This is all the day of, actual labor, story. I don't feel like this part will be very long since the whole thing only lasted a few hours.
I had practice contractions for weeks before labor actually happened. At the birth center they don't check to see how dilated or effaced you are the weeks prior. From what I understand those stats aren't very good predictors for when labor will happen and so they just don't do it. With Ellie, Dr. Watson checked my cervix the last several appointments. I liked the way the birthing center did it, no unnecessary tests.
With Ellie I was induced and so I didn't actually know what it was like to go into labor on my own. I was pretty curious what that would be like and if I would know. I know, I know...How could I not know? It was still a fear, one I actually dreamt about. Several times. So, second baby, but first time going into labor on my own. I woke up at about 3:30 am on February 3rd with contractions that got my attention. I was told that was when I wanted to start timing them. They weren't ever set-your-watch-by-them consistent but they kept up intensity. From the time I woke up they were already about 5 minutes apart and 50-60 seconds long. I timed them for 45 minutes and decided it was time to wake up my hubby, Dana, and to call the birth center.
This is the record of my contractionsI called the hotline and spoke to the student midwife on call. She asked me about my contractions. She asked if I could talk through them and if I could walk through them. I think by the time I called her I was having a hard time talking through them. I remember needing to take a minute while I was on the phone with her to breath through one. She conferenced the midwife into the call and she asked her own questions. I don't think they believed me but they said we could come in. We packed up the last few things before heading out. We were to meet at the birth center at 5:45 which was about 45 minutes from the time we got off the phone. The birth center was a half hour drive from our place. I gathered the last minute things and told my mom and dad we were leaving. My mom was going to come with us but got sick the day before so she didn't end up coming. I remember this being pretty slow going as I needed to stop every few minutes to breath through contractions. At this point I had stopped timing my contractions but there were very close together. We left the house at 5:30.
At no point were my contractions unbearable but they did take my full concentration. I did need to focus on relaxing. The truck ride was interesting because Dana had music going and was talking to me about normal things. I'm sure he said something to me about cars, since that is one of his favorite things to talk about. Other than needing to focus on relaxing every few minutes and probably asking him to repeat something he had said while I went to my own little world, it was a very normal drive for us...except at 5:30 in the morning, that was a little strange too. Contractions were still regular and still grabbing my attention.
We arrived at the birth center at 6:00 am and the midwives were there and very cheery. Seriously, some of the most pleasant people I've ever met. I walked in and they greeted me. I was excited to be there. I was about 4 days passed my estimated due date. Pretty sure those 4 days were the longest of my life. They had me lay down on the couch and the midwife checked me first and the student midwife checked me second. Hooooooooly goodness gracious they took forever. They were checking my cervix and the baby to see where he was and how far progressed I was but MAN it took forever. If I had one complaint that would be it.
I've heard so many women talk about being in labor and really feeling the contractions (whether or not they are in pain) then to be checked only to find out they aren't very far progressed. I was so hoping to be on the other end and close to delivery (what woman doesn't? am I right?). They weren't in much of a hurry. They were also timing my contractions. I was surprised to find out they were timing them based on the look on my face and my apparent comfort level. I asked them because the length they were coming up with was much shorter, like half, of what I had timed or what I was feeling. I think maybe that was why they took so long. They wanted to make sure I was as far along as my cervix said I was. Anyway, I was 7 cm out of 10 cm dilated. I was pleasantly surprised.
We started moving from the exam room to the labor/delivery room at about 6:15 when contractions became even more intense. While I was walking to the room they were starting the water for a bath. I wanted desperately to labor in the water and possibly deliver. It wasn't meant to be. I didn't even get a chance to change my shirt before my waters burst at 6:20. After that, contractions were too intense, too close together, and took too much concentration to worry about changing. My water first broke while I was sitting on the edge of the bed and the urge to push became very strong and I laid on my back. I moved to my right side and little man's heart rate dropped considerably. I moved to my hands and knees and his heart rate went right back up. They also gave me oxygen. I wish I understood that part better. The mask gave me a claustrophobic feeling. I had it with Ellie too. It didn't matter as much with her because I didn't feel the intensity of my contractions when it came time to push. The mask was a little bit of a distraction but I was able to focus and stay calm despite the distraction. When I moved from my side to my hands and knees Dana was right there and he held me up. My arms were around his neck. I loved that. I didn't want anything other than that, just for him to be there. Little man crowned at 6:46. Strangest feeling was when he was crowning. I felt like he was moving up and down in the birth canal but I'm guessing that was my imagination. They let me feel when he was crowning and that was encouraging and exciting. What was even stranger was when the rest of his body came out. I felt a release of pressure but I was in disbelief when they told me he was out. I expected more. That's weird to say but it was true. I expected it to take longer once he had crowned. I had gravity helping and they really did have to catch him because he came out so quick. He was born at 6:47 am. They passed him to me through my legs and that was when I realized he was born. I think Dana had to point out that they were handing him to me. We waited for the cord to stop pulsing and then they clamped and cut it at 6:57. Grayson was perfect. One minute APGAR score of 10. Five minute APGAR score of 10. Perfectly pink and beautiful. He latched on almost immediately and nursed like a champ. I had two tears. One labial that was 7 cm and the other 2 cm 1st degree perineal. I was really hoping for no tears but baby came fast. I healed surprisingly quick as well, so much quicker than with Ellie. They finished stitching me up and the newborn exam and left at 9:17. We all ate, cleaned up a little, and napped until noon when I got up, showered, and got dressed. We left the birthing center about 1:00, got lunch, and were home by 2:00 pm.
Altogether labor and delivery was about 3 hrs and 45 minutes. It was a calm and almost completely pain free experience. It was intense, no doubt about it, but the pain was very minimal. I was a little wary about sharing my experience because it was pretty uneventful and quick. It was very special to me but very ordinary. I wanted to share mostly for those reasons. While birth is an amazing and intense event it doesn't need to be traumatic or painful. That's why I share. More women need to know that what is shown in the movies with women screaming, angry, or in extreme pain isn't how it really is or how it needs to be. I was calm and peaceful. Up until I needed to use all my energy to focus on relaxing I was happy and cheerful and talking. Not all women have quick births and not all women can have a vaginal birth. Not all women can or want to birth without pain medications, but most women can. The majority can or could if that is what they wanted. I don't fault any women who chooses to have an epidural or other pain medications. I had an epidural with Ellie. This is just my experience and I loved it.
Grayson Parker was born 8 lbs 3 oz 20 inches long
