Wow, just 2 days after the due date, labor started at 5:15 am. I took a bath, called my doula and mom, and relaxed a bit. I got out, puttered around doing some last minute things, then went back to bed. I felt nothing for about 5 minutes, then had a contraction that hurt really bad and made me want to get back up. I sat on the ball for most of my early labor between walks around the house. By early afternoon, they were getting really intense. We went to the hospital mid-afternoon and I was at a 5.
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So I raised the bed and hung onto the edge for the rest of the afternoon into the evening and squatted/swayed side to side to rock the baby down. My OB got in about 8 pm and checked to say I was at "a 6 ----7------8" (he was working back a lip during a contraction. It really hurt, but it was worth it to hear the "8" at the end. He told me he'd be back in 30 minutes and I'd push my baby out!
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All of a sudden, I could do it! My doula and mom and DH and gotten me this far without an epidural or other pain meds, and I just stayed in bed, grabbed the hand rails with each contraction and hoisted my bottom off the bed and focused on breathing/grunting my baby down. At 8:35, my awesome OB came in, helped me to a 9, and had me start pushing. After 40 minutes, my baby was born with only a 2nd degree vaginal tear and NO episiotomy needed (though we came close!).
Noah Haddon
9 lbs, 11 ozs
21" long, 14" head
lots of dark hair - absolutely beautiful!
I'll post some pictures soon. Blessings to all who are delivering now and are about to - you can do it!
All of a sudden, I could do it! My doula and mom and DH and gotten me this far without an epidural or other pain meds, and I just stayed in bed, grabbed the hand rails with each contraction and hoisted my bottom off the bed and focused on breathing/grunting my baby down. At 8:35, my awesome OB came in, helped me to a 9, and had me start pushing. After 40 minutes, my baby was born with only a 2nd degree vaginal tear and NO episiotomy needed (though we came close!).
Noah Haddon
9 lbs, 11 ozs
21" long, 14" head
lots of dark hair - absolutely beautiful!
I'll post some pictures soon. Blessings to all who are delivering now and are about to - you can do it!
