Saturday morning 1-11-14 I had an appt with Rebecca. I was really hoping that Ellen would be born this weekend because Rebecca was going out of town for a week. I had a wonderful back up midwife set up but I really wanted Rebecca to be there. She now has been my midwife for half of my kids pregnancies/births. I didn't really think I would go into labor this day especially since we were moving back to our home in Salt Lake City on this very day.
At 10 am I went for my appointment. Rebecca checked me as I had been having some contractions. I was slightly dilated to a 2 and about 50% effaced and baby was sitting nice and low.After I left I was having uncomfortable cramping but figured it would pass. I picked up my mom as she was going to help unpack and clean at the house for a few hours. My cramping was not going away so I decided the best thing for me to do would be to set up my room in case this really was our birth day. Lars had gone to get some lunch for everyone and after we had eaten my cramping seemed to have turned into contractions, though somewhat irregular. I couldn't be sure yet if this was it but I certainly hoped. Most of all I was praying that I would know, that I would have enough time to call Rebecca. Lars wanted to run some errands so I told him he could but I was going to hang out at home. He said no way was he leaving my side if there was a possibility I was in labor, I guess missing one birth was enough for him ;)
My mom and my dear friend Kim were working downstairs so I tried to find things to do upstairs but my contractions were making it hard to concentrate since all I could think about was "Is this it? When should I let Rebecca know"
Lars finally came up to check on me again and kept reassuring me that I would know. I asked him how he could say that when last time I only "knew" once baby was making his appearance?! He said maybe we should go do some of the errands but just stay within 10 mins of home. My contractions at this point were close and pretty consistent but short. I finally told him I would text Rebecca and see what she thought.
I told her what was happening and she said she was ready and waiting.
Because of moving there were some of the homebirth supplies that hadn't made it to the new house so Rebecca said she would gather what we needed. About 1/2 an hour later she texted and said she was ready to go. At this point the contractions really had more of a pattern, fairly close (probably 4-5 mins apart) longer and stronger. We were pretty certain today would be the day!
Rebecca got to our house about 3:00pm and starting bringing in supplies and getting everything set up.
My mom and Kim had been downstairs helping unpack, organize, and clean and they decided they would hang out and keep doing that until the baby was born. This was a true lifesaver to me and my family. The kids were running around playing and I was either in my room or walking around the other rooms just allowing my body to work and do what needed to be done. Contractions were consistent and growing in strength. This labor was most like Lilli's with more of a regular pattern and time for us to experience and prepare. I kind of like it this way.
I wasn't in pain, just feeling the strength of the contractions. It's hard to explain but people keep asking since my labor with Sam was so fast. I feel some cramping during contractions and can feel the contracting of my abdomen but there isn't really pain.
When I'm in labor I'm just kind of in the zone during contractions. I rock, I walk, I breathe, I sway, I am still and calm. I don't usually need or want to talk, or to be massaged, or anything like that. I don't really care what is going on around me, I just do my thing. So the kids running around weren't really bothering me, people coming up to check on me didn't bother me, but I just did what I needed even if that meant cutting off a conversation and walking around during a contraction if that is what I felt I needed to do. At any other time my behavior would have been rude ;)
In between contractions I would talk with my midwife and Lars, the kids would come in and see how it was going, and we would listen to the baby's heartbeat.
It was so interesting to note how when we checked we kept having to listen lower and lower as the baby descended getting ready for birth.
It is all so fascinating, how our body and the baby work together to bring about this miraculous event culminating in the birth and first breath of a sweet perfect human being, that moments before was literally connected to you.
At one point I asked my midwife to check my progress. Usually we don't check but I had to know this was real and what kind of progress we were making. I was at a 5 so I was definitely in labor. I finally allowed myself the excitement that comes with knowing you are soon going to meet your sweet baby.
We decided then we would put on a movie. We had hoped for Little Women, which we had started watching when I was in labor with Lilli, but never finished. Unfortunately we couldn't find the disc and so had to choose another movie. Rebecca had never seen High Society, and having stated at one point that she was a lover of musicals, we decided to watch that one.
I alternated between my "labor dancing", as Lars calls it (Swaying, rocking, and walking), and sitting on my bed. Emma came in a few times and we all chatted about the lovely clothes that Grace Kelly wears in the movie.
During this all my family and friends were moving stuff over, settling upsets with my kids, helping Lars, unpacking, and cleaning. It was truly a blessing to us. Lars was in and out taking care of Sam who was having a bit of a hard time, I think he could sense the changes about to occur. He would dutifully and sweetly come back to check on me often and make sure we didn't need anything. After 5 previous labors and 17 years of marriage, he knows that I just need to do my thing and will tell him when I need him. Just knowing he was in the house and knowing Sam was getting the love and attention he needed allowed me to be relaxed and to do what I needed to do. It was perfect.
About 3/4 of the way through the movie I decided I wanted to get in the water. Rebecca asked if I wanted my water broken or if I wanted to be checked before I got in. After weighing the pros and cons and my options I decided to get checked and decide about my water then. I was at a 7, which usually means I don't have too long left. The baby was very low, and the water sac was ready to burst. I decided to just have her break it since it was there and ready and then I would get in the tub. Rebecca told me, before she broke it, that it has been shown that when the water is broken in a women in true labor, she will have the baby within 20 minutes to 2 hours. We looked at the clock (it was just about 8 minutes before 7pm) she broke my water and I put on my swim top and hopped in the lovely birthing pool with perfectly warm water. My kids, my mom, my sister, and the Melvilles were all settled watching Frozen downstairs. Lars came up and we turned the movie back on. Soon after getting in the tub my contractions became stronger and closer together, which I expected since I was nearing transition before I got in (transition is when you go from 8-10 cm) I had to concentrate a little more on relaxing but was still able to finish the movie just before I knew she was coming.
Rebecca put cool washcloths on me, made sure I drank some water and just encouraged me. Lars sat close by just being there ready to do whatever I asked.
At some point during the pregnancy Lilli had expressed the desire to be there when the baby was born.
We had talked about how it was a lot of work for mom and the baby, how mom might make noises but I assured her that even though it was hard work I would be fine, I wasn't hurt, and that she could change her mind at anytime. She still wanted to be there so as we got close to pushing Lars went to get her.
I was trying to relax and let her descend gradually but my babies always have their own ideas. I reached down and felt her head crowning. Lars and Lilli sat together and watched. I heard Rebecca encouraging me, I heard Rebecca talking with Lilli and explaining what was happening or what would happen as the baby was born. I don't know exactly what was said but Lilli was amazing, I know that. I could hear her calmly but excitedly saying something. Then the baby's head was out and a couple more pushes and our darling little baby was here. I put the baby close to my heart and leaned back against the tub. Lilli and Lars came around so they could see the baby. Rebecca gave me warm towels and the baby cried her first cry. Our Ellen Elizabeth had joined the family. Lars went to share the news with the downstairs crowd. Lilli started snapping pictures (sadly they aren't very clear as it was pretty low light right then but they were taken with love from a proud big sister)
Once the cord had stopped pulsing and the placenta was delivered I got out, and got some pajamas on and settled onto the bed with the baby while Rebecca checked everything with me and baby and cleaned up. Eventually after time with just me, Lars and the baby, Lars started bringing people up to peek at baby and my sister snapped a few photos. Once everyone had their peeks, Lars put the younger kids to bed while Rebecca did a more thorough check of the baby and I, we weighed the baby and she did all the foot poking and other stuff new baby's need. After declaring us perfect she finished cleaning up, made sure I had plenty to drink and eat, got me Motrin for after-birth cramping, and made sure we were stable.
Once we were declared stable for a few hours Rebecca packed up and headed home, leaving us to snuggle our newest little one and try to sleep a bit.
It's hard to sleep when all you want to do is stare at, snuggle and marvel over this tiny little being.
There is something so special about having a baby at home (though all births are special no matter how you choose to do them, "natural", hosptial, home, c-section, induction, whatever)
But there is a peace that comes with being in your home where you are perfectly comfortable and surrounded by people you love and that love you. It is also wonderful to have the most competent, amazing, midwife anywhere. I know I am safe and in good hands when Rebecca takes care of us, in pregnancy and in birth.
So that is the story of the baby that wants everything done all at once. When I said we should just move in that weekend so she could be born at home, at the home where Sam was also born, I didn't really imagine the baby would kick it into high gear and not actually let me do the moving. :) But like every birth she had her own story to tell, her own way to come here, and it was perfect.
Birthday
8 weeks
