Nancy had been waiting patiently for labor to begin. She was nearly 41 weeks at her appointment. Baby was fine. Nancy was 1 cm and 80% effaced, but her blood pressure was elevated. She was directed to go over to the hospital for a non stress test.
At 11:45 in Triage, it was determined that Nancy probably had Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Another check showed she had moved to 2 cm. Nancy agreed to an induction. But, while she waited for a labor room, she started having contractions. The longer she waited the more contractions she had. By 2:30 the pattern was every 5-10 minutes. She was managing fine while she waited for Matt to come and join her.
It wasn't till 4:15 that Nancy finally got admitted to a room. Julie and Kara were her nurses and the contractions had progressed to every three minutes, lasting 30-40 seconds. They were getting stronger and stopping her in her tracks. She ate a hospital lunch while she continued to wait for her husband to come.
At 4:50, the midwife's check found Nancy was 4 cm. They discussed whether to induce by starting Pitocin or artificially rupturing her membranes. Nancy called her doula and after some dialogue decided to wait on starting any interventions. She also asked her doula to join her.
An IV was placed for antibiotics. Nancy was sitting at the bedside. The intensity of the contractions had become quite challenging. Around 5:30 she moved to standing and holding onto Matt. They rocked through contactions. After a bit she moved to sitting on the birth ball, holding Matt's hands while her doula squeezed her hips.
Nancy began communicating that she felt the contractions were just too strong - that she couldn't do it without medication. She said she thought she wanted some narcotics. Matt reminded her how fast things might be going and tried to impart confidence to her. Nancy agreed to try a hands and knees position, over the ball on the bed and kept on going.
Shortly before 6 pm Nancy noted some leaking and it was determined that her fluids had released. It was just after that, Julie came in with the midwife's request to artificially rupture membranes! It seemed every time an intervention was suggested, Nancy's body progressed in a way that made the intervention unnecessary!
As labor progressed the intensity increased. The hands and knees position was helpful, along with hip squeezes, counter pressure and back massaging by her doula. Matt massaged her shoulders. As the low pressure increased, Nancy focused on blow/breathing with Matt. A discussion about her short pushing phase with her first baby impressed the nurses. Julie wanted to be informed as soon as Nancy felt pushy. Shortly after Julie walked out of the room, Nancy felt that strong pushing urge.
Julie was summoned. Her check found Nancy completely dilated at 6:30. She started pushing at 6:32. Nancy was a very strong pusher and within fourteen minutes she was birthing her baby. Little Aubrey was born at 6:46 pm!