Kelley's Cesarean Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

We were finishing up Thanksgiving and I was in early labor starting to have consistent contractions every 5-10 mins apart. At 2 AM they were 4-5 mins apart and lasting an average of over 1 min. We called our midwife and decided to head to the birthing center, excited that we would finally meet our son soon. Once at the birthing center they checked me and I was 90% effaced and 3 cm dilated. So the waiting began, trying many positions to turn Everett and help with the progression of labor. At 11 AM they checked again, labor was beginning to hurt severally in my back and I was hopeful that meant I was making progress, we were at 5 cm. I decided at that point to stay in the birthing room to labor and was not aware of time. My midwives and support team were incredible in helping me change positions and cope with the pain. I was still not progressing, so around 9 PM I went into the birthing tub to try and relax and again just help labor along. Around 11 PM they checked again and I was only at 6 cm. My midwife left the room and I broke down crying in the tub, poor Matt cried alongside me. My midwife came back in and offered me Nitrous Oxide and I moved back to the bed to labor. Breathing in deeply during each painful contraction I continued laboring. I felt I was making progress and decided to start pushing through the contractions. 2 AM came and they checked me again and I was at 6.5 cm. 24 hrs of active labor and I had only progressed 3.5 cm. It was then that Matt and I made the decision to be transferred to Memorial Herman Hospital where I could receive an epidural and hopefully my body would relax enough so I could progress.
The Lord knew and He positioned all these amazing people in my life and in our birth story to remind me that He was in control and that I do not need to feel frightened or overwhelmed because in the end (and it would eventually end) our beautiful son Everett was born.
I love how the Lord used Everett's birth story to continue to prove how walking with open hands is always a beautiful thing.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

The next 45 min was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I had to walk to our car, stopping for contractions multiple times, get in, Matt drove to the hospital, still having major contractions every few minutes. Once we arrived I was in a wheelchair and we had to check in, answer a million questions, have blood tests done, sign paperwork, and finally I was able to get the epidural...I felt immediate relief. The OB on call was incredible and my nurse helped me into many different positions to try and move Everett to help labor progress. Around 9:30 am they checked me and I was at 8 cm but contractions were stalling out and they gave me the option to start pitocin and we agreed it was the next logical step. At 11:45 am still at 8 cm, they tried one last thing before doing a c-section, which was the last resort. They put in an Intrauterine Pressure Catheter which monitored the intensity of my contractions. At 12:52 pm they checked me again and my cervix was swollen and down to 6 cm. It was then that they began to prep me for a C-section and at 1:45 pm I was wheeled into the operating room. At 2:03 pm Saturday, November 25, 2017 Everett Ryan Kramer was born after 36 hours of labor.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

It is crazy for me to type this out as my own story. The reason being is that this was one of my biggest fears, having a very long excruciating labor. But it amazes me how good my Heavenly Father is, that He knew this was going to be my story and He put all the right people around me to support me through it all. I am especially grateful for my husband Matt, without his encouragement, counter pressure, gentle touch and emotional support I would have never been able to go through 24 hrs of natural labor. I am grateful for my midwife and her presence of peace, direction and support. Without her I would have been scared and overwhelmed. I am grateful for the OB on call and my amazing nurses who helped me once I arrived at the hospital. Their medical wisdom and care to try everything possible before a c-section meant so much to me.

What surprised you about your birth?

The Lord knew and He positioned all these amazing people in my life and in our birth story to remind me that He was in control and that I do not need to feel frightened or overwhelmed because in the end (and it would eventually end) our beautiful son Everett was born.

I love how the Lord used Everett's birth story to continue to prove how walking with open hands is always a beautiful thing.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

My midwife came back in and offered me Nitrous Oxide and I moved back to the bed to labor. Breathing in deeply during each painful contraction I continued laboring.

What position did you end up delivering in?

C-section

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

Psalm 139:15-16 “My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

#everettryan #birthstory #openhands

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Isaiah 49:14-16 “But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
And the Lord has forgotten me.”
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
16 “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.”