How did I miss posting this? Post-dating to appear in order…
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The day before I went into labor I finally “gave up” on the baby ever
coming. I stopped all my nesting activities and went for a pedicure instead.
Also took my daily 3 mile walk (had been pared down from 4 or 5 for the last
month or so). Somehow during the day I realized that he might be coming
soon, although my only physical clue was that all my Braxton Hicks ctx had
slowed down.
At 2:30 AM my water broke with a punch-pop, just like with our daughter
Luna. Same time, same way. I had spent time thinking about how I would react
if that happened again, and had even visualized trying to stay calm. For
some reason during the pregnancy it was my WORST fear that my water would
break spontaneously while in bed and it would send me back to a terrible
place.
Instead, I hopped out of bed and scurried to the toilet to try and keep
things neat. I got my first contraction right away, and I forgot all about
being worried. After another one 2 minutes later I called for Britton to
call the M/W and our doula, Carrie.
When he called our M/W asked for Britton to take 20 minutes and time some
contractions, then call her back. I already knew that they were every 2
minutes, but was afraid of having her come too soon. The funny thing is that
he found a second hand watch, handed it to me on the toilet, and walked
away. Apparently I was supposed to time them myself 
I sort of laughed and
tossed the watch aside, since I knew things were on their way.
The rest is a blur, the tub lady came and set up, Carrie arrived, M/W
arrived, my parents came. The whole time I labored sitting upright on the
floor leaning against the wall, at some point Britton scootched behind me for
support. I was able to use our hypnobirthing work, and I hear that there was
awhile where nobody could tell I was having contractions. Contractions were
every 2 minutes, lasting one minute, with a minute off for my entire labor.
They just gained in strength. I switched how I was coping often, sometimes
being totally silent and limp, and other times really letting loose. I found
it mentally exhausting to be silent, and physically exhausting to be vocal
so I tended to switch between the two.
By around 6:00 the tub was full, and I managed to get on my hands & knees,
and then into the tub. I can’t imagine EVER getting into a car. That would
be pure torture! The tub was fantastic for about 10 minutes, then the
contractions really started to tumbled over one another. In about 10 more
minutes my body started to push, which really surprised me. I thought for
sure I was only half way done, and I thought I should wait to push. Then I
got my first internal exam of the entire pregnancy and was informed I could
push – complete!
Pushing was a relief, I could finally do something to help move things
along. I believe that I pushed through about 8 contractions, then got really
serious about getting him out. For some reason I thought that there was a
quantifiable amount of pain I needed to get through, so the faster I did it
and the more it hurt the faster it would be over. I don’t know if this
theory is true or not…
He wasn’t really moving down much, how they describe them descending,
stretching, descending a little more, etc. He just stayed put, about 1 inch
inside. Something happened though in one contraction, I just pushed his head
all the way out into my hands. No crowning, it took everyone by surprise,
including myself. Suddenly everyone jumped up, Britton reached in the tub to
guide the body out, and he was born. So fast! He was born at 7:00 AM.
He was alert right away, sort of grey, but pushing up on my chest holding
his head up and taking a look around. He stared right at me! After a few
moments the MW touched he mouth and he took a breath, and a few whimpers.
His apgars were 9 & 10, I had one tear needing 4 stitches (that’s what you
get for just pushing the baby straight out!). 7 pounds on the dot, 21 inches
long (!!), 13 inch head. He came 2 days after his LMP due date, and 5 days
before his ultrasound due date.
We are doing well, although apparently I shouldn’t eat tofu because it keeps
him up screaming for about 5 hours (lesson learned). I’m dealing with some
overactive letdown issues, but it is starting to resolve itself. I feel
fantastic, and started my walks again around day 6.
