THE LABOR AND DELIVERY

Spring Valley Hospital - Women's Center, Las Vegas, NV.

The hospital experience... a word of advice if you are planning on having a child, injured, or need assistance KEEP DRIVING and do not stop there is another hospital down the street.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009. I had pretty much given up on the idea that the baby would ever arrive. I had been visiting the doctor three times a week, and I had been having contractions since 20 weeks back in October.

I went to work, worked a full day, and went to get some tea at an organic cafe. I then arrived to school for class. I was a little uncomfortable, but never suspected the baby was on her way. I was sitting in class when the professor asked if I was okay. I was wearing jeans and figured she had dropped so my pants were slightly uncomfortable. I told her I felt a little tight and they asked if I could describe the sensation. One person said go to the hospital now. I decided to wait to see if the tightness was consistent or not. I would hate to go and be turned away. When I realized that the feeling was consistent the teacher recommended that I at least get checked out. I was concerned because my heart beat and blood pressure was rising. I left class and decided to drive myself to the hospital.

I got there and walked to the Women's Center, Maternity ward. I approached the admitting desk and they told me to sign in. I said, "I think I might be having contractions." I was calm and must not have looked like I was in any pain. I was very uncomfortable, but I realize now I have an EXTREMELY high tolerance to pain. I was told to have a seat and they would be with me in a moment. They asked me to fill out the OUT PATIENT paperwork. I was annoyed. I questioned their logic since I had already pre-registered. They said that since they probably were not going to keep me, they wanted to save the pre-registration for when I really was in labor.

Three different people arrived and were admitted before me. I was getting annoyed and the feeling was getting stronger. I went up to the desk and said, "I think I am in a lot of pain," she looked at me confused. Of course I could have been screaming and making a scene but what is the point of that... I calmly replied, "I am going to throw up, which a good indication I am in a lot of pain so if the nurse comes will you let her know where I am." I was taken to out patient waiting area and left to sit on a bed. They came to get my vitals and left a few times. They tried to get me to lie down. I was annoyed. Finally, they brought more paperwork and I was annoyed. I told the nurse I needed a bucket, and her response was once I finished the paperwork. I looked at her and said no NOW I am going to throw up. She just stood there, so I threw up all over her and the paperwork I didn't want to fill out.

I arrived at 7pm and 45 minutes later they realized I was 6cm dilated. They were in a slight panic calling my doctor. He yelled at them and told them I had a birth plan and to leave me alone. There would be NO drugs, NO epidural, NO interruptions, and that I knew exactly what I wanted. They of course were skeptical, and asked me to sign a waiver denying any pain medications to make sure I didn't want to change my mind. I was then told to walk around the hospital until they got me a room. I was taken to my room because I had to use the restroom and I decided I was not leaving my space.

I thought maybe if I stood things would be okay, as the pain got more intense I contemplated what I was doing. I did not realize I was in labor so I did not have anything except my purse. I finally called my parents and told my sister to catch a plane here. I was in my room by myself with time to reflect on my situation.

I found the nurses to be rather annoying. They kept trying to adjust me or push me down as if lying down was comfortable. When they would recommend something I would begin to try a different breath, posture, or pose and quickly end up right back where I was on my own. I found comfort in a yoga pose sitting on the bed in a meditative state. The nurses tried coming in to check on me to monitor my blood pressure, baby, etc. I was annoyed when they were trying to speak to me. I was 8 cm at this point. I explained quickly do not bother me on a contraction for I will breathe in this manner, and I will meditate on the off moments so little interruptions as possible is best. Finally, they left me alone.

I began with my breath. I knew this pain would only be temporary. I also know from my research and yoga back ground that the breath is the root to everything the body experiences. Take for example a screaming kid, as the breath becomes erratic the panic sets in; calm the breath and you calm the child. I also know that an extreme amount of energy is exerted through talking, screaming, and yelling, so I would not be doing anything of the sort.

I started with an Ujai breath to calm me as I tried to focus on my breath in the moments in between the contractions. I had 2-3 minutes to meditate and relax. Through the contractions I used the Ujai inhale counting during the inhalation and exhaled through the mouth with slightly parted lips and slowly exhaled the same count on the exhalation. The slower the breath the easier it was. I began with 4 breaths per contractions and soon got up to 5 and then 6 breaths per contraction. At 7cm the contractions subsided, which I was not sure if that was my peaceful state or my body.

I have never had such peaceful moments as the moments in between the contractions. It was as if the whole world was rested upon my body and in the 2-3 minutes between everything was released. I felt peace and comfort using my breath for calming. I thought the contractions would be constant without a break, what a surprise to realize I got to have a break between these painful moments. At 9cm the nurse wanted to break my water. My water was holding everything together so that the contractions were less intense. I said NO. The doctor arrived and they realized the baby was face up instead of down. My water was broke and the baby had to be flipped face down. It sounds horrific but was nothing compared to the contractions. Then she slid down, and suddenly it went from my bones being pushed apart to an extreme amount of pressure as if I was constipated.

At 10:45pm I was told to begin pushing and at 11:15pm baby was born. The birthing part scares so many individuals, which was nothing compared to the contractions. If you make it through the contractions the rest is a relief. She had a bowel movement and respiratory was there immediately to monitor her.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11:15pm baby was born. I did not scream, yell, or moan. I remained calm while she was born with the lights dim. The nurses were amazed that I did not even make a sound. My family arrived and were in the room with me when we heard the patient that was admitted prior to me screaming because she was at 4cm. I was shocked. I did not believe I was doing anything extreme or different since I did not take any birthing classes or coaching lessons I really did not know what to expect.

I was then showed the placenta. I was shocked. I had no idea the concept behind the placenta and what the body does. It sounds simple, but really is not. A large sack that holds the baby. It was full of blood, clots and a large piece that looked like a large liver. It held the baby and came out right after she did. It was rather disgusting.