An Intervention Free Hospital Birth
In my time as a birth worker I have learned there are some mothers who truly understand what they want for their experience. They research. They learn what evidence based care is and they continue to push for it in their own experiences. Kortney was a nurse within the hospital she delivered at. She commented to me that she would have chosen homebirth if she could, but for a variety of circumstances, that was not possible.
Kortney came into triage with her birth plan in place. She stuck to it. She did not let anyone change her mind about it. I was proud of her ability to advocate for herself at a time when we are most vulnerable as humans. This series opens with Kortney making notes to her plan and discussing her care in depth with her nurse before being admitted.
As Kortney’s labor progressed, she was able to rely not just on the plan she created, but the plan she practiced. Choosing an unmedicated birth is not simply about conviction. It’s not about pain tolerance. It’s not about mental fortitude. It’s simply about preparedness, practice and a little bit of luck.
Kortney was able to cope through her contractions, because she practiced her coping skills well in advance of labor. She utilized hydrotherapy, repositioning, hip squeezes with myself (not seen because I’m not that talented at photographing self-portraits).
Kortney opted for an IV start, no fluids. She opted for intermittent fetal monitoring: supported by numerous studies. Her baby’s heartrate was still monitored, but as a healthy mother expecting a healthy baby, there was no need to monitor beyond ten minutes a couple of times an hour. She ate and drank freely throughout her labor, allowing her to avoid exhaustion. She listened to the suggestions made by her nurse for positioning, which allowed her labor to progress quickly. And when it came time to pushing, Kortney opted for no overhead spotlight, to push as her body felt it needed to, and to have a minimum number of people watching. All of these factors led to her intervention-free birthing experience.
I’m proud of Kortney’s determination in her experience, her open-mindedness. And above all, I am thankful she was surrounded by a birthing team who respected her needs in her birth.
