Moanna’s Birth Story – Part 1

I’ve been hesitant about it, but I’ve known for a long time that I need to write about Moanna’s birth. For therapeutic reasons, to get it on paper (or screen) and out of my system, to learn and grow from it, the time has come. Since my third trimester began with Deuce, I’ve felt the need start facing a lot of things that I’ve been pushing to the back of my mind. Moanna’s birth is one of those things.

Before we get started, a little disclaimer. First, the ultimate goal and desire for any birth is a healthy baby and mommy. That is what we got with Moanna, and for that we are eternally grateful. Second, birth stories, plans, expectations, wishes, etc. are deeply personal and unique to each birth. What I want for birthing my babies is based on who I am and what I feel is best for me and my babies. What you want for your birthing experiences is likely to be different from mine, and that’s the way birth was designed. So, please be kind and open minded to my story, thoughts and feelings. And please, please give the same kindness to the stories, feelings and thoughts that others may wish to share about their experiences.

Let’s begin…

Moanna was a big surprise in our lives. We were not at all in a position to have a baby. We didn’t have the finances, insurance, home, recourses and so on to support a baby. I was in my last year of school, we both had college kid jobs, we had a roommate. We were enjoying finally being old enough to hang out at bars and clubs, spend time with friends and have life be 100% about us. As individuals we were not ready for parenthood, and as a couple our relationship wasn’t ready for a baby. Totally not the right time in our lives for children.

However, the minute we knew we were having a baby it worked. It was perfect for us. We were both excited and thrilled. We still didn’t have the resources we needed or wanted to begin a family, but everything else fell perfectly into place. Quickly we began dreaming about our future together with a little family and making plans to do our best with the blessings life had given us.

Early into our planning, I told Steve that I wanted to have a natural birth. I didn’t want drugs or interventions of any kind. I hadn’t done a lot of research on birth options, but for whatever reasons I knew that a natural birth was important to me. Steve knowing ZERO about babies and even less about birth, was on board with what I wanted. As long as it was what I wanted and Moanna and I were safe, he was into it.

We told our doctor about our wishes, and he was OK with it. He made a comment about how all first time moms want to have a natural labor but they quickly change their minds and in following births ask for drugs before the pain even begins. Despite his warning comments, he agreed to keep things natural as long as we were both doing well. We told some of our friends and family about our plans. Some of them were totally into it. Some were like “better you than me.” Then there were the ones that were like, “Are you insane? Why would you choose to be in pain? ”

We brushed off the naysayers and forged ahead. We attended the childbirth class at the hospital we would be delivering at, but other than that we didn’t really dig into what to expect and how to handle a drug free birth.  Our “birth plan” was to have a drug free, intervention free birth, but that we were open to the fact that things may not go that way and Moanna may have other plans.

I graduated from Virginia Tech Mother’s Day weekend, and within a week started working. I couldn’t sit at home and wait for Moanna to arrive. I needed to be active and distracted, so I went back to waiting tables at the restaurant I worked at in high school. I told my boss that I felt great and would work until I popped. When I told him that, I didn’t realize I would literally work until I popped.

It was the end of a long busy weekend at the restaurant, and I was starting to do my closing work while I waited for my last tables to finish up. It was about 8:00PM, and I was standing at the counter cleaning up condiment bottles. Without warning, my water broke. I was calm and relaxed about the situation. I went to the bathroom to fix myself up and more water gushed out. I told my coworkers what had happened, and they all freaked out. We’re talking screams, shrieks,  the whole nine. Not a single person in the restaurant was oblivious to the fact that I was in labor. I had to tell them to chill out and fix me something to eat because I was starving and knew that my opportunity to eat would quickly disappear when I got to the hospital.

I called Steve and informed him that “it was time”. He was playing video games with my little brothers when I called. He claims that he immediately turned off the Xbox and loaded up the car, but I’m not so sure he didn’t get to a save point first. I wanted to drive myself home because it was on the way to the hospital and I could change and shower, but Steve wouldn’t have it. I waited at the restaurant for Steve and ate the food I had demanded. Since my loving and freaked out coworkers had informed the entire city of Lexington that my water broke, every single guest in the restaurant wanted to say goodbye and good luck before they left. It was sweet of them, but I really wanted to stuff my fat laboring face in peace.

Steve finally arrived, I changed into some fresh clothes that Steve had brought from home and we were off to the hospital. The drive took about an hour and a half, but it flew by. It was Sunday evening so we were one of the only cars on the road. We talked about the adventure that was about to begin and tried to contain our excitement. About half way there, contractions began. Nothing serious, but it they were there and I could feel them progressing in intensity as we approached the hospital.

Continued in Part 2…

Prev Post -> Ta-Da Lists Next Post -> Moanna’s Birth Story – Part 2: Coke and Narcotics