born at 1am, 8lbs, 21.5in long. SHE hasn't told me her name yet. I'm starving! more to come i promise!
EDIT
I remember writing my birth story with my second son, it was empowering and wonderful and completely healing from my intervention filled first birth. This time around, I'm still in a daze from the wonderment that is my body.
I had bloody show on Friday, and contractions in the morning. After running some errands and shipping my boys off for a pre-planned out of town trip, my contractions stopped. I slept well that night, and they picked up again on Saturday. I laid around the house all day, watching Ugly Betty (great non comital tv programming!), snacking, baking, and blowing up my birth tub. I liked being alone, just me and my baby. I wrote her a letter, telling her about all the good things, cloth diapers, a birth tub, nursing, big brothers, etc when she decided to come and be born. I was ready.
Around 8pm, I felt my contractions picking up in timing and somewhat in strength, but it wasn't anything to get excited about. I timed them for about two hours, and they were 3 to 5 minutes apart. I could walk through them and stand, I mostly stood and laid down when I felt I needed to.
I posted my times to my personal journal and my friend took a look, gave me a call. I told her I felt ok through it all. I retreated to my bedroom where I labored from about 1030 until 1145. I rocked back and forth on my feet, knowing that gravity is my friend! They were intense contractions, but I didn't want to call my friend and have her waiting around for me.
Around 1145 I realized that I said out loud 'I can't do this! Why did I sign up for this?!' and of course the fbomb quite loudly after some pretty powerful contractions. I called my friend and said please come, and she hopped in the car straight away and drove up.
Two or three contractions after that, I was almost worried. The contractions were very powerful and strong, I had to comfort myself and remind myself to stay grounded, keep my verbalization low. I hit a high pitch cry and almost shed tears, but reminded myself again that I could do this. I didn't watch the clock because I didn't want to know how much time had passed.
I was working through a pretty tough contraction when I felt my water break. I realized that I was tensing my buttocks, I finally relaxed my muscles, It was an actual POP. Really loud, and fluid gushed down my legs. I was REALLY happy. I knew things would get a little better after that. The water breaking made me drop to my knees. I cupped my vagina, and knew her head was right there. There was tons of pressure. I relaxed my bottom, and felt her head slide right down. I braced my perineum, her head expanded the opening slowly, I breathed in and out slowly and made sure that I was slow and careful.
Her head totally crowned and birth itself, I felt her little ears, and her face. She was posterior! No wonder I was having so much back labor. I felt for the cord, it was around her neck once, but very loose. With the next contraction, my body pushed her body out and onto the floor. I unwound the cord, she gave out a big shout! Like 'hey mom you said I was going to be born in a tub! wth!'
I gave her the once over, and rejoiced in the fact I wasn't in labor any more! I scooped her up and held her close to my body, she gurgled and grunted and yelled some more. She was completely pink! Not blue, or purple at all. She smelled wonderful, like birth. She made eye contact with me, and cried some more.
I sat down on the floor, wiped off my hand, and gave my friend a call, she was IN THE DRIVEWAY!
My friend called me back a second later, and said that I had locked all the doors! I had to get up off the floor and unlock the back door to let her and her nursing son in. We settled in the living room on some chux pads, I birthed the placenta, it was LOVELY. My daughter latched on to nurse for a bit. She's got quite the latch! A born nurser. I had my friend hold my dear new daughter while I had a quick shower. I did not bleed much in the shower, a great sign.
My friend put us in bed, and then I weighed and measured my girl. My friend then made me a placenta smoothie. Ladies, seriously, if you have had PPD or might be prone to it, or hell, even if you're not, I highly suggest making a placenta smoothie after birth. I could NOT taste it at all. All I tasted was strawberries and yogurt. Please please, if you can spare yourself the evils that is PPD, please eat your placenta! Its especially easy when you're not watching someone prepare it!
My friend spoon fed me the smoothie and we laughed and talked. She cleaned up the futon and mopped the hallway where I had dripped some blood when opening the door. She had me take some cramping tincture that tasted like ground up grasshoppers. Seriously, it was worse than eating placenta raw I'm sure!
But it does the trick. My after pains were quite strong, especially when my daughter was nursing. Did I mention she's a pro? 
My friend then turned off the lights in my room, locked the door and left! I can't wait to see her later today.
My daughter and I slept til about 7am, I changed her beautiful meconium diaper, it was thick and glossy. She nursed some more. I called a few east coast friends, and started sending pictures to cel phones of west coast friends. I feel amazing right now. No emotional distress, its actually been really interesting waking up alone with her, changing her diapers, walking around the house. I'm not sore. I'm starving though, so I hope someone shows up soon with some grub! I could eat a horse.
My mom and my boys are on their way back from their trip. My mom told them there is a huge surprise for them when they get home. I haven't named her yet, I've tried to have a couple conversations with her, but she keeps falling asleep. I guess a name can wait for now.
I knew that I was planning a UC with a friend here to encourage me, I didn't plan on her not being here at all, but it worked out for the best. I wasn't scared. I kept my head about me, removing the cord, making sure she was breathing, laying her on her side to spit out any yuckies.
It was such a different space when I was all alone. I was the one encouraging myself to continue, to stay focused. My body and my baby worked as the perfect team and we had a perfect birth. No one shouting, to push, no one making suggestions. It was all me and her. I cannot wait until she is old enough to hear the story of her birth and be empowered. To know that she was apart of something so magical and special that most women take for granted.
I hope you all realize the power you have within to birth your babies without outside interference. I know not everyone would choose unassisted birth, but I hope that my story empowers you to take charge of your birth. You CAN birth your babies on your own. You are all strong women and its been an honor to be in this due date club with you all.
May all your births be amazing, empowering, healing.
Much Love,
Noel
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6155278_n.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4598508_n.jpg
she's a pro nurser
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...6_773187_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...83_1978149.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...84_1206405.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...85_1113769.jpg
And here she is, name and all
Estella Lenore
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...66_1825331.jpg
EDIT
I remember writing my birth story with my second son, it was empowering and wonderful and completely healing from my intervention filled first birth. This time around, I'm still in a daze from the wonderment that is my body.
I had bloody show on Friday, and contractions in the morning. After running some errands and shipping my boys off for a pre-planned out of town trip, my contractions stopped. I slept well that night, and they picked up again on Saturday. I laid around the house all day, watching Ugly Betty (great non comital tv programming!), snacking, baking, and blowing up my birth tub. I liked being alone, just me and my baby. I wrote her a letter, telling her about all the good things, cloth diapers, a birth tub, nursing, big brothers, etc when she decided to come and be born. I was ready.
Around 8pm, I felt my contractions picking up in timing and somewhat in strength, but it wasn't anything to get excited about. I timed them for about two hours, and they were 3 to 5 minutes apart. I could walk through them and stand, I mostly stood and laid down when I felt I needed to.
I posted my times to my personal journal and my friend took a look, gave me a call. I told her I felt ok through it all. I retreated to my bedroom where I labored from about 1030 until 1145. I rocked back and forth on my feet, knowing that gravity is my friend! They were intense contractions, but I didn't want to call my friend and have her waiting around for me.
Around 1145 I realized that I said out loud 'I can't do this! Why did I sign up for this?!' and of course the fbomb quite loudly after some pretty powerful contractions. I called my friend and said please come, and she hopped in the car straight away and drove up.
Two or three contractions after that, I was almost worried. The contractions were very powerful and strong, I had to comfort myself and remind myself to stay grounded, keep my verbalization low. I hit a high pitch cry and almost shed tears, but reminded myself again that I could do this. I didn't watch the clock because I didn't want to know how much time had passed.
I was working through a pretty tough contraction when I felt my water break. I realized that I was tensing my buttocks, I finally relaxed my muscles, It was an actual POP. Really loud, and fluid gushed down my legs. I was REALLY happy. I knew things would get a little better after that. The water breaking made me drop to my knees. I cupped my vagina, and knew her head was right there. There was tons of pressure. I relaxed my bottom, and felt her head slide right down. I braced my perineum, her head expanded the opening slowly, I breathed in and out slowly and made sure that I was slow and careful.
Her head totally crowned and birth itself, I felt her little ears, and her face. She was posterior! No wonder I was having so much back labor. I felt for the cord, it was around her neck once, but very loose. With the next contraction, my body pushed her body out and onto the floor. I unwound the cord, she gave out a big shout! Like 'hey mom you said I was going to be born in a tub! wth!'
I gave her the once over, and rejoiced in the fact I wasn't in labor any more! I scooped her up and held her close to my body, she gurgled and grunted and yelled some more. She was completely pink! Not blue, or purple at all. She smelled wonderful, like birth. She made eye contact with me, and cried some more.
I sat down on the floor, wiped off my hand, and gave my friend a call, she was IN THE DRIVEWAY!
My friend called me back a second later, and said that I had locked all the doors! I had to get up off the floor and unlock the back door to let her and her nursing son in. We settled in the living room on some chux pads, I birthed the placenta, it was LOVELY. My daughter latched on to nurse for a bit. She's got quite the latch! A born nurser. I had my friend hold my dear new daughter while I had a quick shower. I did not bleed much in the shower, a great sign.
My friend put us in bed, and then I weighed and measured my girl. My friend then made me a placenta smoothie. Ladies, seriously, if you have had PPD or might be prone to it, or hell, even if you're not, I highly suggest making a placenta smoothie after birth. I could NOT taste it at all. All I tasted was strawberries and yogurt. Please please, if you can spare yourself the evils that is PPD, please eat your placenta! Its especially easy when you're not watching someone prepare it!
My friend spoon fed me the smoothie and we laughed and talked. She cleaned up the futon and mopped the hallway where I had dripped some blood when opening the door. She had me take some cramping tincture that tasted like ground up grasshoppers. Seriously, it was worse than eating placenta raw I'm sure!
But it does the trick. My after pains were quite strong, especially when my daughter was nursing. Did I mention she's a pro? My friend then turned off the lights in my room, locked the door and left! I can't wait to see her later today.
My daughter and I slept til about 7am, I changed her beautiful meconium diaper, it was thick and glossy. She nursed some more. I called a few east coast friends, and started sending pictures to cel phones of west coast friends. I feel amazing right now. No emotional distress, its actually been really interesting waking up alone with her, changing her diapers, walking around the house. I'm not sore. I'm starving though, so I hope someone shows up soon with some grub! I could eat a horse.
My mom and my boys are on their way back from their trip. My mom told them there is a huge surprise for them when they get home.
I haven't named her yet, I've tried to have a couple conversations with her, but she keeps falling asleep. I guess a name can wait for now.I knew that I was planning a UC with a friend here to encourage me, I didn't plan on her not being here at all, but it worked out for the best. I wasn't scared. I kept my head about me, removing the cord, making sure she was breathing, laying her on her side to spit out any yuckies.
It was such a different space when I was all alone. I was the one encouraging myself to continue, to stay focused. My body and my baby worked as the perfect team and we had a perfect birth. No one shouting, to push, no one making suggestions. It was all me and her. I cannot wait until she is old enough to hear the story of her birth and be empowered. To know that she was apart of something so magical and special that most women take for granted.
I hope you all realize the power you have within to birth your babies without outside interference. I know not everyone would choose unassisted birth, but I hope that my story empowers you to take charge of your birth. You CAN birth your babies on your own. You are all strong women and its been an honor to be in this due date club with you all.
May all your births be amazing, empowering, healing.
Much Love,
Noel
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6155278_n.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4598508_n.jpg
she's a pro nurser
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...6_773187_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...83_1978149.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...84_1206405.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...85_1113769.jpg
And here she is, name and all
Estella Lenore
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...66_1825331.jpg
:
