How is little Baby Genki already 60 days old?? Well, here's her birth story.
The decision to attempt a natural, unmedicated birth was easy for me. For many years, I have been concerned with pesticides, additives, preservatives, and all other forms of chemical junk added to our bodies for convenience and profits of others. After spending two years in a rural African village, living closely to the level of the people, with no running water, no electricity, and no processed foods, I realized how important it was to take care of my body naturally. So, the decision to not have my body injected with chemicals to take away the normal pain of childbirth was obvious. I wanted to have the full experience, pain and all, and bring my children into the world the way women had for all of time, and the way women did in my rural African village everyday.
For Toto's birth, The Shark and I took a natural childbirth class to prepare us with ways to cope with pain, and to get a more realistic idea of what a natural childbirth entails. It was a great way to practice different laboring positions, talk about plans to cope with pain, and discuss ways The Shark could provide support. We also found a doula. Probably the best decision we made was to have someone help us prepare for the birth, make a birth plan, and support us both during labor and delivery. I also kept my body in shape with yoga, walking, swimming, and hiking to keep up with the physical demands of labor.
Fast forward to 2013. After I found out I was pregnant in March, I immediately decided to fly back to the U.S. for the birth. But the logistics of taking a two-year old across the ocean, finding a place to stay, jet lag, bringing our nanny (??), and being without The Shark for a few weeks made me change my mind. I talked to several women who had great birth experiences right here in Manila, so we decided to stay. Just like Baby #1, I looked for a doula to assist us, and I found the only (or one of the few) in Manila--Betty. We had two sessions during my pregnancy to prepare for the birth. My favorite part was drawing a picture of what we hoped for the birth and included words like "calm" and "breathe." Toto even added some decor to the drawing.
Baby Genki's first ultrasound had a December 9 due date, but all sonograms after that showed December 2. As the days passed December 2, I became more anxious and discouraged. I tried to stay positive, but the 16 weeks of morning sickness, months of chasing a toddler, and body aches had taken their toll and I was ready to deliver my little girl. I worked until December 5, then decided to stop with the hope that a more relaxed mind and body might trigger labor. That whole weekend I did everything to encourage labor - evening primrose oil, pineapple (lots and lots of pineapple), spicy food, lunges, walking, dancing, you name it. On December 8, I woke up to some bleeding and light cramping - the show was finally starting! I had mild contractions throughout the day, so back to the dancing and lunging. Sunday night was a little uncomfortable, but I managed to get some sleep. My doula, Betty, spent the night and in the morning massaged my feet and back.
On Monday morning, we went to see Dr. Henson and I asked her to strip my membranes. I am all for letting things progress naturally, but I was so ready to get things moving. The strip was painful and within 45 minutes I was in active labor. We never even went home, just got wheeled to the birthing suite.
The birthing suite was big with nice natural light from the windows and a couch that I glued myself on all fours to for a few hours. Contractions were coming less than 5 minutes apart, and it felt really good to moan "ohhhh," imagining my body opening. Betty and The Shark took turns applying counter pressure to my back, relieving lots of pain. I was still in good spirits and even able to joke with Dr. Henson. But then the pain started getting worse. At seven centimeters, I moved to the hospital bed.
During Toto's birth, I tried lots of different positions, but Genki's birth was different. Everything was faster and more intense. Kneeling on all fours was the only comfortable position for me. Switching to my back to check for progress was almost unbearable. The Shark was amazing--encouraging me to keep going, to bring our little girl into the world, to breathe--I couldn't have done it without him.
I was stuck at 8 centimeters for two hours and started to feel tired and a little desperate. Moans weren't cutting it anymore, I started to scream, and there were times I thought I just might pass out. Dr. Henson offered to break my bag of water, I agreed, and after one huge contraction I was fully dilated. Everyone was ecstatic, but no one more than me. Then I had to push. Honestly, there are no words for that burning and stretching pain. I stayed on my knees and after a few good pushes her little head came out, but her shoulders were stuck. Dr. Henson had to reach inside (she has tiny hands) and literally pull her out. Because I was on all fours, I had to turn around to see her. Luckily, Doula Betty caught that moment on film (will not be shared here) because the look of joy and love in The Shark and my faces is really beautiful. Dr. Henson placed her on my chest. We let the cord stop pulsating on its own, then The Shark cut it.
The relief, joy, euphoria, happiness, everything at once. Genki was so alert, looking around, and nursed right away. Then a few more contractions for the GIANT placenta, a few stitches (small, natural tear), and I was left in peace to just be with my little girl--all 7 lbs 13 oz, 19 inches long of her.
The memory of the pain doesn't fade away, but is it supposed to? Everything that I felt during the labor and delivery were created by my own body. There was so much more than pain, there was trust, and love, and excitement, and hope, and strength, and the overriding belief that my body knew exactly what to do. Bringing my girls into the world without chemical intervention has easily been the most empowering experience of my life.
