Josiah's Birth Story-Part 1

Surprisingly, it took us awhile to decide if we really wanted to have a fourth child. Were we ready to go through another pregnancy? Were we ready for all the newborn phase entails? Were we prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to provide for another child? The answer to all of them was yes because we knew that it would only be really difficult for a time. It was another season of life to work through. We recognized that our doubts were mainly selfish reasons. God would provide whatever we needed. The biggest question we kept coming back to was: Do we honestly feel that our family is complete? The answer we both had was: No.

We conceived right after Isaiah turned 2 years old. I was sick again. I wasn't homeschooling anymore and we lived 30 minutes away from the school. It was hard to drive the kids to school every morning while I was feeling so nauseous. Even though I had managed to make it through 3 pregnancies without medication, I knew I would have to do something this time. I had 3 other kids to take care of and my husband was working and going to school full time. I couldn't function without some help.

My doctor suggested I start by taking Unisom. It helps curb some of the nausea and would help me sleep. It didn't completely eliminate my morning sickness, but it helped enough that I could do what needed to be done.

We traveled by car for Thanksgiving. It was a long drive to Utah. Tim did all the driving because I felt too sick to drive. I did some black friday shopping with my cousins. It was rough, but I managed. :)

I felt sick for most of the pregnancy. I didn't get much relief from the nausea. I usually feel pretty good during the fifth or sixth month. I think my body just had a lot to deal with this time around.

Right before we found out I was pregnant, one of Isaiah's doctors referred us to a pediatric cardiologist. We knew he had a heart murmur, but she heard something else. We took him in and they did an echo. We found out that he has aortic stenosis with a dilated aorta. The cardiologist was surprised that our doctor heard the clicking noise and referred us. Most doctors aren't trained to hear it, so most people don't discover they have it until they are around 10 years old and other symptoms arise. We are so very thankful for our awesome pulmonologist who heard it and God's hand over it all!

Aortic stenosis is usually genetic so we needed to keep an eye on our baby's heart in case this one had it too. This meant that I would have several ultrasounds from a specialist throughout the pregnancy. The doctor couldn't see everything he needed to see because the baby wasn't cooperating. (Was this a sign of things to come?) After a couple more ultrasounds the doctor was concerned that there was a problem with the baby's heart. We came back for another ultrasound and everything looked ok. He thinks what he was seeing is pretty common, but most women don't have ultrasounds looking at their baby's heart and so the way the valves were forming was questionable. God knew all along and was taking care of our baby as we were trusting in Him.

I didn't want to find out the gender of the baby this time either, but again, Tim wanted to know. We found out we were having another boy! Wow, 3 boys and a girl! I was hoping for another girl so we'd have 2 of each. Mikaela cried when we told her we were having another boy. She really, REALLY wanted a sister. Well, God had other plans for our family! She is still hoping to have a sister someday if we adopt. Elijah was also hoping for a sister too, but for different reasons. He wanted our family to be even with 3 girls and 3 boys. Oh well!

Everything was going well with the preparation of my first natural birth. I had read everything I could read. Sought encouragement from those who had done it before or who were on the same path. I was even doing the exercises I was supposed to do (to strengthen and get ready for labor, but also to try and turn the baby around so I wouldn't have back labor again). We had a private session with a Bradley instructor. We met with my doula. All that was left to do was pray and trust that God had it all under control.

I was hoping the extra strain of caring for 3 kids and Tim working and going to school would cause this baby to come a little early. However, the trend of my other births didn't show much promise. My first was born at 38 weeks. My second at 39 weeks. My third was on his due date. Surely he wouldn't wait that long!

I had been having contractions (Braxton Hicks) for almost the entire third trimester. As 38 weeks approached, I knew it could turn into labor at any time. Then 39 weeks came and I began to worry that I was going to be forced into induction. I REALLY wanted my last labor and delivery to be completely natural.

My doctor had asked if I wanted to schedule an induction. I said no. At 40 weeks, my doctor asked one last time. He said he was going to be on vacation the following week and if I wanted him to deliver, I would have to be induced. Having him deliver baby #3 was SO important to me. This time, however, having a natural birth was more important to me. He scheduled an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid level and ordered a non-stress test. If those came back ok, he would allow me to keep waiting for baby to come on his own.

On Wednesday, July 27th, Tim and I went in for the testing. The ultrasound showed that he was doing great and the fluid level was just fine. The non-stress test showed that I was having regular contractions 4 minutes apart. Baby was doing great and it looked as though he would be making his appearance very soon! I was the last appointment of the day so after the testing, the nurses walked out with us to go home. In the elevator, they joked that I should go get a good dinner because I was probably going to deliver that night. I was excited and hopeful. Well, the contractions eventually slowed down. I continued to have regular contractions that would start and stop. I just couldn't believe I was still pregnant. I was 41 weeks!

The next morning I laid in bed crying. Tim and I prayed and I tried not to worry. Later that morning we went to my appointment. Since my doctor was out of town, I saw one of the nurse practitioners. She checked me and I was almost 4 cm dilated and my bag of water was bulging through the cervix. Good news overall. After checking me she told me I could go straight to the hospital and they would break my water. She was completely shocked when I said no. I told her I wanted a natural birth and wanted baby to come on his own. It's funny because she didn't know what to say. She ended up saying she would have to go consult with one of the doctors to see if they would "let" me go home. She came back and said the doctor said we could go home because he didn't think I'd last the weekend. But, if I was still pregnant on Monday, I would have to be induced.

I was already 8 days past my estimated due date! When would this baby come?!

Josiah's Birth Story Part 2

A Change of Heart-Part 3 of 3

I learned quite a bit from these films, my books and the childbirth class. First, the c-section rate in this country has and continues to skyrocket. (Remember my main motivation for doing all of this was to avoid a c-section, if at all possible.) Also, women who want to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) are being told no more and more often. For the most part, it's not because it isn't possible. Plenty of women have very successful VBAC's. Many doctors don't want to take the risk and it is much easier/convenient for everyone (or so we're told) to just keep having c-sections. 

Now, I realize there are definitely situations that arise where a c-section is absolutely necessary. And thank God we have medical advancements that allow doctors to save us and our babies! However, we've become a culture of convenience, including childbirth. You pick the date you want your baby born and you've got it.

Personally, I believe God designed our bodies to go into labor when the baby is ready. Not when the doctor thinks the baby is ready. (God really tested me with baby #4!) Of course there are exceptions. Our bodies do not always function the way God intended. But, we've become a society that has made it the rule.

The second bit of information I learned from the films and books was how Pitocin and Cytotec work. Pitocin is a synthetic drug given via IV to induce labor and/or get contractions regulated. The contractions are much stronger than normal contractions and cause added stress to the baby. This is another reason why a lot births end up in an emergency c-section.

Cytotec, also known as Misoprostol, is another drug used to induce labor. It is much less expensive than Pitocin and works better to induce labor because it also causes the cervix to thin out. Sometimes the two drugs are used together if the cervix hasn't changed. Cytotec is in a pill form so it is given by being inserted vaginally. 

What I didn't know is that Cytotec is NOT approved for labor induction. Its intended use is for the prevention of ulcers. The manufacturer warns that it should not be used on pregnant women because it could induce labor. Since it is a less expensive drug, physicians started using Cytotec "off label" to induce labor. 

The result? Women and babies have died because Cytotec can cause uterine ruptures and a doubled risk of amniotic fluid embolism. Because it is being used "off label" and is in a pill form, the physicians guess the dosage. Generally, the dose is half a pill. The manufacturer wrote a letter to warn against this "off label" use, but The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists doesn't think there is enough evidence to support discontinuing its use for labor induction.

If you've read the birth story of baby #2, then you know I was given Cytotec because my contractions slowed down after I received an epidural. Nobody told me the risks of this drug. I trusted my doctor to do what was best for me and my baby. 7 years later, I chose to take control of my childbirth experience and learned a lot more than I thought I would.

Ladies, we've given up our power. We're not very educated about one of the most important decisions of our lives. We go along with whatever our doctor suggests because they know best, right? I would encourage you to do some research and find a doctor or midwife who is willing to listen to you and help you experience the best childbirth possible.

Childbirth was intended to be an amazing, miraculous experience. Instead it's filled with horror stories. The end result is a precious baby. I wanted to experience an amazing childbirth in the process too...and let me tell you, it was truly amazing and rewarding! I will be sharing his birth story soon!