Victoria Midwifery Care - Deanna Wildeman, Registered Midwife

Birth Stories

Astra ~ Beth ~ Elizabeth ~ Heather ~ Jane ~ Jennifer ~ Jessica
Josie ~ Kristine ~ Marlee ~ Marlene ~ Melanie ~ Shannan

ANITA C - THE SEQUEL

In November of 2003, we decided it was time to start trying for another child. We conceived shortly after and knew that we wanted to be under Deanna’s competent care again. We decided to leave the sex of the baby as a surprise. The baby’s estimated due date was August 28th, 2004.

We discovered that this baby’s position in utero, was occipito posterior (head down, but facing outwards toward my belly button, instead of my spine). My first child, Theo was the same way, which would mean back labour again for me!

Two days before baby arrived, Deanna tried to do a cervical sweep, but couldn’t reach it. At the time, my cervix was soft. On Aug 28th, another cervical sweep was attempted. I expected to see some early signs of labour shortly after – bloody mucous, loose stool…but nothing happened. At around 11 pm, I had a shower and then started having contractions which I thought were just cramps until they started coming regularly and then I decided I had better time them! From 12:30 am onward, the contractions were 10 min apart, so I woke Paul to tell him.

Paul called my mom to come and watch Theo, then he called Deanna to let her know what was happening, and ask when we should be going to the hospital. She said to call back when the contractions were 5 min apart and lasting 1 min – at this point, they were lasting 30 sec and were less than 10 min apart. An hour later, Paul called Deanna again and we got ready to go to the hospital. Theo woke up around the same time and was very sad that we were leaving him. It was about 2:30 am when we went to meet Deanna at the hospital.

It was kind of like deja-vu b/c we went to the hospital at around the same time when I was pregnant with Theo too. Once we were in the labour/delivery room, I got into the shower, then I had to get an IV of penicillin, a technician came in to do some bloodwork, and I walked the halls with Paul, stopping for contractions while Paul massaged my back. I spent some time on my hands and knees while I was on the bed. The back labour wasn’t as bad this time, but Paul still needed to put counterpressure on my back each time I had a contraction, which helped a lot. I continued to alternate between getting into the hot shower, laying on my side, getting on my hands and knees, using the toilet, and walking the halls.

It seemed to take forever to get to 10 cm! The contractions started coming one after the other with little or no break, so it was really exhausting for me. I also had a very strong urge to push, but I wasn’t allowed to because I wasn’t fully dilated. I think that is one of the hardest parts of labour – not pushing when you have an overwhelming urge to do so. I had to pant a lot and breathe in the laughing gas. I really felt like I wouldn’t be able to continue, but Deanna kept reassuring me that I could (“You can do it – you ARE doing it.”). In retrospect, Deanna must hear the phrase, “I can’t do it,” a lot! She also said things like, “Just blow it away; Breathe through it; Slow down,” which really helped to remind me to focus. Eventually, the gas wasn’t helping, so Deanna suggested Fentanyl b/c she was concerned that the pressure in my cervix would make me push before I should, which would lead to swelling, and then we’d have to wait for the swelling to go down before I could push. The pressure in my cervix was becoming too great, and I still wasn’t completely dilated – I think I was at 7 or 8 cm – so I agreed to the Fentanyl which was administered into my IV. It seemed to take the edge off and then finally, when Deanna checked me after a very strong succession of contractions, I was 10 cm, and could now push. Hallelujah! I had to wait for a contraction first, and it felt weird to push after being told not to for so long. I pushed three times in a row, holding my breath each time. I pushed from my bottom like I was having a bowel movement.

Deanna kept telling me to hold my legs but I was in too much pain – every move I made really hurt. Paul helped me to hold one of my legs and the nurse held the other. Finally, the baby’s head appeared and I felt the familiar sensation of the “ring of fire” – an intense burning and splitting sensation. Then, Deanna told me not to push. The baby’s head was coming out sideways, and the cord was wrapped around her neck. There wasn’t enough slack to loosen it, so Deanna had to clamp and cut it. She kept telling me not to push, but my body just took over and pushed the baby out anyways. The baby didn’t make a sound when she came out, and she was a bit flaccid, so I was worried and kept asking if the baby was okay. The nurse and Deanna moved the baby to a little station in the room to give her some oxygen. The baby was fine! I cried tears of joy and relief when the baby came out. I felt overwhelmed with emotion partially because it was such hard work, and because I was so grateful to God for blessing us with another healthy baby.

Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words.
- 2 Corinthians 9:15

Paul had looked to see the sex of the baby as she was coming out. Part of the reason the baby was so quiet is because she came out so quickly. I was so relieved that the baby was alright, and she was finally out. We still had to wait for the placenta to come out, which took awhile. I finally pushed it out – it felt like giving birth all over again! It’s amazing how large the placenta is, and how many intricate vessels are within it. I got to hold the baby right away. She was crying, but stopped when she heard my voice, and just looked at me with her big eyes. I didn’t need any stitches, but the lower half of my body was still very sore.

Morgan Trinity Culleton was born at 8:52 am on Sunday August 29th, 2004, weighing in at 7 lbs, 1 oz. I was so glad that she was much smaller than my first baby (Theo was 8 lbs, 10 oz and he was two days early).

It’s strange, but as soon as I held Morgan and she was finally here, I forgot all about the pain of the labour. It was like, seeing and holding her erased all of the pain I had just gone through. When I was going through the labour, it was almost like I was outside of myself, and everything was happening in slow motion. I was aware of everything that was happening around me, but it seemed very surreal. I was really focused on just getting through each contraction.

I stayed for one night in the hospital, and went home the next day. I cannot stress the importance of setting up a support network before the baby’s birth. I didn’t do it the first time, but I learned for this time! It’s so easy to get into the mindset of thinking you can do everything yourself. I ended up feeling very exhausted and overwhelmed with my first baby because I didn’t ask for more help. Having a baby is such a huge transition, even if you’ve done it before and know what to expect. After we came home from the hospital, I had my sister doing errands; my mom came out almost everyday to cook meals, fold laundry, wash dishes, and watch Theo; my church offered to bring dinners for a week; and Paul took two weeks off work. I also had an outgoing message on my answering machine with the baby’s vital information (date of birth, weight, etc) and when we would be accepting visitors. I really wanted the first week to be a bonding time for the family, and especially for me and Morgan to get to know each other.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
- Psalm 127:3

We are so grateful to Deanna for the excellent care she provided, her expertise and advice, as well as the prayers of our family and friends.
After the birth, Deanna asked me if I would have done anything differently. I replied that I would not have. Deanna was so supportive and anticipated my needs at every stage of labour. My husband was by my side the entire time (except to use the washroom), and we have a healthy baby. I could not have asked for anything more. Even with the pain of labour, looking into my baby girl’s eyes made it all worth it.

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