Quick 1st Labor - No Medications, No Doctor

by Brook
(San Diego, CA)

My husband and I utilized the Bradley Natural Childbirth method to give birth to our daughter.

We both were in agreement that drugs and medication were not for us nor for the health of our baby.

We did lots of preparation and studying so I felt REALLY ready for what was going to take place.

Although I didn't know that things were go as they did. I did start seeing a chiropractor twice a week, 6 weeks before my due date. So I credit the quick labor to my body being in optimal shape and alignment.

Here is my story: My labor progressed so fast that I couldn't imagine it any other way. Around 1:30am on 4/22 I started to get contractions that were progressively getting stronger but nothing too consistent. It was very difficult timing them because some where coming every 5 mins and others every 10 mins.

I was determined to stay home as long as possible so I worked through each one and occupied myself in the wee hours of the morning by watching a movie.

Around 7:30am my mom and husband agreed that we should start heading out towards the hospital because of the strength and length of every contraction. When we got there and checked in I was only between 1.5 and 2cms dilated with a bulging bag of waters.

I was so discouraged because I thought that I was going to be at the hospital for hours before giving birth to my baby girl. We got settled in our room around 8am. I labored through each contraction there in any position that I could find comfort but it seemed as though none could be found. They were getting more intense and I was struggling to relax through them.

My mom, husband, and my good friend were AMAZING in their coaching abilities and worked to keep me on track. I got a hep lock put on so that I could have 30 mins of antibiotic treatment every 8 hours to treat the GBS.

My first treatment was at 10am. I got in the water tub around 11:20 am and was there for about another hour. My contractions were VERY strong at that point and I believed that I was only about 4 cm dilated at that point. The only relief from each contraction then was to push. I literally felt like I was going to use the bathroom in the tub. My first push in the tub, released lots of bloody discharge. My husband ran out and grabbed the nurse who came in and checked me. By this time it was 12:15 pm and I was 6 to 7cm dilated so I was told to get out.

I worked through one last contraction in the tub and got out. The bloody discharge apparently was my bag breaking because when I got checked it was no longer there. I contracted one last time standing up before getting in the bed. When I finally got in the bed and got checked again, I was at full dilation.

That was at 12:25pm. The nurse frantically called for the other nurses and started prepping for delivery. I pushed through a couple more contractions and my baby girl came out with flying colors and put to my skin right away at 12:37pm.

My doctor didn't even make it to the delivery. My cord was a bit too short so she couldn't reach the breast until the we cut the cord which we waited to do until it was done pulsating.

Immediately she started sucking and very strongly. It was amazing! My doctor made it in afterward she was already eating to check me and to give me a couple stitches for an internal tear. She said it was very small and no tearing on the outside which was GREAT!!! It was amazing how quickly I progressed. Everyone in the unit was surprised as well especially since it was my first. Because I didn't have the 4 hours of antibiotic treatment in my system before she came, they were concerned she might not be okay. After a little blood work on her later in the day, it was determined that all is well with her and I both. Healthy girl and no jaundice. Praise the Lord! I am so thankful God was in the midst of it all.