NATURAL CHILDBIRTH {Personal}

Today was a special day for me.  I got to support my youngest sister while she delivered her second son.  And when I say support, I mean literally.  I got to hold one of her legs, which I must say wasn’t that easy.  You really have to use some force to get those legs back!

My sister had her second natural childbirth today!  Her first was kind of a major nightmare.  Her doctor was an absolute jerk and obviously didn’t approve of her choice to have a natural birth.  She had a LONG labor, including about 4 hours of “breathing through” contractions when she wanted to push because her doctor was a jerk and didn’t want to move the little bit of cervix she had left out of the way so the baby could come out.  It was ridiculous and finally the nurse just did it so the baby could come out and she could get out of that horrendous pain!

Today was different.  She labored through the night at her home, sleeping most of the time I think.  This morning I talked to her, and while she wasn’t quite sure what was going on and was having a hard time timing her contractions, I could tell that it was time for her to get to the hospital.  She finally decided that was a good idea and was a 6 when she got there!!!  We all rushed over to be with her (my parents, and my two other sisters that were in town).  We thought it might go VERY quickly and were afraid we could even miss it. 

But, her water did not break and she asked to not have her water broken but to let it break naturally.  Thankfully, both her doctor and nurse were very on board with her plans for a natural birth.  She use aroma therapy to relax herself, which to my surprise was very successful.  We used the big ball for her to sit on a bit.  We also had her walk around alot , holding onto her husband or one of us for support during her contractions while she swayed her hips from side to side.  She did so amazing!  She stayed really relaxed up until the very end when her water finally broke and she was really wanting to push.  She was getting very tired and the nurse could tell that the baby was sunny side up.  She didn’t tell my sister that because she didn’t want to worry her or stress her.  But she had my sister get on her hands and knees on the bed.  After about 5 minutes of that, the baby flipped around and started to crown!  The nurse was holding him in while the doctor rushed through the hospital to get there. 

My sister had asked the doctor in advance to use almond oil in her nether regions to help her avoid tearing.  Things were pretty bad with her first birth since her doctor obviously didn’t give a crap about her.  Anyway with the almond oil and her doctors skillful hands, she was able to deliver her son without needing a single stitch!  I was right there and could completely see the baby slip out.  It was amazing.  I have seen quite a few of my nieces and nephews be born, but have never had the privilege of holding a leg before.  I am usually trying to duck around the doctors and nurses to take pictures and have often not gotten a clear view of the action.  But today I got to see it all and it was AMAZING! 

Once the baby came out she was allowed to hold him for like 10 minutes while they waited for the cord to stop pulsing.  The doctor just sat there patiently waiting.  I couldn’t believe it.  I’ve never seen a doctor spend so much time.  The nurse massaged the baby while my sister held him.  It was exactly what my sister wanted!

Women are amazing!  Birth is an absolute miracle.  My sister was so amazing.  I don’t think I could ever have a natural birth.  I would never really be able to even if I thought I could.  I have really big babies and had one whose shoulders got stuck so I am not really allowed to go to my due date.  And my babies don’t want to come out early by any means.  SO, I have to be induced and there is no way I could forgo an epidural with Pitocin running through my veins.  But, even if that weren’t the case I just don’t think I could endure that kind of pain.  I don’t really think I am wimpy, but I don’t like pain

Anyway, it was a great day.  We have a healthy baby boy and a healthy mommy.  That is my parents’ 26th grandchild.  All have been healthy and whole.  We are so very, very blessed.

I am so thankful to have sisters.  I have 6 of them.  I love it.  I love that I can be there for them when they are going through the pains of childbirth.  And I love that they can be there for me.  There is nothing like a sister.  Nothing.

Here are a few pictures.  Isn’t she gorgeous???  Its not fair to look this beautiful after a natural childbirth!