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Week by Week

Autumn Laurelle Nelson

(Induction, Demerol, birthing chair, internal fetal monitor)

Feb 26, 1994
8 lbs 2 oz
20 in long

I am a mother of 2, and expecting my 3rd. I feel my second child, Autumn's birth is the most interesting because of the intervention.

First, let me say my first daughter, Alexis, was born totally naturally. I lived in New Mexico where there is an excellent hospital that staffs Midwives full time to care for all normal OB patients. They were the first in the area to have birthing rooms and I felt it was a luxury. I never saw a doctor the whole pregnancy--only midwives. Alexis was even born on her exact due date! I had taken a Bradley class and wanted a natural childbirth. The baby cooperated with me. It lasted 4 hours, I knew exactly when to push. She was born at 7 in the morning, and she was perfect! The only complaint I had was the midwife didn't ease her out, so I had deep tears.

Now, to Autumn's birth. Autumn was born at the same hospital as Alexis. The labor started when I had to drive 40 miles to pick up my husband who was stranded at 12 midnight. I could have killed him! After I got home and back in bed, my water broke. I called the hospital, they said to come in. But I felt no contractions. The next morning, still no contractions. I walked around the hospital, still nothing.

At 12 noon, they asked me what I wanted to do. I said induce me. So they started the Oxytocin around 1pm. I started feeling contractions at 2pm. They were pretty strong all along. I tried to move around and get comfortable, but no luck. I was convinced this labor would be 'easier' because it was my 2nd--ha ha ha. Around 5 pm, I was getting tired. I still wasn't ready to push so my Bradley training went out the window and I asked for medication. At that hospital, they didn't encourage epidurals, so I got Demerol. (Actually, now, I believe epidurals have some advantages because they don't enter the baby's bloodstream, and don't make the baby drowsy). The Demerol helped me rest when I wasn't contracting. It was funny because my husband was there for both births--and he was disappointed it was taking so long and this wasn't going to be 'natural'. All I knew was this was harder and I needed help.

The Demerol also made the baby's oxygen go down a little and my blood pressure went up. They put an internal fetal monitor on her head and that hurt like hell. So, I had an IV and monitor leads hanging out. I was so uncomfortable, and hungry. They gave me some juice and I threw that up. I had seen a birthing chair before, and asked for one. It was a big help. I sat on it, holding onto the rails and leaning on my husband, facing him. He held me when I wasn't contracting. The nurses said, "This is the weirdest induced labor I have ever seen." I guess they're used to the old hospital bed thing. I was determined I wasn't getting back into bed. The gravity helped, and I began to push about 6:30 pm. I pushed with all my might. I was getting extremely tired and didn't think I could do it anymore. They gave me oxygen right on the birthing stool! Then, I felt her body coming down the birth canal and I got my 2nd wind. My husband was holding and encouraging me. I pushed and pushed and the nurses started getting things ready for the baby. They had to kneel down behind me to catch the baby. I felt her head crowning, and they guided me on when to push. I didn't need an epidural. She was born at 8:00 pm and they caught her. Finally, I got back into bed, walking with these tubes and bleeding from the birth. I must have looked horrible. But, at that point, the President could have walked in and I wouldn't have cared. I was just glad she was out. The whole think lasted about 6 hours.

They cleaned her and me up, she was perfectly content. They gave her to me to hold. One thing that took longer was her hand got stuck and it was bruised. She was perfectly healthy, though.

My opinion has changed since my first daughter was born. This 3rd pregnancy has been a high risk one and I'll probably be induced. Some childbirth methods teach mothers to fear the hospital and doctors. I believe each doctor's opinion on childbirth varies widely and you have to find one that is compatible with your wishes. Couples have to be open minded, just like the doctor. Natural childbirth is great, as long as there are no complications. If birth is intervened, the mother should still insist that her wishes be met, but listen to the doctors at the same time. And all mothers should trust their instincts--because birth is totally natural and you will know what to do. It is not something to be feared.

Deborah Nelson