Longer Second Labor, Drug Free

By Laura

It took many months to conceive our first child, a darling little girl, so when she turned 1 year old we thought it was time to start working on No. 2. My periods were erratic and I had not had one in months, so my doctor suggested blood tests and an exam. With my results in hand he asked how I had been feeling: tired, a bit nauseous (missed lunch), otherwise fine for the mother of a toddler. When he announced that we would be busier in spring we were thrilled.

At first I was given the due date of May 4, but when I started feeling movement earlier than expected, I had an ultrasound. My due date was changed to March 20, and the technician thought we were having a boy. This baby sure loved to rock and roll, and the time flew by quickly.

My due date was the first day of spring. It was a beautiful day in Chicagoland, and I planned to clean up the flower beds for the newly sprouted tulips. At 10 a.m. my sister-in-law called to see if there was any action, as my daughter was born on her due date. We chatted and laughed about the likelihood of that happening again! I was in a room without a clock and periodically asked her what time it was – every eight minutes. It didn't take long for us to realize that someone wanted to make an appearance.

While the contractions were mild I gave my daughter lunch, called my husband at work and called the doctor. Since I had a short first labor (five hours total) he wanted me to come to the hospital soon. My husband works downtown, commuting by train; he wouldn't be home for two hours. When I called my mother-in-law to watch my daughter she said that my husband's brother (a nurse at a different hospital) could take me.

My brother-in-law had worked 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and attended classes all morning. He was tired and hungry but happy to help. On the way to the hospital we were waiting for a red light. Someone from a newly opened restaurant gave him a menu and, to our surprise, a sample slice of pizza. We laughed so hard about this scenario. We arrived at the hospital at 2 p.m. I sent my brother-in-law home, as I knew my husband would be there soon.

Upon exam I was 3 or 4 centimeters dilated and 80 percent effaced. My OB and the resident offered pain medication, but I walked the halls using Lamaze breathing.

At 3 p.m. the doctor ruptured my membranes and started the internal fetal monitor and IV. By 5 p.m. contractions were three to four minutes apart, lasting 90 seconds. I was 6 centimeters and 100 percent effaced – I worked to keep in control and clung to my focal point with each breath.

At 7 p.m. I was still at 6 centimeters despite contractions that were off the charts and changing my position often. My doctor wanted to start Pitocin. I urged him to wait. The resident could not believe that I still didn't want pain medication. He said he had never had a patient labor without medication. I was given one hour to progress or Pitocin would be started.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. I entered an almost trance-like state, riding the contractions, breathing and remaining focused. When the doctor heard my breathing change at 8:15 p.m. he knew it was show time and confirmed that I was complete. I pushed (which felt so good) just a few times. The baby's head was born in one push, and on the next push the rest of his body shot out. The doctor said that he felt like Johnny Bench catching a big baseball.

Our little rocket was born on 8:25 p.m., March 20 (the due date). Christopher James was 20 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 15 1/2 ounces. He stayed in the hospital until he was a week old due to jaundice but was otherwise healthy.

Chris is now a 6-foot tall, 17-year-old honor student and learning to pilot a plane. He still likes to rock and roll, and we love him and his three sisters dearly.