They wanted an unmedicated birth, unless a complication occurred that would require interventions and /or epidural anesthesia. Having read through "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCuthcheon, they were well prepared and trusted Mom's body to respond to the labor process and work with it to welcome their "surprise" baby into the world.
But, oh, the waiting game...Just with walking, Braxton Hicks contractions and daily activities in the ninth month of pregnancy her cervix had begun to thin and dilate until the 39th week found her 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced (thinned out). Thinking any day regular contractions or spontaneous rupture of the membranes would bring on labor, they waitied,,,
"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born"...Ecc.3:1 & 2a. Can a pregnant woman be 4 centimeters dilated and not be in active labor? Yes, she can, and when labor does come her body is very ready to work with it.
Finally after having her membranes swept in the office and going for a massage, contractions came stronger and more regular. Unlike the false labor, Braxton Hicks contractions, true labor makes you hand the phone back to your husband when the nurse-midwife is asking how often the contractions are coming.
Upon arriving at the hospital with that serious "this is the real thing" look, she was put to bed for initial fetal heart rate monitoring and having her cervix checked between contractions, was found to be 6-7 centimeters dilated. With a reassuring FHR strip, the monitors were removed for 40 minutes and intermittant EFM was done throughout the remainder of her labor. Sips of apple juice, water, and ice provided fluid intake and a reassuring FHR did not require IV fluids to be started. Mom was free to change positions during labor which assists the fetus in doing its work of turning, flexing its head and navigating its way through the birth canal.
Mom was supported in a dimly lit labor/delivery/recovery room by her husband's kind and encouraging presence, her mom, one sister, mother-in-law and nurse-midwife. Her sister-in-law waited nearby and other relatives waited outside of the room. When a laboring woman's body is not altered by the effects of pain medication or an epidural, it knows how to self-direct pushing. The work of labor/pushing is off set by the wonderful breaks of rest between contractions.
Shortly after midnight a vigorous baby boy was welcomed into the world and placed on his mother's chest. Welcome to the world Henry! God has a special plan for you and has blessed you with a wonderful mommy and daddy.
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