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The birth of each of our children has been an amazing experience. Gretchen's birth was no different and in fact, took everything we learned from Elliott's and Rosemary's births and combined into an amazing, all-natural birth with no medical interventions! We used the Hypnobirthing method of natural childbirth, which is the same method we used for Rosemary's birth. This method involves practice of deep breathing, meditation and visualization to achieve a deep state of relaxation, enabling the woman's body to gently and naturally birth the baby.
Our photographer took some amazing photos right after Gretchen was born... check out her blog posting: Maggie Cuprisin Photography. (the photos are also included in our previous blog post, announcing Gretchen's birth). Maggie is very talented!
Friday, Sept 24
On Friday morning, Alina woke up ready for a relaxing day. She had taken the day off from work, dropped the kids at daycare and then went for a wonderful prenatal massage. After the massage Alina rested in the spa’s relaxation room for almost 2 hours. Then picked up some Chik-fil-a for lunch (yum!) and returned home and napped for about 3 hours before picking up the kids at daycare. Elliott and Alina later ran a few errands after dinner while Steve put Rosemary right to sleep.
Around 9pm, we had the same conversation we'd been having for a couple of weeks: "When is the baby coming? Probably not today". There had been some discussion as to Alina's actual 'due date' -- either 9/21 or 9/29 depending on calculation method. We talked a little bit about our plans for the rest of the weekend and continued to stay awake working on various projects around the house.
Labor Begins
Around 11pm… Alina had a few strong Braxton Hicks "surges" (surges= hypnobirthing word used instead of "contractions") and commented “ These are strong! If these turn regular, this could be it”. We loosely timed them. Steve began to get all of our hospital stuff ready including the bags for the kids, etc… The surges became regular so Steve called our doula & photographer. Alina put on a bikini and took some fun belly shots – always wanted to have some at the “biggest point!” Alina was very happy and excited!
Around 11pm… Alina had a few strong Braxton Hicks "surges" (surges= hypnobirthing word used instead of "contractions") and commented “ These are strong! If these turn regular, this could be it”. We loosely timed them. Steve began to get all of our hospital stuff ready including the bags for the kids, etc… The surges became regular so Steve called our doula & photographer. Alina put on a bikini and took some fun belly shots – always wanted to have some at the “biggest point!” Alina was very happy and excited!
Alina began breathing through some of the surges on hands and knees and would then get up and continue with whatever she was doing. The Hypnobirthing method involves breathing in slowly to a count of 20 as a surge is occuring and then breathing out slowly as the surge dies down. Right before entering the shower, the bage of water began to trickle clear and odorless fluid, which is ideal.
The shower water and steam felt great. Steve and Alina experienced the surges together and spoke excitedly about meeting the new baby very soon. More joy and excitement shared together were aspects of our birth plan. This gave us time to connect and to revel in the joy of birth (not just all the running around).
After the shower, Steve called the doula and photographer to tell them “this is it – come to our house”. He also started calling our middle-of-the-night support for the kids and the people who could watch them on the weekend. Unfortunately it took him a long time to make these phone calls, our friends were all asleep. He started getting nervous. Meanwhile, Alina had fixed her hair and finished packing up last minute items. Alina would drop to hands and knees and breathe through the surges. Alina was feeling soooo excited and ready!
When Steve expressed his anxiety over the phone calls, Alina started to pick up on his anxiety and this is about the time Alina retreated in to herself -- the "birthing body". Alina put on the hypnobirthing CD while Steve rubbed her back. This is about the time things get more fuzzy for Alina (and more exciting!) since Alina enters the state of deep relaxation and time almost "skips" when this is happening. The outside world becomes indistinct.
Labor Continues: 1-2am
Alina continued alternating between relaxing and breathing through the surges, moving from laying on the bed, to leaning on the birthing ball, to hands-and-knees on the floor. Steve was in and out during this time. During a time when Steve was in the room, Alina clearly remembers sitting up between surges and saying “Gosh, this is taking forever! How much time has passed?” and “Ugh, I just wish we could speed things up”. Alina was hoping he would say it was 4am or something but no… Alina also said “Ugh I just don’t want to keep doing this /can’t do this”. Right after that Alina started having major hot flashes during surges followed by shivering. Our doula arrived around 2am or so. She said that after she arrived, Alina had 3 surges in eight minutes. (hindsight comment: Alina was in transition at this point…. transition symptoms)
Our doula made a comment about leaving for the hospital. In between surges Alina said “sure, what do you want me to do? Put on my clothes?” She replied “well, let me talk to Steve”. Alina kept doing surges, despite the hot flashes/shivering/hands-and-knees. Alina dressed between surges but continued to remain very inward-focused during surges. Alina did some vocalization: moans... which helped to let those around her know a surge was occuring. The others would stay silent because Alina had switched from wanting to be coached/massaged to being alone within the birthing body.
Feeling the Baby Moving Downward
From Alina: "Here’s one of the coolest parts of my labor. After dressing, I stood and held my hands on the top of the pack-n-play set up in master bedroom. I experienced a few surges. During this time, I felt my baby moving down in my body! I felt her little feet/legs pushing and I could tell instinctively she was in the right position. I remarked on this to my doula and even now when I close my eyes I remember the amazing feeling of knowing her head was down and she was actively moving. She stayed very active through most of my labor which I was registering. A big part of my mental mantra was positive positioning thoughts and welcoming thoughts toward my baby and I think that’s why I was so in tune with her movements."
From Alina: "Here’s one of the coolest parts of my labor. After dressing, I stood and held my hands on the top of the pack-n-play set up in master bedroom. I experienced a few surges. During this time, I felt my baby moving down in my body! I felt her little feet/legs pushing and I could tell instinctively she was in the right position. I remarked on this to my doula and even now when I close my eyes I remember the amazing feeling of knowing her head was down and she was actively moving. She stayed very active through most of my labor which I was registering. A big part of my mental mantra was positive positioning thoughts and welcoming thoughts toward my baby and I think that’s why I was so in tune with her movements."
Getting Ready to Leave the House: 2:15am
Alina crept her way down the stairs with Steve's help. Our neighbor was in the kitchen getting instructions on what to do with Elliott and Rosemary during the morning. Alina settled in to the living room on hands and knees for breathing through surges, resting her head on the ottoman. The hot flashes were rough since Alina had clothes on. Alina stood up and had a very strong surge, feeling the baby’s head “settle” very low along with an accompanying gush of fluid. This snapped Alina out of her inward focus and she said very commandingly “We need to leave now” and headed for the car.
Alina crept her way down the stairs with Steve's help. Our neighbor was in the kitchen getting instructions on what to do with Elliott and Rosemary during the morning. Alina settled in to the living room on hands and knees for breathing through surges, resting her head on the ottoman. The hot flashes were rough since Alina had clothes on. Alina stood up and had a very strong surge, feeling the baby’s head “settle” very low along with an accompanying gush of fluid. This snapped Alina out of her inward focus and she said very commandingly “We need to leave now” and headed for the car.
And so, we settled into the car and headed for the hospital which is normally a 40 min drive without heavy traffic. Alina had visualized and even practiced breathing through surges in the car since last time with Rosemary’s birth the car shook up her concentration. This time Alina was in a reclined position. Alina rolled the window down half-way and could feel the cool breeze. Steve started into a wonderful hypnobirthing coaching stream of words. He had the GPS turned on to guide us. Steve said things like “your body is doing a natural process. Your baby is coming”.... “breathe in peace and relaxation”. And other things, too. Alina's initial surges in the car felt actually lighter and more gentle than in the house. (hindsight comment: Alina was probably completely dialated and her body was preparing the birth canal)
On the Way to the Hospital
The first half of the car ride Alina continued to breathe through the surges, vocalizing, and listening to Steve. We have talked about this period and Steve said the surges were about 3-4 min apart. Halfway through the car ride the baby started moving down the birth canal. According to Steve my surges started one on top of another and he started driving really really fast.
The first half of the car ride Alina continued to breathe through the surges, vocalizing, and listening to Steve. We have talked about this period and Steve said the surges were about 3-4 min apart. Halfway through the car ride the baby started moving down the birth canal. According to Steve my surges started one on top of another and he started driving really really fast.
Meanwhile Alina totally entered the birthing body and again this is one of those really amazing points in Alina's memory of this brith.
Alina's comments: "I felt Gretchen moving down the birth canal, I felt her kicking and I felt the pressure and expansion. It almost made me gag a little bit. Steve continued his birthing coaching which included comments such as “your baby is coming today” and my conscious brain tried to slide into my inward-focused state and raise the alarm. The baby was DEFINITELY COMING. As in right now. I think I may have squeezed out a few “how close are we?” then I started trying to say “The baby is coming” and Steve would say “I know, the baby is coming today, we’re going to meet the baby”.
I realized with my conscious brain that he didn’t really understand – the baby was COMING! I couldn’t say or do anything but keep riding my body, that’s the best way to describe it. I had my hands up on the handle on the roof and started raising my lower body. The surges came right on top of each other. At first I maintained my hypnobirthing state.
But my conscious brain kept trying to break through. I didn’t feel scared, I just wanted Steve to know the baby was really COMING. It seemed so odd that no one knew except me."
Almost at the Hospital
Talking to Steve later, he really didn’t think Alina was that close or that the baby was just about to arrive. He knew the surges had speeded up which was why he started driving so quickly. He started saying things like “we’re almost there” and we were… probably less than 10 min away.
At this point, Alina felt the ring of fire begin which is when the baby's head starts crowing. Alina remembered this sensation from Rosemary's birth and knew the baby’s head was right there.
At this point, Alina felt the ring of fire begin which is when the baby's head starts crowing. Alina remembered this sensation from Rosemary's birth and knew the baby’s head was right there.
Alina's comments: "This was the hardest part of my birth experience, those last 5 min in the car. Steve continued driving but tried to help me by tugging my pants down a little bit and unbuckling the seat belt. I continued hoisting myself up with both arms, holding the overhead handle. My birthing body had completely taken over. After about four surges… the baby was almost totally out. Amazingly, I did not push her out but just continued breathing, with Steve's coaching (who still didn't really understand the baby was out!) During the birthing, my body continuously moved the baby along the birth canal, almost in ripples. I could feel the baby sliding at the same time I felt the ring of fire. (hindsight comment: I think my position of hoisting myself but at a downward slope probably helped a lot due to gravity.)"
The Baby Arrives in the Car
Right before we arrived at the hospital Alina said clearly “The baby is in my pants” at which point Steve reached over and felt the baby's body. Alina had one last surge right at the moment where she completely emerged. Alina reached for the baby and picked her up while Steve loosened her umbilical cord. Alina placed the baby on her chest where the baby started gently crying. During these moments, Steve had pulled up at the ER.
Right before we arrived at the hospital Alina said clearly “The baby is in my pants” at which point Steve reached over and felt the baby's body. Alina had one last surge right at the moment where she completely emerged. Alina reached for the baby and picked her up while Steve loosened her umbilical cord. Alina placed the baby on her chest where the baby started gently crying. During these moments, Steve had pulled up at the ER.
Alina's comments: "For that one minute, the three of us were alone and it was amazing. I actually felt a rush of love and relief…. I heard her cry and I figured she was okay. I was literally speechless!"
At the Hospital
Now, the rest of the story is not as fun… giving birth in the car results in a less-than-desirable after birth experience at the hospital. Our doula ran to the door and opened it, putting a rush of cold air, making poor Gretchen scream and cry even harder. My doula seemed shocked to see the baby. She pulled off her shirt and put it on the baby for extra warmth. Next thing we know a bunch of ER people arrive and throw a warm blanket over the baby. The ER doc reassured Alina the “baby’s fine” and said other nice things. Big burly men including Steve lifted Alina and Grethcen from the car onto a gurney. Right at that moment, the afterbirth came out on to the gurney. Alina recalls looking up at the sky and thinking “The placenta came out under the sky”.
Now, the rest of the story is not as fun… giving birth in the car results in a less-than-desirable after birth experience at the hospital. Our doula ran to the door and opened it, putting a rush of cold air, making poor Gretchen scream and cry even harder. My doula seemed shocked to see the baby. She pulled off her shirt and put it on the baby for extra warmth. Next thing we know a bunch of ER people arrive and throw a warm blanket over the baby. The ER doc reassured Alina the “baby’s fine” and said other nice things. Big burly men including Steve lifted Alina and Grethcen from the car onto a gurney. Right at that moment, the afterbirth came out on to the gurney. Alina recalls looking up at the sky and thinking “The placenta came out under the sky”.
After entering the ER, the cord was cut and we were able to see for the first time -- It's a GIRL! We announced her name to be Gretchen. Our newest baby girl assessed fine and healthy. Luckily our midwife arrived and told everyone we would take the baby upstairs to Labor and Delivery. The baby was returned to Alina and we continued to Labor & Delivery where Gretchen was weighed, Alina was stitched up (e.g. first degree tears) and our photographer arrived to take some great bonding & nursing photos.
A few questions we have had:
1) Is the car okay? Yes - although we both lost our favorite pillows which were in the front seat at the time of the birth.
2) Do you still have to pay for a hospital birth even though she was born in the car? Yes.
3) What location is on the birth certificate? The hospital's address is listed but Alina is listed as the attendant.
4) Did Elliott and Rosemary wake up? No, they slept during our time at home and then later spent the weekend with friends.
