Fluid began to seep out of my mom in small gushes starting at 1 o’clock in the morning. It woke her and repeated a few more times before she called the on-call midwife at Rogue Birth Center. Megan Pratt, CPM-LDM told mom to come in at 9 AM to be examined.
Mom tested GBS positive when I was 37 weeks into development and is a risk indication for both mom and babies, especially after the amniotic sac ruptures, as that allows bacteria to enter the uterus and can cause chorioamnionitis. The GBS handout provided by RBC states that when women are GBS positive and the amniotic sac is intact, a Hibiclens (4% chlorhexadine gluconate CHG) solution can be used internally to flush away GBS bacteria before a vaginal exam. But when the amniotic sac has ruptured, the solution is to only be used externally, and repeated vaginal exams are discouraged due to the risk of GBS and other bacteria entering the uterus. There is also an antibiotic protocol option once labor begins that must be done in a specified time-frame.
The GBS handout also states that delivery must occur within 18 hours of amniotic sac rupture.
Clear, odorless fluid continued to seep from my home within my mother’s womb.
Today should have—would have—could have been my Birth Day.
Mom and Dad describe their personal experience
The reason we chose Rogue Birth Center is because we know three other couples who’ve had babies there. One of the couples is in our family.
I got pregnant in 2021, but miscarried at 5 weeks before I could make any of my appointments, and ended up in the emergency room. I was sent home having been told that the embryo was an abnormal shape and that these things just happen.
I later called the RBC midwives to tell them and they offered support and kindness. We went in and they offered to do blood work and gave us more information as to why I may have miscarried and guidance on when to try again. My blood work came back normal and then 3 months later I conceived Amirah. She was due on July 29th, 2022.
On Sunday, July 24th, 2022, I rolled over in bed around 1 AM, thinking that I might have peed myself, so I got up and went to the bathroom . I changed my clothes and went back to bed. Another leak happened so I got up. Fluid trickled down my leg. I called the on-call midwife, Megan Pratt. She told me to get some rest and come later at 9 AM.
I tried using menstrual pads but they filled quickly, so I put on a postpartum diaper. I texted a few friends, called my mom, and slept as much as possible that night, nervous and excited that baby was coming!
Had a bit of a bloody show and cramps started around 4 AM.
We arrived at RBC at 9 AM. Midwives Megan and Taylor had me do the usual urine sample, weight, blood pressure, and then they had me rinse with Hibiclens before a vaginal exam. The fluid was tested twice with amniotic swabs that weren’t turning black for amniotic fluid but dark brown. Megan and Taylor weren’t sure on the color, so Megan did the vaginal exam to see how dilated I was. That was extremely fucking painful! Dusty sat on the couch to the right of me, uncomfortable with how Megan was so forceful with the exam.
I wasn’t dilated more than a finger tip and Megan said, “ I don’t know girl, I think it’s just cervical fluid.”
Taylor was sitting at the computer texting Amy about what was going on. Amy asked if I had been to the river recently - I had the previous Tuesday.
My appointment continued and Megan said that she probably got things ‘going’ (labor). She told us to refer to the When to Call your Midwife handout. We were sent home feeling like, okay everything is normal.
We trusted these midwives as medical professionals. They must know what they are talking about — right?
I sent texts informing many people that this was a false alarm — 33 of ‘em.
Later that evening my contractions started coming 50-60 minutes, at the beginning of the hour.
Monday the 25th
I still had the same contractions and was walking every hour for some relief. I was still leaking “cervical fluid” and wearing a diaper. Had another appointment for physical therapy that afternoon.. She was helping me and Dusty with birthing positions that would be beneficial during labor. She worked with me 20 weeks of pregnancy because I had some sciatica pain plus I have scoliosis. Her guidance was so helpful throughout the pregnancy and the help she had given us. When I told her that I was leaking fluid and having contractions, she said that it was totally possible because of my hard work in physical therapy.
Monday, July 25, 2022 - Hours 24 to 48
Mom’s contractions were still inconsistent and variable in duration. My life sustaining water was draining little by little. Hour after hour the contractions came and the fluid flowed. Sleep was becoming impossible; every contraction woke mom. Diapers were filled and changed.
Midwives never called to check on mom and me.
Mom was following the When to Call Your Midwives handout, which says to wait until she can no longer walk or talk through contractions. My mom persevered through the pain and lack of sleep. Tomorrow was our next scheduled prenatal appointment.
Coming Next: The Final Hours of Amirah Rayne Part 2
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