Last week I shared some tips for a holistic pregnancy and birth in this post. I introduced the post by talking about a birth I had attended the night before—the mama was my doula client Marci. This evening was my postpartum visit with Marci, her husband Matt, and their gorgeous baby William.
During our visit I held the baby (is there anything better?), and we talked about the birth, including some of Marci and Matt’s birth memories. Marci shared that she wrote her birth story to share with her prenatal yoga class. Knowing that her story would be interesting and inspiring to other mamas, I asked Marci if I could share it with you. She generously said yes, so a copy of the letter she wrote her Monday night yoga class is below. I know you’ll enjoy her story as much as I did, and I hope you’ll consider writing your own birth story when the time comes. It can be a healing practice for the new mama, and creates a memento for your child like no other.
By the way, Marci took her prenatal yoga classes at the Prenatal Yoga Center with yoga teacher Lisa, and absolutely loved them. I think any mama-to-be can benefit from a prenatal yoga practice. In addition to strengthening the core, and increasing flexibility, prenatal yoga can help build confidence, nurture community with other mamas-to-be, and provide an opportunity to practice finding the breath. All of this helps contribute to a happy, healthy, holistic pregnancy and birth.
Matt, Marci, and baby William
Marci’s Story, as emailed to her Monday night prenatal yoga class
Dear Monday night yoga class,
On Monday, 12/14/09, I was t-minus two days to my due date and still feeling good, albeit experiencing the discomforts of being ginormously preggers. And more importantly I was so ready to meet my bundle of joy, I was full of anticipation as to everything that I was about to experience. Was I going to have the holistic childbirth I planned and wanted for my peanut and me?
Throughout the day I experienced menstrual type cramps, but nothing crazy. At 3:30 pm I decided to indulge in a nap. An hour later I woke up really hungry and ate a big bowl of turkey chili. I spoke with Elyssa about attending yoga at 6:30 and to be honest I had some hesitation throughout the day about going, but I knew it would feel good to get out of the house and focus on my breath and relaxing. I was in.
At 6pm, Elyssa and I walk from Brooklyn Heights, and I’m experiencing heavier menstrual like cramps. I was in contraction denial, but it felt good to walk.
From 6:30-8pm, I practice with all of the Monday night mamas-to-be. Throughout class, I begin to notice that my “menstrual like cramp” contractions are taking shape. I actually have to rest during some poses because the obvious contractions are uncomfortable. I laughed when Lisa asked if I was in active labor and she mentioned Deb having to turn some ladies away from class. Little did I know!
At 8pm, Elyssa and I head back to Brooklyn Heights. As we walk, I have to stop a few times along the way during the contractions to get my breath. At this point I decide to call my husband, it was time to fully come out of the denial that I’m in labor!
Around 8:30 pm, Elyssa helps me get home, God bless her! We say our goodbyes and I take to the bathroom. It felt comfortable to sit on the toilet during contractions, find my breath and remain as calm and relaxed as possible. I bathe, I vomit.
At 9:00 pm, I tell my husband to call our amazing doula, Andrea Crossman. I’m now at a point where I’m struggling with the contractions and we need extra support. My contractions were about 3 minutes apart, lasting for a minute. Go birth team!
Andrea arrives around 9:45, and for the next hour or so I practice different positions. By 10:45, using my voice and breath are trumped. It’s go time, and we get a car service. God bless the driver Utah, because I was in full on transition while that man got us all to the hospital like a champ.
Baby William, Sleeping Buddha
Around 11pm, we arrive at NYU delivery triage 9 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and +2 station. I am admitted to a labor and delivery room and feel the urge to urinate, with everyone telling me whatever I do, do not bear down. As soon as I sit on the toilet a contraction comes on and I have to stand. As I stand up, my bag of waters break, or burst with a gush more like it. I feel ready to push, but my OB hasn’t yet arrived so I’m holding off. Minutes later she comes in ready to go, and I was able to begin to push through the contractions. Our OB allowed me to labor and push at my own pace, and at 12:15 a.m. on December 15, 2009 my son, William was born! It was amazing, I did it! Open throat, open vagina.
Will, Mama and Daddy are now comfortably at home and I look forward to Mommy-and-Me classes in a few weeks.
Thanks Monday night yoga!
Marci
