So, we tried to get some sleep around 10:00PM. We were right back up and awake (not sure Audrey ever really slept) at Midnight with her first contraction. They kept coming. They started from her back and worked their way around front. We knew from our training that this was just the beginning and it could still be a long journey. So we made sure that Audrey was relaxed and well nourished. She decided that a bath would be nice so we watched Hulu episodes of The Colbert Report and The John Stewart Show while she soaked. Contractions were about ten minutes apart and lasted about 30 to 45 seconds. We called the Valley Women for Women midwife on-call and spoke with Diane. She approved of our laboring at home while things progressed.
The contractions were significant enough that Audrey couldn't go back to sleep. In fact she didn't want to do anything other than sit on the couch, listen to classical music and try and drink water. She had no interest in massage or eating. She was already having to concentrate and control her breathing. The contractions started to intensify and get closer together over the next few hours. Around 5:00AM the contractions started to come every 4.5 to 5 minutes and they were intense enough that Audrey wouldn't talk through them any longer. I figured I better be prepared so I loaded the car with our bags. After the next contraction, Audrey looked at me and said "I think it's time to go." She asked me what I thought and I said "well we want to make sure that we don't go and get sent home." The next contraction made Audrey cry. Audrey said, "I want to go." She didn't ask me what I thought :) We called Diane and let her know our status and that we were heading to the hospital. She said she'd meet us there. The next contraction made Audrey throw up. I grabbed a bucket and threw some garbage bags on the car seat. Audrey's bag of waters still had not broken. I helped get her situated and off we went. Driving safely while your wife is laboring is very hard, but we made the 15 minute drive safely.
We arrived at the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center ER to check-in. We still weren't sure that this was the real thing and so we didn't take our bags in that we had so carefully packed with all kinds of helpful items for labor. This was all new to both of us as Avery's sisters were all scheduled inductions. We did remember our necessary paperwork and had pre-registered with the hospital so checking in was a breeze. That helped because Audrey was in distress. Sitting through contractions was no longer tolerable. She stood through a few while I did the check-in. Avery wasn't due until the 16th and the administrative staff and nurses in the ER gave us some skeptical looks and comments because Audrey was only 39 weeks pregnant with her first pregnancy. It sort of fueled our thoughts that we had come to the hospital too soon and if that was the case then the pain Audrey was feeling would only increase to a point that would prohibit a natural delivery...our goal. Rookie doubts despite all our training and education.
Once we got up to triage we found that we were the only laboring couple there. It was a slower period apparently and we loved the quiet. Pam was our triage nurse. Turns out she worked with my mom, Susan, when my mom worked in the nursery a few years ago before she passed away. Hearing her talk about mom gave us a good feeling that continued throughout our stay. Pam called Diane and let her know we had arrived. It was decided that since Diane was minutes away that we'd wait to have Audrey checked for the first time by Diane. Diane arrived and was instantly a warm friendly calming presence with Audrey. They had developed a good relationship, as we did with all of the Valley Women for Women midwives, working through a difficult first trimester and attending regular family circle appointments. She checked Audrey and...99% effaced and 6 cm dilated! We were not going home. November 9th would be Avery's birthday. It was not quite 8:00AM.
Audrey got her first full dose of penicillin for Group B Strep and then got wheeled over to a delivery suite. Since we had worked a "birth wishes" (aka - plan) with our midwives it was clear that Audrey wanted to use a number of tools for labor. She first selected a pool. Since she progressed so far before getting to the hospital her wish was granted. She labored in the warm waters and the relaxation helped things progress. It was about 2 hours along when she stopped wanting to talk, answer my questions or even be touched by me. She swatted me away like a gnat :) It was in the pool that she first felt the sensation to push. Time to get out.
Things happened fast from this point on. Transition was happening. Audrey began vomiting again and by the time she laid down in the bed the sensation to push was uncontrollable. Diane was great and just told Audrey to listen to her body and reminded Audrey that her body would let her know what to do. She reminded the hospital staff that Audrey didn't want her water broken. She also told Audrey, if it felt comfortable, to push through the next few contractions. She did. It did. Boom! Her water broke. She rotated to her side and the pushing became more productive. Just when Audrey first said, "I can't do this," Diane showed me Avery's head. She was on her way out. Audrey was so close. We all told Audrey, "actually you are doing this and it's almost over." Diane massaged Audrey and knew that Audrey didn't want an episiotomy. Avery crowned and come out with her hand on the side of her face, just like we had seen her in utero so many times. Avery's hand and a bit of umbilical cord caused Audrey to tear a little bit when Avery came out, but she came out safely. Cord still attached, Diane lifted Avery up on Audrey's chest. Cries of joy and disbelief followed. She had done it. 45 minutes had passed. It was 11:36AM, not quite 12 hours from Audrey's first contraction. Audrey never once asked for pain medicine. She did it!
I am so proud, impressed and thankful to God! I continue to see my beautiful wife set goals and achieve them through some very difficult and challenging circumstances. She's a true inspiration. I am a lucky man.
Diane was amazing, genuinely kind, and so very supportive. She continues to be that same way in aftercare. We thank her and Valley Women for Women for their great care, skill and professionalism.
The Bradley Method training we received from Mary was so important to us and really helped our partnership and teamwork in labor. I felt like I was a prepared coach and we were able to make unified informed decisions all through the process, even when mom was in tremendous pain. Thank you, Mary!
Avery and mom are doing well. We are home now. Avery has been given a clean bill of health from our pediatrician. Mom and Avery are bonding and learning to work together in breastfeeding.
We appreciate all of your love and prayers. Please keep them coming. They've gotten us this far along in this amazing adventure and they'll get us through to the joys and help us overcome the challenges ahead. God is good! God bless!
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