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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	Holly Austa's Birth StoryBy Laura      My first pregnancy was a great time for me. I was due December 15 and as the time was drawing near, I was getting very excited. I couldn't help but be reflective of the timing and all of this impending birth. It was Christmastime, what a wonderful gift this baby would be! My husband and I alternated between preparing for the holidays and practicing our breathing and relaxation techniques.       December 15 came, no baby! I remember feeling so disappointed. According to my doctor, I had been dilated to 3 centimeters and 75% effaced for three weeks now. Why wasn't this baby here yet? My doctor instructed me to come back in three days. he reassured me that it was okay if my baby did not come exactly on my estimated due date, but now, he would be watching me a little more closely just to make sure that the baby was continuing to do fine.       Three days later, I came in. Still no change. This time I had a non stress test done. The last minute or so of the test, the baby's heart rate dropped and very slowly came up again. My doctor calmly explained to me the various reasons for something like this to happen. He reassured me that at this point, the baby was fine but he was concerned about the time it took for the baby's heart rate to return to normal.       He suggested that induction might be a good idea. I agreed to this but I asked if we could try it my way first. I really did not want to have an IV, so I asked if he could just break my water and see if labor started. He agreed! So it was set. The next morning, I was scheduled to go into L&D to have my baby. First thing in the morning, I called and confirmed my scheduled induction. When we arrived at the hospital, L&D was very busy! Every labor room was full! One of the nurses teased me about no room at the inn as she settled me in the nurses break room.       My doctor came, examined me to see if there were any changes. No change, so he broke my water. I remember how weird it felt. I felt some pressure, then a pop, then I felt warm and wet. The amniotic fluid was the color of pea soup. My doctor calmly explained that this indicated that the baby may have been under some stress which was probably why the heartrate dropped like it did yesterday. He had the nurse monitor me for a half hour to insure that the baby was fine and told her to please get me in to a labor room. Since all the labor rooms were full, I got to use the birthing suite that was a showroom of the upcoming remodel of labor and delivery.       About an hour after my water was broke, I had no contractions. The baby seemed to be fine but my doctor was concerned because of the meconium. He told me that he would wait another hour to see if labor would start and if it didn't we would have to consider pitocin.       Fortunately we didn't have to discuss that. Fifteen minutes later, contractions started. It was funny, but I didn't know that the cramps that I was feeling were contractions. The nurse had to point out to me that I was in labor! Time progressed rather quickly now. My contractions, although uncomfortable, were no more painful than my worst menstrual cramps! I was so surprised because my mom and other women told me all their war stories about the pain of childbirth. The ahrdest part was transition. I felt not only my contractions coming in intense waves, one right after the other, but I felt so much pressure on my bottom. My husband could see that I was actually starting to bear down a little. He began to gently massage my legs and talk to me in a soft voice to help me relax my bottom.       I don't remember anyone calling for the doctor, but I remember crying that it wasn't working and I wanted to push NOW! Just then I heard my doctor tell me if I wanted to push thewn by all means, push. I was complete! I remember getting very excited. here was the moment of truth! I was going to have the baby. The nurse put her hands on my shoulders and told me to just relax. This was, after all, my first baby and I was going to be here for awhile. Three pushes later, my daughter was born. She was covered in pea soup colored slime! The pediatrician briefly allowed me to hold her and explained that although her apgars were 9 and 9, she was having a little difficulty breathing and that she had inhaled some meconium into her lungs. Because of that, he wanted to take her to the NICU to observe. They weighed her there and watched her closely. She weighed 8lbs and 4oz and was 20 1/2 inches.       For twelve hours, I layed awake wondering and worrying. I did not think to ask to go and see her. Finally, the nurse brought me my baby. She told me that all was well and that I had a very hungry baby girl here. Fortunately, for me, she knew what she was doing and took to breast like an expert!       Holly Austa is now 10 years old and very quickly becoming a bright, beautiful young lady.   Search the Birth Stories Match All Terms Any Term and show results in Standard Form in Compact Form Hint! Enclose phrases in quotes. For example "home birth" [ Return Section 1 Birth Stories ]