Heather Bernice was welcomed into our family at 4:12 yesterday (nov 30). It was really an amazing experience! I had had an appointment with our midwife on Tuesday (nov 29) in the afternoon, and she was so convinced that I still had a few days to go that she didn't even have her "birth change" of clothes packed in the car- she ended up borrowing a t-shirt from my husband. Around 7PM, my toddler was nursing and waiting for daddy to come home. I told her he'd be there soon. She looked at me and said, "new baby, coming. New baby, soon." I told her that she'd have to let new baby know that we wanted him/her to be born soon, so she started pushing on my belly and saying just that. Then my water broke. I called our midwife, and she said to call back when contractions started. Around midnight, they were happening, but with no regularity. By 1:30AM they were strong, but still pretty far apart (6-10 minutes). She came right away, and by the time she walked in (around 2AM) they were 3-4 minutes or less apart. She called her assistant right after she set up her stuff. By 3AM, our birthing team was assembled, the water was in the birthing pool, and dh and I were ready to climb in. Dh was wonderful through the whole thing, rubbing my back, getting me cold water to drink, holding me. Just after 4, I could feel the baby's head ready to come so I started to apply pressure with both of my hands to ease the possibility of tearing. My midwife turned her back and her assistant called out, "there's the head!" She was born into the water at 4:12AM. My 23 month old slept through the whole process, even though I know I was pretty loud. She took to nursing right away, and was born a healthy 8lb 10oz, 20" long. We woke our older daughter up around 6:00 to say goodbye to the midwives and to introduce her to her little sister. It was absolutely amazing. I am trying to take it easy now, but I am very empowered by the whole experience. Fortunately, my mother was able to fly up that afternoon, and is enjoying baby and toddler time as well as helping out around the house. She'll be here for a week. She still hasn't actually commented on her thoughts regarding the homebirth, but she hasn't been negative, either, so I am not going to waste much time on it.
Sarah, Elizabeth 12.22.03 and Heather 11.30.05 right on her due date!
Sarah, Elizabeth 12.22.03 and Heather 11.30.05 right on her due date!
: Welcome, Heather Bernice! 
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