January 21st we walked to my parents for dinner. I had several contractions on the walk over. I am very familiar with Braxton Hicks, I've had them for the past 3 months. So naturally, I assumed...it wasn't real labor. After we arrived I asked for a small glass of red wine and sat down. Quickly I realized the contractions were quite regular. But no need to time them, 'this isn't real labor. It can't be.' After 30-45 mins of contractions, I pulled out my iPhone and started tracking. Three minutes apart, on-the-dot! Chris, Rue, and my parents sat down at the dining table, but I knew that sitting on the hard dining room chair during contractions would not be fun! I opted to eat my dinner at the counter standing up.
We walked home at 7:30 telling my mom to keep her phone on because most likely this was really happening and we will probably have a baby the following day. We got home and I jumped into the shower while my husband put my son to bed. They had increased in pain a bit and were two & a half minutes apart and lasting about a minute. During a contraction break I texted my best friends and family - 'This is happening! I'm in labor!' I was so excited. During the breaks I'd be dancing to my birth playlist, texting a friend & checking Facebook. Then a contraction would hit and I would surrender to the pain and squat down. It felt so natural to squat, I knew I was progressing. After my shower I got dressed, fixed my hair and put on my favorite handkerchief and earrings. I didn't want to look shabby for the paparazzi! While Chris was blowing up the birthing pool I was pacing around, happy as a clam as I waited for the next contraction. When we gave my midwives an update we told them they didn't need to come, because 'we are doing great!' I fully expected to be in labor for hours, so I didn't want them to come too early and just sit around. By 10 the contractions had picked up intensity and I couldn't talk through them. My midwives were wise and decided to come. When they arrived at 11, I gave them a quick hug and then got back into labor mode. I had Chris hang a rope from a beam in our living room so I could hang on to it and bear down. Squatting gave me the most relief. It only took watching me for a few contractions before Rowan suggested to fill up the pool. She told me 'Ok, I think you need to get in now!" and I freaked. 'But you told me I didn't need to get into the pool until transition!! Until I was near the end!?!" to which she responded with a smile, 'You're IN transition!' That was when I started to freak out. I was crying, and shaking, and laughing. I couldn't believe I could actually be that far already?? I was very emotional. I was never checked by my midwife, but it's safe to say I dilated from a 2/3 centimeters to a 10 in about 4 hours. It was very quick and painful. No wonder I was super emotional!
Right around 11:30 my friend Niki arrived. She came to take pictures. But my mom, was no where to be found. We had texted and called....I was starting to get angry. 'Where is my mom!? Someone CALL HER. NOW.' My mom finally arrived at 11:45. I guess my subconcious was waiting for her because the next contraction came my body started pushing automatically. My midwife noticed.
'You were pushing weren't you'
'Yeah I guess I was'
'Ok, well go ahead push.
'You don't even need to check me???'
'Nope, your body knows it's ready'
Around midnight I started pushing. The pain was overwhelming and I thought surely I can't do this.
But my amazing birth team were all saying the opposite. Rowan suggested Chris get in the tub behind me and hold my legs back. I was not happy with that suggestion....thinking 'this is MY zone. MY birth pool! I don't want him in here!' I relented and he got in. I don't know if I said it out loud or not, but I definitely thought 'I don't like you right now!' and gave him an icy cold stare over my shoulder. Everyone saw it and laughed. But wow, I'm so glad he did get in the water. Having his help really made all the difference. I sat on his lap and he pulled my legs back. I pushed and pushed. When Rowan told me to check myself I felt her head about was about 2 inches in. I gave it my all and pushed. Felt like I was ripping in two. Rowan told me to reach down and feel her head, and I felt her face. Her entire head was out. My body flooded with a glorious joy rush and with that I pushed her out. 12:43 am. They placed her on my chest and I was at total rest. Her little body was covered with a beautiful coating of vernix and she had a little gentle cry. She was so quiet. They didn't suck her nose, or prod her, they just let her be. It was amazing.
The moment we saw her we knew her name. Amelie Fiora Loraine. We were waiting to see her before we named her. I'm glad too, it is so fitting. After birthing the placenta we walked upstairs into my room and crawled into bed. My son had woken up when he heard us all screaming and rejoicing. So my mom brought Amelie into his room. He was a little shell shocked - why are there so many people in my room taking pictures of me? But he quickly warmed up to the idea and came into our room. He sat next to me and pointed at her- 'Sissy head! Sissy ear! Sissy eye!' We were all up till 4 am, checking her out, taking pictures, getting her weighed and measured - 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long. 6 hours of labor, 3 of those were serious, with 45 minutes of pushing.
She's 10 days old. We are all adjusting well and enjoying every second of this sweet little girl, our petite Amelie!
