Annie Louise Igel
4/14/2022
Communications
Tuesday, 4-12-2022 11:50am
Maggie called to say that they will induce tonight with cytotec. The Midwife said it will probably take 2 to 4 days for the baby to arrive but she anticipates that Maggie will be able to sleep tonight. Brian will send me updates as appropriate. I alerted her of my physical therapy appointment tomorrow and the fact that I will be at St Vincent's in the morning if she requires a check in.
Brian text:
9:25pm Maggie just took her first dose. Getting all settled in for a good night sleep.
Brenda - Fingers crossed on point I'm heading to sleep to! Get good rest
Wednesday 4-13-2022 8:54am
Brian text:
Good morning. We both got at least 6 hours of sleep if not more. She is on her third dose of miso. We will have a cervix check at 9:30 before we decide the next step with midwife. She is having some small contractions.
Brenda text:
Great! If possible try to keep her in those exaggerated lean over positions. And thank you so much for the update!
Brian text:
We are taking another dose of miso. The Midwife is tied up in something so she might not be around till later this a.m. to check.
Brenda text:
Perfect. Is this position possible? Show the nurse if you need help. (Photo of exaggerated side-lying)
Brian text:
Yes she slept like that. Would you suggest continuing the lying down? She wanted to get up and stretch her legs a bit. And sit up in bed too. Should she try to stay on her sit bones?
Brenda text:
Yes but a walk would be great! Ya gotta swing your hips now
Wednesday, 4-13-2022 2:06pm
Maggie called. The Midwife gave them options of balloon only balloon and more miso or balloon and Pitocin. She's choosing balloon and Pitocin and we talked about how that would feel pressure like a tampon and that gassy type cramps that she's been feeling will slowly increase and that it is pain with a purpose, bring it on, open open open.
She's very happy and giggly, probably the nerves but also very ready to hold this baby.
She had a shower and now Brian is showering. She had a big breakfast of eggs and sausage and just had a lunch of a plain bagel and some crackers but I encouraged her to add some protein to it so she's going to grab some peanut butter since once she's on the Pitocin and she will not be able to have anything but clear fluids.
Brian text:
We had a check 1.5 CM 60% effaced. Taking a nap in exaggerated side lie. We are going to probably do Foley balloon at 1:30 p.m. with next dose. Baby movement and beats per minute looking all good too.
2:49pm
Brenda text:
Come on 100%! I'm about to get a shower and take a nap just in case things pick up
Brian text:
Sounds good. We will keep you in the loop just slow dancing in our room 😁
Brenda text:
💏💓💖
8:44pm
Brian text:
Maggie says her contractions are picking up and hurting more. About 30 seconds long, 2-2,5 minutes apart. We are now on 6 of Pitocin.
Brenda text:
Keep the breath on top of the ache. Where does she feel the pain, front or back?
Brian text:
Front
Brenda text:
Perfect
Brian text:
We are audibly breathing through each one. Also wanted to let you know she's having diarrhea
Brenda text:
Her body is preparing
Brian text:
Just had a check about 20 minutes ago. 5 cm still 80% and -2, but softening up
10:38 p.m.
Brian text:
please come water broke.
11:15pm
When I arrived, Maggie was sitting backwards on the toilet and Brian was giving her counter pressure. They’re moaning in synchrony. So sweet. I let Brian know that he’s doing a great job, but I’ll take over if he needs a moment to stretch. He affirms.
I suggest trying the throne position on the bed. Maggie can’t make it up on the bed, so we lower the bottom half of the bed and Brian cuddles in closely.
Thursday, 4-14-2022, 12:05am
I suggest to Maggie that we try the tub. She is really having a hard time keeping on top of the pain and I’m hopeful that this will help her reset. Megan goes to prepare the tub and she comes back to escort us to the jacuzzi room. Unfortunately, Maggie just cannot tolerate this any more. She cannot focus without some relief. Brian listens for her code word and she gets half of it out. He gives me the nod and I go get Megan. Before we can even get her out, Maggie vomits and fills 2 emesis bags. Poor dear.
Mary the midwife comes in and comforts her. The nurse anesthetist arrives and skillfully places an epidural. Maggie settles and notices the release immediately. She says she feels a lot of pressure.
1:25am
She’s 9 centimeters, 100% finally and the baby is up high at -1.
Megan goes to lunch, so another nurse takes over for a bit. I encourage Brian to completely lie down and get some really good rest. I turn all the lights off.
2:30am
4 nurses run into the room. The baby’s heart rate dips through several contractions so they begin to flip Maggie from side to side until it resolves. Pitocin is turned off.
3am
Pitocin restarted.
3:53am
Hooray! Maggie is completely dilated and baby has moved down to 0 station!!! Megan places an in & out catheter, but releases only a small amount of urine.
4:14am
Maggie pushes for the first time in throne position. She’s following the 3 pushes for 8 directed counts with cleansing breaths to begin and end.
Pit up to 4 now
5:17am
Starting to see leaking. She pushes in so many positions: Upright, side to side, knees together, ankles apart. I get a Heat pack & warm cloth to support her backside. We try Tug-O-War.
Brian feeds her ice chips. I shake her hips. The pain is starting to return.
6:18am
She cries to Brian, “Push the button!”
Doctor checked. She says the baby is in a good position and is moving down +1!
6:35am
Emesis, cold cloth, In and out catheter, Dark urine.
Maggie laughs because she says she feels “Butt pressure” and that sounds like the name of an awkward children's book!
Brian needs to take another break so I take over for him.
7:30am
Megan has to go home now, so she leaves us in the hands of Jessica. I do Shake the Apples, hip press, flip over.
Maggie pushes with all of her might and we do all we can to help her stay focused and try so many positions to help the baby get under the pubic bone.
9am
None of our tricks are working and the team suggests that in 20 minutes or so we should consider using a vacuum. This upsets Maggie so much because she has heard stories about this that have traumatized other mothers. Brian comes out into the hallway to meet me and he falls into my arms and we hug so tight. He is beside himself with worry and doesn't know how to feel except so traumatized and upset. I asked him if they had a moment to pray together and to be still, and he affirms that they did. We go back into the room together to find Maggie oh so calm and following her body’s urges to push without anyone directing her.
I simply whisper, “just like that” and breathe along with her, quietly and in reverence to the awesome power of a woman’s intuition. She is breathing her baby down. She keeps whispering, “it’s right there, I can feel it!” and we simply glow in the knowing that she is doing her sacred work of mothering already.
9:45am
Maggie asks Brian to tell Jessica and she joins in the room, without announcement and witnesses the strength that this birth giver is demonstrating. She smiles at me knowingly.
She calmly addresses Maggie & Brian with the news that there are some emergent situations that have made the 2 surgical birthing suites unavailable at the moment. They do not need to rush or fear. All is well. Maggie is free to work with her body and her baby.
10:15am
Mary and the doctor join us in the room and working along with Maggie’s fierce efforts, a vacuum assisted delivery begins. With just two good strong pushes, a little head emerges.
10:24am Anne Louise is born!
Maggie and Brian are struck with awe at the arrival of this little dumpling. Joyful tears and warm welcomes are exchanged between the freshly birthed parents and their longed for daughter.
The doctor skillfully repairs a 2nd degree laceration while the family begins to bond. I help Annie get settled “in the kitchen” and she begins to show signs that she is eager to breastfeed. With little effort, she latches on and enjoys her very first meal.
It’s only fair that the new mommy get to eat too, so I spoon fed the most luscious yogurt, fruit and granola parfait to Maggie as Annie nursed and rested happily. The baby nurse did all of the measurements while the two embraced skin to skin. I packed up and wished everyone well as I left at 12:30pm.
