exam I could have a little bit of pain medication. Camille told me I had arrived to the ABC at 7 cm dilated. My husband put on Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon and I changed into my blue birthing nightgown I had bought for the occasion. I also got my shot, which really took the edge off of stacked contractions. With each contraction I was able to lose myself in the music and climb each one like a mountain. I felt strong and in control.  A offered me sips of water and ginger ale and we rode each one out together. At one point everyone was in the bed with my rubbing my back, humming with me through each contraction and then suddenly it changed. I said “no touch” and got out of bed. “I think I need to push” The nurse Sarah said, let’s see. I beared down and my water broke on the floor. At one point I ended up back in the bed and Fiona, the British midwife, came on for her shift. I had seen her several times during my prenatal care and liked her a lot. I was so happy to see her. It seemed everyone was in the bed with me at this point so I pushed and pushed. I groaned and they told me I had to redirect it in and downward. I felt like my eyes were going to pop. During each contraction my whole body would engage and I would concentrate on moving my baby down. It was just so intense. It was me and that moment. Camille was up top with me and A was down with Fiona ready to receive S and they kept telling me that they could see her hair. At one point A said he could almost see her face. I was exhausted and asked about the order of things. “So her head is the biggest part and the rest would follow?” Yes, so I gave it all I had. I was so close. I understand why they call it the ring of fire and yes, I even had the Johnny Cash tune in my head. And then my daughter was born. A caught and gently set her on the bed. The respiratory team was there because they said there was meconium present and took her. A went with them and they worked around him because Sophie was holding onto his finger looking at him. He opened his shirt and tucked her in for skin to skin while I delivered the placenta and got a few stitches. I had torn a little bit because she had her hand on her face and her elbow snagged me.  I was in a bit of shock afterwards. The whole birthing experience was so intense. It took about three and a half hours to have my daughter. My parents came in to meet S and my dad turned on the Doors. We all sat around and sang Love Street while I ate a good meal afterwards. It was one of the most amazing things to ever happen to me.