September 19, 2024 • 40 mins
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Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth? You’re in the right place!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Maine Medical Center Portland, Maine Birth Story
- Christi shares about her experience working with me as her birth photographer
- The importance of being informed and confident in your birth decisions
- Doula support in Maine
- ….and a whole lot more!
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We’ll take time to get to know each other in a variety of ways throughout the program… Including:
- live support from our private community of like minded mothers
- weekly birth coaching over zoom as you work through the material
- special guest speaker workshops as you integrate and prepare for your birth
- Virtual women’s circle’s
Click HERE for all of the details!
Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered! Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider. Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Christi (00:00):
And you know, the hour went by.
So they came to talk aboutPitocin again and I was still
unsure because I'm thinking, ohgreat, here comes the cascade of
interventions.
And the nurse was like do youwant the doctor to come in and
talk to you again?
And I was like yes.
And the doctor came in and shewas just like strongly encourage
it, because if you don't, whatcould happen?
(00:24):
You know, and she knew I wasgoing to try without epidural.
She was like you could?
You know?
Of course you can have thisbaby without pitocin.
Of course, however, you couldend up going all night long and
not getting any sleep and thentomorrow morning you get an
epidural.
So like, yes, you, yes, youavoided Pitocin, but you're so
(00:45):
exhausted you still got anepidural.
So she kind of like painteddifferent scenarios.
Obviously she doesn't, no oneknows what could happen.
But she was just like somepeople only need a little bit of
Pitocin.
Your body's clearly ready togive birth, like it with the
water, everything's been natural.
You're having contractions,you're just not feeling them.
(01:05):
This will just help, you know,strengthen those, speed things
along.
So I said yes to the Pitocin.
I figured you know what youguys are, the experts, you know.
So, which is a big thing Ithink you know you are great at
educating people, angela aboutlike if you don't have faith and
trust in the people that aretaking care of you, then like
(01:29):
that's not a good mental space.
So I think I just had to havetrust in these folks that you
know that they would do theright thing.
So they started me on Pitocinand we door dashed five guys.
Angela (01:47):
I'm Angela and you're listening to my Maine Birth a
space where we share the reallife stories of families and
their unique birth experiencesin the beautiful state of Maine.
From our state's biggesthospitals to birth center births
and home births, every birthstory deserves to be heard and
(02:08):
celebrated.
Whether you're a soon-to-be mom, a seasoned mother or simply
interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.
Welcome to episode 92 of thepodcast.
A couple quick reminders.
This weekend, saturdaySeptember 21st, I'm hosting a
(02:28):
free workshop called Birth PlanEssentials.
It's going to be at the OldTown Public Library from 11am to
noon.
I'm hosting this free workshopwhere I walk you through
creating your own personalizedbirth plan each month for the
rest of the year.
So give me a follow over onInstagram at my main birth for
(02:49):
all of the info on the otherdates for this year.
And another thing I'm reallyexcited about is the opening of
enrollment for Birth Bliss.
Birth Bliss embracing knowledgeas power for your natural birth
is a three-part in-personchildbirth education series
created by myself and fellowchildbirth educator, katie
(03:09):
Stroud.
We're hosting this class atManly Succulents in Orono, our
local plant shop, with theperfect vibe for learning all
about natural birth.
This course is designed toguide you in claiming your power
on your journey to a naturalbirth.
You're going to develop astrong understanding of birth
physiology, learn the variationsof normal and true emergencies,
(03:30):
navigate fears and eliminatethem, and participate in
discussions about why birthmatters.
We also teach how to setyourself up for a blissful
postpartum and offer a wealth ofbreastfeeding and early
parenting information.
There will be a private onlinecommunity throughout the course
for participants and in ourfinal class, you'll create a
(03:52):
succulent birth arrangementcourtesy of our hosts, mainly
succulents.
This is a complete childbirtheducation course.
Whether you're birthing in ahospital, at a birth center or
at home, birth Bliss is designedto support you every step of
the way.
Enrollment opens this Friday,september 20th, and you can find
all of the details over atmymainbirthcom slash birthbliss.
(04:16):
Now for episode 92,.
This is one I'm very, veryexcited about, very, very
excited about.
Today's birth story guest isChristy, and she's going to be
sharing all of the details abouther pregnancy, with Care From
Intermed, and all about herbirth at Maine Medical Center in
Portland.
I had the incredible honor ofbeing Christy's fly-on-the-wall
(04:37):
birth photographer and I'm soexcited that she's here on the
podcast today.
Hi, christy, welcome to myMaine Birth.
Hello, so to get started, willyou share a little bit about you
and your family?
Christi (04:58):
Sure, I was born and raised in Maine, grew up down
east in Machias, met my husbandon Tinder like nine years ago
and I kind of joke that I'venever been real maternal, so
like we put it off as long as wecould.
But you know, now we've we haveour first little one.
He just turned four weeks, somy birth story is fresh on my
mind.
Angela (05:17):
So will you start by sharing when you found out you
were pregnant and your thoughtsin choosing your care?
Christi (05:34):
Sure, I'm kind of like a type planner.
So I was like, all right, Iknow things don't always go
perfectly, but I would love asummer baby, because my birthday
is Christmas Eve and it's likethe worst birthday and my
husband's birthday is in Julyand it's like the most fun
birthday.
So, came off, birth controlstarted.
You know well, first we justhad unprotected sex and I was
like what?
We didn't get pregnant, likeI've been told my whole life
(05:57):
that, you know, this is how youget pregnant.
So after kind of casuallytrying for like two months, so
after kind of casually tryingfor like two months, my A-type
personality kicked in and I waslike all right, and I started
using ovulation strips.
So I could really tell, youknow, and I was like, all right,
it's go time.
Travis, that's my husband'sname.
(06:17):
I was like tonight's the night,babe, you know, which is like
always kind of awkward.
But so then my period was comingup and I did a pregnancy test
and those tests, you know, theysay like can be, can tell you
six days before your most period.
So I was like, well, I'll testfive days before my period, you
(06:40):
know.
And it said I wasn't pregnant.
So I was like, you know, Inever thought I would be the
type of person that it wouldupset me Like cause.
Like I said, I'm not very,don't consider myself eternal or
whatever, but I have a lot morerespect and can relate more to
women who struggle because and Iwouldn't say we struggled but
(07:00):
just that little bit of of notgetting pregnant immediately it
really messes with your head oflike.
Is something wrong with me, issomething wrong with my husband?
You know you're Googling thingslike you can.
I can definitely see you knowwhy it.
It can be really troubling.
But then the day of my periodcame and I didn't start my
(07:22):
period.
So I tested that day and thenit said I was pregnant.
So I told my husband so that'show we found out we were
pregnant.
I told him through a fortunecookie that I had ordered on
Etsy like months in advance andit had gone stale.
But I think he was so shockedwhen he opened it.
He ate the fortune cookieanyways, even after he read it
(07:43):
he still ate it, and even thoughit was all rubbery and gross.
But so then I was kind of likeI'm healthy, I've worked out my
whole life, I'm I'm 36 years old, so I am a little older, but
you know, my mom had me when shewas 40 and that was 40, that
was 36 years ago.
So I was kind of like you know,I think I'm healthy enough,
(08:07):
hopefully don't have anycomplications, but like you
don't know, until you're goingto the doctors or even in labor,
you don't know if, if you know,something could go wrong.
So I kind of decided on ahospital birth pretty early on.
Um, like I said, the planner inme I've always been plan for
(08:28):
the worst, hope for the best.
So I was like you know what?
It's my first one, it's myfirst child, we'll just do it in
the hospital to be safe.
And my OBG is at intermed andthey only deliver at main med.
And she told me that and I waslike, okay, that's fine.
And it kind of gave me a littlebit of peace of mind to know
(08:51):
that if the worst case scenariowere to happen, I'm already
where I need to be, so I don'tneed to worry about if the worst
case scenario happens.
And if my baby needed to go tothe NICU for an emergency, I
would be in the same hospital asmy baby.
So that's how I chose ahospital birth.
Angela (09:13):
Now, how were you feeling throughout your
pregnancy and were there anytesting that you did?
Christi (09:19):
Yeah, everyone's gonna hate me.
I think I had the easiestpregnancy ever and I'm 5'11", so
I will will say I think it'sbecause I'm tall.
The baby just had more room togrow.
So I didn't have any morningsickness.
I joke, I've been eating fortwo my whole life.
So I really was prepared forthis and you know, I worked out
(09:43):
the whole time and I was stillgoing into work the day before I
gave birth.
I did do like all the time Ihad done like a 23andMe test
years ago for to see if I was acarrier of anything, um, so I I
kind of felt good about thatstuff.
But we did test for like Downsyndrome and we didn't want to
(10:09):
know the gender of the baby.
So that was fun not knowingthat.
But yeah, pregnancy was reallyeasy.
I started doing a lot ofresearch while I was pregnant.
Angela (10:19):
So what did you kind of start researching?
Where was your kind of thoughtsprocess as you your pregnancy
progressed?
Christi (10:25):
Well, I wanted to be prepared because that's how I am
.
So I main med offers likechildbirth classes online and
breastfeeding classes online andinfant 101 online, and those
are free for anyone.
Like you don't have to bedelivering at main bed.
(10:45):
And then, you know, I met.
I met you, angela, because Iwas I was thinking about doulas,
talking to friends who hadbabies I took a positive
hypnobirthing class from thepositive birth company.
That was really great.
So ultimately I I decided likeI kind of I felt like I had
(11:08):
prepared myself so that I didn'tneed a doula.
I knew the nurses.
Everyone said the nurses atMaine Med were wonderful.
I didn't really care about mydoctor because I knew they're
kind of just there for thepushing part, for the pushing
(11:29):
part.
And you know, ultimately Ihired you as my birth
photographer.
So that was really exciting andI'm sure we'll talk about that.
But I kind of had this plan.
But I didn't want to pressuremy I didn't want to put too much
pressure on myself like givebirth without epidural, you know
, because I didn't want to setmyself up to be disappointed by
my birth experience.
So I kind of told myself,listen, christy, just you'll get
(11:52):
an epidural as your last resort.
You have all these other thingsin your toolbox and you'll get
an epidural as your last resortand the worst case scenario is
you'll get a C-section andthat's totally fine, they're
very common, they're very safeand that's the worst case
scenario.
So I kind of told myself thatin my head I was 9 pounds, 1
(12:14):
ounce, so I was a C-section.
I was born C-section.
I turned out fine.
My mom was fine.
So in my toolbox when I wentinto labor I talked this over
with my nurse you know I hadlike a heat pad for my back.
I had a tens machine which Iguess they're they're seem to be
really big in like Europe.
(12:34):
Those they like thechiropractor uses them.
They like shock your muscles alittle bit.
And then I had takenhypnobirthing so I had my
breathing.
Um, I had taken hypnobirthing,so I had my breathing.
I had the comb that you squeezeand then the tub, obviously.
So these were.
Those were like all my prettybasic things I was going to use
during labor.
And then, as things got worse,I I would use nitrous oxide,
(12:59):
which is like laughing gas, andthen an opioid and then an
epidural.
So that was kind of my list andI was like I'll just see how
far I go in my list.
So that was kind of mentallyhow I prepared for labor and and
then I was also thinking aboutafter the baby, right, like I
don't, I don't know that muchabout babies.
(13:20):
So I taken like a prenatallactation appointment and that
was really helpful because Ithink learning about colostrum
and hand expression even thoughyou don't have a baby, you're
still learning about your pumpand I figure anything I can
learn ahead of time you're goingto be learning so much as a new
(13:41):
parent after the baby.
Angela (13:43):
Like any little nugget I can learn ahead of time will be
helpful, yeah definitely,thinking about the postpartum
period while you're pregnant isreally helpful and definitely
something to not forget about,because it can be so easy to get
caught up in birth and the bigevent.
But yeah, thinking about thepostpartum is really important,
(14:03):
exactly yeah.
But yeah, thinking aboutpostpartum is really important,
exactly yeah.
So now can I ask you about likeyour like workout routine
throughout your pregnancy andhow that kind of varied, because
you did like exercising throughto the end, right?
Christi (14:16):
Yeah, I was going to Orange Theory.
So that's like a mix of runningon the treadmill and some
weights, and you know I've doneCrossFit in the past, but at the
time I was doing Orange Theory,so I just stuck with that and
obviously switched to walking onthe treadmills.
But I had gone also to pelvicfloor doctor Emily, the one you
(14:40):
just had on your podcast.
I went to her even before I waspregnant.
This is the type of planner Iam and I was like tell me how my
pelvic floor is and is thereanything I should be doing
before I get pregnant.
So you know she checked that andshe gave me some advice.
She was like it's not all aboutKegels.
You know you need to.
Don't, don't worry about you.
(15:02):
Me particularly.
She was like you don't need todo Kegels and once you find out
you're pregnant, stop doingsit-ups.
Like, don't do any ab workoutsbecause you're, you know, the
relaxing hormone.
So so I wasn't.
I was modifying a lot of thosethings in the gym, but I think
just moving was helpful.
(15:22):
Um, but I do sit at a cubicleall day for work.
So also, you know I wasn'texhausted every day because I
was resting all day and thenjust spent an hour at the gym
awesome.
Angela (15:37):
Yeah, that's a movement.
Even just any kind that you canget is so helpful in pregnancy.
Yeah, yeah.
So now will you share about thefinal days and weeks leaning up
to like when your labor startedand about your birth?
Christi (15:52):
yeah.
So because I tracked myovulation, I mean I guess we
don't know exactly what day thesperm meets the egg, but I had
had kind of been like, okay,this is like my due date, but
then the you know everyone goes40 weeks after your last period.
So I in my, in my head, I kindof knew that like my due date
(16:14):
was, it was like the 12th ofAugust, but according to the
doctor it was like the 16th ofAugust.
So I was like that's good,though they you know that my
quote unquote real due date islike a couple of days earlier.
So, as it got closer,definitely started to feel more
(16:34):
uncomfortable, stopped going tothe gym and we would just try to
go for walks, started eatingdates, you know, trying all the
harmless tricks you know.
And my doctor was really great.
She said, even though I was alittle older, she would
recommend an induction if I wentto 41 weeks, which a lot of my
(16:56):
friends having babies right nowthat are also advanced maternal
age.
Their doctors told them like 39weeks and I was like didn't, if
my doctor had told me that Iwould have definitely been like
no, so I was fine with going to41.
And so both my quote unquote,real.
You know, august comes aroundand I did get I think it was
(17:21):
right around my August 13 ish.
They tried to do a membranesweep, which I was fine with,
but they said, oh, your cervixis like too far back or closed,
so like it didn't work, theycouldn't, they couldn't do
anything.
So I was like, okay, I knowthings can progress, they can
change quickly, but likeprobably not going to have the
(17:41):
baby tomorrow.
So it was funny.
I kept like making these plans,like, oh, I better go fishing
this weekend because this couldbe my last weekend, you know,
without a baby.
And then started making plansfor next week Okay, next weekend
this might be my last weekendwithout a baby, you know.
So the due date came and youknow, nothing happened.
And then it was the day afterthe due date, so the 17th of
(18:08):
August, that things started tohappen.
Angela (18:12):
Oh my gosh.
So what were your first signsthat you were noticing that you
were in early labor?
Christi (18:19):
Well, my water broke.
So it was pretty obvious and itwas funny.
I always said like I hope mywater breaks like in in the
movies and I hope I give birthlike in the parking lot and
don't even have to spend time atthe hospital.
You know, like that was kind oflike I'm gonna labor at home.
This was my plan.
I like we live on the lake, soI was like maybe I'll like labor
(18:40):
in the lake for a while, andbut it was about noon and I was
foraging for mushrooms that wehave near our house and my water
broke, just a slow trickle, andI was like, hmm, that's kind of
odd.
Never peed myself before, youknow.
So I I came home and went to thebathroom and I saw my mucus
(19:02):
plug and I was like, hmm, Ithink that's my mucus plug, but
you know, I don't know.
So just went about and then,like 10 minutes later, I felt
another trickle and I was like,okay, that's that, that is
strange.
So I changed my underwear andthen, 10 minutes later, happened
a third time and I was like,okay, definitely, this is
(19:23):
happening, you know.
So I put on like a diaper nowat this point and my husband was
working up, uh, building awoodshed, because you know that
needs to be done before thebaby's born.
So I went and told him.
I'm like I'm pretty sure thingsare happening, so like we
should take showers and eatsomething and pack the final
(19:44):
things in our bags.
And then I texted you becauseyou're my birth photographer and
you know you're a few hoursaway.
I was like I'm pretty surethings are happening, you know
I'll keep you posted.
So called my mom because she'sin Machias, four hours away, and
then took a shower.
I had Travis take one morepregnancy photo of me, but I
(20:06):
wasn't having any contractions.
So I was like, oh great, now mywater is broken, which means I
should be close to deliveringwithin 24 hours, but I'm not
having any contractions, whichmeans like I'm not even close to
, you know, having the baby.
So I'm going to be in thehospital laboring for 24 hours,
you know, and then they're goingto want to do interventions,
(20:28):
you know, but I.
So I had that in the back of mymind, but so we headed to the
hospital.
Do you want me to just keepgoing?
Yeah, you can just keep going.
All right, you can interrupt mewith questions.
And I mean you were there soyou can correct me, you might
remember things differently.
Yeah, you have the timestampphotos.
You know I was trying to piecethings together, but I feel like
(20:51):
that is super helpful.
Angela (20:52):
People are processing their birth stories, looking at
the photos, like, okay, this isactually what happened, you know
?
Yeah exactly.
Christi (20:58):
So we got to the hospital.
So my water broke like aroundnoon and then, you know, we
slowly got to the hospital.
We got there around like Idon't know three, 30 or so, and
they hooked me up and they said,oh, you are having contractions
, see them on the screen, butyou're not feeling them.
And I was like, no, I'm notfeeling them, they're like okay.
(21:19):
The doctor checked me,confirmed it was amniotic fluid,
it was very.
At first she was like we'llhave to look under a microscope
and then once she looked, shewas like, oh, nevermind, this is
obvious, this is like 99% sure.
And she said I was onecentimeter dilated and I was
(21:42):
like, right, you know, here wego and that they'd admit me.
And they started talking aboutPitocin to get my contractions
to be stronger and that was, youknow, maybe around four.
And I told them I wanted towait like an hour before
starting the Pitocin.
And they were totally fine withthat, very didn't pressure me
at all.
So they moved me into the labordelivery room and I'm talking
(22:03):
to our nurse.
She was like you guys shouldeat something for dinner because
you know I told her I wasplanning on not getting an
epidural right away and she waslike well, you know, it could be
24 hours till you deliver thisbaby, you know.
So you should eat some.
And if you get an epidural sixhours from now, now you can't
(22:24):
eat, so like you should eat aproper meal.
And so we let's see.
Then what was next.
I took a big poop.
I remember that, which I wasglad, because then I was like,
won't have to worry aboutpooping during pushing.
I was glad because then I waslike, won't have to worry about
pooping during pushing.
And you know, the hour went by.
(22:47):
So they came to talk aboutPitocin again, and I was still
unsure, because I'm thinking, ohgreat, here comes the cascade
of interventions.
And the nurse was like, do youwant the doctor to come in and
talk to you again?
And I was like yes.
And the doctor came in and shewas just like, strongly
encourage it, cause if you don't, what could happen?
You know, and she knew I wasgoing to try without epidural.
She was like you could?
(23:08):
You know, of course you canhave this baby without Pitocin.
Of course.
However, you could end up goingall night long and not getting
any sleep and then tomorrowmorning you get an epidural.
So like, yes, you avoidedPitocin, but you're so exhausted
you still got an epidural.
So she kind of like painteddifferent scenarios.
(23:30):
Obviously she doesn't no oneknows what could happen, but she
was just like some people onlyneed a little bit of Pitocin.
Your body's clearly ready togive birth, like it with the
water.
Everything's been natural.
You're having contractions,you're just not feeling them.
This will just help, you know,strengthen those, speed things
along.
So I said yes to the Pitocin.
(23:51):
I figured you know what youguys are, the experts you know
so, which is a big thing.
I think you know you are greatat educating people, angela,
about like, if you don't havefaith and trust and the people
that are taking care of you,then like that's not a good
(24:12):
mental space.
So I think I just had to havetrust in these folks that you
know that they would do theright thing.
So they started me on Pitocinand we door dashed five guys and
so I remember seven o'clock, wegot the 7pm, we got the five
guys delivered and we're eatingthat and I'd gone over my
(24:35):
toolbox plan with my nurse andshe was really supportive.
She was like you can totally doit without epidural and I told
them I had gone over my like mybirth plan with my OBG ahead of
time.
I'd showed it to her and I waslike, is there anything on this
list that like I don't need or Ishould, you know, have?
(24:57):
And, and you know, my birthplan was pretty basic.
I think a lot of birth has comea long ways right.
Like they don't give youepisiotomies all the time, they
don't make you be on your back,and so my doctor was like think
everything on here is great, youknow.
And it was basically like Iwanted to trap my husband or
myself to say the gender of thebaby.
(25:17):
I wanted my husband or myselfto say the gender of the baby.
I wanted a warm compress on myperineal to try to help it, not
pair.
They're already going to doskin to skin after the baby's
born.
So I'd gone over all thesethings with my nurse and she was
like you can totally do it.
So while I was still feelinggood and not having strong
(25:40):
contractions, my nurse her namewas Kayla she was like why don't
we do some stretches and somemassages to try to open up your
hips while you're feeling goodand try to get the baby lower?
So we did that, which was great.
Then I had asked her at onepoint.
(26:03):
I was like, are you going tolike suggest different positions
for me to be in?
And she was like, girl, if youdon't get an epidural, you're
going to know what position youwant to be in, so you won't need
to be told.
But yes, I'm here to supportyou, you know.
And uh, she gave me a peanutball thing and she, she, she did
say a lot of women like handsand knees, um, and you know.
(26:24):
So I think from like eight to 9.
Pm Travis and I walked thehallways and I I was definitely
starting to feel thecontractions.
I would stop and lean on himduring the contractions and then
I had told them that eventhough I was trying not to get
an epidural, I wanted to signthe paperwork ahead of time just
(26:44):
to have it out of the way, sothat when I'm in that moment I'm
not like having to talk andlike sign paperwork or whatever.
So the only male we saw of ourwhole stay, the anesthesiologist
, came in and you know he wentover the paperwork and asked a
bunch of questions about if Ihad, you know, whatever been
under before and he left and andI'm in really good spirits, I'm
(27:08):
like joking with her and I'm sohe goes to leave and I'm like,
okay, bye, I hope I don't seeyou again.
You know, and I feel like I'mcracking jokes, I'm staying
pretty positive.
You know I'm cracking jokes,I'm staying pretty positive.
You know I'm having fun andKayla gets the nitrous out
(27:32):
no-transcript nine or 10.
So I start doing the nitrous andat first I'm like I don't think
this is working at all but Iwill.
I definitely recommend it forpeople because you breathe
through a mask and justbreathing through the mask helps
you breathe really deeply.
So whether or not the nitrousreally works, I mean I think I
(27:55):
felt like I had a couple glassesof wine.
You feel a little buzz andthere's really no harm.
I don't like it's as soon asyou're not breathing it it like
leaves your system.
So that really helped the deepbreathing.
So I was using my breathingtechniques from hypnobirthing
through the mask.
So I'm really deep breathing.
(28:15):
And then in between contractions, you know I'm cracking jokes
with people and trying to staypositive and stuff.
So in Kayla the nurse, she wasgreat.
She like brought in fakecandles to the room and I'm
squeezing my comb and have mynitrous machine.
And then around 11 PM, I toldKayla I was getting
(28:37):
uncomfortable and she agreedshe's like yeah, you definitely.
You know, I'm not crackingjokes anymore Definitely getting
uncomfortable.
And she asked if I wanted to bechecked again because it had
been about six hours since myfirst check and I said yes.
So the doctor came in and Ijoked you know, I better not be
at two centimeters and I was atfour centimeters.
So I was like okay, that's,that's something.
(28:58):
And that's when Travis textedyou and was like okay, you know,
we think things you might wantto come, but like what, we don't
really know I'm I was like, oh,it could still be a long time,
you know.
So, anyways, so you came, whichin hindsight is a good thing.
You came when you did, and Ihad also made a list of phrases
(29:26):
for Travis to say to me, becausehe's not very verbally
affectionate.
So at one point I remember hejust kept saying like you're
doing great, you're doing great.
And I was like get out theeffing list and say those things
to me.
You know, like I was, like Imade it for a reason.
And they said things like getout the effing list and say
those things to me.
You know, like I was like Imade it for a reason and they
said things like you're a badass, you know, like just something
different.
(29:46):
So he and he was like oh, Ididn't think we were there yet
and I'm like we're there, youknow, and I think it was.
It was probably around like1230 am, it was.
It was probably around like 1230 am.
I I told kayla I'm like okay,the nitrous, like I'm ready for
the next thing on the list.
I was like I either want thetub or the opioid.
(30:06):
And I remember being a littlesurprised that like I'm still in
this headspace where I can justtalk to kayla about things.
You know, I'd warned travislike're going to have to
advocate for me, you know.
But I was still very much likewhat do you think about the tub?
What do you think about theopioid?
And she was like you're goingto love the opioid way, but you
(30:28):
can't be doing nitrous during it.
And I was like well, but.
But she said, but you're goingto love the opioid way better
than the nitrous.
And I joked I'm like, well, whydidn't you tell me that sooner,
right?
So she, she did say she warnedme.
She was like well, you're notsupposed to take the opioid if
you're going to deliver withintwo hours.
And I was like, well, I wasjust checked and I was only four
(30:51):
centimeters.
But like, whatever, you,whatever, I'll check me again,
then whatever.
So you, whatever, I'll check meagain, then whatever.
So she called the doctor andthe doctor must have said the
same thing I did, because thedoctor was fine with giving it
to me without being checkedagain.
And she told us like oh, thisopioid's really gonna take the
edge off.
You're really gonna notice,it's gonna be right away.
(31:12):
And I remember she gave it to meand my first contraction I
didn't notice any difference.
And then the first contractionI didn't notice any difference.
And then the next one, and Ididn't notice any difference.
And I was like what the heck?
And I was like, well, why don'tyou get the tub ready?
Because I know it takes a whileto get the tub ready.
And I mean, as she's gettingthe tub ready, I just say to her
I feel pushy.
(31:33):
So I think that's why I didn'tfeel the effect of the opioid,
because I was just like rightthere.
But then I'm worried.
I'm like great, like I justtook this opioid and you're not
supposed to take it beforedelivering.
And here I am feeling real pushy, you know, and I just went on
to my hands and knees.
The whole time before that I'dbeen a little on my hands and
(31:55):
knees and just like laying on myside and I went on my hands and
knees.
So Kayla called the doctor andthey checked me and they said,
yep, you're 10 centimeters, youknow.
Next contraction you can push.
And I was like thank God.
So I pushed on hands and kneesand I wasn't worried about
pooping because I'd already hada big poop earlier.
(32:15):
And they told me they got thewarm compress out.
They're like you know, we'redoing it.
And I remember, in betweencontractions, asking them like
what's happening?
What's going on down there?
Like what's it look like I feellike the baby's halfway out
already.
And they're like, no, it'sprobably just passing through
your pelvis, like we don't seeit yet, you know.
(32:35):
So I keep pushing with mycontractions and then they said
they can see the head and do Iwant to touch it?
And I did and I told Travis hehad to go look.
I told him this ahead of timebecause I needed him to have
proper respect and know what mybody was going through so he
could take care of me after.
And I mean, it was, it wasprobably like 20 minutes of
(32:59):
pushing maybe, and the baby cameout and you know, we still
don't know what gender it is andI'm on my hands and knees so I
can't see and I'm like, well,what is it?
But and everyone was quietCause I told them I wanted me or
Travis to say, and Travis islike here's this baby, that's
like upside down with thebilicalcords, travis is trying to get
a look.
And then you know, he said it'sa boy.
(33:21):
So it was probably like threeseconds but it felt super long.
And then we did skin to skinand they asked like how long I
wanted to do delayed cordclamping and I said you know,
about two minutes.
So we did that and Travis cutthe umbilical cord and I mean
the rest is kind of a blur.
(33:42):
The placenta came out and theyshowed it to me and the
stitching I had a second degreetear and the stitching was a
little more uncomfortable than Iexpected it to be.
But I mean, who, who reallycares at that point?
Right, and our little boy.
We named him Oscar.
He wanted to breastfeed rightaway and Kayla, the nurse, was
(34:06):
right there constantly helping,teaching both of us, so that was
really great.
And then eventually theyweighed him and Travis got to do
skin to skin and I went pee andwas feeling great and yeah, I
think, I think that's about it.
Did I miss anything?
Angela (34:26):
So did you notice the pictures?
Was that bothering you likewith the flash at all at any
point when, like all of this wasgoing on just to kind of have a
little, you know, likeperspective for someone that
might be considering havingbirth photography, did it feel
like invasive at all?
Christi (34:39):
Yeah, I'll say it was wonderful.
If you're thinking of a birthphotographer, highly, highly
recommend it worth twice theamount that you charge, I think.
I think I only remember theflash one time when I was using
the nitrous and I'm like, ohgood, she got this photo.
Because, you know, I I like thelaboring photos.
Like you know, I've never beenat a birth or given birth and
(35:02):
you see people with their babybut you don't see people
laboring, you know.
So it's.
I think I was really interestedon capturing having some
laboring photos.
And then you know, being on myhands and knees photos, and then
you know, being on my hands andknees I don't know what it
looked like back there.
So it was really wonderful tosee those photos and to have
(35:25):
those moments captured.
And all of your photos are sotasteful I've gotten so many
compliments on them and they'reso powerful, like to see.
You know just how badass we aswomen are and remembering the
best moment of your life.
And, if you know, we don't knowif we'll have a second one
(35:46):
child.
So you know this might be theonly birth experience I have and
now we have these wonderfulmemories from it.
So definitely.
And no, you were not invasiveat all.
Angela (35:57):
Nope, you did great, oh my gosh, yeah, you know, I mean,
like people photograph theirweddings, right, and this you
know.
If you're going to photographyour wedding, why would you not
photograph?
You know, another super specialday like of your life that you
literally will never experienceagain?
Christi (36:22):
Exactly, and like you, don't have to share them with
people.
I mean, I posted them onFacebook because I thought they
were awesome, but you know, ifyou you can just keep them for
yourself too, you know and now Iknow what my bottle looks like,
you know, oh my gosh.
Angela (36:28):
So how is your postpartum time Like?
Christi (36:29):
how is your sort of immediate postpartum like in the
hospital and then like once yougot home, well, I delivered at
like one, 30 in the morning, sothat doesn't really count as one
night from the insurancestandpoint.
So in the hospital was fine,except they like want to give me
Tylenol every four hours, youknow.
And then so it's like I cangive myself Tylenol at home, you
(36:53):
know.
But and we had some familyvisiting, so we didn't really
sleep.
But you're also kind of like onthis high right of like
adrenaline, so it's like, andyou have this new baby and
you're trying to nurse, so Ididn't really sleep much, but it
didn't bother me, I guess, thatI didn't sleep much and so we
left, so we only.
(37:14):
So we obviously spent that therest of that night, and then we
spent one more night and then weleft even.
So we only.
So we obviously spent that therest of that night, and then we
spent one more night and then weleft, even though we could have
stayed another night and beingat home, travis had two weeks
off, so we had those two weeksto try to be like is he crying
because of that?
You know we're like figuringthings out, but he did good
taking care of me and we went tolike three lactation
(37:39):
appointments and you know thatwas kind that's kind of like the
biggest thing, I think, for me,because he he was latching when
the lactation people helped,but then I'd get home and he
wouldn't latch, and then I'mstressed, I'm stressed out, he's
hungry, you know.
So then I'm pumping, and I'mstressed out, he's hungry, you
know.
So then I'm pumping Travis,giving him a bottle.
(38:00):
So that that was a littlestressful for a couple days
Until I had this wonderful lady,abby, and new Gloucester she'll
actually come to your house.
So she came to my house and Iwas like Abby, watch me, try to
do it, and then correct me.
And it was the littlest thing itwas.
It was like, oh, you're holdinghis head, you're forcing his
(38:22):
head too much, so here, movethis hand.
And then we never had a singleproblem and so that was huge
relief.
And then it's just figuring outthe car seat.
And then it's stressful whenyou're driving and the baby's
crying and there's like nothingyou can do about it.
But no, everything else isgoing great.
He actually slept six hourslast night straight at four
(38:47):
weeks old.
So I don't know if it was afluke or what, but I'll take it
yeah, any little stretch ofsleep you can get, exactly,
exactly.
And I will say he was kind ofbig.
He was eight pounds two ouncesand he's going to be tall, like
his mom and dad.
He's almost 21 inches long, soyeah, full head of hair.
Angela (39:11):
Oh, my goodness, amazing .
So now, as a final question ifyou were to give advice to
someone who's expecting, or evennew parents, what would be the
biggest thing you'd want toshare with them?
Christi (39:25):
Sure, I thought of this ahead of time and I have two
pieces of advice.
One is you know, learn as muchas you can ahead of time it's
you'll be more prepared.
You'll feel more empowered.
You can ahead of time it'syou'll be more prepared, you'll
feel more empowered, you knowyou'll.
You'll know what Pitocin is.
You know, like you'll anythingyou can learn ahead of time
(39:49):
lactate, prenatal lactationappointments.
You know, listening to yourpodcast and your courses that
you offer, angela, just like anylittle nuggets, you can learn
ahead of time.
You'll go into your experiencefeeling more prepared and more
confident in your decisions thatyou have to make.
And then my second piece ofadvice is try to listen to
positive birth stories so thatyou'll stay positive and even if
(40:13):
things don't go as plannedbecause they never do try to
stay positive.
Keep that oxytocin flowing.
You know, trust the team that'staking care of you and give
yourself and your body grace.
You know, try not to mentallyput so much pressure on yourself
to have this perfect, plannedbirth.
You know, just kind of go withthe flow and stay positive.
Angela (40:40):
Yeah, totally, you know, just kind of go with the flow
and stay positive.
Yeah, totally, mindset andbeing flexible and like the
whole process really is a majorkey to just having an overall
positive experience for sure.
Yeah, thank you so much,christy, for sharing your story
today and for taking the time tochat with me.
It's been such a pleasure.
Of course, thanks for having meon and that taking the time to
chat with me.
Christi (40:56):
It's been such a pleasure.
Of course, thanks for having meon.
Angela (41:00):
And that's the end of another episode of the my Main
Birth podcast.
Thank you for joining me andlistening.
If you're looking to documentyour birth story or if you're
interested in doula support foryour upcoming birth, head over
to my website, mymainbirthcomand check out my packages.
(41:20):
I'm a certified professionalbirth photographer and an
experienced doula, and I offerin-person services to families
throughout the state of Maine,as well as virtual birth
coaching worldwide.
I want to invite you to grab mytop free resource for newly
pregnant moms.
It's called 37 questions to askyour care provider, Whether
(41:44):
you've already established careor if you're in the process of
interviewing new providers.
This is for you.
Not only are you going to getthe questions to ask, but I also
share how to assess theiranswers and the major red flags
that you should be looking for.
So go grab that.
It's at mymainbirthcom slashdownload.
(42:05):
Thank you again for tuning inand I look forward to bringing
you more amazing birth stories.
Don't forget to subscribe andleave me a review, and I'll see
you back here again next week.
And you know, the hour went by.
So they came to talk aboutPitocin again and I was still
unsure because I'm thinking, ohgreat, here comes the cascade of
interventions.
And the nurse was like do youwant the doctor to come in and
talk to you again?
And I was like yes.
And the doctor came in and shewas just like strongly encourage
it, because if you don't, whatcould happen?
(00:24):
You know, and she knew I wasgoing to try without epidural.
She was like you could?
You know?
Of course you can have thisbaby without pitocin.
Of course, however, you couldend up going all night long and
not getting any sleep and thentomorrow morning you get an
epidural.
So like, yes, you, yes, youavoided Pitocin, but you're so
(00:45):
exhausted you still got anepidural.
So she kind of like painteddifferent scenarios.
Obviously she doesn't, no oneknows what could happen.
But she was just like somepeople only need a little bit of
Pitocin.
Your body's clearly ready togive birth, like it with the
water, everything's been natural.
You're having contractions,you're just not feeling them.
(01:05):
This will just help, you know,strengthen those, speed things
along.
So I said yes to the Pitocin.
I figured you know what youguys are, the experts, you know.
So, which is a big thing Ithink you know you are great at
educating people, angela aboutlike if you don't have faith and
trust in the people that aretaking care of you, then like
(01:29):
that's not a good mental space.
So I think I just had to havetrust in these folks that you
know that they would do theright thing.
So they started me on Pitocinand we door dashed five guys.
Angela (01:47):
I'm Angela and you're listening to my Maine Birth a
space where we share the reallife stories of families and
their unique birth experiencesin the beautiful state of Maine.
From our state's biggesthospitals to birth center births
and home births, every birthstory deserves to be heard and
(02:08):
celebrated.
Whether you're a soon-to-be mom, a seasoned mother or simply
interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.
Welcome to episode 92 of thepodcast.
A couple quick reminders.
This weekend, saturdaySeptember 21st, I'm hosting a
(02:28):
free workshop called Birth PlanEssentials.
It's going to be at the OldTown Public Library from 11am to
noon.
I'm hosting this free workshopwhere I walk you through
creating your own personalizedbirth plan each month for the
rest of the year.
So give me a follow over onInstagram at my main birth for
(02:49):
all of the info on the otherdates for this year.
And another thing I'm reallyexcited about is the opening of
enrollment for Birth Bliss.
Birth Bliss embracing knowledgeas power for your natural birth
is a three-part in-personchildbirth education series
created by myself and fellowchildbirth educator, katie
(03:09):
Stroud.
We're hosting this class atManly Succulents in Orono, our
local plant shop, with theperfect vibe for learning all
about natural birth.
This course is designed toguide you in claiming your power
on your journey to a naturalbirth.
You're going to develop astrong understanding of birth
physiology, learn the variationsof normal and true emergencies,
(03:30):
navigate fears and eliminatethem, and participate in
discussions about why birthmatters.
We also teach how to setyourself up for a blissful
postpartum and offer a wealth ofbreastfeeding and early
parenting information.
There will be a private onlinecommunity throughout the course
for participants and in ourfinal class, you'll create a
(03:52):
succulent birth arrangementcourtesy of our hosts, mainly
succulents.
This is a complete childbirtheducation course.
Whether you're birthing in ahospital, at a birth center or
at home, birth Bliss is designedto support you every step of
the way.
Enrollment opens this Friday,september 20th, and you can find
all of the details over atmymainbirthcom slash birthbliss.
(04:16):
Now for episode 92,.
This is one I'm very, veryexcited about, very, very
excited about.
Today's birth story guest isChristy, and she's going to be
sharing all of the details abouther pregnancy, with Care From
Intermed, and all about herbirth at Maine Medical Center in
Portland.
I had the incredible honor ofbeing Christy's fly-on-the-wall
(04:37):
birth photographer and I'm soexcited that she's here on the
podcast today.
Hi, christy, welcome to myMaine Birth.
Hello, so to get started, willyou share a little bit about you
and your family?
Christi (04:58):
Sure, I was born and raised in Maine, grew up down
east in Machias, met my husbandon Tinder like nine years ago
and I kind of joke that I'venever been real maternal, so
like we put it off as long as wecould.
But you know, now we've we haveour first little one.
He just turned four weeks, somy birth story is fresh on my
mind.
Angela (05:17):
So will you start by sharing when you found out you
were pregnant and your thoughtsin choosing your care?
Christi (05:34):
Sure, I'm kind of like a type planner.
So I was like, all right, Iknow things don't always go
perfectly, but I would love asummer baby, because my birthday
is Christmas Eve and it's likethe worst birthday and my
husband's birthday is in Julyand it's like the most fun
birthday.
So, came off, birth controlstarted.
You know well, first we justhad unprotected sex and I was
like what?
We didn't get pregnant, likeI've been told my whole life
(05:57):
that, you know, this is how youget pregnant.
So after kind of casuallytrying for like two months, so
after kind of casually tryingfor like two months, my A-type
personality kicked in and I waslike all right, and I started
using ovulation strips.
So I could really tell, youknow, and I was like, all right,
it's go time.
Travis, that's my husband'sname.
(06:17):
I was like tonight's the night,babe, you know, which is like
always kind of awkward.
But so then my period was comingup and I did a pregnancy test
and those tests, you know, theysay like can be, can tell you
six days before your most period.
So I was like, well, I'll testfive days before my period, you
(06:40):
know.
And it said I wasn't pregnant.
So I was like, you know, Inever thought I would be the
type of person that it wouldupset me Like cause.
Like I said, I'm not very,don't consider myself eternal or
whatever, but I have a lot morerespect and can relate more to
women who struggle because and Iwouldn't say we struggled but
(07:00):
just that little bit of of notgetting pregnant immediately it
really messes with your head oflike.
Is something wrong with me, issomething wrong with my husband?
You know you're Googling thingslike you can.
I can definitely see you knowwhy it.
It can be really troubling.
But then the day of my periodcame and I didn't start my
(07:22):
period.
So I tested that day and thenit said I was pregnant.
So I told my husband so that'show we found out we were
pregnant.
I told him through a fortunecookie that I had ordered on
Etsy like months in advance andit had gone stale.
But I think he was so shockedwhen he opened it.
He ate the fortune cookieanyways, even after he read it
(07:43):
he still ate it, and even thoughit was all rubbery and gross.
But so then I was kind of likeI'm healthy, I've worked out my
whole life, I'm I'm 36 years old, so I am a little older, but
you know, my mom had me when shewas 40 and that was 40, that
was 36 years ago.
So I was kind of like you know,I think I'm healthy enough,
(08:07):
hopefully don't have anycomplications, but like you
don't know, until you're goingto the doctors or even in labor,
you don't know if, if you know,something could go wrong.
So I kind of decided on ahospital birth pretty early on.
Um, like I said, the planner inme I've always been plan for
(08:28):
the worst, hope for the best.
So I was like you know what?
It's my first one, it's myfirst child, we'll just do it in
the hospital to be safe.
And my OBG is at intermed andthey only deliver at main med.
And she told me that and I waslike, okay, that's fine.
And it kind of gave me a littlebit of peace of mind to know
(08:51):
that if the worst case scenariowere to happen, I'm already
where I need to be, so I don'tneed to worry about if the worst
case scenario happens.
And if my baby needed to go tothe NICU for an emergency, I
would be in the same hospital asmy baby.
So that's how I chose ahospital birth.
Angela (09:13):
Now, how were you feeling throughout your
pregnancy and were there anytesting that you did?
Christi (09:19):
Yeah, everyone's gonna hate me.
I think I had the easiestpregnancy ever and I'm 5'11", so
I will will say I think it'sbecause I'm tall.
The baby just had more room togrow.
So I didn't have any morningsickness.
I joke, I've been eating fortwo my whole life.
So I really was prepared forthis and you know, I worked out
(09:43):
the whole time and I was stillgoing into work the day before I
gave birth.
I did do like all the time Ihad done like a 23andMe test
years ago for to see if I was acarrier of anything, um, so I I
kind of felt good about thatstuff.
But we did test for like Downsyndrome and we didn't want to
(10:09):
know the gender of the baby.
So that was fun not knowingthat.
But yeah, pregnancy was reallyeasy.
I started doing a lot ofresearch while I was pregnant.
Angela (10:19):
So what did you kind of start researching?
Where was your kind of thoughtsprocess as you your pregnancy
progressed?
Christi (10:25):
Well, I wanted to be prepared because that's how I am
.
So I main med offers likechildbirth classes online and
breastfeeding classes online andinfant 101 online, and those
are free for anyone.
Like you don't have to bedelivering at main bed.
(10:45):
And then, you know, I met.
I met you, angela, because Iwas I was thinking about doulas,
talking to friends who hadbabies I took a positive
hypnobirthing class from thepositive birth company.
That was really great.
So ultimately I I decided likeI kind of I felt like I had
(11:08):
prepared myself so that I didn'tneed a doula.
I knew the nurses.
Everyone said the nurses atMaine Med were wonderful.
I didn't really care about mydoctor because I knew they're
kind of just there for thepushing part, for the pushing
(11:29):
part.
And you know, ultimately Ihired you as my birth
photographer.
So that was really exciting andI'm sure we'll talk about that.
But I kind of had this plan.
But I didn't want to pressuremy I didn't want to put too much
pressure on myself like givebirth without epidural, you know
, because I didn't want to setmyself up to be disappointed by
my birth experience.
So I kind of told myself,listen, christy, just you'll get
(11:52):
an epidural as your last resort.
You have all these other thingsin your toolbox and you'll get
an epidural as your last resortand the worst case scenario is
you'll get a C-section andthat's totally fine, they're
very common, they're very safeand that's the worst case
scenario.
So I kind of told myself thatin my head I was 9 pounds, 1
(12:14):
ounce, so I was a C-section.
I was born C-section.
I turned out fine.
My mom was fine.
So in my toolbox when I wentinto labor I talked this over
with my nurse you know I hadlike a heat pad for my back.
I had a tens machine which Iguess they're they're seem to be
really big in like Europe.
(12:34):
Those they like thechiropractor uses them.
They like shock your muscles alittle bit.
And then I had takenhypnobirthing so I had my
breathing.
Um, I had taken hypnobirthing,so I had my breathing.
I had the comb that you squeezeand then the tub, obviously.
So these were.
Those were like all my prettybasic things I was going to use
during labor.
And then, as things got worse,I I would use nitrous oxide,
(12:59):
which is like laughing gas, andthen an opioid and then an
epidural.
So that was kind of my list andI was like I'll just see how
far I go in my list.
So that was kind of mentallyhow I prepared for labor and and
then I was also thinking aboutafter the baby, right, like I
don't, I don't know that muchabout babies.
(13:20):
So I taken like a prenatallactation appointment and that
was really helpful because Ithink learning about colostrum
and hand expression even thoughyou don't have a baby, you're
still learning about your pumpand I figure anything I can
learn ahead of time you're goingto be learning so much as a new
(13:41):
parent after the baby.
Angela (13:43):
Like any little nugget I can learn ahead of time will be
helpful, yeah definitely,thinking about the postpartum
period while you're pregnant isreally helpful and definitely
something to not forget about,because it can be so easy to get
caught up in birth and the bigevent.
But yeah, thinking about thepostpartum is really important,
(14:03):
exactly yeah.
But yeah, thinking aboutpostpartum is really important,
exactly yeah.
So now can I ask you about likeyour like workout routine
throughout your pregnancy andhow that kind of varied, because
you did like exercising throughto the end, right?
Christi (14:16):
Yeah, I was going to Orange Theory.
So that's like a mix of runningon the treadmill and some
weights, and you know I've doneCrossFit in the past, but at the
time I was doing Orange Theory,so I just stuck with that and
obviously switched to walking onthe treadmills.
But I had gone also to pelvicfloor doctor Emily, the one you
(14:40):
just had on your podcast.
I went to her even before I waspregnant.
This is the type of planner Iam and I was like tell me how my
pelvic floor is and is thereanything I should be doing
before I get pregnant.
So you know she checked that andshe gave me some advice.
She was like it's not all aboutKegels.
You know you need to.
Don't, don't worry about you.
(15:02):
Me particularly.
She was like you don't need todo Kegels and once you find out
you're pregnant, stop doingsit-ups.
Like, don't do any ab workoutsbecause you're, you know, the
relaxing hormone.
So so I wasn't.
I was modifying a lot of thosethings in the gym, but I think
just moving was helpful.
(15:22):
Um, but I do sit at a cubicleall day for work.
So also, you know I wasn'texhausted every day because I
was resting all day and thenjust spent an hour at the gym
awesome.
Angela (15:37):
Yeah, that's a movement.
Even just any kind that you canget is so helpful in pregnancy.
Yeah, yeah.
So now will you share about thefinal days and weeks leaning up
to like when your labor startedand about your birth?
Christi (15:52):
yeah.
So because I tracked myovulation, I mean I guess we
don't know exactly what day thesperm meets the egg, but I had
had kind of been like, okay,this is like my due date, but
then the you know everyone goes40 weeks after your last period.
So I in my, in my head, I kindof knew that like my due date
(16:14):
was, it was like the 12th ofAugust, but according to the
doctor it was like the 16th ofAugust.
So I was like that's good,though they you know that my
quote unquote real due date islike a couple of days earlier.
So, as it got closer,definitely started to feel more
(16:34):
uncomfortable, stopped going tothe gym and we would just try to
go for walks, started eatingdates, you know, trying all the
harmless tricks you know.
And my doctor was really great.
She said, even though I was alittle older, she would
recommend an induction if I wentto 41 weeks, which a lot of my
(16:56):
friends having babies right nowthat are also advanced maternal
age.
Their doctors told them like 39weeks and I was like didn't, if
my doctor had told me that Iwould have definitely been like
no, so I was fine with going to41.
And so both my quote unquote,real.
You know, august comes aroundand I did get I think it was
(17:21):
right around my August 13 ish.
They tried to do a membranesweep, which I was fine with,
but they said, oh, your cervixis like too far back or closed,
so like it didn't work, theycouldn't, they couldn't do
anything.
So I was like, okay, I knowthings can progress, they can
change quickly, but likeprobably not going to have the
(17:41):
baby tomorrow.
So it was funny.
I kept like making these plans,like, oh, I better go fishing
this weekend because this couldbe my last weekend, you know,
without a baby.
And then started making plansfor next week Okay, next weekend
this might be my last weekendwithout a baby, you know.
So the due date came and youknow, nothing happened.
And then it was the day afterthe due date, so the 17th of
(18:08):
August, that things started tohappen.
Angela (18:12):
Oh my gosh.
So what were your first signsthat you were noticing that you
were in early labor?
Christi (18:19):
Well, my water broke.
So it was pretty obvious and itwas funny.
I always said like I hope mywater breaks like in in the
movies and I hope I give birthlike in the parking lot and
don't even have to spend time atthe hospital.
You know, like that was kind oflike I'm gonna labor at home.
This was my plan.
I like we live on the lake, soI was like maybe I'll like labor
(18:40):
in the lake for a while, andbut it was about noon and I was
foraging for mushrooms that wehave near our house and my water
broke, just a slow trickle, andI was like, hmm, that's kind of
odd.
Never peed myself before, youknow.
So I I came home and went to thebathroom and I saw my mucus
(19:02):
plug and I was like, hmm, Ithink that's my mucus plug, but
you know, I don't know.
So just went about and then,like 10 minutes later, I felt
another trickle and I was like,okay, that's that, that is
strange.
So I changed my underwear andthen, 10 minutes later, happened
a third time and I was like,okay, definitely, this is
(19:23):
happening, you know.
So I put on like a diaper nowat this point and my husband was
working up, uh, building awoodshed, because you know that
needs to be done before thebaby's born.
So I went and told him.
I'm like I'm pretty sure thingsare happening, so like we
should take showers and eatsomething and pack the final
(19:44):
things in our bags.
And then I texted you becauseyou're my birth photographer and
you know you're a few hoursaway.
I was like I'm pretty surethings are happening, you know
I'll keep you posted.
So called my mom because she'sin Machias, four hours away, and
then took a shower.
I had Travis take one morepregnancy photo of me, but I
(20:06):
wasn't having any contractions.
So I was like, oh great, now mywater is broken, which means I
should be close to deliveringwithin 24 hours, but I'm not
having any contractions, whichmeans like I'm not even close to
, you know, having the baby.
So I'm going to be in thehospital laboring for 24 hours,
you know, and then they're goingto want to do interventions,
(20:28):
you know, but I.
So I had that in the back of mymind, but so we headed to the
hospital.
Do you want me to just keepgoing?
Yeah, you can just keep going.
All right, you can interrupt mewith questions.
And I mean you were there soyou can correct me, you might
remember things differently.
Yeah, you have the timestampphotos.
You know I was trying to piecethings together, but I feel like
(20:51):
that is super helpful.
Angela (20:52):
People are processing their birth stories, looking at
the photos, like, okay, this isactually what happened, you know
?
Yeah exactly.
Christi (20:58):
So we got to the hospital.
So my water broke like aroundnoon and then, you know, we
slowly got to the hospital.
We got there around like Idon't know three, 30 or so, and
they hooked me up and they said,oh, you are having contractions
, see them on the screen, butyou're not feeling them.
And I was like, no, I'm notfeeling them, they're like okay.
(21:19):
The doctor checked me,confirmed it was amniotic fluid,
it was very.
At first she was like we'llhave to look under a microscope
and then once she looked, shewas like, oh, nevermind, this is
obvious, this is like 99% sure.
And she said I was onecentimeter dilated and I was
(21:42):
like, right, you know, here wego and that they'd admit me.
And they started talking aboutPitocin to get my contractions
to be stronger and that was, youknow, maybe around four.
And I told them I wanted towait like an hour before
starting the Pitocin.
And they were totally fine withthat, very didn't pressure me
at all.
So they moved me into the labordelivery room and I'm talking
(22:03):
to our nurse.
She was like you guys shouldeat something for dinner because
you know I told her I wasplanning on not getting an
epidural right away and she waslike well, you know, it could be
24 hours till you deliver thisbaby, you know.
So you should eat some.
And if you get an epidural sixhours from now, now you can't
(22:24):
eat, so like you should eat aproper meal.
And so we let's see.
Then what was next.
I took a big poop.
I remember that, which I wasglad, because then I was like,
won't have to worry aboutpooping during pushing.
I was glad because then I waslike, won't have to worry about
pooping during pushing.
And you know, the hour went by.
(22:47):
So they came to talk aboutPitocin again, and I was still
unsure, because I'm thinking, ohgreat, here comes the cascade
of interventions.
And the nurse was like, do youwant the doctor to come in and
talk to you again?
And I was like yes.
And the doctor came in and shewas just like, strongly
encourage it, cause if you don't, what could happen?
You know, and she knew I wasgoing to try without epidural.
She was like you could?
(23:08):
You know, of course you canhave this baby without Pitocin.
Of course.
However, you could end up goingall night long and not getting
any sleep and then tomorrowmorning you get an epidural.
So like, yes, you avoidedPitocin, but you're so exhausted
you still got an epidural.
So she kind of like painteddifferent scenarios.
(23:30):
Obviously she doesn't no oneknows what could happen, but she
was just like some people onlyneed a little bit of Pitocin.
Your body's clearly ready togive birth, like it with the
water.
Everything's been natural.
You're having contractions,you're just not feeling them.
This will just help, you know,strengthen those, speed things
along.
So I said yes to the Pitocin.
(23:51):
I figured you know what youguys are, the experts you know
so, which is a big thing.
I think you know you are greatat educating people, angela,
about like, if you don't havefaith and trust and the people
that are taking care of you,then like that's not a good
(24:12):
mental space.
So I think I just had to havetrust in these folks that you
know that they would do theright thing.
So they started me on Pitocinand we door dashed five guys and
so I remember seven o'clock, wegot the 7pm, we got the five
guys delivered and we're eatingthat and I'd gone over my
(24:35):
toolbox plan with my nurse andshe was really supportive.
She was like you can totally doit without epidural and I told
them I had gone over my like mybirth plan with my OBG ahead of
time.
I'd showed it to her and I waslike, is there anything on this
list that like I don't need or Ishould, you know, have?
(24:57):
And, and you know, my birthplan was pretty basic.
I think a lot of birth has comea long ways right.
Like they don't give youepisiotomies all the time, they
don't make you be on your back,and so my doctor was like think
everything on here is great, youknow.
And it was basically like Iwanted to trap my husband or
myself to say the gender of thebaby.
(25:17):
I wanted my husband or myselfto say the gender of the baby.
I wanted a warm compress on myperineal to try to help it, not
pair.
They're already going to doskin to skin after the baby's
born.
So I'd gone over all thesethings with my nurse and she was
like you can totally do it.
So while I was still feelinggood and not having strong
(25:40):
contractions, my nurse her namewas Kayla she was like why don't
we do some stretches and somemassages to try to open up your
hips while you're feeling goodand try to get the baby lower?
So we did that, which was great.
Then I had asked her at onepoint.
(26:03):
I was like, are you going tolike suggest different positions
for me to be in?
And she was like, girl, if youdon't get an epidural, you're
going to know what position youwant to be in, so you won't need
to be told.
But yes, I'm here to supportyou, you know.
And uh, she gave me a peanutball thing and she, she, she did
say a lot of women like handsand knees, um, and you know.
(26:24):
So I think from like eight to 9.
Pm Travis and I walked thehallways and I I was definitely
starting to feel thecontractions.
I would stop and lean on himduring the contractions and then
I had told them that eventhough I was trying not to get
an epidural, I wanted to signthe paperwork ahead of time just
(26:44):
to have it out of the way, sothat when I'm in that moment I'm
not like having to talk andlike sign paperwork or whatever.
So the only male we saw of ourwhole stay, the anesthesiologist
, came in and you know he wentover the paperwork and asked a
bunch of questions about if Ihad, you know, whatever been
under before and he left and andI'm in really good spirits, I'm
(27:08):
like joking with her and I'm sohe goes to leave and I'm like,
okay, bye, I hope I don't seeyou again.
You know, and I feel like I'mcracking jokes, I'm staying
pretty positive.
You know I'm cracking jokes,I'm staying pretty positive.
You know I'm having fun andKayla gets the nitrous out
(27:32):
no-transcript nine or 10.
So I start doing the nitrous andat first I'm like I don't think
this is working at all but Iwill.
I definitely recommend it forpeople because you breathe
through a mask and justbreathing through the mask helps
you breathe really deeply.
So whether or not the nitrousreally works, I mean I think I
(27:55):
felt like I had a couple glassesof wine.
You feel a little buzz andthere's really no harm.
I don't like it's as soon asyou're not breathing it it like
leaves your system.
So that really helped the deepbreathing.
So I was using my breathingtechniques from hypnobirthing
through the mask.
So I'm really deep breathing.
(28:15):
And then in between contractions, you know I'm cracking jokes
with people and trying to staypositive and stuff.
So in Kayla the nurse, she wasgreat.
She like brought in fakecandles to the room and I'm
squeezing my comb and have mynitrous machine.
And then around 11 PM, I toldKayla I was getting
(28:37):
uncomfortable and she agreedshe's like yeah, you definitely.
You know, I'm not crackingjokes anymore Definitely getting
uncomfortable.
And she asked if I wanted to bechecked again because it had
been about six hours since myfirst check and I said yes.
So the doctor came in and Ijoked you know, I better not be
at two centimeters and I was atfour centimeters.
So I was like okay, that's,that's something.
(28:58):
And that's when Travis textedyou and was like okay, you know,
we think things you might wantto come, but like what, we don't
really know I'm I was like, oh,it could still be a long time,
you know.
So, anyways, so you came, whichin hindsight is a good thing.
You came when you did, and Ihad also made a list of phrases
(29:26):
for Travis to say to me, becausehe's not very verbally
affectionate.
So at one point I remember hejust kept saying like you're
doing great, you're doing great.
And I was like get out theeffing list and say those things
to me.
You know, like I was, like Imade it for a reason.
And they said things like getout the effing list and say
those things to me.
You know, like I was like Imade it for a reason and they
said things like you're a badass, you know, like just something
different.
(29:46):
So he and he was like oh, Ididn't think we were there yet
and I'm like we're there, youknow, and I think it was.
It was probably around like1230 am, it was.
It was probably around like 1230 am.
I I told kayla I'm like okay,the nitrous, like I'm ready for
the next thing on the list.
I was like I either want thetub or the opioid.
(30:06):
And I remember being a littlesurprised that like I'm still in
this headspace where I can justtalk to kayla about things.
You know, I'd warned travislike're going to have to
advocate for me, you know.
But I was still very much likewhat do you think about the tub?
What do you think about theopioid?
And she was like you're goingto love the opioid way, but you
(30:28):
can't be doing nitrous during it.
And I was like well, but.
But she said, but you're goingto love the opioid way better
than the nitrous.
And I joked I'm like, well, whydidn't you tell me that sooner,
right?
So she, she did say she warnedme.
She was like well, you're notsupposed to take the opioid if
you're going to deliver withintwo hours.
And I was like, well, I wasjust checked and I was only four
(30:51):
centimeters.
But like, whatever, you,whatever, I'll check me again,
then whatever.
So you, whatever, I'll check meagain, then whatever.
So she called the doctor andthe doctor must have said the
same thing I did, because thedoctor was fine with giving it
to me without being checkedagain.
And she told us like oh, thisopioid's really gonna take the
edge off.
You're really gonna notice,it's gonna be right away.
(31:12):
And I remember she gave it to meand my first contraction I
didn't notice any difference.
And then the first contractionI didn't notice any difference.
And then the next one, and Ididn't notice any difference.
And I was like what the heck?
And I was like, well, why don'tyou get the tub ready?
Because I know it takes a whileto get the tub ready.
And I mean, as she's gettingthe tub ready, I just say to her
I feel pushy.
(31:33):
So I think that's why I didn'tfeel the effect of the opioid,
because I was just like rightthere.
But then I'm worried.
I'm like great, like I justtook this opioid and you're not
supposed to take it beforedelivering.
And here I am feeling real pushy, you know, and I just went on
to my hands and knees.
The whole time before that I'dbeen a little on my hands and
(31:55):
knees and just like laying on myside and I went on my hands and
knees.
So Kayla called the doctor andthey checked me and they said,
yep, you're 10 centimeters, youknow.
Next contraction you can push.
And I was like thank God.
So I pushed on hands and kneesand I wasn't worried about
pooping because I'd already hada big poop earlier.
(32:15):
And they told me they got thewarm compress out.
They're like you know, we'redoing it.
And I remember, in betweencontractions, asking them like
what's happening?
What's going on down there?
Like what's it look like I feellike the baby's halfway out
already.
And they're like, no, it'sprobably just passing through
your pelvis, like we don't seeit yet, you know.
(32:35):
So I keep pushing with mycontractions and then they said
they can see the head and do Iwant to touch it?
And I did and I told Travis hehad to go look.
I told him this ahead of timebecause I needed him to have
proper respect and know what mybody was going through so he
could take care of me after.
And I mean, it was, it wasprobably like 20 minutes of
(32:59):
pushing maybe, and the baby cameout and you know, we still
don't know what gender it is andI'm on my hands and knees so I
can't see and I'm like, well,what is it?
But and everyone was quietCause I told them I wanted me or
Travis to say, and Travis islike here's this baby, that's
like upside down with thebilicalcords, travis is trying to get
a look.
And then you know, he said it'sa boy.
(33:21):
So it was probably like threeseconds but it felt super long.
And then we did skin to skinand they asked like how long I
wanted to do delayed cordclamping and I said you know,
about two minutes.
So we did that and Travis cutthe umbilical cord and I mean
the rest is kind of a blur.
(33:42):
The placenta came out and theyshowed it to me and the
stitching I had a second degreetear and the stitching was a
little more uncomfortable than Iexpected it to be.
But I mean, who, who reallycares at that point?
Right, and our little boy.
We named him Oscar.
He wanted to breastfeed rightaway and Kayla, the nurse, was
(34:06):
right there constantly helping,teaching both of us, so that was
really great.
And then eventually theyweighed him and Travis got to do
skin to skin and I went pee andwas feeling great and yeah, I
think, I think that's about it.
Did I miss anything?
Angela (34:26):
So did you notice the pictures?
Was that bothering you likewith the flash at all at any
point when, like all of this wasgoing on just to kind of have a
little, you know, likeperspective for someone that
might be considering havingbirth photography, did it feel
like invasive at all?
Christi (34:39):
Yeah, I'll say it was wonderful.
If you're thinking of a birthphotographer, highly, highly
recommend it worth twice theamount that you charge, I think.
I think I only remember theflash one time when I was using
the nitrous and I'm like, ohgood, she got this photo.
Because, you know, I I like thelaboring photos.
Like you know, I've never beenat a birth or given birth and
(35:02):
you see people with their babybut you don't see people
laboring, you know.
So it's.
I think I was really interestedon capturing having some
laboring photos.
And then you know, being on myhands and knees photos, and then
you know, being on my hands andknees I don't know what it
looked like back there.
So it was really wonderful tosee those photos and to have
(35:25):
those moments captured.
And all of your photos are sotasteful I've gotten so many
compliments on them and they'reso powerful, like to see.
You know just how badass we aswomen are and remembering the
best moment of your life.
And, if you know, we don't knowif we'll have a second one
(35:46):
child.
So you know this might be theonly birth experience I have and
now we have these wonderfulmemories from it.
So definitely.
And no, you were not invasiveat all.
Angela (35:57):
Nope, you did great, oh my gosh, yeah, you know, I mean,
like people photograph theirweddings, right, and this you
know.
If you're going to photographyour wedding, why would you not
photograph?
You know, another super specialday like of your life that you
literally will never experienceagain?
Christi (36:22):
Exactly, and like you, don't have to share them with
people.
I mean, I posted them onFacebook because I thought they
were awesome, but you know, ifyou you can just keep them for
yourself too, you know and now Iknow what my bottle looks like,
you know, oh my gosh.
Angela (36:28):
So how is your postpartum time Like?
Christi (36:29):
how is your sort of immediate postpartum like in the
hospital and then like once yougot home, well, I delivered at
like one, 30 in the morning, sothat doesn't really count as one
night from the insurancestandpoint.
So in the hospital was fine,except they like want to give me
Tylenol every four hours, youknow.
And then so it's like I cangive myself Tylenol at home, you
(36:53):
know.
But and we had some familyvisiting, so we didn't really
sleep.
But you're also kind of like onthis high right of like
adrenaline, so it's like, andyou have this new baby and
you're trying to nurse, so Ididn't really sleep much, but it
didn't bother me, I guess, thatI didn't sleep much and so we
left, so we only.
(37:14):
So we obviously spent that therest of that night, and then we
spent one more night and then weleft even.
So we only.
So we obviously spent that therest of that night, and then we
spent one more night and then weleft, even though we could have
stayed another night and beingat home, travis had two weeks
off, so we had those two weeksto try to be like is he crying
because of that?
You know we're like figuringthings out, but he did good
taking care of me and we went tolike three lactation
(37:39):
appointments and you know thatwas kind that's kind of like the
biggest thing, I think, for me,because he he was latching when
the lactation people helped,but then I'd get home and he
wouldn't latch, and then I'mstressed, I'm stressed out, he's
hungry, you know.
So then I'm pumping, and I'mstressed out, he's hungry, you
know.
So then I'm pumping Travis,giving him a bottle.
(38:00):
So that that was a littlestressful for a couple days
Until I had this wonderful lady,abby, and new Gloucester she'll
actually come to your house.
So she came to my house and Iwas like Abby, watch me, try to
do it, and then correct me.
And it was the littlest thing itwas.
It was like, oh, you're holdinghis head, you're forcing his
(38:22):
head too much, so here, movethis hand.
And then we never had a singleproblem and so that was huge
relief.
And then it's just figuring outthe car seat.
And then it's stressful whenyou're driving and the baby's
crying and there's like nothingyou can do about it.
But no, everything else isgoing great.
He actually slept six hourslast night straight at four
(38:47):
weeks old.
So I don't know if it was afluke or what, but I'll take it
yeah, any little stretch ofsleep you can get, exactly,
exactly.
And I will say he was kind ofbig.
He was eight pounds two ouncesand he's going to be tall, like
his mom and dad.
He's almost 21 inches long, soyeah, full head of hair.
Angela (39:11):
Oh, my goodness, amazing .
So now, as a final question ifyou were to give advice to
someone who's expecting, or evennew parents, what would be the
biggest thing you'd want toshare with them?
Christi (39:25):
Sure, I thought of this ahead of time and I have two
pieces of advice.
One is you know, learn as muchas you can ahead of time it's
you'll be more prepared.
You'll feel more empowered.
You can ahead of time it'syou'll be more prepared, you'll
feel more empowered, you knowyou'll.
You'll know what Pitocin is.
You know, like you'll anythingyou can learn ahead of time
(39:49):
lactate, prenatal lactationappointments.
You know, listening to yourpodcast and your courses that
you offer, angela, just like anylittle nuggets, you can learn
ahead of time.
You'll go into your experiencefeeling more prepared and more
confident in your decisions thatyou have to make.
And then my second piece ofadvice is try to listen to
positive birth stories so thatyou'll stay positive and even if
(40:13):
things don't go as plannedbecause they never do try to
stay positive.
Keep that oxytocin flowing.
You know, trust the team that'staking care of you and give
yourself and your body grace.
You know, try not to mentallyput so much pressure on yourself
to have this perfect, plannedbirth.
You know, just kind of go withthe flow and stay positive.
Angela (40:40):
Yeah, totally, you know, just kind of go with the flow
and stay positive.
Yeah, totally, mindset andbeing flexible and like the
whole process really is a majorkey to just having an overall
positive experience for sure.
Yeah, thank you so much,christy, for sharing your story
today and for taking the time tochat with me.
It's been such a pleasure.
Of course, thanks for having meon and that taking the time to
chat with me.
Christi (40:56):
It's been such a pleasure.
Of course, thanks for having meon.
Angela (41:00):
And that's the end of another episode of the my Main
Birth podcast.
Thank you for joining me andlistening.
If you're looking to documentyour birth story or if you're
interested in doula support foryour upcoming birth, head over
to my website, mymainbirthcomand check out my packages.
(41:20):
I'm a certified professionalbirth photographer and an
experienced doula, and I offerin-person services to families
throughout the state of Maine,as well as virtual birth
coaching worldwide.
I want to invite you to grab mytop free resource for newly
pregnant moms.
It's called 37 questions to askyour care provider, Whether
(41:44):
you've already established careor if you're in the process of
interviewing new providers.
This is for you.
Not only are you going to getthe questions to ask, but I also
share how to assess theiranswers and the major red flags
that you should be looking for.
So go grab that.
It's at mymainbirthcom slashdownload.
(42:05):
Thank you again for tuning inand I look forward to bringing
you more amazing birth stories.
Don't forget to subscribe andleave me a review, and I'll see
you back here again next week.
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