Colin's birth story - super long version

Patty, my doula wrote this birth story for me. Since I gave the short version, I figured I would also post the long version.


When Bob first called and told me that Kristine’s water had broken a little more than an hour before (12:26 am) on 11-20-2003, we were all excited thinking there would be a baby here fairly soon. Well, fairly soon ended up being a mere 32 hours later. J

After talking to Bob, I spoke to Kristine who told me the midwife had wanted them to come to the hospital due to Kristine’s amniotic fluid being yellowish, murky green brown and thicker than water. When meconium is present in the amniotic fluid, it indicates the baby has been in some kind of distress and requires a little closer monitoring. It’s decided that they will head to the hospital and call me when they need me to come.

Kristine and Bob arrive at the hospital about 2:45 am and checked into their room by 3:00am. The internal check shows Kristine to be 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. They then complete the marathon of hospital paperwork and Kristine is put on the monitors. As Bob brings in his many bags, the hospital staff laughs and jokes it looks like he and Kristine are moving in. Little did they know how long we were going to be there! From about 4:30-6:00 am Bob and Kristine sleep. I receive a call about 7:10 am from Bob stating Kristine’s contractions are picking up and I should start to head over.

I arrive at the hospital about 8:45 am and the contractions are about 4-5 minutes apart. Kristine is borrowing from the baby an adorable blanket that is in the shape of a white cat. Envision a really soft stuffed animal that has been totally flattened into a blanket! The tag says “My Blanky – Romeo” and it is a gift from Kristine’s mom. She also has a special stuffed animal, Gush that dates back to her high school days that was providing some nice comfort.

At about 9:45 am Bob is on one side of Kristine rubbing her back and I am giving her a hand and arm massage. George Winston’s Winter is playing in the background. For the next hour and half, Kristine uses vocalizing and imagery (painting the contractions away). She is also doing an excellent job keeping her fluids up.

At 11:30 am the Cervadil is removed and Kristine’s cervix is checked. The Cervadil had not done as much as was hoped and her cervix showed 1-2 cm dilated. The midwife, Ruth was suggesting pitocin be started and I asked if we could have a little time to move around and see if we could get things started. She said she would give us 1 ½ to 2 hours to see what progress could be made, but due to the meconium she wanted the labor to get started.

For the next 45 minutes Kristine alternated between sitting on the birth ball and being in a hands and knees position. We listened to one song from the “Smashing Pumpkins – Adore” CD and then moved on to the “Red Hot Chili Peppers.” The midwife (Laura) later joked with us that we were the 2nd or 3rd couple who were listening to “Red Hot Chili Peppers.”

Around 1:15 pm Kristine and Bob were swaying thru some contractions while U2 was playing. I was able to capture this in a picture. It was around this time that Laura (midwife) stopped in to say hello. Next we decide to do some hall walking and soon we ran into Susie (nurse) who says Ruth (the first midwife) is ready to start the pit. We then run into Laura and Kristine and Bob explain they would like to avoid the pit right now if possible. Laura agrees that she would like to get a reading on the contractions and the baby to see if the pit is necessary yet.

It is now about 1:45 pm and Kristine is put on the monitor. Madonna is singing in the background and Kristine is able to sleep between the contractions. I go to grab a quick bite to eat.

Around 3:40 pm Kristine is checked again and found to be 2 cm, -1 station. It is decided that pit is needed to get this party started. The pit is started at 2 and is increased by 2 every 30 minutes. By about 5:00 pm, Kristine is using her patterned breathing and is going into the labor zone. Bob and I give her verbal encouragement and massage her hips and legs. We encourage her to drink water and give her wet wash cloths for her head. She has been working so hard, but is getting very tired. She had virtually no sleep the night before. By about 5:30 pm, she is throwing up and it is green. Later, not then, Bob makes a joke about how it reminded him of the “Exorcist.”

It is now 6:15 pm and Kristine is checked again. She is found to be 3 cm, 80% effaced and at -1 to -2 station. The pit is at 10 and the contractions are hard. Kristine is disappointed that she is no further dilated then this and is so tired. She has been working hard for many, many hours. She states that she really wants an epidural. She and Bob discuss this. Everyone (Bob, Laura , and I) agrees with and supports Kristine’s decision. Laura reminds us of all of the work which will be needed for pushing. Hopefully the epidural will give some much needed and deserved rest.

At 6:40 pm the epidural is administered and an amnioinfusion is started. The amnioinfusion is used to help flush the uterus with saline solution and get the meconium out. Soon Kristine is getting relief and Bob goes to grab a bite to eat. Kristine and I talk. When Bob returns, the nurse that has recently started her shift says that she thinks this is a “big baby”. Bob tells her about their cat Neechy who is 21lbs. and jokes that they have big cats and big babies.

Soon everyone is resting. About 9:30 pm I decide to run to McDonalds. While I am gone Kristine is checked and found to be 4-5 cm. Progress is slowly being made. For the next couple of hours everyone is getting some sleep.

When Kristine is checked again at 12:40 am, 11/21, she is 5 cm – 100% effaced, 0 station. By about 40 minutes later, the pit is up to 20 and Kristine is feeling the contractions again. She has some more vomiting and is given some more medication. She is still at 5 cm when checked at 2:15 am but a mere 1 hour and 15 minutes later she is at 8cm!!!!! However, the contractions are back full force and Kristine is feeling them completely on one side. At 3:40 am she is redosed. She soon is feeling relief on both sides. Bob and Kristine are getting so excited knowing they will soon meet their baby!

By 5:20 am, it is time! Kristine is 10 cm, and between t2- t3 station! Yahoo! Soon Kristine is starting to push. Bob does a fabulous job at watching when the contraction is starting on the monitor and counting to 10 as she pushes. Bob and I are supporting Kristine legs because she is completely numb. Kristine asks that the epidural be turned down so she can get some more feeling back. At 6:15 am this is done and by about 7:00 am there is a noticeable improvement in her pushing. It is much more effective. With the epidural turned down so low, Kristine is feeling everything very intensely. Bob and I continue to verbally encourage her and I keep stroking her hair. This is very hard work, but Kristine is pushing so well and we soon see baby Sandage’s head. We can see some curly hair. Kristine is getting very tired and starts to question if she can do this. Bob, Laura and I reassure her that she is doing a great job. Bob tells Kristine how proud he is of her.

Soon the baby’s head is born and the cord is wrapped tightly around his neck. Laura quickly cuts the umbilical cord and instructs Kristine to give one last big push. The baby is out and “it’s a boy”!!!!!! Colin Robert Sandage is born at 8:31 am weighing 8lbs. – 12 oz. and 21.5 inches long. He is taken away only momentarily to be suctioned and then he is placed on his mama’s chest. What a joyful moment!
Kristine has suffered a 3rd degree vaginal tear and a cervical tear. While the midwife and Dr. are stitching her tears, Bob is with Colin while he receives his first bath. Soon it’s time to try to nurse. Colin latched right on and began suckling - no instruction needed here! At that I leave so the new family can have some alone time.