When I found out I was pregnant, I checked out every book out there on pregnancy from the library. Ina May Gaskin's Guide To Childbirth was the first book on my list. I soaked it up like a sponge. I didn't read many of the birth stories, but I read the rest of the book. I eventually got to the point where I would skim most to the books that I had checked out. Then I just decided that I wasn't going to over think things and let things happen as they were supposed to happen.
I went into my pregnancy with an open mind, but my preference was to have a natural childbirth. I believed it would be good for me and my baby. I wanted to breastfeed, and didn't want anything to interfere with that.
My plan was not set in stone. The hospital birthing center's procedures were in line with what I wanted, so I didn't make a rigid birth plan.
I had a very smooth pregnancy and was very lucky to not have had any morning sickness. The only issue that I had was gestational diabetes. I felt bad when I first found out, but there was nothing that I had done to cause it. It is just something that happens to some women during pregnancy. I met with a dietitian a few times. I had to follow a strict diet and take my blood sugar three times a day. One perk was that I got more ultrasounds toward the end, so I got to see my baby before each appointment.
My due date was February 3, but I ended up being one week over due. Since I had gestational diabetes, they did not want me to go any longer. It was decided that I would be induced. At the time, it felt like a death sentence. I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but I found out they were going to use Cytotec. I had read some bad things about Cytotec. I was also afraid that induction would cause a domino effect that would lead to a C-section. My worst nightmare! Why would my midwife suggest such a thing? Weren't they against these types of interventions? I felt that since I had gestational diabetes, I was in no position to challenge the authority of my midwife.
My husband and I went in at midnight on Thursday, February 12. I was induced at 1:00 AM. I was given a sleeping pill, but did not get much rest. I was way too anxious. I was still determined to have a natural birth. By 11 AM, I couldn't take the pain any longer. The anesthesiologist was called in and I got an epidural.
To be fair, when one is induced it makes the contractions much more painful. So who knows what would have happen if I hadn't been induced. I might have been a warrior. However, I am not one to dwell on what might have been.
As the famous Edith Piaf song goes, "Non, Je ne regrette rien." Simply translated, "I have no regrets!"
An induction and an epidural not part of my plans, but plans change and that's ok!
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