Birth Story -- A Race Report

Clara Shelly Coffman



Birth stories aren't supposed to be race reports, but because of my total ignorance of the fact that I no longer control things and my hubris, my birth story was a race.   A race to get home while on a work trip...

On Sunday February 24 I flew to Billings for a mediation.  Although I would be 37 weeks on Tuesday, it seemed totally reasonable to attend an out of town mediation on Monday.  I mean, there was no way I would be early.  In fact, I was quite confident I would go late and was researching whether I should ask to be induced at 41 weeks.  Because, you know, I get to decide these things.

I landed in Billings at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night.  Walking to my rental car I felt a trickle in my pants.  "Did I seriously just pee myself?" I asked myself.  I'd heard of such things happening late in pregnancy.  Oh how embarassing.  I had been advised to super hydrate to avoid blood clots and I figured that was what I get for overhydrating. 

I checked into my hotel room and seemed to still be leaking.  This wasn't pee.  I panicked.  Should I drive home?  Bad idea -- it was the middle of the night and a snow storm.  I called to see if I could get an earlier flight home the next day.  Nope.  I reluctantly decided I should go to the Billings Clinic to get checked out.

At the Billings Clinic I tested positive for amniotic fluid but it didn't appear I was still leaking and an ultrasound showed plenty of fluid.  It also showed that little Clara Beara was breech.  The doctor said "C Section for you if she doesn't turn!"  Thanks lady. 

I did confirm that for $2000 I could get a private plane home with little notice.  With that knowledge in my back pocket I wearily went to mediation -- having not slept basically all night.  I leaked all day and knew I just needed to get home.  I did NOT want to give birth in Billings.  Alone.  I didn't really tell people at work, except my client, that I was in labor when the contractions started around lunchtime or call my doc because I didn't want anyone to make me stay in Billings.  I figured if things really seemed to be progressing I would go back to the Billings Clinic or maybe give birth in Salt Lake City where my layover was.  Both places have good hospitals.  In any event as of 4:00 a.m. I had lots of fluid and figured I had 24 hours to get home and safely deliver (based on my understanding of protocols when your membranes rupture).

I got my case settled :-)

My contractions were about 30 minutes apart and super easy all the way until I landed back in Kalispell at 11:30 p.m. Monday night.  I showered and went to bed, hoping things would stay low key until morning at which time I had a pre-scheduled doctor's appointment. 

Around 2:30 I woke up with a SERIOUS FOR REALS contraction.  Then they kept coming!  Ouch!  Realizing that this unfun labor would serve no purpose since I was likely having a C-Section I called the doc and headed to the hospital at 3:00 a.m.

Clara Shelly Coffman was delivered by C-Section at 5:34 a.m. on February 25.

The C-Section was actually sort of fun.  I planned an all natural suffer-through birth but enjoyed witnessing surgery.  I didn't mind the spinal block by the time I got it -- I was having back labor which offers no breaks at all unlike contractions which give you a few minutes respite. 

3.5 weeks post-partum and I'm feeling pretty good if tired.  I can walk a few miles and abdominal weakness seems to be my limitation -- doing too much makes my back hurt.  I lost 20 or so pounds the first week but am hanging onto another 10 or so pounds.  I am optimistic that by June 2015 when I turn 40 I can be in better shape than I was when I got pregnant in June 2013. 

She is beautiful and we are so in love with her.  It's true all the things parents say...

OK she's screaming time to go...