Beatrix Ruth Valentina
Born on June 25, 2010 (her EDD) @ 11:50 a.m.
10 lbs 8 oz, 22 inches
On Thursday, June 24th, I had an appointment with my midwife, Ellen. I was one day away from my due date and was getting super anxious. I asked her to give me a cervical check and she determined that I was 2cm dilated. She asked if I'd like her to strip my membranes and I said yes. After the strip, she said she stretched my cervix to 3cm and that I was also 70% effaced. She said I'd feel very crampy all day and that she let the midwife on call know that I could be coming in.
I went the rest of the day cramping and hurting. I had contractions, but they weren't strong or consistent. Later that evening, I lost my mucus plug, but I tried not to get too excited as that doesn't always mean labor is immediately on its way. I didn't sleep well that night because of the cramping and the contractions. They were getting stronger, but still weren't consistent.
I woke up around 7:30 a.m. on June 25th with really strong contractions. I woke Joey up and we started timing them. They were all between 3 and 5 minutes apart. We called L&D and they said I should come in to be checked. I called my grandparents and told them that it was time and to meet us at the hospital to take Elani and Genevieve. We got everything together and in the van; then we were off!
On the way there, the contractions became more frequent and were getting more intense. Of course, we got stuck in road construction and I thought we could have the baby in the car! Joey called L&D back and told them I was in a lot of pain and that we were just going to the ER. He then called my grandparents and told them to meet us there instead of the circle drive.
We got to the hospital, sent the kids with grandma and grandpa and then headed up to the 10th floor. They got my GBS antibiotics started and did a cervical check. I was 4-5cm dilated. After I had the antibiotics in my system, they unhooked the IV and let me get into the birthing tub. The warm water felt sooo good and it was making my contractions a lot more bearable.
As my contractions got stronger, my midwife, Kristy said at some point I'd have to get out of the tub so they could break my water. If my water had meconium in it, I wouldn't be able to give birth in the tub. So I got out and got onto the bed on my side. She checked me and I was 8cm dilated. She broke my water and it was clear. I decided to not get back into the tub at that point. I was in a lot of pain and really didn't feel like moving. I discussed it with my midwives and I decided it didn't matter if I gave birth in the tub or not.
I labored in the bed for a bit and the contractions continued to get worse. I asked her to check me again and she determined I was still at 8cm. She said the baby was in a weird position and was not moving down. She suggested I get on my hands and knees on the bed or I stand and lean far over the bed to try and turn the baby. I opted for standing and leaning over the bed.
Not even 3 minutes after I stood and leaned, I had a HUGE urge to push that I could not stop. I went ahead and pushed and told the midwives that the baby was definitely coming. I got back onto the bed and pushed through 3 really strong contractions. On the third full contraction, at 11:50 a.m., Beatrix was born! She was very pink and crying a little. I guess I didn't really notice how big she was and definitely wasn't expecting to hear 10lbs 8oz!
Overall, I am VERY happy with the birth experience. It was only 4 hours and 20 minutes long and the recovery has been a breeze. Breastfeeding is going well and she's just as sweet as can be.
Born on June 25, 2010 (her EDD) @ 11:50 a.m.
10 lbs 8 oz, 22 inches
On Thursday, June 24th, I had an appointment with my midwife, Ellen. I was one day away from my due date and was getting super anxious. I asked her to give me a cervical check and she determined that I was 2cm dilated. She asked if I'd like her to strip my membranes and I said yes. After the strip, she said she stretched my cervix to 3cm and that I was also 70% effaced. She said I'd feel very crampy all day and that she let the midwife on call know that I could be coming in.
I went the rest of the day cramping and hurting. I had contractions, but they weren't strong or consistent. Later that evening, I lost my mucus plug, but I tried not to get too excited as that doesn't always mean labor is immediately on its way. I didn't sleep well that night because of the cramping and the contractions. They were getting stronger, but still weren't consistent.
I woke up around 7:30 a.m. on June 25th with really strong contractions. I woke Joey up and we started timing them. They were all between 3 and 5 minutes apart. We called L&D and they said I should come in to be checked. I called my grandparents and told them that it was time and to meet us at the hospital to take Elani and Genevieve. We got everything together and in the van; then we were off!
On the way there, the contractions became more frequent and were getting more intense. Of course, we got stuck in road construction and I thought we could have the baby in the car! Joey called L&D back and told them I was in a lot of pain and that we were just going to the ER. He then called my grandparents and told them to meet us there instead of the circle drive.
We got to the hospital, sent the kids with grandma and grandpa and then headed up to the 10th floor. They got my GBS antibiotics started and did a cervical check. I was 4-5cm dilated. After I had the antibiotics in my system, they unhooked the IV and let me get into the birthing tub. The warm water felt sooo good and it was making my contractions a lot more bearable.
As my contractions got stronger, my midwife, Kristy said at some point I'd have to get out of the tub so they could break my water. If my water had meconium in it, I wouldn't be able to give birth in the tub. So I got out and got onto the bed on my side. She checked me and I was 8cm dilated. She broke my water and it was clear. I decided to not get back into the tub at that point. I was in a lot of pain and really didn't feel like moving. I discussed it with my midwives and I decided it didn't matter if I gave birth in the tub or not.
I labored in the bed for a bit and the contractions continued to get worse. I asked her to check me again and she determined I was still at 8cm. She said the baby was in a weird position and was not moving down. She suggested I get on my hands and knees on the bed or I stand and lean far over the bed to try and turn the baby. I opted for standing and leaning over the bed.
Not even 3 minutes after I stood and leaned, I had a HUGE urge to push that I could not stop. I went ahead and pushed and told the midwives that the baby was definitely coming. I got back onto the bed and pushed through 3 really strong contractions. On the third full contraction, at 11:50 a.m., Beatrix was born! She was very pink and crying a little. I guess I didn't really notice how big she was and definitely wasn't expecting to hear 10lbs 8oz!
Overall, I am VERY happy with the birth experience. It was only 4 hours and 20 minutes long and the recovery has been a breeze. Breastfeeding is going well and she's just as sweet as can be.
