My Second Birth Story

Erika 1 Minute Old

 

I believed when I was forewarned by my doctors, family and friends that second births would be FAST! However, I did not think it would be THAT FAST! WOW!

 

 

I woke up at 5:00 am with what I thought might be Braxton Hicks, but they were a tad bit stronger so I wasn't sure. I timed 3 of them 10 minutes apart and called my Douala at 5:30 to let her know. She said if they start becoming closer together and stronger to give her a ring again. As soon as I hung up the phone they started to become closer, so we left the house right away to drop off our toddler at his grandparents and head to the hospital.

 

When I arrived, I seemed ok. I even contemplated whether to fake more pain or not so they will take me in for sure and not send me home! When they took my registration information, I asked right there if I could sign the papers for the Epidural right away instead of having the asthesist read me a long list of warnings and waivers while I labor in pain.

 

Anyhoo, the registration lady, said no, she didn't handle that and that I would have to ask the nurse. They rolled me into the assessment room, where my Douala and mid wife came to meet me and to check how far I was along.

 

Apparently I was 5cm dilated already! Amazing ! I asked her this time, "Can you please make sure i get the epidural? It's really important to me that I get the epidural, ok?"  She said "yes of course" and left the room to make arrangements to admit me to a proper hospital room.

 

My contractions after the exam went from a scale of 3 to 8 and I started howling my "OOOOWWWW", "OOOOOOWWWWW", "EPIDURAL PLEAAAAASSEE!!" - a nurse came in and said ok, lets get her in the chair and they started to roll me to the assigned room.  She asked if she should stop during my contractions but that would mean my Epidural would be delayed, so I said "No No, just go go!"  As we were in the elevator, I started to feel the urge to push, but was afraid to let anyone know, as they might not give me my Epidural! So I howled away as they pushed me to the bed. At this point I was screaming "No, I'm pushing! I don't want to push, No!!!" 

 

I heard someone ask if I wanted Gas and I said very firmly "NO GAS, I WANT THE EPIDURAL NOW!" But ofcourse, that was not possible, as I wasn't even on the bed yet, nor got an IV  started. 

As I was climbing onto the bed, I heard "Stop pushing, I can see her eyes!!!"

 

OMG! I thought. What??? My body was on autopilot really and I didn't know how NOT to push. My Douala shouted "look at me! breath short breaths, hah hah hah hah" I used all my effort to open my eyes and look to focus on short breaths and not pushing for the life of my child, I needed to do this.  I was afraid for my baby's life, not sure why, but just was. So I did everything they told me.

 

As soon as I climbed on the bed, (on all fours), I heard, "ok, you can push now" and just like that after a couple of pushes Erika was born!  I was shocked, stunned, and thankful that we were both alive! For some reason, I doubted my body, had morbid fears of one of us dying, and fears that Erika would be born missing fingers or toes. I was afraid of the pain of not having an epidural and before I knew it I gave birth absolutely drug free!

 

She was PERFECT! I didn't even tear below! I entered the hospital at 6:45 and she was born 7:46.

7.4 Pounds and Absolutely Healthy! (see her 1 minute photo above)

 

There it is short fast sweet and miraculous! And to be very honest, it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would.

 

 

 

RA and Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture at Accumamas

Wow, I didn't think I'd be even later with my second child. Lucas was born 40 weeks plus 6 days and was naturally induced with the help of the verbena augment tea.  Erika now is 41 weeks plus 1 day and still quite enjoying life in the womb.  I've had 4 sweeps, 3 doses of the Augment Tea, and finally I thought I'd give acupuncture a try. My midwife recommended Accumamas, who specialize in acupuncture and Chinese medicine during pregnancy. Check them out at: http://acumamas.com/services/


Since I have RA, I tried acupuncture once before for my inflamed wrist, however found that the heat that was added to the needles aggravated my wrist further and my flare got worst. Ever since then, I have not tried again. But, since I'm anxious to see my little Erika out and healthy, I thought I'd give it a go. 

By the time I got Lucas and myself ready, dropped him off at is grandmas, and arrived at my appointment, I was stressed and breathless. My technician was Renee and she didn't seemed bothered that I was a bit late and on the phone the entire time I was filling out the new client questionnaire, but instead said "Take your time... , whenever you are ready.."

After submitting the form, she lead me upstairs to the treatment room and we took about 10 minutes to chat about my concerns and purpose for the treatment. It was quite clear that I was there to induce labor.  I've also learnt that a few factors must work together including:

1. Cervix Effaced
2. Baby's head engaged
3. Cervix moving from anterior to prosterior
4. Contractions
5. Dilated

At my last check up, I was told that the head was low and engaged, but my cervix was still high and about 1.5cm thick and I was dilated about 3cm. She also mentioned that she could feel baby's head, which I couldn't grasp how that could be possible with my cervix being "high" and "thick". But after research and asking Renee, I came to understand the cervix was still in the anterior position and needs to move forward.

Anyhoo, these are probably the big questions:

What was the treatment like? Did it hurt?

I'm absolutely a wimp when it comes to needles but I can tell you honestly, it didn't hurt at all! Some points I didn't even know she had inserted the needles already. She put a point in my forehead, a few in my lower back, a couple in my feet and ankles and one in my hand. She then twisted the needles to stimulate the trigger points and asked me rest for 10 minutes. I of course couldn't rest and wanted to fiddle with my phone and check my emails. I noticed that my hands started to grow weak and when I moved I could then feel the trigger points in my back, so I threw my phone on the floor and rested! She came in as I dozed off and stimulated the points again and left me to rest more. After another 10 minutes, she took the needles off and they came off as discreetly as they were put in.

Did the treatment work?

Here is the BIG question. Well, I must say, I had my doubts and went about my day. I did start to feel a bunch of braxton hicks contracions in the late afternoon. Nothing seemed to be different in the next 24 hours; however, at my next check up, I was told my cervix did shorten from 1.5cm to .5cm and I was 3 - 4cm dilated compared to 2-3cm dilated. There was progress indeed and I did end up giving birth 2 days later to an amazing healthy daughter.  My labor was extremely short and perhaps the acupuncture played a role? I'm not sure, but glad I went.

Did the treatment affect the RA symptoms?

There was no heat involved in this treatment so I did not find that I flared at all afterwards. Another consideration is that RA is suppose to be in remission during the last trimester, but I DID flare a couple days ago before this treatment and tackled it with a dose of Enbrel. 
(Again for those who are curious about Enbrel during Pregnancy, please see my previous post). I called motherrisk to confirm.

Well there you have it. I will post my birth story next. Stay Tuned~

So What Do Contractions Feel Like? My Birth Story

My Birth Story

After drinking the Augment Tea mentioned in my last blog, I began contractions around 4 am in the morning. These first contractions felt much like heavy period cramps which lasted for 45 seconds or so.

By 6 am, my Doula was over, to cope with me at home. I was still able to talk between each contraction, so it was an indicator to her that I was not dilated enough to go to the hospital. (4cm is the standard here).  By 7am, the midwife came to assess me and I was 3cm. After the assessment the contractions seemed stronger. I was now on my hands and knees to cope. Massages to the lower back helped throughout.   Finally by 8am, I pleaded to go to the hospital and threw on my jacket.

By the time I got to the hospital I was in active labor, pounding on the admittance table through my contractions as they look me up in their system.  While sitting in the assessment room, I begged and pleaded for the epidural, “Please can someone give me the Epidural, PLEASE!  PLEEEAAAASE!!”  The pain was intense and tears were streaming down my face.  Its hard to describe the feeling. The contractions start with a lower abdominal pain and works its way to the center of your uterus, squeezing the life out of you, literally....  The pain increases to a peak and then starts to subside. The break in between was 1 – 2 minutes,  sometimes it felt like only a few seconds and the next contraction would start again.  

They made me walk to my room, despite the fact I didn’t want to move at all. I suppose walking helped the baby drop lower in the pelvis and push against the cervix.  The walk to the Cedar room was LONG.
My eyes were completely closed the entire time, baring down on the rails on the way, screaming in the elevator and finally planted my face on the bed they assigned me. I dropped down on my knees and begged God to take the pain away! (I tend to do this often..lol).. 

Now shifting, to why the epidural was still not here yet, I started to accuse my doctor of lying to me and holding out on me so that my birth will be faster!!!  She reassured me that I would not be the person she’d hold out on and that the anaesthetist is on her way.  

Finally 11:30 am, the anaesthetist arrived with the epidural. She stood infront of me while my head was buried in my doulas shoulders and started to read the disclaimers. I said, “I don’t care, just give me the pen” and signed the damn thing.

Around 12pm,  the numbing took affect and my labour was a piece of Cake from then on. I felt NOTHING! It was great. I ate chocolate, prayed, texted my friends, all the while my contractions was getting stronger and stronger, opening up my cervix, larger and larger, and I felt NOTHINGJ

By 5:30, my doctor checked me and instructed me to push. 40 minutes later, my baby was out and on my chest staring at me in wonder and I stared back in awe and disbelief that he is really here, alive and well in my arms.  – Life is such a miracle. ! and all the pain in the world is worth it.

Here are My Two Cents:1) Get the Epidural ( it makes a huge difference )

2) Make sure to pack lots of juice boxes ( helped with pushing ) and snacks

3) Download the app "Full Term Labor" to time your contractions - It's Free!
4) Don't forget your camera and something nice for baby to wear the next day for photos

5) Remember to ask several nurses for the following items to take home with you:
    a) an extra pair of those funky sexy grandma underwear they give you
    b) nipple cream (you'll need this only if you are breasfeeding)
    c) pads (for bleeding)
    d) the Sitz Bath basin (to rinse and bath the stiched area if you have stitches)

 

40 Weeks Plus 5 Days Overdue - Still Waiting for Baby

Well I am 5 days now past my due date. I've tried bouncing on a yoga ball, eating 2 pinapples, eating spicy food, as well as having a glass of red wine as recommended by my doctor to relax. Results? - Still no labor.

Yet I was assured today by my doctor that my body is completely normal.  I learnt that only 5% of women actually have their babies on their due date and 50% of women having first babies are past due.  The hospital would not even consider inducing me unless I was at least 10 days over due and even then, others may take priority based on medical circumstances.

Speaking with my own family members, I myself was 7 days over due @ 10 pounds and my father was 1 month over due @ 7 pounds.  Regardless, I do sympathize with all other women who are waiting because its not a pleasent process.

The doctor did check my cervix today and peformed "the sweep"
Results = Cervix is dropping, not dilated, and needs to ripen more. She did a partial sweep, quickly separating the membrane at the end of the cervix. It was not painful, but very uncomfortable.
We talked about possibility of inducement; however she warned me that it may not be wise to induce labor, before my cervix is open or "ripened". 

Her recommendations to naturally ripen the cervix includes:
1. Sex (apparently semen helps ripen the cervix) -
2. Augment Tea
3. More walking so baby will drop lower

Here is the Recipe for the Augment Tea

5 Drops of Verbena Oil
1 Medium Cinnamon Stick
10 Cloves
1 - 2 cm of Ginger Root finely sliced

Combined all except Verbena Oil and simmer in a liter of water for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and add 5 drops of Verbena Oil
Let sit for 10 minutes
Sip until finished

I just finished preparing the tea and drank the entire litre! Please stay tuned....

I'm Due Today - I Thought Women with RA are 2 weeks Early?

Women having their first child are usually late, so I hear. However, since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I thought maybe my baby will be pre-term.  Over 2 months ago, I gave Otis research studies a call to see what their statistics were from the sample of women they used in their studies who were pregnant with RA.
The results = average birth week at 38 weeks. 

Today, I'm 40 weeks full! It's my actual due date and I feel NOTHING. Well not exactly nothing; I'm sure my body is preparing for labor, so here goes something more in detail:

Early Labor Signs
1. Mild Cramping - I've had maybe 3 cramps during the last 2 weeks
2. Loss of Mucus Plug - No not yet, but slowly, I can see small amounts of egg white substance which started  a few days ago.
3. Spotting - No blood what so ever
4. Lower back pain - Definitely comes and goes
5. Nesting Instinct - This started 4 weeks ago - Started Cleaning EVERTHING like mad. Even the stains in my car upholstery.
6. Engagement / Tummy Drop - My last ultrasound at 37 weeks showed babies head already low and engaged, so he's in the position to be birth for 3 weeks now.
7. Braxton Hicks Contractions - I felt a few tightening of the uterus, but nothing painful or regular and this was about 2 weeks ago
8. Water Break - Definitely not yet - Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSreZ-rmy7g
9. Contractions - Nope Nothing...
10. Cervix dilating - I don't know and do not want to check myself. Going to find out tonight :)

Ways to Naturally Induce Labor
Here's a list of 40 Ways to Induce Labor naturally. I myself picked the #25, and am scheduled for #33.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Ways-to-induce-Labour-Naturally

#25 - Eating a Fresh Pineapple - Does this really work? I'm eating one later today!
#33 - "Stretch and sweep of membranes - Your midwife or doctor can perform this simple procedure. A finger is inserted into the cervix and a gentle 'sweep' of the finger slightly separates the uterus wall and amniotic sac, sometimes leading to labor within hours or days. Some women say it's an easy, painless procedure, others claim it can be very painful. How well it works can also depend on if you are very far dilated or not." - I'm scheduled for this tonight. Will keep you posted !

Coping With Flare Ups While Pregnant - Physically

March 2010, I found out that I was PREGNANT!   "OMG, this is NOT the time, I thought", but apparently God's timing was and is perfect.  

Since the medication I was on, Enbrel, is a newer biologic on the market, not enough research was shown to deterimine its affects on a growing fetus. I was recommended to STOP all medication ASAP! 

Well, it didn't take long for my flare ups to start again.  If you are pregnant and can not take any medication for your pain, I hope you will find the following list helpful:

1. Hot & Cold Contrast Bath
(Dip flared area if possible in Cold Water for 30 secs, then hot for 10 secs) "Contrast baths decrease swelling, stiffness and pain, and increase movement and circulation. This is the only “heat modality” you can safely assume will not cause swelling, and in fact it is a proven method for decreasing swelling. Warm water dilates, expands or opens up the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. Cold water constricts blood vessels, or makes them smaller. The alternating warm and cold water acts as a pump to get fluid out. Warm water alone may cause swelling."

2. Where protective splints / guards depending on which joints are hurting. This will protect the joints from further damage of sudden movements, or weight. There are splints meant for wearing to sleep which are comfortable and some with a cooling gel to reduce the swelling while sleeping.

3. Elevate the swelling joints / limbs by using pillows. This also reduces the swelling which inturn will reduce the pain while sleeping.

4. Castor Oil. I personally rubbed castor oil; however found it penetrated and relieved only my muscle pains rather than joints. However relieving any pain helped for me personally.

5. Camomile Tea / Sleepy Time Tea: it's a vicious cycle, the less sleep one gets the more flare ups, the more pain , and leading to lack of sleep.  I found sleepy time tea helpful. It did make me drowsy enough to dose off and get a good night sleep, but it did take me more than 1 cup that's for sure.

I hope you will find this helpful and if this is you too, I'm really sorry you have to go through this.
The good news is the disease will go into remission further along the pregnancy. It's a miracle really how this happens.  :)