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Annie's Homebirth
- Sep 23, 2008 at 4:57 PM
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- Comments (17) Total Views (359) Everyone can see this journal post.
Annie was born on Firday, September 19th at 8:06pm weighing in at 8lbs 6oz, and 23in long.
I have had braxton-hicks throughout the end of this pregnancy, so I was not really sure if I would know for sure when I was in labor. Thursday I was super tired, and had a nice long nap in the afternoon. That night I woke up to pee several times, but over all got a good nights sleep. Over the past two days, I felt that the BH contractions were more noticible, but nothing warrenting my attention. Firday (payday) I had a lot of shopping to do, and I was having contractions pretty regularly throughout the day, but nothing really telling me 'this is it!'. So in the morning I went to Costco with my mom, then came home, got lunch, put Noelle down for a nap, and went to my last midwife appointment. After that, my sister-in-law, Celeste, and I came home, and then I decided I needed to go to WInco, but it was getting close to dinner time, so I didn't want to be gone long. So myself, Noelle, and Celeste went and we were only gone for about 30-45 minutes total.
So when we go to Winco, I started thinking that maybe I was in real labor. The contractions seemed to be pretty regular, and I just walked and pushed the cart while Celeste rapidly gathered the things on my list. It was nice! By the time we got in line, I knew I had to go home, but I was still thinking I had plenty of time to labor.
When we got home, it was about 6:00 and my hubby was just waking up to go to work that night. I told him that I was having contractions, but I wasn't sure how urgent we needed to be. So we timed them for about a half hour and he called the midwives after that. Since I had already had an appointment that afternoon, they knew that I could be going into labor that night. They said they just had to stop at home and they'd be here within the hour, but to call back if things changed.
By this time (about 6:30pm) I am moaning through the contractions, and each one feels a little stronger then the next, so I was having a hard time staying on top of the pain. I decided that I better be in our bathroom just in case things started to get messy. That is where I stayed. Celeste ended up taking Noelle for the night... her first over-nighter! She had a good time, but boy did we miss her!
It seemed like time just flew by, and each contraction was right on the tail of the previous one. I found myself gatting frustrated that I was not handling the pain as well as I did the first time. I was so much louder, and I was having a hard time relaxing. I found myself actually saying the words "I can't do this!" over and over again. During this point was when my hubby was talking to our midwife on the phone, and he just calmly says, "um, I think she's in transition." I thought it was the cutest thing ever! And it also just reminded me that I clearly was in transition! But I still couldn't believe it. We had only just determined that I was actually in labor!
So the midwives arrive and ask me if I am feeling pushy. I answer I don't know, because the last contraction I had, I thought I might be. The next one hits, and I yell "pushing!!" and now it's go time. My hubby , my midwife, and myself are in the bathroom, and the assistant is in the doorway holding up a mirror. I loved having the mirror! It was something that I did not have with my first birth that I wish I would have. Anyway, I felt that I barely had any breaks between my pushing contractions, and I was getting worn out. Phew! This labor was so much more work then my 12 hour labor with my first. Finally I can feel her coming down, and out comes her head, and we just admire her little ear as we wait for the next contraction. Then she just comes right out! She didn't even cry... it was so peaceful and amazing! The cord was very short, so I couldn't pick her up, or change positions or anything. I held her in my hands and my hubby and I just admired her until the cord stopped pulsing, and then my hubby cut it.
The midwives were only here for 17minutes before she was born, at 8:06pm. That is before my hubby was even supposed to start work, and before my other daughter's bedtime! I ended up delivering her in a squat position. I had a minor tear with three stitches, but no big deal!
The only disappointment was that I did not get to labor or birth in the tub, but I think my body knew I wouldn't. My midwives mainly do water births, but I was never fully set on having one. I think it is because I somehow knew that I wouldn't get one, and that the cord was so short, it would have been really awkward delivering in the water.
So she was born after about 2 hours of hard labor, at home, into my hands. I have absolutely no regrets about homebirth, or the midwives we chose. I felt safe, respected, and loved by those around me. They treated my husband as the father and husband he is, not a spectator. If you are considering a home birth, do more then just consider it. Make it happen.
Comments:
congratulations! only 2 hours of hard labor, I only hope to be so lucky! my last was 22 hours, but then again was nowhere near natural. What a beautifull story mama!
Yea! Congratulations. I just love a good homebirth story. My favorite part was when you said you were admiring her little ear. Every little part of newborns are just yummy!
Congrats what a beautiful story...
Congratulations mama!!! Sounds like a wonderful birth. Enjoy your babymoon.
Congrats!! Sounds wonderful.
BEAUTIFUL STORY!!!! Congratulations.
Congratulations, what a great story *tears* ! Cant wait to see pictures!
Wow. I have always been amazed by women who aren't sure they're in labor until shortly before the baby is born, especially now after my son's birth. I hope my next is that quick. Congrats!
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Congratulations. Our first had a short cord only 8 inches in length he was not coming out and his heart rate nearly stopped with each contraction. We had a very scary emergancy c-section. I wouldn't change it for anything since he is healthy and we are alive. I do not envy you but do wish at times I could of done what you have. Again congratulations to you both and good job mama!
- 13mnthsapart
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