Author’s note: This is the seventh of a ten-part series recapping and examining the birth story of my Itty Bitty. Birth is a beautiful experience, but some can find the contents of the topic a bit squeemish. In light of this, please note that these posts are neither too graphic, nor are they full of unicorns and rainbows. They’re just the unfettered, unadulterated truth. And the truth is that birth is the most amazing experience of which I have been a part. By far. So, read on – learn, cry, laugh, but most of all, enjoy.

My doula and I walked into the hospital together, with Hubby following behind. I had to keep stopping every two minutes at this point to brace myself for a contraction. Hospital employees kept asking me if I’d like a wheelchair. Nope, no thanks. I knew it would just slow me down, and I was ready to have this baby – NOW!

I knew because my contractions were so intense and close. I was still in my pajamas, rocking some serious bedhead, and had my doula rubbing my back while I waited for the nurses to prepare my examination room. I was uptight, and not as calm as I expected to be.

I changed into a robe, and laid down on an examination table. My doctor arrived, with a big smile on her face.

“How are we doing?” she asked.

“Ummm, these contractions do not feel like warm strong hugs like my Hypnobabies class said they would.” I replied.

My doctor examined me, and there was good news, and not so good news. The good news was that I was 100% effaced (which needs to happen before the baby comes out.) Also, Itty Bitty was already descending into my birth canal, which is also supposed to happen.

The bad news was that I was only 3 cm dialated (you need to be 4cm to be admitted to the hospital, and 10cm —the size of a bagel!—for the baby to come out.)

The really bad news was that his head was facing my belly button in what is called posterior position, which is NOT supposed to happen. I knew from my prenatal research that moms who have babies face-up or “sunnyside up” often push longer, may need more medication, and also have a higher risk of having forceps, vacuum, or c-sections for birth.

This is how a baby is ideally positioned right before birth.

credit: webmd
This is probably what my tiny baby looked like right before birth. What a PUNK. He was probably trying to find out what was behind my belly button, knowing that I have a huge fear of belly buttons.
(If you haven’t read about how much I hate them, you can -here-)
credit: webmd

“Hypnobabies is going out the window for now. I need to spin this baby around.” I said.

I was in for a lot more than what I originally bargained.

This is the seventh of a ten-part series recapping and examining the birth story of my Itty Bitty.