My Birth Story

Luke Charles Hammagren's Birth Story

I will spare you the long version (I am not even done writing it in my journal-and am at 12 pages :)) I cannot believe this is the SHORT version!!

Ten months ago, when finding out we were pregnant, I wanted a scheduled c-section with my OB Doctor. At the practice I go to, there are of course the doctors who assist in any complicated births, surgeries, etc., but also certified nurse midwives. I was very hesitant to have a midwife so I saw my OB for the first half of pregnancy. I was scared of our baby's shoulder getting stuck, being posterior, or not fitting through my pelvis. (I was only four pounds and we knew this baby might be on the larger side) I seriously was fearful of giving birth and only heard horror birth stories. I had no idea that it would be a transformational experience. After I relaxed a bit, I started seeing the midwives (there are now three at Samaritan OBGYN-Clare, Katie, and Susan) and fell. in. love. I began to research late in pregnancy the benefits to natural childbirth and decided it was something I wanted to try. I also fell in love with the midwives and prayed I would have an uncomplicated labor and delivery so one of them could share in the experience. I started reading (at the suggestion of Susan) "Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth." It is all about natural childbirth. Kinda out there for some, but I fell in love with the idea of allowing my body, how God made it, to do what it was supposed to do. We hired a doula (a childbirth coach kind of for the mom and dad-not a medical provider). Her name is Jenney. I decided this around 38 weeks-pretty late in the game. Jenney spent a few evenings with us writing a birth plan, practicing breathing and relaxation techniques. All the midwives and my OB doctor were shocked at my change of heart; but celebrated my newfound desire.

At my 40 week appointment, I saw one of my favorite midwifes, Katie. I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She stripped my membranes and everyone told me it wouldn't be long until I would really go into labor. I started having contractions Monday afternoon pretty regularly but nothing excruciating. I had an appointment on Thursday, March 24 (the day after my due date) for her to just strip my membranes again. I did NOT want to be induced but was getting tired of being pregnant. I had regular contractions all week and each night got minimal sleep due to the contractions.

Thursday, March 24, my appointment was at 10am. Erik picked me up from the house (which, of course was a mess!) and we went to see Katie. I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced. I broke down in the appointment and said I didn't want to go through the weekend because I just wanted to make sure he was okay. Thankfully, Katie takes all those comments very seriously and wanted to hook me up for a non -stress test to monitor Luke. I was hooked up in the office for 30 minutes and Katie came in to tell us Luke's heart rate was dipping into the sixties and thought everything was okay but wanted us to go to the hospital for further monitoring.

We checked into the hospital at 11:30 am and I was hooked up to another NST. By 1pm, Katie came in and said his heart rate was still having decelerations and that we were not going home. I was so excited at the thought that I was actually going to have a baby, but nervous that I needed to be induced. She was going to break my water to induce labor to have Luke arrive safely. Out the window went my birth plan :-) We called our parents who jumped in the car from Bend and called Jenney, who came to the hospital.

At 4:30, Katie broke my water. Intense contractions started within an hour. (Katie warned me about being induced this way and the intensity of contractions are very different than spontaneously going into labor). I wanted to get into the bathtub, but Katie wanted me to wait till I was 5 cm so it would not slow labor. By 8:30pm I was 5-6 cm and ready to go in the tub. Contractions were "coupling" (one right after another) and I was having a ton of back pain. I asked that no one say the "e" word (epidural) because I knew I would take it if offered. By the time I got into the tub, I knew I needed relief and was exhausted. I now wanted the epidural immediately. Luckily, the anesthesiologist was on the OB floor and by 10:15 pm I was all hooked up. The anesthesiologist did a great job because I could still feel pressure of contractions and move my legs. The epidural did not take in my low back. When Katie came in, she felt the baby and said he was posterior (sunny side up) and that is what was causing the severe back pain and coupling contractions. They tried to rotate me in lots of positions to turn the baby. I did not want a c-section, but knew it could happen with a posterior baby.

Jenney and Erik encouraged me through the night, massaged my neck and arms, and just stayed with me. The night was long and exhausting. At 4am, Katie checked me and I was complete. I started pushing and pushing and pushing. For three long hours, I pushed. I developed a fever at the end, requiring an extra night in the hospital and antibiotics. Towards the end, Katie brought up using a vacuum because I was literally exhausted. I had been up for 48 hours with no sleep. Katie said I had to have three more contractions and then we would talk about the vacuum. Susan (my other favorite midwife) walked in and held my hand and encouraged me through the next contraction. She was kissing my forehead and everyone was telling me that he was almost there. On the second contraction, at 7:06 am, on March 25, Luke Charles Hammagren was born. Erik helped deliver him and put him on my chest. He was perfect and beautiful. 8 pounds 2 ounces, 21.5 inches long. I believe it was because of people praying that Luke turned and ended up not being posterior.

Katie, Erik, Luke and I shortly after birth

As I look back on Luke's birth story, I am amazed at God's provision. It was not at all as I had planned or even thought I wanted, but it was absolutely perfect. Yes, I had an epidural, an IV, an induction, and even a bit of pitocin. My birth plan was thrown out the window early in the process. I have no regrets on the hours of research or hiring a doula because my birth story is exactly what God had planned. Katie made an incredible call to get Luke here safely. The midwives, nurses, and Jenney were the most incredibly kind and wonderful women. I felt so strong and empowered. This was the best day of my life. Erik's strength and encouragement carried me through the long night, and continues today. I am married to an incredible, loving man who is a compassionate, wonderful daddy (who has changed more diapers than I have!!)

Luke is one week old today and I can say that I wish it were last Thursday so I could do it all over again. Giving birth was one of the most incredible, emotional, powerful experiences of my life. I received an email from Susan (the midwife who brought in fresh energy after a LONG night) that said she felt she needed to be there because of her connection to Erik and I (way to make a new mama ball like a baby!) I have spent the week processing this incredible experience and am so thankful for every piece of it. My fear has vanished and I cannot believe I am already saying I would do it again in a heart beat.

Luke is amazing and so is Erik. He is a fabulous daddy who loves Luke more than life. We have had a great week bonding together as a family.