All day Wednesday , December 3d I had really light but regular Braxton Hix contractions. Your daddy and I went for a few walks and hung out at home all day and then went to see a movie in the evening. At around 11 pm as we were lying in bed, my water broke! It was a huge gush and nothing like the dribble everyone said it would be. After soaking through 2 pairs of pajama pants, and informing my mom that my water had broken, we decided that the best idea was to get to bed and get some rest before the labor started. We were all expecting a labor of 2 days or so, so we thought we should all get to bed and get as much sleep as possible. About 45 minutes of lying in bed, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to sleep. Thinking I was a total wuss, I went and woke my mom (your grandma Liddell) up and asked her what I should do. I decided to lay with her in her bed for a while and see if I could get some more sleep. The contractions started to get closer and closer together and more intense. Your grandma and I both figured that it was still going to be a couple days of contractions and that I REALLY needed to get some sleep. But, it was NOT going to happen!
We decided to start timing them and were amazed as they started coming at 4 minutes apart although, they were still a bit irregular. We decided to time a couple more before waking your daddy and when they were all 4 minutes apart, we decided it was time to wake daddy and call the midwife. I stayed lying on my side through all the contractions and was breathing and moaning through them all. At about 3:30 am my dad (your grandpa Liddell) and Delia woke up and came upstairs to see what was going on. Grandpa thought that Elvis (the outdoor dog) was freezing outside and howling to come in! Turned out it was ME! Your grandma, grandpa, Delia and your daddy all stayed with me from that point on and took turns rubbing my back, squeezing my hands and talking me through the contractions. Your grandma Gaines was also up and helping out behind the scenes where I couldn’t see her, but she was helping to support everyone who was supporting me!
The midwives arrived at about 4:30 am and we moved me into my bedroom so that we could inflate the birthing pool. While your grandparents helped the midwives fill the pool and ready the room, your daddy and I (and some intermittently your grandparents) labored in our room. I was most comfortable laying on my side and just moaning and breathing through all the contractions.
Eventually, the birth pool was filled up and I decided to try it out. This was at about 5 or 5:30 am. Before getting in the midwife checked me because I was making suspicious “pushing” noises. I assumed she would tell me that I was at 3 or 4 centimeters dilated, and that it would still be quite a while. It turns out that I was already at 8!!! I jumped into the pool and the contractions kept coming at around 4 and 5 minutes apart. The water didn’t help as much as I thought it would, but I could sit with my arms draped over the side and on my knees. I kept grunting through contractions, and the midwives let me do as my body wanted. There were definitely some screams and “I can’t do this” at this point. At some point, I turned into a sitting position and started really trying to push through contractions. The midwives held my legs and I pushed as hard as I could.
At around 7 am the midwives suggested I use the bathroom and try laboring on the toilet and I stayed there for about 20 minutes. After that, I moved to the bed to try pushing in a more productive position. I didn’t actually feel the real pushing urge that everyone talks about until I was on my back holding onto my legs in bed. I was soooo tired at this point and really just wanted to meet you! I REALLY didn’t think that there was any way that I could do it but your slowly crowned and your grandparents, midwives and daddy were there cheering me on!
Your head looked sooo small as it was first crowning and then all of a sudden everyone cheered as your whole head popped out! It was amazingly large! Your umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck, and the midwives expertly and easily slipped it off. Then they noticed that your little hand was also up by your head (which could explain why it took me almost 2 ½ hours to push you out!) so the midwives pulled your arm all the way out and then I pushed your body out! It was so incredible having you out and on my chest in a few seconds! You didn’t cry at all and just made the cutest little whimpering noises as the midwives made sure you were ok. I was just absolutely amazed that you were real and actually here! You were born at 8:41 am on December 4th. Your daddy and I sat staring at you for about an hour while I pushed the placenta out and the midwives checked me all over. You are simply the most amazing little being and I LOVE staring at you!!! You are the most beautiful blessing.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...7&l=2c2cd1e77b
7lbs. 12 oz, 20 1/2 inches long!
We decided to start timing them and were amazed as they started coming at 4 minutes apart although, they were still a bit irregular. We decided to time a couple more before waking your daddy and when they were all 4 minutes apart, we decided it was time to wake daddy and call the midwife. I stayed lying on my side through all the contractions and was breathing and moaning through them all. At about 3:30 am my dad (your grandpa Liddell) and Delia woke up and came upstairs to see what was going on. Grandpa thought that Elvis (the outdoor dog) was freezing outside and howling to come in! Turned out it was ME! Your grandma, grandpa, Delia and your daddy all stayed with me from that point on and took turns rubbing my back, squeezing my hands and talking me through the contractions. Your grandma Gaines was also up and helping out behind the scenes where I couldn’t see her, but she was helping to support everyone who was supporting me!
The midwives arrived at about 4:30 am and we moved me into my bedroom so that we could inflate the birthing pool. While your grandparents helped the midwives fill the pool and ready the room, your daddy and I (and some intermittently your grandparents) labored in our room. I was most comfortable laying on my side and just moaning and breathing through all the contractions.
Eventually, the birth pool was filled up and I decided to try it out. This was at about 5 or 5:30 am. Before getting in the midwife checked me because I was making suspicious “pushing” noises. I assumed she would tell me that I was at 3 or 4 centimeters dilated, and that it would still be quite a while. It turns out that I was already at 8!!! I jumped into the pool and the contractions kept coming at around 4 and 5 minutes apart. The water didn’t help as much as I thought it would, but I could sit with my arms draped over the side and on my knees. I kept grunting through contractions, and the midwives let me do as my body wanted. There were definitely some screams and “I can’t do this” at this point. At some point, I turned into a sitting position and started really trying to push through contractions. The midwives held my legs and I pushed as hard as I could.
At around 7 am the midwives suggested I use the bathroom and try laboring on the toilet and I stayed there for about 20 minutes. After that, I moved to the bed to try pushing in a more productive position. I didn’t actually feel the real pushing urge that everyone talks about until I was on my back holding onto my legs in bed. I was soooo tired at this point and really just wanted to meet you! I REALLY didn’t think that there was any way that I could do it but your slowly crowned and your grandparents, midwives and daddy were there cheering me on!
Your head looked sooo small as it was first crowning and then all of a sudden everyone cheered as your whole head popped out! It was amazingly large! Your umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck, and the midwives expertly and easily slipped it off. Then they noticed that your little hand was also up by your head (which could explain why it took me almost 2 ½ hours to push you out!) so the midwives pulled your arm all the way out and then I pushed your body out! It was so incredible having you out and on my chest in a few seconds! You didn’t cry at all and just made the cutest little whimpering noises as the midwives made sure you were ok. I was just absolutely amazed that you were real and actually here! You were born at 8:41 am on December 4th. Your daddy and I sat staring at you for about an hour while I pushed the placenta out and the midwives checked me all over. You are simply the most amazing little being and I LOVE staring at you!!! You are the most beautiful blessing.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...7&l=2c2cd1e77b
7lbs. 12 oz, 20 1/2 inches long!
