~*The wait is over*~ Updated with pictures!

Keira Pauline was born at home this morning, 8/13/06 at 8:10 am

10 lbs, 1 oz and 21 in

I had an excellent lesson in trusting my instincts that all was well with the baby while awaiting the day she chose for her birthday. Going so far over my due date was also a spiritual test for me.

Here's the short version:
Woke up at 4:15 am to pee. Laid back down and had three really strong contractions. Went to wake dh (he left the family bed for the couch long ago ). Went back to bed to relax through them. Dh put constant pressure on my lower back, and called the midwife between a contraction about 5:10. At first she was going to have him call her back and then she waited while I had a strong two minute contraction on the phone. She said I'd go fast and she was on her way. She was right...it was four hours from start to finish! They arrived about an hour later, I was still on my left side and doing very well. I was complete when they arrived. I started feeling 'pushy' and my first thought was "there's no way...I haven't been through transition yet." But I went with what felt good. My water broke while pushing during a contraction after trying to empty my bladder and on the toilet! We moved to the birth stool after pushing upright in bed awhile. That did the trick. After only 40 minutes of pushing, she was born with her hand beside her head.

She has dark brown hair....good thing, because Keira means "dark haired." Now I have a complete set: a blond, redhead and a brunette. She doesn't look like any family member much. Dh and I joked that we know she's ours, cause we saw her come out. She has been examined thoroughly by her brother and sister and they are already in love with her.

She seems to have found her hands so it's time to nurse again. Thanks to everyone for the support you've given as I approached 43 weeks! The midwives estimated her to be 42 weeks because she had little vernix, some peeling skin and long fingernails. Not to mention the fat rolls