Ivy was born 6/6/08 at 6:24pm, 7lbs, 11oz
I started having some light contractions on Thurs during the early day, actually while I was out grocery shopping. I didn't really think much about them, just thought Ok, my body is starting to get ready. Later that afternoon they started getting a little stronger and by about 10 pm they were strong enough to keep me awake. I tried to sleep with no success and finally ended up in the tub around 2am. The contractions had been from 6-10 mins apart and anywhere from 30 secs to 1 min long. When I got in the tub, they actually got closer together and shorter. So, I got out and tried to sleep again with no luck. My husband and I were up all night (he was so wonderful) and they continued on at about the same rate. I called my midwife around 10 am on Friday and they said to come in and get checked. So, we packed up the car (fully expecting to be admitted into the hospital) and got to the office around 11:30. When she checked me I was fully effaced but only 1 cm dilated. I was pretty discouraged by this and completely exhausted at this point. She told me to go home and get in the tub, relax and then go to sleep. I knew this would not be possible but didn't really have any other choice, so we went home and tried to nap. I was to the point where it was too uncomfortable to lay down so I had to walk and hold onto something when I had a contraction. About 3 pm I got in the tub and it became pretty intense. The tub helped me relax through the contractions and did not slow anything down this time. I was having very consistent contractions 5-6 mins apart and over a min long. I also felt so much pressure. I finally told my husband, I have got to get to the hospital and we called the midwife on call. When she heard me go through a contraction she told DH to get me to the hospital right away, she was already there. So, we left a few minutes later and got to the hospital around 5:30. The entire car ride (35 mins) I felt like pushing but didn't tell my DH this at the time. I was also cursing during contractions, now I realize that I was in transition in the car.
When we got to the hospital my midwife checked me and I was 8 cm. She immediately got me in the water tub and a few minutes later I was pushing. She says I was at 10 by the time I got in the tub. I pushed for about 45 mins until little Ivy was born in the water at 6:24 pm. I stayed in the tub until the placenta was out and Ivy was on my chest the entire time. I did have a few very minor tears which she stitched up while Ivy breastfed.
The entire birth was exactly as I had wanted it and I even got the midwife that I wanted. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience or a more perfect baby girl.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMGP2970.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0585.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0584.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0583.jpg
I started having some light contractions on Thurs during the early day, actually while I was out grocery shopping. I didn't really think much about them, just thought Ok, my body is starting to get ready. Later that afternoon they started getting a little stronger and by about 10 pm they were strong enough to keep me awake. I tried to sleep with no success and finally ended up in the tub around 2am. The contractions had been from 6-10 mins apart and anywhere from 30 secs to 1 min long. When I got in the tub, they actually got closer together and shorter. So, I got out and tried to sleep again with no luck. My husband and I were up all night (he was so wonderful) and they continued on at about the same rate. I called my midwife around 10 am on Friday and they said to come in and get checked. So, we packed up the car (fully expecting to be admitted into the hospital) and got to the office around 11:30. When she checked me I was fully effaced but only 1 cm dilated. I was pretty discouraged by this and completely exhausted at this point. She told me to go home and get in the tub, relax and then go to sleep. I knew this would not be possible but didn't really have any other choice, so we went home and tried to nap. I was to the point where it was too uncomfortable to lay down so I had to walk and hold onto something when I had a contraction. About 3 pm I got in the tub and it became pretty intense. The tub helped me relax through the contractions and did not slow anything down this time. I was having very consistent contractions 5-6 mins apart and over a min long. I also felt so much pressure. I finally told my husband, I have got to get to the hospital and we called the midwife on call. When she heard me go through a contraction she told DH to get me to the hospital right away, she was already there. So, we left a few minutes later and got to the hospital around 5:30. The entire car ride (35 mins) I felt like pushing but didn't tell my DH this at the time. I was also cursing during contractions, now I realize that I was in transition in the car.
When we got to the hospital my midwife checked me and I was 8 cm. She immediately got me in the water tub and a few minutes later I was pushing. She says I was at 10 by the time I got in the tub. I pushed for about 45 mins until little Ivy was born in the water at 6:24 pm. I stayed in the tub until the placenta was out and Ivy was on my chest the entire time. I did have a few very minor tears which she stitched up while Ivy breastfed.
The entire birth was exactly as I had wanted it and I even got the midwife that I wanted. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience or a more perfect baby girl.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMGP2970.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0585.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0584.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...0/IMG_0583.jpg
Congrats!! How sweet!
