MyMaine Birth

92. Trusting Your Choices in Childbirth: Christi's Story

• Angela Laferriere • Season 2 • Episode 92

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In episode 92 of MyMaine Birth we hear from Christi as she shares her journey through pregnancy, labor, and the birth of her son, Oscar.  I had the incredible honor of being Christi's fly-on-the-wall-birth-photographer, so I'm SUPER excited she is here to share her story with you all today! 

Christi shares how the trust she built with her healthcare team at Intermed and Maine Medical Center guided her through pivotal decisions during her birth process.

Her story underscores the critical role of being informed and confident in your choices during childbirth.

Christi recounts her discovery of pregnancy, her active lifestyle, and dedication to educational resources.  Listen as Christi reveals the heartfelt moment she shared the pregnancy news with her husband and her decision to opt for a hospital birth for her own added peace of mind.

As labor approached, Christi’s thorough preparation continued to play a crucial role.  We explore her birth plan, which included a heat pad, TENS machine, comb, and hypno-birthing techniques.

Christi also opens up about the benefits of hiring a birth photographer, for capturing the raw and emotional moments leading up to and following Oscar's birth.

Her candid reflections offer invaluable insights and serve as a testament to the power of well-laid plans and supportive partnerships in creating a positive birth experience.

MyMaine Birth, a space where we share the real life stories of families and their unique birth experiences in the beautiful state of Maine.  From our state’s biggest hospitals to Birth Center Births, and home births, every birth story deserves to be heard and celebrated.  Whether you are a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.

If you're interested in Birth Photography or Doula Support for your upcoming birth, head over to my website https://www.mymainebirth.com

Don't miss - Birth Plan Essentials, a FREE workshop where I help you create your own personalized birth plan, hosted at the Old Town Public Library from 11am - noon on September 21, October 12, November 23, and December 14.  You can register HERE - https://mymainebirth.myflodesk.com/birthplanessentials

Don't miss - Birth Bliss, Embracing Knowledge as Power for Your Natural Birth: enrollment is now OPEN for this 3 part, in-person comprehensive natural childbirth education course hosted by myself and fellow childbirth educator Katie Stroud.
   
Birth Bliss is designed to guide you in claiming your power on your birth journey, you'll develop a deep understanding of birth physiology, variations of normal and true emergencies, as well as techniques for relaxation and navigating and eliminating fears.  Learn about how to create your optimal support team, set up for a blissful postpartum, breastfeeding, early mothering... and so much more! 

Whether you are birthing at a Hospital, a birth center, or at home - Birth Bliss is designed to support you every step of the way! 

Birth Bliss is hosted at Mainely Succulents in Orono on October 27, November 3, and November 10th from 9am - 11am.  At the end of our last class you'll create a succulent birth arrangement to take with you.   Enrollment is only $129 and we have payment plans available!  Space is limited, save your spot today!  

Sign Up HERE  https://www.mymainebirth.com/

Christi:

And you know, the hour went by. So they came to talk about Pitocin again and I was still unsure because I'm thinking, oh great, here comes the cascade of interventions. And the nurse was like do you want the doctor to come in and talk to you again? And I was like yes. And the doctor came in and she was just like strongly encourage it, because if you don't, what could happen? You know, and she knew I was going to try without epidural. She was like you could? You know? Of course you can have this baby without pitocin. Of course, however, you could end up going all night long and not getting any sleep and then tomorrow morning you get an epidural. So like, yes, you, yes, you avoided Pitocin, but you're so exhausted you still got an epidural.

Christi:

So she kind of like painted different scenarios. Obviously she doesn't, no one knows what could happen. But she was just like some people only need a little bit of Pitocin. Your body's clearly ready to give 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. I figured you know what you guys are, the experts, you know. So, which is a big thing I think you know you are great at educating people, angela about like if you don't have faith and trust in the people that are taking care of you, then like that's not a good mental space. So I think I just had to have trust in these folks that you know that they would do the right thing. So they started me on Pitocin and we door dashed five guys.

Angela:

I'm Angela and you're listening to my Maine Birth a space where we share the real life stories of families and their unique birth experiences in the beautiful state of Maine. From our state's biggest hospitals to birth center births and home births, every birth story deserves to be heard and 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 the podcast. A couple quick reminders. This weekend, saturday September 21st, I'm hosting a free workshop called Birth Plan Essentials. It's going to be at the Old Town Public Library from 11am to noon. I'm hosting this free workshop where I walk you through creating your own personalized birth plan each month for the rest of the year. So give me a follow over on Instagram at my main birth for all of the info on the other dates for this year. And another thing I'm really excited about is the opening of enrollment for Birth Bliss.

Angela:

Birth Bliss embracing knowledge as power for your natural birth is a three-part in-person childbirth education series created by myself and fellow childbirth educator, katie Stroud. We're hosting this class at Manly Succulents in Orono, our local plant shop, with the perfect vibe for learning all about natural birth. This course is designed to guide you in claiming your power on your journey to a natural birth. You're going to develop a strong understanding of birth physiology, learn the variations of normal and true emergencies, navigate fears and eliminate them, and participate in discussions about why birth matters. We also teach how to set yourself up for a blissful postpartum and offer a wealth of breastfeeding and early parenting information. There will be a private online community throughout the course for participants and in our final class, you'll create a succulent birth arrangement courtesy of our hosts, mainly succulents. This is a complete childbirth education course. Whether you're birthing in a hospital, at a birth center or at home, birth Bliss is designed to support you every step of the way. Enrollment opens this Friday, september 20th, and you can find all of the details over at mymainbirthcom slash birthbliss.

Angela:

Now for episode 92,. This is one I'm very, very excited about, very, very excited about. Today's birth story guest is Christy, and she's going to be sharing all of the details about her pregnancy, with Care From Intermed, and all about her birth at Maine Medical Center in Portland. I had the incredible honor of being Christy's fly-on-the-wall birth photographer and I'm so excited that she's here on the podcast today. Hi, christy, welcome to my Maine Birth. Hello, so to get started, will you share a little bit about you and your family?

Christi:

Sure, I was born and raised in Maine, grew up down east in Machias, met my husband on Tinder like nine years ago and I kind of joke that I've never been real maternal, so like we put it off as long as we could. But you know, now we've we have our first little one. He just turned four weeks, so my birth story is fresh on my mind.

Angela:

So will you start by sharing when you found out you were pregnant and your thoughts in choosing your care?

Christi:

Sure, I'm kind of like a type planner. So I was like, all right, I know things don't always go perfectly, but I would love a summer baby, because my birthday is Christmas Eve and it's like the worst birthday and my husband's birthday is in July and it's like the most fun birthday. So, came off, birth control started. You know well, first we just had unprotected sex and I was like what? We didn't get pregnant, like I've been told my whole life that, you know, this is how you get pregnant. So after kind of casually trying for like two months, so after kind of casually trying for like two months, my A-type personality kicked in and I was like all right, and I started using ovulation strips. So I could really tell, you know, and I was like, all right, it's go time. Travis, that's my husband's name. I was like tonight's the night, babe, you know, which is like always kind of awkward.

Christi:

But so then my period was coming up and I did a pregnancy test and those tests, you know, they say like can be, can tell you six days before your most period. So I was like, well, I'll test five days before my period, you know. And it said I wasn't pregnant. So I was like, you know, I never thought I would be the type of person that it would upset me Like cause. Like I said, I'm not very, don't consider myself eternal or whatever, but I have a lot more respect and can relate more to women who struggle because and I wouldn't say we struggled but just that little bit of of not getting pregnant immediately it really messes with your head of like. Is something wrong with me, is something wrong with my husband? You know you're Googling things like you can. I can definitely see you know why it. It can be really troubling.

Christi:

But then the day of my period came and I didn't start my period. So I tested that day and then it said I was pregnant. So I told my husband so that's how we found out we were pregnant. I told him through a fortune cookie that I had ordered on Etsy like months in advance and it had gone stale. But I think he was so shocked when he opened it. He ate the fortune cookie anyways, even after he read it he still ate it, and even though it was all rubbery and gross.

Christi:

But so then I was kind of like I'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 she was 40 and that was 40, that was 36 years ago. So I was kind of like you know, I think I'm healthy enough, hopefully don't have any complications, but like you don't know, until you're going to the doctors or even in labor, you don't know if, if you know, something could go wrong. So I kind of decided on a hospital birth pretty early on. Um, like I said, the planner in me I've always been plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Christi:

So I was like you know what? It's my first one, it's my first child, we'll just do it in the hospital to be safe. And my OBG is at intermed and they only deliver at main med. And she told me that and I was like, okay, that's fine. And it kind of gave me a little bit of peace of mind to know that if the worst case scenario were to happen, I'm already where I need to be, so I don't need to worry about if the worst case scenario happens. And if my baby needed to go to the NICU for an emergency, I would be in the same hospital as my baby. So that's how I chose a hospital birth.

Angela:

Now, how were you feeling throughout your pregnancy and were there any testing that you did?

Christi:

Yeah, everyone's gonna hate me. I think I had the easiest pregnancy ever and I'm 5'11", so I will will say I think it's because I'm tall. The baby just had more room to grow. So I didn't have any morning sickness. I joke, I've been eating for two my whole life. So I really was prepared for this and you know, I worked out the whole time and I was still going into work the day before I gave birth. I did do like all the time I had done like a 23andMe test years ago for to see if I was a carrier of anything, um, so I I kind of felt good about that stuff. But we did test for like Down syndrome and we didn't want to know the gender of the baby. So that was fun not knowing that. But yeah, pregnancy was really easy. I started doing a lot of research while I was pregnant.

Angela:

So what did you kind of start researching? Where was your kind of thoughts process as you your pregnancy progressed?

Christi:

Well, I wanted to be prepared because that's how I am. So I main med offers like childbirth classes online and breastfeeding classes online and infant 101 online, and those are free for anyone. Like you don't have to be delivering at main bed. And then, you know, I met. I met you, angela, because I was I was thinking about doulas, talking to friends who had babies I took a positive hypnobirthing class from the positive birth company. That was really great. So ultimately I I decided like I kind of I felt like I had prepared myself so that I didn't need a doula. I knew the nurses. Everyone said the nurses at Maine Med were wonderful.

Christi:

I didn't really care about my doctor because I knew they're kind of just there for the pushing part, for the pushing part. And you know, ultimately I hired you as my birth photographer. So that was really exciting and I'm sure we'll talk about that. But I kind of had this plan. But I didn't want to pressure my I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself like give birth without epidural, you know, because I didn't want to set myself up to be disappointed by my birth experience. So I kind of told myself, listen, christy, just you'll get an epidural as your last resort. You have all these other things in your toolbox and you'll get an epidural as your last resort and the worst case scenario is you'll get a C-section and that's totally fine, they're very common, they're very safe and that's the worst case scenario. So I kind of told myself that in my head I was 9 pounds, 1 ounce, so I was a C-section. I was born C-section. I turned out fine. My mom was fine.

Christi:

So in my toolbox when I went into labor I talked this over with my nurse you know I had like a heat pad for my back. I had a tens machine which I guess they're they're seem to be really big in like Europe. Those they like the chiropractor uses them. They like shock your muscles a little bit. And then I had taken hypnobirthing so I had my breathing. Um, I had taken hypnobirthing, so I had my breathing. I had the comb that you squeeze and then the tub, obviously.

Christi:

So these were. Those were like all my pretty basic things I was going to use during labor. And then, as things got worse, I I would use nitrous oxide, which is like laughing gas, and then an opioid and then an epidural. So that was kind of my list and I was like I'll just see how far I go in my list. So that was kind of mentally how I prepared for labor and and then I was also thinking about after the baby, right, like I don't, I don't know that much about babies. So I taken like a prenatal lactation appointment and that was really helpful because I think learning about colostrum and hand expression even though you don't have a baby, you're still learning about your pump and I figure anything I can learn ahead of time you're going to be learning so much as a new parent after the baby.

Angela:

Like any little nugget I can learn ahead of time will be helpful, yeah definitely, thinking about the postpartum period while you're pregnant is really helpful and definitely something to not forget about, because it can be so easy to get caught up in birth and the big event. But yeah, thinking about the postpartum is really important, exactly yeah. But yeah, thinking about postpartum is really important, exactly yeah. So now can I ask you about like your like workout routine throughout your pregnancy and how that kind of varied, because you did like exercising through to the end, right?

Christi:

Yeah, I was going to Orange Theory. So that's like a mix of running on the treadmill and some weights, and you know I've done CrossFit in the past, but at the time I was doing Orange Theory, so I just stuck with that and obviously switched to walking on the treadmills. But I had gone also to pelvic floor doctor Emily, the one you just had on your podcast. I went to her even before I was pregnant. This is the type of planner I am and I was like tell me how my pelvic floor is and is there anything I should be doing before I get pregnant.

Christi:

So you know she checked that and she gave me some advice. She was like it's not all about Kegels. You know you need to. Don't, don't worry about you. Me particularly. She was like you don't need to do Kegels and once you find out you're pregnant, stop doing sit-ups. Like, don't do any ab workouts because you're, you know, the relaxing hormone. So so I wasn't. I was modifying a lot of those things in the gym, but I think just moving was helpful. Um, but I do sit at a cubicle all day for work. So also, you know I wasn't exhausted every day because I was resting all day and then just spent an hour at the gym awesome.

Angela:

Yeah, that's a movement. Even just any kind that you can get is so helpful in pregnancy. Yeah, yeah. So now will you share about the final days and weeks leaning up to like when your labor started and about your birth?

Christi:

yeah. So because I tracked my ovulation, I mean I guess we don't know exactly what day the sperm meets the egg, but I had had kind of been like, okay, this is like my due date, but then the you know everyone goes 40 weeks after your last period. So I in my, in my head, I kind of knew that like my due date was, it was like the 12th of August, but according to the doctor it was like the 16th of August. So I was like that's good, though they you know that my quote unquote real due date is like a couple of days earlier. So, as it got closer, definitely started to feel more uncomfortable, stopped going to the gym and we would just try to go for walks, started eating dates, you know, trying all the harmless tricks you know. And my doctor was really great. She said, even though I was a little older, she would recommend an induction if I went to 41 weeks, which a lot of my friends having babies right now that are also advanced maternal age. Their doctors told them like 39 weeks and I was like didn't, if my doctor had told me that I would have definitely been like no, so I was fine with going to 41. And so both my quote unquote, real.

Christi:

You know, august comes around and I did get I think it was right around my August 13 ish. They tried to do a membrane sweep, which I was fine with, but they said, oh, your cervix is like too far back or closed, so like it didn't work, they couldn't, they couldn't do anything. So I was like, okay, I know things can progress, they can change quickly, but like probably not going to have the baby tomorrow. So it was funny. I kept like making these plans, like, oh, I better go fishing this weekend because this could be my last weekend, you know, without a baby. And then started making plans for next week Okay, next weekend this might be my last weekend without a baby, you know. So the due date came and you know, nothing happened. And then it was the day after the due date, so the 17th of August, that things started to happen.

Angela:

Oh my gosh. So what were your first signs that you were noticing that you were in early labor?

Christi:

Well, my water broke. So it was pretty obvious and it was funny. I always said like I hope my water breaks like in in the movies and I hope I give birth like in the parking lot and don't even have to spend time at the hospital. You know, like that was kind of like I'm gonna labor at home. This was my plan. I like we live on the lake, so I was like maybe I'll like labor in the lake for a while, and but it was about noon and I was foraging for mushrooms that we have near our house and my water broke, just a slow trickle, and I was like, hmm, that's kind of odd. Never peed myself before, you know.

Christi:

So I I came home and went to the bathroom and I saw my mucus plug and I was like, hmm, I think 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 and then, 10 minutes later, happened a third time and I was like, okay, definitely, this is happening, you know. So I put on like a diaper now at this point and my husband was working up, uh, building a woodshed, because you know that needs to be done before the baby's born. So I went and told him. I'm like I'm pretty sure things are happening, so like we should take showers and eat something and pack the final things in our bags. And then I texted you because you're my birth photographer and you know you're a few hours away. I was like I'm pretty sure things are happening, you know I'll keep you posted. So called my mom because she's in Machias, four hours away, and then took a shower.

Christi:

I had Travis take one more pregnancy photo of me, but I wasn't having any contractions. So I was like, oh great, now my water is broken, which means I should be close to delivering within 24 hours, but I'm not having any contractions, which means like I'm not even close to, you know, having the baby. So I'm going to be in the hospital laboring for 24 hours, you know, and then they're going to want to do interventions, you know, but I. So I had that in the back of my mind, but so we headed to the hospital. Do you want me to just keep going? Yeah, you can just keep going. All right, you can interrupt me with questions. And I mean you were there so you can correct me, you might remember things differently. Yeah, you have the timestamp photos. You know I was trying to piece things together, but I feel like that is super helpful.

Angela:

People are processing their birth stories, looking at the photos, like, okay, this is actually what happened, you know? Yeah exactly.

Christi:

So we got to the hospital. So my water broke like around noon and then, you know, we slowly got to the hospital. We got there around like I don't know three, 30 or so, and they hooked me up and they said, oh, you are having contractions, see them on the screen, but you're not feeling them. And I was like, no, I'm not feeling them, they're like okay. The doctor checked me, confirmed it was amniotic fluid, it was very. At first she was like we'll have to look under a microscope and then once she looked, she was like, oh, nevermind, this is obvious, this is like 99% sure. And she said I was one centimeter dilated and I was like, right, you know, here we go and that they'd admit me. And they started talking about Pitocin to get my contractions to be stronger and that was, you know, maybe around four. And I told them I wanted to wait like an hour before starting the Pitocin. And they were totally fine with that, very didn't pressure me at all. So they moved me into the labor delivery room and I'm talking to our nurse. She was like you guys should eat something for dinner because you know I told her I was planning on not getting an epidural right away and she was like well, you know, it could be 24 hours till you deliver this baby, you know. So you should eat some. And if you get an epidural six hours from now, now you can't eat, so like you should eat a proper meal. And so we let's see. Then what was next. I took a big poop. I remember that, which I was glad, because then I was like, won't have to worry about pooping during pushing. I was glad because then I was like, won't have to worry about pooping during pushing. And you know, the hour went by.

Christi:

So they came to talk about Pitocin again, and I was still unsure, because I'm thinking, oh great, here comes the cascade of interventions. And the nurse was like, do you want the doctor to come in and talk to you again? And I was like yes. And the doctor came in and she was just like, strongly encourage it, cause if you don't, what could happen? You know, and she knew I was going to try without epidural. She was like you could? You know, of course you can have this baby without Pitocin. Of course. However, you could end up going all night long and not getting any sleep and then tomorrow morning you get an epidural. So like, yes, you avoided Pitocin, but you're so exhausted you still got an epidural.

Christi:

So she kind of like painted different scenarios. Obviously she doesn't no one knows what could happen, but she was just like some people only need a little bit of Pitocin. Your body's clearly ready to give 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.

Christi:

So I said yes to the Pitocin. I figured you know what you guys are, the experts you know so, which is a big thing. I think you know you are great at educating people, angela, about like, if you don't have faith and trust and the people that are taking care of you, then like that's not a good mental space. So I think I just had to have trust in these folks that you know that they would do the right thing. So they started me on Pitocin and we door dashed five guys and so I remember seven o'clock, we got the 7pm, we got the five guys delivered and we're eating that and I'd gone over my toolbox plan with my nurse and she was really supportive.

Christi:

She was like you can totally do it without epidural and I told them I had gone over my like my birth plan with my OBG ahead of time. I'd showed it to her and I was like, is there anything on this list that like I don't need or I should, you know, have? And, and you know, my birth plan was pretty basic. I think a lot of birth has come a long ways right. Like they don't give you episiotomies all the time, they don't make you be on your back, and so my doctor was like think everything on here is great, you know. And it was basically like I wanted to trap my husband or myself to say the gender of the baby. I wanted my husband or myself to say the gender of the baby. I wanted a warm compress on my perineal to try to help it, not pair. They're already going to do skin to skin after the baby's born. So I'd gone over all these things with my nurse and she was like you can totally do it.

Christi:

So while I was still feeling good and not having strong contractions, my nurse her name was Kayla she was like why don't we do some stretches and some massages to try to open up your hips while you're feeling good and try to get the baby lower? So we did that, which was great. Then I had asked her at one point. I was like, are you going to like suggest different positions for me to be in? And she was like, girl, if you don't get an epidural, you're going to know what position you want to be in, so you won't need to be told. But yes, I'm here to support you, you know. And uh, she gave me a peanut ball thing and she, she, she did say a lot of women like hands and knees, um, and you know. So I think from like eight to 9.

Christi:

Pm Travis and I walked the hallways and I I was definitely starting to feel the contractions. I would stop and lean on him during the contractions and then I had told them that even though I was trying not to get an epidural, I wanted to sign the paperwork ahead of time just to have it out of the way, so that when I'm in that moment I'm not like having to talk and like sign paperwork or whatever. So the only male we saw of our whole stay, the anesthesiologist, came in and you know he went over the paperwork and asked a bunch of questions about if I had, you know, whatever been under before and he left and and I'm in really good spirits, I'm like joking with her and I'm so he goes to leave and I'm like, okay, bye, I hope I don't see you again. You know, and I feel like I'm cracking jokes, I'm staying pretty positive. You know I'm cracking jokes, I'm staying pretty positive. You know I'm having fun and Kayla gets the nitrous out no-transcript nine or 10.

Christi:

So I start doing the nitrous and at first I'm like I don't think this is working at all but I will. I definitely recommend it for people because you breathe through a mask and just breathing through the mask helps you breathe really deeply. So whether or not the nitrous really works, I mean I think I felt like I had a couple glasses of wine. You feel a little buzz and there's really no harm. I don't like it's as soon as you're not breathing it it like leaves your system. So that really helped the deep breathing. So I was using my breathing techniques from hypnobirthing through the mask. So I'm really deep breathing.

Christi:

And then in between contractions, you know I'm cracking jokes with people and trying to stay positive and stuff. So in Kayla the nurse, she was great. She like brought in fake candles to the room and I'm squeezing my comb and have my nitrous machine. And then around 11 PM, I told Kayla I was getting uncomfortable and she agreed she's like yeah, you definitely. You know, I'm not cracking jokes anymore Definitely getting uncomfortable. And she asked if I wanted to be checked again because it had been about six hours since my first check and I said yes. So the doctor came in and I joked you know, I better not be at two centimeters and I was at four centimeters. So I was like okay, that's, that's something. And that's when Travis texted you and was like okay, you know, we think things you might want to 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, which in hindsight is a good thing. You came when you did, and I had also made a list of phrases for Travis to say to me, because he's not very verbally affectionate.

Christi:

So at one point I remember he just kept saying like you're doing great, you're doing great. And I was like get out the effing list and say those things to me. You know, like I was, like I made it for a reason. And they said things like get out the effing list and say those things to me. You know, like I was like I made it for a reason and they said things like you're a badass, you know, like just something different. So he and he was like oh, I didn't think we were there yet and I'm like we're there, you know, and I think it was. It was probably around like 1230 am, it was. It was probably around like 12 30 am.

Christi:

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 the tub or the opioid. And I remember being a little surprised that like I'm still in this headspace where I can just talk to kayla about things. You know, I'd warned travis like're going to have to advocate for me, you know. But I was still very much like what do you think about the tub? What do you think about the opioid? And she was like you're going to love the opioid way, but you can't be doing nitrous during it. And I was like well, but. But she said, but you're going to love the opioid way better than the nitrous. And I joked I'm like, well, why didn't you tell me that sooner, right? So she, she did say she warned me.

Christi:

She was like well, you're not supposed to take the opioid if you're going to deliver within two hours. And I was like, well, I was just checked and I was only four centimeters. But like, whatever, you, whatever, I'll check me again, then whatever. So you, whatever, I'll check me again, then whatever. So she called the doctor and the doctor must have said the same thing I did, because the doctor was fine with giving it to me without being checked again. And she told us like oh, this opioid's really gonna take the edge off. You're really gonna notice, it's gonna be right away.

Christi:

And I remember she gave it to me and my first contraction I didn't notice any difference. And then the first contraction I didn't notice any difference. And then the next one, and I didn't notice any difference. And I was like what the heck? And I was like, well, why don't you get the tub ready? Because I know it takes a while to get the tub ready. And I mean, as she's getting the tub ready, I just say to her I feel pushy. So I think that's why I didn't feel the effect of the opioid, because I was just like right there. But then I'm worried. I'm like great, like I just took this opioid and you're not supposed to take it before delivering.

Christi:

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'd been a little on my hands and knees and just like laying on my side and I went on my hands and knees. So Kayla called the doctor and they checked me and they said, yep, you're 10 centimeters, you know. Next contraction you can push. And I was like thank God. So I pushed on hands and knees and I wasn't worried about pooping because I'd already had a big poop earlier. And they told me they got the warm compress out. They're like you know, we're doing it.

Christi:

And I remember, in between contractions, asking them like what's happening? What's going on down there? Like what's it look like I feel like the baby's halfway out already. And they're like, no, it's probably just passing through your pelvis, like we don't see it yet, you know. So I keep pushing with my contractions and then they said they can see the head and do I want to touch it? And I did and I told Travis he had to go look. I told him this ahead of time because I needed him to have proper respect and know what my body was going through so he could take care of me after.

Christi:

And I mean, it was, it was probably like 20 minutes of pushing maybe, and the baby came out and you know, we still don't know what gender it is and I'm on my hands and knees so I can't see and I'm like, well, what is it? But and everyone was quiet Cause I told them I wanted me or Travis to say, and Travis is like here's this baby, that's like upside down with thebilical cords, travis is trying to get a look. And then you know, he said it's a boy. So it was probably like three seconds but it felt super long. And then we did skin to skin and they asked like how long I wanted to do delayed cord clamping and I said you know, about two minutes.

Christi:

So we did that and Travis cut the umbilical cord and I mean the rest is kind of a blur. The placenta came out and they showed it to me and the stitching I had a second degree tear and the stitching was a little more uncomfortable than I expected it to be. But I mean, who, who really cares at that point? Right, and our little boy. We named him Oscar. He wanted to breastfeed right away and Kayla, the nurse, was right there constantly helping, teaching both of us, so that was really great. And then eventually they weighed him and Travis got to do skin to skin and I went pee and was feeling great and yeah, I think, I think that's about it. Did I miss anything?

Angela:

So did you notice the pictures? Was that bothering you like with the flash at all at any point when, like all of this was going on just to kind of have a little, you know, like perspective for someone that might be considering having birth photography, did it feel like invasive at all?

Christi:

Yeah, I'll say it was wonderful. If you're thinking of a birth photographer, highly, highly recommend it worth twice the amount that you charge, I think. I think I only remember the flash one time when I was using the nitrous and I'm like, oh good, she got this photo. Because, you know, I I like the laboring photos. Like you know, I've never been at a birth or given birth and you see people with their baby but you don't see people laboring, you know. So it's.

Christi:

I think I was really interested on capturing having some laboring photos. And then you know, being on my hands and knees photos, and then you know, being on my hands and knees I don't know what it looked like back there. So it was really wonderful to see those photos and to have those moments captured. And all of your photos are so tasteful I've gotten so many compliments on them and they're so powerful, like to see. You know just how badass we as women are and remembering the best moment of your life. And, if you know, we don't know if we'll have a second one child. So you know this might be the only birth experience I have and now we have these wonderful memories from it. So definitely. And no, you were not invasive at all.

Angela:

Nope, you did great, oh my gosh, yeah, you know, I mean, like people photograph their weddings, right, and this you know. If you're going to photograph your wedding, why would you not photograph? You know, another super special day like of your life that you literally will never experience again?

Christi:

Exactly, and like you, don't have to share them with people. I mean, I posted them on Facebook because I thought they were awesome, but you know, if you you can just keep them for yourself too, you know and now I know what my bottle looks like, you know, oh my gosh.

Angela:

So how is your postpartum time Like?

Christi:

how is your sort of immediate postpartum like in the hospital and then like once you got home, well, I delivered at like one, 30 in the morning, so that doesn't really count as one night from the insurance standpoint. So in the hospital was fine, except they like want to give me Tylenol every four hours, you know. And then so it's like I can give myself Tylenol at home, you know. But and we had some family visiting, so we didn't really sleep. But you're also kind of like on this high right of like adrenaline, so it's like, and you have this new baby and you're trying to nurse, so I didn't really sleep much, but it didn't bother me, I guess, that I didn't sleep much and so we left, so we only. So we obviously spent that the rest of that night, and then we spent one more night and then we left even. So we only. So we obviously spent that the rest of that night, and then we spent one more night and then we left, even though we could have stayed another night and being at home, travis had two weeks off, so we had those two weeks to try to be like is he crying because of that?

Christi:

You know we're like figuring things out, but he did good taking care of me and we went to like three lactation appointments and you know that was 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'm stressed, I'm stressed out, he's hungry, you know. So then I'm pumping, and I'm stressed out, he's hungry, you know. So then I'm pumping Travis, giving him a bottle. So that that was a little stressful 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 I was like Abby, watch me, try to do it, and then correct me.

Christi:

And it was the littlest thing it was. It was like, oh, you're holding his head, you're forcing his head too much, so here, move this hand. And then we never had a single problem and so that was huge relief. And then it's just figuring out the car seat. And then it's stressful when you're driving and the baby's crying and there's like nothing you can do about it. But no, everything else is going great. He actually slept six hours last night straight at four weeks old. So I don't know if it was a fluke or what, but I'll take it yeah, any little stretch of sleep you can get, exactly, exactly.

Christi:

And I will say he was kind of big. He was eight pounds two ounces and he's going to be tall, like his mom and dad. He's almost 21 inches long, so yeah, full head of hair.

Angela:

Oh, my goodness, amazing. So now, as a final question if you were to give advice to someone who's expecting, or even new parents, what would be the biggest thing you'd want to share with them?

Christi:

Sure, I thought of this ahead of time and I have two pieces of advice. One is you know, learn as much as you can ahead of time it's you'll be more prepared. You'll feel more empowered. You can ahead of time it's you'll be more prepared, you'll feel more empowered, you know you'll. You'll know what Pitocin is. You know, like you'll anything you can learn ahead of time lactate, prenatal lactation appointments. You know, listening to your podcast and your courses that you offer, angela, just like any little nuggets, you can learn ahead of time. You'll go into your experience feeling more prepared and more confident in your decisions that you have to make.

Christi:

And then my second piece of advice is try to listen to positive birth stories so that you'll stay positive and even if things don't go as planned because they never do try to stay positive. Keep that oxytocin flowing. You know, trust the team that's taking care of you and give yourself and your body grace. You know, try not to mentally put so much pressure on yourself to have this perfect, planned birth. You know, just kind of go with the flow and stay positive.

Angela:

Yeah, totally, you know, just kind of go with the flow and stay positive. Yeah, totally, mindset and being flexible and like the whole process really is a major key 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 to chat with me. It's been such a pleasure. Of course, thanks for having me on and that taking the time to chat with me.

Christi:

It's been such a pleasure. Of course, thanks for having me on.

Angela:

And that's the end of another episode of the my Main Birth podcast. Thank you for joining me and listening. If you're looking to document your birth story or if you're interested in doula support for your upcoming birth, head over to my website, mymainbirthcom and check out my packages. I'm a certified professional birth photographer and an experienced doula, and I offer in-person services to families throughout the state of Maine, as well as virtual birth coaching worldwide. I want to invite you to grab my top free resource for newly pregnant moms. It's called 37 questions to ask your care provider, Whether you've already established care or if you're in the process of interviewing new providers. This is for you. Not only are you going to get the questions to ask, but I also share how to assess their answers and the major red flags that you should be looking for. So go grab that. It's at mymainbirthcom slash download. Thank you again for tuning in and I look forward to bringing you more amazing birth stories. Don't forget to subscribe and leave me a review, and I'll see you back here again next week.