the Birth of Asher Cole 9/4/22
Christina and Clint are parents! But their journey to meet their baby could better be described as an odyssey, I think. They were students in my childbirth class so they were very prepared for the many ways birth can unfold. Still, you never know how YOUR birth unfolds until it does.
Christina’s blood pressure began creeping up in the final month of her pregnancy, putting her on modified bedrest and the plan for induction earlier rather than later. In fact, it was set for 37 weeks. Christina and Clint had a very open approach to the birth and knew the importance of being flexible for the best outcome for their baby, but also for Christine, whose blood pressure continued to trend high.
After a hiccup with no rooms available, she got the call back that there was a room available. So, Christina and Clint made their way to the hospital on Thursday night, September 1. The plan was to ripen her cervix first, since it was not yet effaced or dilated, and baby was high. Cytotec was the mode for ripening the first night. Christina slept and hoped for a change in the morning’s exam. But there wasn’t.
Day two, Friday, they continued the Cytotec through most of the day without much change. Christina rejoiced in the opportunity for breakfast and coffee the morning of the second day and developed a taste for the broth that appeared each meal from the hospital cafeteria staff. And her doctor encouraged her to get some dinner before the Pitocin began that night and Christina was thrilled for that!
They attempted the Cook balloon to ripen the cervix second night. Christina’s uterus was contracting regularly every two minutes, mildly, and low dose Pitocin was the overnight plan for ripening. The bed did her back no favors, so she sat on the kaya birthing stool with her head resting on the bed to attempt sleep.
Christina had the best attitude through the induction. She told me time and time again how she knew her body wasn’t ready for labor so she expected the induction to be a process that could span days. Realistic expectations are important in birth, but especially with an induction. You just never know how it will unfold! Christina was also pleased to know her baby was active, seemingly unphased by the whole ripening process. She could be patient for him. Christina did have some discomfort, but it was more due to the bed than any contractions, unfortunately. She went to bed that second night and hoped for the best.
Saturday morning, day three, the balloon was removed but Christina was only dilated 1-2 cm. This was a difficult moment for her and despite her sunny attitude thus far, she shed some tears and allowed herself to mourn how long and drawn out this birth had become. Her baby was also still very high. Her contractions the previous day were worse than the contractions this day, which allowed her a few hours of rest overnight at least. The Pitocin was high, at 16 mu by 9:30 that morning.
Saturday evening there still wasn’t much happening. Christina was dilated 2-3 cm and was given the gift of a break. She was unhooked from everything and even took a shower! Then she and Clint went for a walk outside in the healing garden and enjoyed dinner of a salad before returning to the room to continue the ripening process. The plan for the third night was to return to the Cytotec and see if Christina’s body responded differently than the first night they tried. Christina hoped to get some rest that night at the very least, and maybe some additional dilation.
The third morning, the verdict was discouraging. Christina’s cervix had not changed. Her doctor laid out two options for next steps: break her water and get an epidural and see if that combination with likely Pitocin might bring on some labor; or proceed with a c-section. Christina didn’t have to think very long about it, for she felt the answer was clear. After three days of ripening a cervix that still wasn’t ripe, she felt most comfortable with the c-section rather than trying another day and running the risk of an emergent c-section later.
This is a brave and courageous woman. This is a patient woman. This is a woman who is not willing to risk potential stress to her baby with another day of ripening and induction. This is a woman who is ready to meet her baby. Christina had a choice, and she made the best one for herself and her baby, with full support from her birth team.
Asher Cole (Hebrew for happy and blessed), was born at 6:45 am on September 4, 2022. He weighed 7 lb. 13 oz. and was 20 in. long. He was a decent size for 37 weeks! And as if the c-section wasn’t already the best decision for Christina, when they got into the OR to get situated, they couldn’t find Asher’s heartbeat. The doctor said, “It’s time. Let’s get him out.” And they did just that.
Asher was latched by 7:55 pm, hardly an hour after he was born, and his mother was beaming with him in her arms, knowing her had come earthside safe and sound. Clint was a faithful and loving partner through it all too. Inductions are grueling for everyone, and the waiting game and living in one room for three days can wear anyone down. His attitude was just as upbeat as Christina’s and that alone was testament to their willingness to do the hard things for their baby. Birth looks so many ways, but at the core it is the same: making the best decisions for mom and baby with love at the center of it all.
