It started on Tuesday, the 24th, 2. in the evening, when a little water leaked during my perineal massage. At first I wasn’t sure whether I’d just leaked a bit, but every now and then a little more clear fluid would come out. Since I couldn’t reach “my midwife” by phone, and because I was quite tired, we decided to go to sleep and see what happened overnight. After all, the maternity hospital is 3 minutes away.
When I went to the bathroom at 2 a.m., it happened again. I woke Gregor and we got everything ready for the maternity hospital. Since my waters hadn’t fully broken, I didn’t lie down on my side, but started “packing.” Although, to be honest, I thought it was a false alarm. Around 3 a.m. we arrived at the maternity hospital, where they examined me and found I was 1–2 cm dilated, but the membranes hadn’t ruptured. Then they put me on CTG, which was “borderline” (I’m not exactly sure why). I could have gone home, but at my own risk, so we decided I’d stay at the maternity hospital.
I chose room 6 (all rooms were free), changed, and the midwife put the CTG on again, which showed mild contractions. I’d been feeling those myself for about 3 weeks, but I didn’t know they were contractions—I more had the feeling that the little one was “pushing down.” Grega then went home (as we’d agreed), since I still thought I’d be able to go home myself in a few hours. I tried to get some sleep, called Nastja (the midwife) and told her I was waiting for her in room 6, took homeopathy, prepared essential oil, etc… Of course, I couldn’t sleep. After a while the midwife disconnected me from the CTG, and I could go to the bathroom and take a little walk, which felt really good.
At 7 a.m. Nastja arrived and told me she probably wouldn’t be able to be with me. I immediately called Gregor and panicked, but luckily she arranged to stay in the delivery rooms and support me during birth. After the second vaginal exam, a bit more amniotic fluid leaked, I had a couple of contractions, and then nothing again. At 9 a.m. we decided to rupture the membranes. Again a few stronger contractions and then calm. Dr. Gostenčik came to see me, stimulated acupuncture points, and said I also had the option of an epidural if I needed it. After that, again a few contractions and then calm. Altogether it wasn’t enough for things to really get going. I was about 3 cm dilated, and the contractions were irregular and weak. So we waited until 12 p.m., when they gave me the ultimatum. If I wanted an epidural, then induced contractions immediately; otherwise, no later than in 1 hour. I asked for 15 minutes so Gregor and I could talk, and we decided to start induced contractions right away, and I’d decide about the epidural once I saw how it went. The first doses of induced contractions were OK. The hardest part was when I was lying down, a bit easier when I was on the stool. All the tubes really bothered me, because I wanted to rest my head on my hands but just couldn’t manage it. You can handle a contraction much more easily if you can get into a position that feels right in that moment. I buried my face in a wet (cold) towel and leaned on Gregor. Then I went on my knees for a bit, then on the stool, etc. All of it was made harder by the “wiring,” and sometimes it took too long.
When regular, strong contractions started (8 cm dilated), I asked for an epidural, but it still took about 15 minutes. (I don’t know who would have turned it down at that moment if it was offered.) During placement I had the most intense contractions, and I had to sit with my back rounded and my head on my chest—awful. When she placed the catheter and inserted the needle the first time, I jerked, which can of course be “fatal,” so there was a big panic. I got through about 3–4 contractions in that position, and I have to say it was really rough. When the epidural was in, Gregor felt sick and went out for some air. (I totally understand him—I would have gone too.) Nastja (the midwife) had to go to admissions and said I should breathe through it nicely and call as soon as I started feeling the urge to push. She’d barely closed the door when the pushing urges started, and unlike the previous contractions, they were “pleasant.”
Within half an hour our little girl came into the world and cried right away. I gave birth on my side and got through it without stitches or injuries (100000x thanks to midwife Nastja!!!).
Throughout labour I ate (pressed fruit bars) and drank, and moved as much as the situation allowed. I spent 12 hours in the delivery room, and the actual labour lasted 6 hours (from rupturing the membranes to birth).
Our Ilona was born, 48 cm long and weighing 3,150 g.With a supportive partner and a midwife you can trust, birth really is a beautiful experience (or a test). Even if it takes its own, unplanned path.
Now our little one is already 1 week old. Every day is a new challenge, and parenting really isn’t easy. Especially for me, because I’d like to have a “recipe” and a “schedule,” but with babies there obviously isn’t one. We’re figuring out breastfeeding, sleep, diaper changes, etc. Luckily it gets easier every day, and Dad is the perfect counterbalance to a worried mom.
