The birth story

Here it is, if you are a sensitive reader be forewarned.

This was either my longest labor ever or my shortest, it depends on how you count it. The previous week I had a full 20 hours of contractions, following my usual pattern as based on my previous two labors. They were 10 mins apart and somewhat intense. Eventually they got down to 2 mins apart, and stopped. Completely. Verrry frustrating. I had the entire house prepped, snacks for the birth team made, the kiddos at their aunties,and my hubby missing work. I was so totally confident that this was going to be it that I was shattered. I also only progressed 1 cm during that time. On the bright side, we had a nice dinner and I got the best sleep I have had in about 3 1/2 years.
During the following week i had contractions EVERY afternoon until I went to sleep. these were NOT braxton hicks, every day they got more intense and "painful" and every day a bit more of my body got involved, until it felt like the contractions went from my chest to my knees. Not very fun. I stopped letting my midwives know, as they just kept stopping as soon as I was able to sleep.
Tuesday afternoon there were no contractions.
Tuesday evening my sister in law called to announce she was pregnant. I was super excited,and jumped around a bit. Two hours later contractions started again, it was nearly 11 pm.
I ignored them.
I went to bed.
I tried to sleep.
They didn't stop.
At 5 am I got up and made my DH his breakfast and packed his lunch, and sent him to work.
the contractions were STILL 10 minutes apart. Logically, and according to my previous labors, I had plenty of time.
I was afraid.
I tried to do the dishes...neglected from the previous day. I crawled back into bed. S. woke up around 5:45 I pulled him into bed with me and we snuggled. J. woke up not much longer, they were both fussy and I was really REALLY cranky. I put on a movie and called my mom. She stayed on the phone with me and insisted I call dad. He came right over and watched the boys for me. The contractions picked up in intensity, but still 10 mins apart. It was 6:30. I called my midwives to let them know I was in labor and would probably need them sometime that day. My contractions suddenly jumped to 5 mins apart. at 6:45 I called them back and told them to come NOW! I called Garrett's boss, who sent him home...two minutes prior to the work day starting. I made myself eat some toast and drink some powerade, still figuring I had hours and hours to go. I was quite miserable. I started making noise during the peak of each contraction. I was shivering and dizzy in between, I felt like I was riding on waves of sensation. Dad kept poking his head in the door and asking if i was OK EVERY contraction, at the peak. I yelled at him. (Sorry dad)
Finally Garrett got home, a full hour after I called (a pretty good commute time actually) dad whisked the boys away. I told Garrett to get comfy as I was going to need him. He started to take off his boots and overalls.
I stopped him.
I needed to throw up, right NOW!
He half carried me to the bathroom and held my hair back.
I was afraid.
I crawled into the bathtub and put the shower on. My contractions subsided somewhat.
I made him call the midwives and ask where they were.
I demanded he prep the tub.
He did all this still partially in work clothing, I htink he even had one boot on still.
My midwife Claudia arrived.
I hobbled to the couch, sitting on top of a chux pad.
I begged for the tub.
I needed to push.
I declared I didn't want to do this anymore and I was afraid....I still thought I had hours and hours to go.
Nope.
It was time to push.
I did one or two lying on my side. It felt good. I changed position, thinking, logically being upright would help it end sooner, gravity would help.
I stopped pushing.
I tried the birth stool.
Still didn't want to push.
Midwife Jen was still on her way, I overheard Claudia say she might miss it. I was afraid to push.
I refused to push.
I laid down again, Jen arrived.
Tried pushing again, felt some progress.
Breathed through a few more.
Jokes went around about having the baby in time to get to a Midwifery/Medical board meeting scheduled for that morning.
I pushed a little more, wussy pushes.
We discussed the fact that my waters were intact, I was worried the baby wouldn't come out. we agreed to wait a bit and see what happened.
the next contraction I HAD to push. I pushed HARD.
My waters exploded.
seriously.
I couldn't stop pushing at that point.
I remembered what it felt like then, to push a baby out. The sensations were familiar, I knew it was almost there.
Abigail entered the world at 9:11 am on Wednesday.
I didn't believe it was already over.
In fact, I stated that, several times, while clutching my lovely pink newborn.

She was perfect, just enough crying for us to know she was ok, then she snuggled down and rested.

We had nearly two hours of bonding while the midwives cleaned up. We cleaned up and then did the newborn exam all together. Garrett cut the cord. (they do it twice, once after the birth, leaving a long end, then again a neater, closer one.) She was perfect.

Then we called the family at about 11:30. My parents came over, the boys met their sister. Everyone left and we slept.

Overall, it really was a beautiful birth. I am still having a hard time believing I went all the way to the pushing stage on my own, no drugs, no tub, no nothing.

I wonder what the next one will be like.