My First Birth Story
I recently started working with a young gal who’s pregnant for the first time and she’s a bit nervous (rightfully so) about her upcoming delivery. She asked me all sorts of questions about what my deliveries were like and what to expect. It was so much fun to share with her my stories; and wanted to share them with all of you as well. Here is what happened with my first child, Timothy who was born on July 31, 2013.
Timothy was due July 30th, 2013 and I stayed super active during my pregnancy with him. I taught yoga and Pilates classes, worked out and walked everywhere. The day of his due date, I took a private reformer Pilates class, did an inducing acupuncture treatment, and rode the subway home. I met a good friend of mine, who had just made me homemade oatmeal energy bars, on the stoop of my apartment. She was in shock I rode the subway!
I guess I wasn’t too nervous about the whole thing, or completely ignorant. The oatmeal bars were delicious and I ended up eating a few more than I had planned to that evening after dinner. I woke up in the middle of the night, around 2 or 230am, with terrible gas pains. I nudged my husband and told him I felt I needed to go to the bathroom. He said, “do you think you might be having contractions?” I wasn’t quite sure; but knew something didn’t feel right.
He drew me a bath; and right as I got in to it, a huge pain shot through my back and lower abdominals. I said “Uh yea, I think I’m in labor!”. He timed the contractions and space in between each one (which was hardly anything) and decided to call and Uber immediately. By the time I was in the car, I was in major pain and our poor Uber driver was speeding to the hospital.
At The Hospital
Once at the hospital, I could barely stand up it was so intense. I got to my room and in a gown and hooked up to an IV drip. I remember the pain being so overwhelming that I threw up a few times. One of the labor nurses showed my husband how to push his hip against my top leg as I laid on my side to help bare down against something when a contraction hit. I didn’t have a birth plan per say; but did think it would be awesome to deliver naturally.
Then around 6am I caved. I asked for an epidural. The anesthesiologist came in to give me the huge shot in my spinal column. He said give it a few minutes you will feel so much better. Well 15 minutes later, I was in even more pain then before. The epidural didn’t work and my Doctor said, “at this point, we may as well break your water and deliver this baby.” I agreed and decided to go for it, instead of trying another epidural.
She broke my water and I dilated completely. It was time to push; and push I did! Oh my gosh, I remember that being the most crazy, hard, intense moment ever. I pushed three times and by the third one, he was finally out. The ring of fire is for real. My doctor had to reach up and in and work his head down a few times; but when he finally came out, I couldn’t even contain my joy. Timothy was born at 8:53am the morning of July 31st. He was brought to my chest immediately and I cried so hard. I can’t even explain how amazing it is to hold your first born child.
Nothing ever prepares you for childbirth and those first few months once you’re home with your baby. Thank goodness I had my mom come out from Idaho to help me. I have to admit I’m one of those women who truly enjoyed being pregnant and found the entire process so amazing. Getting pregnant and having twins was an entirely new experience and will be the next blog post for you all!
Kristin McGee is a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor in New York City. She is currently teaching yoga with Peloton. She is the star of over 100 videos, seen in several magazines and tv shows and is a spokeswoman for many brands and causes she believes in. A proud mom to three, she sure keeps herself busy!