Harlow Rose Walker: The Birth Story
Harlow Rose Walker
Ever since getting pregnant the second time around, I had it in my mind that my second birth would come quicker and easier— and be just as peaceful as my first time around. Boy was I wrong about that first part. At 39 weeks, Miss Harlow Rose was extremely comfy in mama’s belly and was not ready to come home out on her own.
Now let me back up a little bit!
As a type 1 diabetic, having to see a “high risk” doctor throughout my pregnancy, my doctors allow for me to go to 39 weeks before talking induction. I knew this since the beginning. With Theo, our first child, he came on his own right at 39 weeks on the dot. I thought the same would happen again, especially for a second child. Harlow had different plans when our induction date came around.
I chose to go through with the induction because I was very ready to have her and thought it would be a quick process. The timing also worked out nicely for our schedule with my hubby’s work schedule for not having to take any extra time off and my parents work schedule for watching Theo while we were at the hospital. A silly reason now when I think about it, to give in to an induction. Plus, I thought it would be a quick process!
Prior to 39 weeks I was having contractions on and off throughout the day, but nothing consistent. I was doing everything I could to help induce labor on my own starting around 37 weeks. I was getting acupuncture two to three times a week, walking daily, curb walking when I could, stretching and working out, moving and bouncing on the birth ball throughout the day, doing the deed with hubs, going to the chiropractor, eating spicy foods— you name it! What a breeze an induction would be, right?
Our first time around with birthing Theo, we chose to take Hypnobirthing classes. We absolutely loved it and found the techniques extremely helpful throughout our long hard labor. The classes are so beneficial, especially if you want an unmedicated birth. This time around, we did the same thing and recapped our knowledge through an online “refresher” course that you do at your own pace. Practicing my breathing techniques and knowing what works best to calm + ease my body were nice to know already. As well as recapping how Zach could be most supportive throughout labor were just some of the benefits of taking this course again. I would definitely recommend Hynobirthing to any mamas!
“The Induction Day ”
Our induction was scheduled for Friday morning at 5:30 in the morning. We arranged to have Theo stay at my parent’s house the night before so he wasn’t disturbed in the morning. I had to call an hour prior to make sure a room was available. Early wake up call! I was secretly hoping when I called there wouldn’t be a room so our time would be pushed back a little, or maybe even to another day. That wasn’t the case. BOOOOO. But, they had a tub room ready and available (a necessity!) so we made our coffee, loaded up on a hearty oatmeal breakfast with toast + fruit and we were on our way to the hospital!
One nice thing about an induction is from the start of getting into the room, you’re able to calmly set up the birthing space exactly how you want without any rush. We brought some LED candles, affirmation signs, a speaker with our music of choice, a diffuser for aromatherapy and set the room to low lighting. It was such a peaceful space. We unpacked a bit and we’re ready to go. When I was initially checked once the doctors came in, I was only 1cm dilated. No change from when I was checked at my previous appointment that Tuesday before, three days before. After talking about all of our options of starting the induction; we chose to use Cytotech, which is set of pills given every 4 hours vaginally. This helps to trigger hormones and open up your cervix. This is actually what I wanted to start if I had to be induced.
Cytotech it was! Within 20 minutes I began having consistent contractions starting at 20 minutes apart, and slowly moved to mild contractions every 4 minutes. By 9:30 in the morning, I was having contractions every couple minutes lastly almost a minute. Things were progressing but moving slowly; so we were offered our next non medicated intervention- the Cook’s catheter. This device is comprised of two silicone balloons and uniquely engineered to allow the cervix to naturally and gradually dilate prior to the induction of labor. The first of two balloons is inflated on the uterine side of the cervix; the second is then inflated in the vaginal side of the cervix. We took this next step around 1pm, along with another dose of cytotech and got things moving! Within a half hour of starting the cook’s catheter I was dilated to 5cm, which is the “max” that this device can help you. The pressure had picked up greatly and contractions had got a lot stronger, but still not in active labor.
With things picking up a bit, I chose to labor a bit in bed to try and rest a bit, as well as get in the tub. One of my favorite places to be to labor is the bath tub. I find it most peaceful and relaxing. I brought cordless noise canceling headphones to listen to my music and birthing affirmations to help focus through the contractions. Although I was in my element laboring; laying down had slowed down my contractions big time. After an hour or so in the tub, laying down my doctor came in again to talk options on how to progress things more. Pitocin was next on the list. One thing I was hoping to avoid! I chose to put off Pitocin for awhile more, and instead got out of the tub and got moving again to see if that would help things. This was around 5pm, nearly 12 hours from our start time. I would move around the room- walking, freely squatting, bouncing on the ball, and dancing. We used a peanut ball, squatted with an assist bar and lots more. Contractions were consistent but did not pick up like we wanted them to with time.
I gave in to starting the lowest dose Pitocin around 7pm. Pitocin is usually administered through an IV. The hormone binds to receptors in the uterus, which then activate the uterine muscles to encourage contractions. The contractions will gradually make the cervix dilate, and will absolutely make the contractions a lot more intense. This is exactly what it did for me. The contractions picked up immediately, going through intense contractions every couple minutes, lasting for hours. What a tiring process! Once you start Pitocin, you are also not supposed to eat anything. So no more snacking for us, although with the contractions going strong I barley had an appetite anyway (despite the empty stomach!) But I managed to sneak in and eat an apple and peanut butter right before all of this. At this point, my waters or amniotic fluid had not broken yet.
Soon hours quickly passed by. I was going through each and every contraction with all my strength. At 10:30 at night, we decided to do another cervical check- I was 6cm dialted, only one centimeter closer to the end goal. My nurse had some more good news, my amniotic fluid or bag of waters was now “bulging out” through the cervix. Although frustrating it wasn’t more of what I was hoping, it was progress! My body was extremely tired and weak, without sleep/rest and without eating for hours as much work as my body was putting in- it was tough. My nurse offered some IV pain meds to try and ease the pain of contractions and get some rest. I chose to take her up on this offer and was able to nap for about 30 minutes. Woohoo! Zach was able to get some sleep too! He was a rock star through the entire time thus far and was up with me through each and every contraction.
Hours passed with not much progression on my contractions, staying the same pace. At 3:20am we decided to double the Pitocin amount. The contractions progressed to even more intense, every couple minutes, through this entire night and into the early morning. We were now passing 24 hours of labor. At 8am, we did yet another cervix check and I was 7, possibly 8 cm dilated, 90% effaced, with the bulging waters bag. Again, progress! I decided to continue on what we were doing, although a slow pace, what we were doing was working. The Pitocin continued, we continued movement around the room, changing positions through contractions as much as possible. I was avoiding having my water broken mainly because with my last birth, I knew the pain that came with the contractions after breaking it! So much work on your body, especially with an unmedicated birth.
At 30 hours into labor, we had one last cervical check to see if I was finally ready. After 4 more hours of this process, I was now definitely 8 cm, had a “very soft cervix” and the waters bag was the same, very bulgy. They could even feel her head though the bag of waters. Closer!
At this point, I felt absolutely exhausted and was feeling slightly defeated. Although it was again progress, my body was just done. Tired. I didn’t think I could continue more hours and hours of this without sleep, eating, or any ENERGY. So after talking with my doctor and midwife, I decided I would continue with breaking my water, but pairing it with an epidural. Something I was trying to avoid and had done so far after 30+ hours of labor, but it was time. My body needed the help to rest. So it was time for the epidural, and what a god send that was! Around 1pm, I was given the lowest dose of epidural and at 2pm broke my water on top of that. The plan was to let my body rest immediately after, once the epidural kicked in to hopefully nap and see what progression would happen once my water was broken. We were hopeful that her head being right there would put enough pressure on my cervix to fully open up.
Well.. Napping was NOT an option. Once I broke my water and the epidural was good to go, I laid down to nap. Every couple minutes through my contractions, I felt major pressure down below. I felt like her head was going to pop out, my body was telling me to push with each contraction! My nurse came in and had said my contractions looked like we were already ready to push. This was maybe 20 minutes after trying to lay down to rest. It was GO time!
“Time to push!”
We were so ready for this moment.
We had the absolute best nurses throughout our entire stay, but especially our nurse through active labor. She was basically a doula for us throughout active labor. She helped give me ideas for movement and contraction positions, she brought in her own essential oils to share with me, she cheered me on through each contractions and helped to support Zach and I through it all. She barley left our room! She even french braided my hair through my contractions, like a god damn angel. She was the best. And the best part about her? She was the exact nurse who helped to deliver Theo too, which was so special! She was so helpful, calming and everything we needed. We joked we would let her know when we would see her again to deliver our next baby.
Our doctor at the time was also great! She was our doctor when we very first got admitted from the start of the induction and happened to be the doctor to deliver with us 30+ hours later. She listened to each of our requests and was very chill + helpful with everything. She informed us of all of our options every time and allowed us to make informed decisions without any pressure. The coolest part of our doctor was that she asked and allowed Zach to suit up and deliver our baby girl. Yes, you heard that right! Doctor Zach delivered our babe with his very own hands! He said it was the coolest and most special experience he’s ever had in his life.
After about 4 or 5 sets of contractions, maybe 20 minutes of pushing— our Harlow Rose was finally here! At 3:28 in the afternoon on February 5th, 2022 she made her beautiful and peaceful arrival into this world. She was 7lbs 12oz of pure love and joy. There are no words to describe that feeling when your baby is finally here and put onto your chest. The high you get from that moment is indescribable. I balled my eyes out of course. One of the best moments of my life.
Once the moment came and she was ready to finally come, the birth itself was everything we wanted and imagined. After delayed cord clamping, Zachary cut the cord himself and we luckily had no complications with baby. She was healthy as can be. We had our wonderful golden hour with skin to skin from both of us. All the hard parts of birth were finally over, and our perfect little babe was in our arms.
Our hearts were so full— and still are to this day. ♡
“Harlow Rose Walker.
7lbs 12 oz - 20inches.
”
Her first latch
