Birth Lessons Learned From 4 Deliveries

-- Stop going to the hospital so early so I can spend more time at home with the kids (the fire station is close; if I actually start to deliver at home, they’d be here within 5 minutes and would be able to handle a hemorrhage).

-- Stop having water broken to hurry things along because it hurts worse and makes me panic when transition comes.

-- Have my doula friend come next time.

-- Eat while I have the chance (and pack my own snacks) because I practically had to beg for Jell-O at the hospital.

-- Continue to trust my instincts when they say all will be well and keep up the positive thinking and praying.

Eva's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... December 2007

I am 36. Other 3 babies 1 week “early”; this one is a week “late.” Not sure if I’m in labor early morning, so call Mom anyway to come watch the kids. Snow starts on way to hospital. Slow progression, I can actually walk, listen to music without being annoyed. Start to finish = 7 hours, but not painful until water broken. No epidural. Time to push, oxygen mask, panic. Felt baby going back up after each push. Heard “vacuum extraction” and REALLY pushed. Got to check for myself: it’s another girl! Born 2 p.m., 7 pounds, 13 ounces.

Callie's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... February 2005

I am 33. Repeatedly pressured to induce. I keep saying no. I wake from a nap with my sons and have large blood clot. I call an ambulance and must leave my boys at home (not alone!). The EMT talks of C-section, but I know nothing is wrong. Sonogram says all is fine. Friend/doula helps us through the birth. Five hours of labor, not too painful, no epidural, no broken water, out in 3 pushes. Aron cut cord. I get to lift the baby’s leg and see that “it” is a girl! Born 10 p.m., 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

Michael's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... April 2003

I am 31 and in labor at 5 a.m.? To hospital to see. Yep. Mom and Joel went to the park when my first cuss word slipped out from pain. Want water broken? Yes, so I can hurry in case Joel needs me. Writhing around, no epidural, some Stadol. Saying, “help me.” HARD contractions – finally I say, “Need. To. Push.” Nurses never believe me. Pushed not long, seemed fast, all is well. Hard labor = 4 hours. Got to see for myself that “it” was another boy! I cut the cord. Born 2 p.m., 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Joel's Birth Story in 100 Words or Less ... June 2001

Some people dig reading birth stories — those who are pregnant and want to get prepared, those who have just given birth, those who just find birth fascinating. However, they can get a little lengthy. So here’s my 4-part series on short birth stories.

I am 30. In labor night before scheduled induction. Labor start to finish = 24 hours. Painful part – only 12. No epidural. Some Stadol — makes me feel drunk. Breathe in through nose, out through mouth for hours, concentrating on the rhythm. Broken water, catheter, lots of intervention. Pushing couple of hours in every position possible with no results. Finally I suggest vacuum extraction, and it’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Cord around his neck, blue, but all is well! I hemorrhaged, Pitocin needles in my hips, panic. Born 10 a.m., 7 pounds, 10 ounces.