I had the most wonderful experience for my third birth which was my second HBAC (Home Birth After C-Section). This time I began labor 12 days after my due date. It began on the way to bible study in the car. Over the course of 2.5 hrs I had about 4 contractions. At first, I wasn't sure I was in labor, but when I began to feel more uncomfortable I had a feeling it would be today. I had few more intense contractions while driving home, then I continued in labor having contractions every 10-15 minutes, some even back to contractions, but then I remained having them still about 10 minutes apart until the pushing stage. I worked hard to the get the girls down for their naps and my oldest would not nap because she knew that I was going into labor. I called my husband at work and told him that he needed to come home and to take the girls to my friends by 4pm. During the time he was gone I called my midwife and then mowed the lawns (my husband is allergic to grass) and I knew it would help keep my mind off the intensity and onto progressing in labor. I had just reviewed a very extensive document on labor positions and decided that moving around while in labor was my best friend to controlling the intensity of contractions. Also, I had read supernatural childbirth and was hoping for a pain-free labor. Although it was not pain-free, it was not in control of me, rather I was able to keep my composure and allow the ever-increasing intensity of contractions to do their appointed job - move the baby into the canal for pushing. My midwife's assistant arrived around 5pm and then my midwife arrived at around 5:30pm. I kept moving, rocking, and cooperating as much as I could with my body. Around 6:30pm my midwife asked I wanted to be checked, so I agreed to it. This had been my first check the entire pregnancy and low and behold I was 7cm dilated. At this point I figured it was safe to get into the birthing pool. As I entered I remained on my hands and knees and just prepared myself mentally for the pushing. I could feel my contractions urging me to push, but I wasn't quite ready yet, so I just laid low. Eventually I decided it was time to progress further and so I turned over onto my back (my least favorite position) and began to work with the contractions. On the first real push my water broke and the baby's head descended. When I felt the head hit the bottom I eased off the pushing as I had hoped not to tear this time around. Then I pushed a second time and eased his head out. Of course, the usual question of asking if I'd like to feel his head was posed to me, and I stuck to my usual answer: "No". For me, this is not a time to stop and smell the flowers. Instead, I wanted the baby out and that is just what happened with the third and final push. Was it painful? Yes! All this wonderful time of pregnancy and labor for three pushes and our first baby boy. The pregnancy is so long and beautiful, the labor short & intense. Doesn't seem quite fair, but glorious it is. This has been my best birthing experience ever and I give God the glory for that. My midwife was a great support and she and her assistants did a wonderful job of helping me to get the rest I needed and instant connection with our little Daniel right after birth. My least favorite part of birth is delivering the placenta after all that pushing and hard work, then you have to push one more time. Yikes! Thank you for the opportunity to share about the birth of our son, Daniel Douglas Duhon aka Triple "D" or "D" Cubed, on October 12, 2010 at 7:28pm in the comfort of our home in Fountain, CO. For all you statisticians he weighed 10 lb 9 oz and measured 22 3/4". :-) - The Duhons
