is it my turn?

[koru]

i've been up for a few hours with menstrual crampiness & loose stools. my instincts are really telling me that this is it! i called my parents (because they live 2.5 hrs away & they missed the birth off dd2) and because the rest of my birth team lives from 1/2 to an hour away, i think i'll start calling them around 5am to give them the option of heading over here before traffic hits. (i have a history of quick births & we really don't want to UC. well...i just jokingly mentioned the idea to dh & he was NOT thrilled. i should keep it down because he's a nervous wreck right now). dh & i have been preparing our bedroom & it's been fun since this is our first hb & a totally new experience. he's putting a little more air in the pool & i was supposed to be coming downstairs to rest but i couldn't help getting the word out for peaceful thoughts & prayers & vibes or whatever you emit!!!

[BrooklynDoula]

Thinking of you

[kittn]

easy smooth labor and delivery vibes to you

[Pepperdove]

Oh doulalove this is so weird... I have to tell you, I have felt this odd kinship with you ever since we both were on here (awww) and I think this might be it for me today too! soo I'll keep you in my thoughts (as much as I can manage to keep anything in my thoughts at the moment ha ha ha) and maybe we'll have babies who share a birthday!

[Eaglevoice]

[chrissy]

i hope you are having a wonderful labor day! can't wait to read your update.

[Nunny]

Baby Ezra is here!!!

Hi Ladies,

I am posting for doulalove (stephanie)
she had a beautiful, amazing, waterbirth at home!

Ezra Daniel
9pounds, 11ounces
22inches

after 2.5 hours of labor!

she will post when she's allowed to come downstairs to the computer and give you more details.

Nora

[happyhippimama]

YAY!!! That's so amazing. Happy babymoon to her.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Congrats :

[Eaglevoice]

wow!!!! that was such a fast labor!!!! How exciting. I hope you are enjoying loving on your new bundle of joy, mama!!!

[Doula Gina]

Woo-hoo! Welcome, Ezra!!!

[crittersmom]

How cool is that!!! congrats!!!!

[MommyTeesa]

YIPPEE! Congrats!

[Nunny]

I am so proud of you doulalove,
and loved being your doula!
N

[BrooklynDoula]

Amazing! Much and for you and baby Ezra!

[Willzmama]

Congratulations!

[kittn]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coobabysmom]

This is so wonderful Stepanie! I love his name Erza... happy babymoon to you!

[laneysprout]

Congrats! Enjoy your babymoon!

[koru]

quick birth story/update....

It was a dark & cloudy night.....

This past Friday I kept waking up in the middle of the night with GI cramps. I'd had this on & off for weeks so I kept rolling over & ignoring it. Around 3:30 am, however, I decided to get up & go to the bathroom & the loose stools began. (I'd been having this issue, too, so no big deal). Because I was 40w5d I started getting nervous that labor was imminent, though, and decided to take a warm bath to relax. In the tub the menstrual crampiness started & I knew something was happening. I woke up my husband & told him I thought "this was it" and he jumped up & was dressed in 1/2 second!? Because I have a history of fast labors, we decided to get the room ready & see what came. This was one of my fondest memories! We putzed around the bedroom, making the bed & organizing the supplies & getting music ready. Dh finished blowing up the pool & I came downstairs to eat something (and post here!).

Around 4:30 it was obvious that I was having distinct contractions so I started timing them....3-5 minutes apart. I called my parents (2.5 hrs away) and then my birth team. Around 5am I decided to take a walk because the birds were singing so happily & the sun was starting to come up. About 3/4 of the way things picked up! I quickly came back home & as I reached for the door my water broke, right on the front porch! I came in the house, in somewhat of a rush, and hollered for dh to fill the pool. This is when his panic set in, poor guy.

I got in the shower because labor kicked in fast and I needed some relief. Dh was so shook up he started to fill the pool without plugging the drain & it got all over the place. (he tried to tell me this in a funny way but at the moment I was not amused). When I finally got in the water it was not the relief I was hoping for but I knew this was the best I was going to get. I rocked & moaned & prayed & dh frantically called everyone to get here fast! My friend/doula arrived first at 6am and checked me....I was complete. Shortly thereafter I had a few urges to push, which I did, but she thinks I was subconsciously waiting for my midwife to come. My sis got here at 6:15 & mw at 6:30. My lovely sister took my girls when they woke up (because all my visions of them being there were impossible to imagine, at that point). My midwife encouraged me to feel Ezra's head come down with each push & it was amazing!!! He was born in a squatting position at 6:50am.

I could go on & on about the "party" that ensued and how my 2 yr old curiously watched the placenta being born. But I won't.....