On Thursday afternoon, February 11th, I thought my membranes had released. Tommy had been nice and warm inside and I was past my estimated date. When I called my midwife to tell her what was going on, she told me to come to the hospital so they could test me and see if it was my membranes.

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After assessing me and my baby, my midwife spoke to us about inducing options since Tommy's heart rate was dropping and I was not really having any surges. We decided on Cervidil and my midwife inserted that into me around 6 PM. She told us to try and relax, get some sleep so we would have energy when things began more. The Cervidil did help ripen my cervix. I think I was around 98% effacement at the end and in the middle of the night is when my surges started getting stronger and closer together. They removed the Cervidil in the middle of the night and waited to see how my body would do but things started to rest so then they gave me Pitocin. I told them my nervousness with the pitocin because I was worried my surges would become out of control and I wouldn't be able to handle them if my body was not naturally doing it. As a result, they put me on a very low dose (2). Luckily, before I got started on the pitocin I was able to take a shower. This was the BEST shower ever! I was so happy I could do this, because I felt like I needed to refocus and relax again. I wanted to be able to be in water for most of my laboring and birth but since I had to be constantly monitored I couldn't so this shower was such a nice break from everything. Once I was done, I had to be hooked back up to the machines and then they started the pitocin. My surges quickly started back up and took off. 

 

Throughout everything, I was focusing on my breathing, listening to the comfort zone/ my relaxation playlist, and Tom was helping massage my body where I needed it. My affirmations were hanging on the wall and Tom was reading them to me. The difficult part was my limited amount of mobility. I was hooked up constantly to the heart rate monitor, I had IV fluids going into me, and I had antibiotics since I tested positive for Group B Strep. They also were giving me oxygen as I was moving throughout labor. Therefore, I could not go too far, but I used the space and tools I had. I was on a yoga ball, I walked some around the bed, and tried a variety of different positions. Of course, all the positions I liked as I was going through a surge Tommy did not like. My midwives were constantly moving and repositioning me (I felt like I was going through gymnastics at times). There was talk of possibly needing a C-section, because of Tommy's heart rate but I am so thankful for my midwives helping me get into good positions for Tommy and giving me time.

 

When the pitocin started, I felt like I blinked and my midwives were telling me I could breathe the baby down when I was ready. Breathing Tommy out to me was the easiest part. The surges were intense towards the end but I kept telling myself with every surge I am that much closer to meeting my baby. Since I was still hooked up to everything I started on my knees to breathe Tommy out but after some breaths there I was getting very tired so I moved to my side. Tom and my midwives helped support me and then Tommy shot out of me after a few breaths! My midwife said I had an extremely strong pelvis because Tommy came flying. 

 

Tommy was born at 11:52 AM on February 12th at 8lbs 6oz and 21.5 inches long. Since we were all healthy we pushed to get out of the hospital the next day because we wanted to be home in our space, relaxing and with family so on Saturday the 13th we were able to take Tommy home.

 

Your class was amazing and helped me so much with my birth! Even though my birth story didn’t go exactly as I had planned, I was so thankful Tom and I had the power and knowledge from your class. I have told so many friends, family and moms to be about your class and HypnoBirthing because it was so empowering! And when I am asked if I would have another natural birth, I always say yes! It is what our bodies are made to do! 

 

 

Thank you for all your help and support throughout my pregnancy and birth! It meant so much to Tom and me. I hope you and your family are all doing well! I can't believe how big your little one is getting but I hope you are able to soak up every moment!

 

Sincerely,

Rachel Migliaccio