This is my birth story...
I was 41 weeks and five days. My amazing midwives were supporting me in my choice not to be induced (so far) and I was home in the evening after getting one of my 'check to make sure the baby is still fine' ultrasounds. Everything was looking fine but I knew if this little one did not come soon they would be recommending I look to castor oil and if that did not work a hospital induction. I was happy to wait as long as the baby was safe and was actually enjoying every day where my babe and I were truly two people as one. They are a lot more work once they are born! I had had a home water birth with my Little Man two years ago and was passionate that I wanted that again, thus a hospital induction was not in my plans.
That evening I felt a cramp...then another one 15 minutes later...then another one 15 minutes later. These felt suspiciously like early contractions to me so I hustled my brother and sister-in-law out of the house so I could get to bed. Sure enough, I woke up a at midnight, unable to sleep through the contractions. I worked through those first few hours of contractions alone, just my little one and I working together to get him into this world. At 3am I woke my hubby up. Thankfully this time he did not tell me I was "full of it" like he did when I woke him up in the middle of the night with my oldest.
Then the fun part...baking the Groaning Cake. I read about this in The Birth House and thought it would be a great activity to get me through the initial stages of labour. I was able to do something I enjoy, keep busy and focused outward, the house would end up smelling great and I would have something yummy to eat when all was said and done!
Baking my Groaning Cake at 5am
It was during this that contractions progressed to be 5 minutes apart. We called 'The Moms' who were both invited to share in our little ones arrival. By share I mean we were going to put them to work being support persons and looking after our little man during the day. It was now around 5 am and we called our midwife to let her know today was the day. I was not too sure if I should be calling her as I was not at the point where I was when we called the midwife during my first birth. I'm glad we called when we did....I WAS 8cm ALREADY. I was laughing, joking, smiling and baking at 8cm...I thought I was rocking this labour. I was ready to have this baby and we decided to break my waters. My midwife wanted to wait until my secondary midwife was there as she said the baby's head was right there and it would be quick.
During this time my Little Man woke up. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Yup, that's right. It looked like this little one was going to share a birthday with his big brother!
Birthday breakfast. Look Who's Two!
Bets were laid for the birth time...8:00am, 8:30am, 9:00am....They all lost.
It gets a little fuzzy here so I will let the photos taken by my amazing coworker and friend, Cora, do most of the talking.
After my water was broken my darling baby did not come quickly. Instead I walked and walked and walked around the field behind my house to help labour progress. One of my awesome midwives would come out to check the babe, give me blue and black cohosh and send me on my way to walk some more.
This is my favourite photo of the labour. The whole family working together.
Over two hours later (~10:30am) it must have been working as I was much less chipper. I believe it was around this time I had a wee little breakdown and maybe shed a few tears. It was finally tub time!
I was finally able to get into the pool. I was advised against getting in too early as the warm water could slow the contractions down...and we were trying to rev them up. Well my midwives were trying to rev them up, I thought they were revved enough but this baby was just stuck!
When you get to the point where you are crying and are having trouble breathing through the contractions there is NOTHING like getting into a warm pool. It gives you a break, a momentary relief and a second to collect yourself before forging onwards.
Patrick; my baking partner, my back rubber, my hand to hold (and almost bite) and the one who kept reminding me to breathe breathe breathe. Love You!
This was taken 30minutes before my babe was born. I have no idea where that smirk came from.
This is more what I remember of this time
I didn't think I could do it. I don't remember much clearly - is that natures way of making sure we do this more then once? - but I clearly remember actually thinking I could not do this. I think I actually told my midwife she was going to have to figure out another way as I could not do it. One of the reasons I love these women who helped me bring my son into the world is that they know when to be calm, when to ask, when to lay a calming hand on you and when to laugh with you over the warning labels on the birth pools...but they also know when to look you in the eye and simply tell you that you have to do it as there is no other option.
Our beautiful (actually he was kinda funny looking) son was brought into the work with a cry and a push and a big sigh of relief. Welcome to our lives my little love!
After he was born and all was well we moved over to the couch for some skin-to-skin time, some bonding time. A mere 15 minutes after he was born, our son got to meet his big brother.
I want my birthday present "in my hand", he says. Bro Love!
Hello, there. I'm your Momma
He got checked over, measured and weighed. 8lbs 5 oz of wonderful little man for me to snuggle. He then got to meet his grandmothers and big brother read him his first book. As I wanted to capture some of these moments I took the following picture while still lying on the couch in my most undignified attire of towels.
Love those Feet!
What is a Birth Day without a little Birthday celebration. Our Little Man turned 2, so we got to celebrate two wonderful men that day 6 months ago...and we will get to every year on August 22nd!
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