Baby Sister Birth Story: 12/30/2017

I was having a hard time feeling her movements Thursday night and Friday morning (12/28 & 29), so one of my midwives, Alice, sent me over to another clinic for a fetal non-stress test. The external monitor had a hard time picking up the movement, but the ultrasound said she (at this point, we didn't know whether we were having a girl or boy) was moving fine. The OB recommended induction, so Alice stripped my membranes around 2p, and we decided to reevaluate other natural induction methods in the morning if nothing happened. Labor picked up almost immediately.

By 3p I was starting to recognize contractions, but not necessarily needing to cope from them. At about 3:45, contractions were pretty consistent, and Alice told me to lay down and rest--which I did for about an hour before I got ansty and couldn't lay down anymore. We intended to go walking, but we never really got out the door until I decided I was craving beef. We (Mario, the girls, my mom and me) all loaded into the car to go to Masa, so I could eat their steak tips. Last minute we decided to go to Golden Corral, which was in the same parking lot. Let me tell you, that was the best Golden Corral if ever had! It was a Friday/weekend, so they had steak and ribs and pot roast, and several other meats, too. I ate A LOT!! And I don't think I've ever had that much meat and potatoes in one sitting. 😅

After dinner, we went back home, I took it easy, took a bath and tried--and failed--to get some sleep. Around 9p I had some hemorrhoids that were really bothering me. 🤪😲 After taking care of those, we put the girls to bed. Around 2p, I think, contractions got really close together, so I called Alice to see when she wanted me to come in. 

Between midnight & 1a Mario and I got to the Birth Cottage. I got checked in, and pretty much climbed right in the bath. I stayed there until I started to get cold, since I'm really sensitive to temperature changes. Through all of this, Mario was amazing about giving counterpressure, and helping me cope as labor became more intense. After I got out of the tub, I laid on the bed, and decided I was still cold. I sent Mario to warm me up a cup of chicken broth from the kitchen. 

Baby Sister in her first outfit

Pretty much as soon as he left I started pushing. I called out, "help," in a virtually silent voice. I finish the push to my water breaking. At this point, I had voice to holler, "I think my water just broke." Amanda, the student midwife, came to check on me, and things/time started blending together. At some point between Amanda coming in and my next push, Mario and Alice came back in. 
Starting with the push for my water to break, I was on my hands and knees. I didn't consciously move to my knees, it just sort of happened instinctually. My next contraction after Mario and Alice came in, I pushed again, and baby crowned, then got to her shoulders. The next contraction was another push, and she was born.  I don't remember if it was during the last contraction or in between contractions, but at some point between her crowning and birth, I said, "I can't do it; it hurts!" Alice responded, "the head is out. You've already done it; you're almost done!"

She was born at 2:34a, and I was pretty tired afterwards. For a couple minutes, I stayed on my knees, and Alice just laid her in the bed below me. The two things I remember saying after she was born was that she was a girl, and, "I did it without the epidural." (Though I don't remember in what order.) 

At some point I delivered the placenta, which I was tired and didn't want to push. 😅(I've added a photo of it, below--it's pretty cool, but feel free not to scroll down if you're squeamish.) 

Afterwards, she latched, ate well, and we both fell asleep. I'm not sure how long I was asleep, but when I woke up I got in the shower and prepared to go home. We were done and home before 6a, and it was super nice to sleep in my own bed, rather than being trapped at the hospital. (For Bigger Sister, she was checked out first thing in the morning, but I want checked out and allowed to go home until 2-3p--so about 5-6hrs later--not pleasant.)

It was really cool to just sort of do whatever felt right, and not be fighting for what I wanted--like with Biggest Sister--or to have the epidural so handy, that I just gave in, even though I still had a supportive nurse--like with Bigger Sister. Other than that, I'm never quite sure how to respond when I'm asked, "So, how was the birth?" or "What did you think about your birth?" It just sort of flowed, and happened. Almost nothing was intentional/planned. I was just able to do what felt right in the moment. Now, I have a gorgeous 1 month-old daughter, and it pretty much feels like she's always been part of our family. Sure, she's a newborn--and that comes with it's ups and downs--but overall, she's a really content baby, and we're blessed to have her in our lives!

Mario with Baby Sister in her first outfit

Baby Sister today--1 month old

Keep scrolling for photo of the placenta.

Placenta after birth