Here's my birth story...
38w6d
I woke up and nursed DD as usual. While nursing, I had 2 really strong contractions. I decided not to nurse her anymore since the midwife wanted me to go another week. So, we went downstairs where I got DD some breakfast. I continued to have a few strong, but very irregular contractions. This was at 9. So, I decided to take a hot bath, drink a quart of water, and take 2 tylenol to try to get things to stop. LMBO!!
I stayed in the tub almost an hour at which point I became very fearful of being alone. I still was not having terrible contractions, I just didn't want to be alone. I called DH to come home. He said he'd be home by 11. I got out of the tub and went to get dressed. When I went to the bathroom, I had a very small amount of show. Nothing significant, but I decided to call the midwife to let her know that today might be the day. This was at 10. She was 2 hours away doing prenatals and decided that instead of risking missing the birth, she'd come check on me and cancel her appointments for the day. I felt horrible b/c I really didn't think this was it. She called back at 10:30 to tell me she was on her way. Throughout this time, I was having piddley contractions here and there, and was not at all convinced that I was in labor.
DH got home at 11. I asked him to make me brunch. We ate and timed some contractions. They were coming anywhere from 2-10 minutes apart. Some hurt, some didn't. I still wasn't convinced. The midwife called back to see how things were going. We told her and she said she was an hour out.
Right after we ate (11:30), I decided to take another bath and then try to take a nap anticipating that I might be laboring into the night. I got out at noon and went straight up to bed. I was resting when the midwife got here at 12:30. She checked me and I was 5cm and 50%. She said she thought I had at least 2 hours, judging by my mood. I was chatty and feeling good. The contractions were still irregular and not hurting terribly. She tried to let me get some rest, but she was bringing supplies in so it was virtually impossible. DH blew up the tub and filled it.
By 1:15 I was starting to hurt. I told her I wanted to get into the water but I didn't want to move. We laughed. Two contractions later, I felt like I had to go to the bathroom (which I knew was the baby's head). So, I immediately jumped up and ran to the tub. I think that was at 1:25ish. The next contraction came and my body pushed. The midwife said, "Are you pushing?" I said, "NO! Uh, YES!" and we laughed again. The next contraction, my water broke and the head moved down. I told her I was ready and really pushed with the next contraction and the baby's head was out. She was still getting her gloves on. I was applying counterpressure so it didn't come out too quickly. They helped me into a semi-sitting position so I could lift the baby out by myself. Unfortunately, the cord was wrapped around her neck twice so the midwife had to help me a little. We pulled her out together. She pinked right up and cried. Ruthie was born at 1:36, exactly an hour after the midwife arrived and checked me at 5cm!! Not to mention the fact that I didn't feel like I was in labor until 1:15. That was a whopping 26 minutes from the time I felt like I was in labor to delivery. AMAZING!!
We nursed, I showered, and I dressed the baby. The midwife left at 3:30 and we ate birthday cake (that the older girls baked while I was cleaning up) at 4. It was a wonderful day.
Had I
not had show, I wouldn't have called the midwife and she woudln't have made it!!
We are so blessed!!
Pics:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...t/IMG_3875.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...t/IMG_3884.jpg
