Our Firstborn's Delivery

    Labor and delivery methods have certainly come a long way.  Thanks to medical advancements, doctors can detect early on whether the baby is in the right position for birth, decreasing the risk of fatalities for both mother and child.  Advancements in pain relief have also come a long way, by means of anesthesia, epidurals, and the Lamaze method. 

    I feel like I need to share the ordeal of our first child's delivery.  It took place at Swedish hospital in Edmonds.  First, we were talked into taking drugs that would induce the baby out, though it was only a few days late.  We spent a whole night dealing with contractions on no sleep, which conveniently (for them) set up the time of birth around noon the next day.  To deal with the pain, we elected to try an epidural, which sadly did not work.  My wife was poked with a needle repeatedly with no results, adding to the pain of contractions.  Another thing we did not like was the way we were rushed.  When the baby was ready to deliver, the doctor threatened that it would suffer severe side effects if we didn't get it out as soon as possible.  I had never heard of this.  Usually in the media delivery is shown with the doctor being supportive, not agitated, and we were not warned about side effects despite preparing for months at the same facility.  It seems to me that the mother and baby should not be rushed or severe physical damage could occur? 

    At one point, a team of other doctors came in, which really scared us.  I think that's when the primary doctor started using a vacuum, to increase suction.  I told my wife she was doing great, to take her time, and everything would be alright.  After another contraction, she screamed that she wanted a C-section.  I told her to her to try one more time, and out came the baby.  The baby was fine, but my wife needed surgery from a torn vagina.

    I thought it was careless and reckless how we were rushed, which may have contributed to the tearing.  My advice to first timers is to not let the hospital rush you.  For pain relief, try a mental technique like Lamaze or hypnosis instead of relying on an epidural.  We are doing that next time.