Birth Story: Therese's

hi chiqui!
i was one of your students in your childbirth preparedness class #189 at Pulse Yoga, GH. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl last September 10,2010. I was planning to go all natural but, sadly, i was forced to go under the knife (cesarean).
I was in labor for more than 24 hours. I noticed the contractions began at around 1am, September 9. I kept waking up in the middle of the night because of the discomfort. At first I didn't know that it was already actual labor, I even went to work that day! But the contractions kept getting more frequent, coming every 10-15 minutes. I then decided to have myself checked and when I went to the Medical City, they told me I was already 2cm dilated but that my contractions were quite strong and frequent so they had to confine me.
They placed me in the labor room from 12nn (Sept 9) to 9pm, after which they transferred me to the lamaze room. At that point I was still pretty comfortable and my mother accompanied me for a time. By 1am (Sept 10), my mother left and my boyfriend (my coach) took over. That's when we found that I was already 3cm dilated. The midwife on duty advised me to get some rest and sleep.
At around 4am, i woke up with an excruciating pain in my abdominal area and a soaked hospital gown. an ie confirmed that my water had already broke at 4cm dilation. At that point I got really scared and excited at the same time. Luckily I was prepared and did not panic. My coach helped calm me down with breathing exercises when i showed the slightest hint of distress.
Unfortunately, by 8am, I was still at 4cm. My OB then gave an ultimatum: if, by 9am, there was no progress, i would have to undergo an emergency CS. And that's what happened.
I gave birth to my daughter, Alison Lucille, Lucy for short, at 9:38am, September 10, 2010, five days after my 20th birthday.
This is my birth story. Without your class, it probably would've been different. I wouldn't have been as prepared or as calm as I was.I wouldn't have known what was happening. I bet I would've panicked . But thank you, Chiqui, for being a great teacher and for helping me deliver the most wonderful gift ever! :)