41 weeks, 1 day!!
Baby Cara was born today at 5:01pm.
Perfect and gentle home water birth.
9 pounds, 6 ounces. 21 inches long.
We are all head over heels for her already.
will update with a birth story soon. it was fast, but so good. And Cara was worth the wait.
(still no middle name yet)
eta: birth story:
Labor began Wednesday night around 9pm. I was having contractions every 6 or 7 minutes. Things were ok though and I was managing just fine. At 11pm, they picked up to 4-5 minutes. Our doula was on stand-by and we called our midwives to give them a heads-up. We tried to sleep- J got a litte, I couldn't. So around 3:30am, we called our doula and she was here by 4am. Contractions were every 3-4 minutes, but still I was fine. J and our doula kept me calm and rubbed my feet. Around 7am, doula suggested that I try to nap so that i had enough energy for later. So I did, but when I woke up, labor seemed to have stalled. The midwives came to check me- I was about 4.5cm and my cervix was midline, but labor was really slowing. We had a chat about my options and we decided to make me a castor oil milkshake for breakfast. By this time, my mom had come to care for Conor and she was busy getting him breakfast, dressed, etc. They had a great day together, which made it so much nicer for me- I was able to relax knowing he was happy.
After my shake, J and doula and I took a walk and then decided I should nap while waiting for the castor oil to take affect. I got 2 good hours of sleep before it kicked in. Then the real contractions started. They were not so fun, but I still felt ok. Doula was awesome- helped me change positions, helped J help me. It was now about 3pm and my midwife came to check on me. I was 5cm, but fully effaced. They thought that as soon as I turned the corner, I'd go quickly. Midwife left and pretty soon after she did, "real" labor started. I was moaning and having trouble managing the pain. We called our midwife just before 4pm to say the bloody show arrived and I was getting into the tub. My doula was great- helped me into and out of the tub. I went back and forth between the toilet and the tub. I had so much pressure on my bottom that the toilet was really the best place for me to be.
At maybe 4:45pm, I was in the tub and had the urge to push. J and doula held my hands and our midwife made it at just 4:50pm and was setting up. It took a few pushes and finally her head was out and then the rest of her. It was a textbook delivery- made me so happy I worked so hard on optimal fetal positioning. Cara was born at 5:01pm. Her bag of waters was intact until the very end and she was born with the caul over her face. (a fairly rare sign of good luck) My mom made it upstairs just in time to see the birth.
Cara's cry was a little wet (common for waterbirth babies) so she got a homeopathic medicine and 2 breaths of room air. Her vitals were great, good color, nice and warm.
The midwife and doula helped me to the bed while I was holding Cara. The other midwives made it by then. I was having pain and trouble getting the placenta out, so they gave me a tincture to help. I was able to get it out right after that and then felt 100% better. J cut the cord and Cara latched on right away. The midwife checked me out- no tears, just a small "skid mark" but nothing to repair. Conor came up to see us and was thrilled by his sister. He sang the ABCs to her and gave lots of kisses. The midwives helped me into the shower and cleaned up for us.
Then everyone left and it was just me, J, and Cara. It was amazing- to be in our own bed relaxing just an hour after giving birth. It was such an amazing experience. J was the perfect birth partner- so in tune and present for me. Our doula and midwives were awesome. I really couldn't have asked for anything better.
So far, Cara is amazing- like her brother in so many ways (late, same birth stats). She looks like him, too. She is a great nurser and loves to be snuggled. We are so in love.
Baby Cara was born today at 5:01pm.
Perfect and gentle home water birth.
9 pounds, 6 ounces. 21 inches long.
We are all head over heels for her already.
will update with a birth story soon. it was fast, but so good. And Cara was worth the wait.
(still no middle name yet)
eta: birth story:
Labor began Wednesday night around 9pm. I was having contractions every 6 or 7 minutes. Things were ok though and I was managing just fine. At 11pm, they picked up to 4-5 minutes. Our doula was on stand-by and we called our midwives to give them a heads-up. We tried to sleep- J got a litte, I couldn't. So around 3:30am, we called our doula and she was here by 4am. Contractions were every 3-4 minutes, but still I was fine. J and our doula kept me calm and rubbed my feet. Around 7am, doula suggested that I try to nap so that i had enough energy for later. So I did, but when I woke up, labor seemed to have stalled. The midwives came to check me- I was about 4.5cm and my cervix was midline, but labor was really slowing. We had a chat about my options and we decided to make me a castor oil milkshake for breakfast. By this time, my mom had come to care for Conor and she was busy getting him breakfast, dressed, etc. They had a great day together, which made it so much nicer for me- I was able to relax knowing he was happy.
After my shake, J and doula and I took a walk and then decided I should nap while waiting for the castor oil to take affect. I got 2 good hours of sleep before it kicked in. Then the real contractions started. They were not so fun, but I still felt ok. Doula was awesome- helped me change positions, helped J help me. It was now about 3pm and my midwife came to check on me. I was 5cm, but fully effaced. They thought that as soon as I turned the corner, I'd go quickly. Midwife left and pretty soon after she did, "real" labor started. I was moaning and having trouble managing the pain. We called our midwife just before 4pm to say the bloody show arrived and I was getting into the tub. My doula was great- helped me into and out of the tub. I went back and forth between the toilet and the tub. I had so much pressure on my bottom that the toilet was really the best place for me to be.
At maybe 4:45pm, I was in the tub and had the urge to push. J and doula held my hands and our midwife made it at just 4:50pm and was setting up. It took a few pushes and finally her head was out and then the rest of her. It was a textbook delivery- made me so happy I worked so hard on optimal fetal positioning. Cara was born at 5:01pm. Her bag of waters was intact until the very end and she was born with the caul over her face. (a fairly rare sign of good luck) My mom made it upstairs just in time to see the birth.
Cara's cry was a little wet (common for waterbirth babies) so she got a homeopathic medicine and 2 breaths of room air. Her vitals were great, good color, nice and warm.
The midwife and doula helped me to the bed while I was holding Cara. The other midwives made it by then. I was having pain and trouble getting the placenta out, so they gave me a tincture to help. I was able to get it out right after that and then felt 100% better. J cut the cord and Cara latched on right away. The midwife checked me out- no tears, just a small "skid mark" but nothing to repair. Conor came up to see us and was thrilled by his sister. He sang the ABCs to her and gave lots of kisses. The midwives helped me into the shower and cleaned up for us.
Then everyone left and it was just me, J, and Cara. It was amazing- to be in our own bed relaxing just an hour after giving birth. It was such an amazing experience. J was the perfect birth partner- so in tune and present for me. Our doula and midwives were awesome. I really couldn't have asked for anything better.
So far, Cara is amazing- like her brother in so many ways (late, same birth stats). She looks like him, too. She is a great nurser and loves to be snuggled. We are so in love.
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