Malia's Birth Story
Date of Birth: August 14, 2010
Time of Birth: 3:45AM
Weight: 7lbs 5oz
Height: 21 inches
Head Circumference: 14 inches
Hadley and I were playing in her room getting ready for bed Friday night at 8:15. As I stood up from the floor to read her a story, I felt a small amount of fluid rush out. I thought my water might be leaking, but I wasn’t sure. I finished putting Hadley to bed, and then went to the bathroom. I had soaked through my pants, but there wasn’t any more fluid leaking. I told Gideon so he would know what was going on, and then I went downstairs to watch some TV and relax.
An hour later at 9:15, I started having regular contractions that were 6-7 minutes apart. About 30 minutes later, the contractions were getting stronger and were about 5-6 minutes apart. I updated Gideon and called Nicky to make sure she would be available to watch Hadley that night if needed.
At 10:00, I finished packing my hospital bag and Hadley’s bag. After showering, I tried to sleep but the contractions were much worse while I was lying down. I went downstairs to bounce on the ball and monitor my contractions with Contraction Master, which were now about 4-5 minutes apart. My contractions quickly jumped to 3-4 minutes apart and at 12:45 I told Gideon it was time to call Nicky and head to the hospital.
At 1:00AM, while waiting for Nicky, I was leaning against the kitchen counter through a contraction and my water broke. While I was changing, Nicky got there and we left for the hospital. I had to stop at the ER triage and was then walked to L&D. The nurse said they needed to hook me up to the monitors for about 20 minutes. After getting hooked up, I told her about my birth plan, which she printed off.
The monitors were not on very well so every time I had a contraction the monitors would shift, losing Malia’s heart rate. I was moved into my room with the monitors still on. After having the monitors on for about 45 minutes, I asked to have them removed at 2:30AM. I found the most comfortable position to be sitting on the ball, leaning against the bed during contractions.
At 3:00, a new nurse, Denise, came on shift. I asked when Dr. Knowlton would be coming in and was told that he would probably not be in until morning. I asked Denise to check me, just so I had an idea of where I was. I was 6 cm dilated and very posterior, so I asked to have the tub filled. At this point my contractions were very intense and coming quickly, but not lasting for very long. Dr. Knowlton happened to stop into the hospital, and came by my room.
It took about 20 minutes for the tub to fill. I was only in the tub for 2 or 3 contractions when I felt a lot of pressure and knew I needed to push. Only Gideon and I were in the room, so we pulled the Emergency cord and immediately Denise, Bonnie (second nurse), and Dr. Knowlton came in. When I told them what I felt, Dr. Knowlton asked if I wanted to stay in the tub or get out. I was very hot and having a hard time finding a position in the tub that I liked so I got out.
I got on the bed, which they raised into a sitting position. Dr. Knowlton told me I could push whenever I wanted. After only 3 or 4 pushes her head was delivered and another push I was able to reach down and help deliver her. She was placed on my chest for skin to skin contact where she stayed for almost an hour. She stayed in the room to be measured and her first bath, and then Gideon got to hold her.
From first contraction to delivery was only 6.5 hours; I went from 6cm to 10cm in 30 minutes, and I only pushed 5 or 6 times. It was a great experience ending with an amazing, beautiful little girl.
Time of Birth: 3:45AM
Weight: 7lbs 5oz
Height: 21 inches
Head Circumference: 14 inches
Hadley and I were playing in her room getting ready for bed Friday night at 8:15. As I stood up from the floor to read her a story, I felt a small amount of fluid rush out. I thought my water might be leaking, but I wasn’t sure. I finished putting Hadley to bed, and then went to the bathroom. I had soaked through my pants, but there wasn’t any more fluid leaking. I told Gideon so he would know what was going on, and then I went downstairs to watch some TV and relax.
An hour later at 9:15, I started having regular contractions that were 6-7 minutes apart. About 30 minutes later, the contractions were getting stronger and were about 5-6 minutes apart. I updated Gideon and called Nicky to make sure she would be available to watch Hadley that night if needed.
At 10:00, I finished packing my hospital bag and Hadley’s bag. After showering, I tried to sleep but the contractions were much worse while I was lying down. I went downstairs to bounce on the ball and monitor my contractions with Contraction Master, which were now about 4-5 minutes apart. My contractions quickly jumped to 3-4 minutes apart and at 12:45 I told Gideon it was time to call Nicky and head to the hospital.
At 1:00AM, while waiting for Nicky, I was leaning against the kitchen counter through a contraction and my water broke. While I was changing, Nicky got there and we left for the hospital. I had to stop at the ER triage and was then walked to L&D. The nurse said they needed to hook me up to the monitors for about 20 minutes. After getting hooked up, I told her about my birth plan, which she printed off.
The monitors were not on very well so every time I had a contraction the monitors would shift, losing Malia’s heart rate. I was moved into my room with the monitors still on. After having the monitors on for about 45 minutes, I asked to have them removed at 2:30AM. I found the most comfortable position to be sitting on the ball, leaning against the bed during contractions.
At 3:00, a new nurse, Denise, came on shift. I asked when Dr. Knowlton would be coming in and was told that he would probably not be in until morning. I asked Denise to check me, just so I had an idea of where I was. I was 6 cm dilated and very posterior, so I asked to have the tub filled. At this point my contractions were very intense and coming quickly, but not lasting for very long. Dr. Knowlton happened to stop into the hospital, and came by my room.
It took about 20 minutes for the tub to fill. I was only in the tub for 2 or 3 contractions when I felt a lot of pressure and knew I needed to push. Only Gideon and I were in the room, so we pulled the Emergency cord and immediately Denise, Bonnie (second nurse), and Dr. Knowlton came in. When I told them what I felt, Dr. Knowlton asked if I wanted to stay in the tub or get out. I was very hot and having a hard time finding a position in the tub that I liked so I got out.
I got on the bed, which they raised into a sitting position. Dr. Knowlton told me I could push whenever I wanted. After only 3 or 4 pushes her head was delivered and another push I was able to reach down and help deliver her. She was placed on my chest for skin to skin contact where she stayed for almost an hour. She stayed in the room to be measured and her first bath, and then Gideon got to hold her.
From first contraction to delivery was only 6.5 hours; I went from 6cm to 10cm in 30 minutes, and I only pushed 5 or 6 times. It was a great experience ending with an amazing, beautiful little girl.
Just Born
Getting measured
Hadley meeting Malia
Coming to bring Malia home
Going home
posted by Melissa at
11:50 AM
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