Bethany's Birth of Morgan

My husband and I decided we wanted another child. Our son was already two, and we did not want the children too far apart in age. So off to the store I went, seeking fertility tests. Not that we have any problems, I just wanted to speed up the process by knowing exactly when I was most fertile. I remember the exact date of conception.

So, not knowing was killing me!! About three days before my period was supposed to come, I went back to the store and bought some pregnancy tests. Drove home with excitement making my stomach feel funny. I peed on the stick and almost instantly it showed positive! I was ecstatic! I took a picture with my phone and texted it to my husband, who promptly replied, "Is that what I think it is?"   I was in a blissful state.

My pregnancy was easy, just like with my previous child. Minor morning sickness, almost no fatigue, and man, did I eat! I decided to go with a midwife this time. We had just moved from a state where it was illegal to a state where it is legal. Homebirth is what I kept saying, my husband disagreed. We agreed to disagree but still do it at home. I trust my body, and he trusts me. My midwives were amazing women. Heck, they ARE amazing women!  I was so pleased to find someone who would support me and had the same feelings about birth.

So my due date, 5/29, came and nothing was happening. I remember thinking that I really wanted him to come! So, after those thoughts, I started having false labor. That was SO annoying! I thought he was coming and so called everyone and hopped in the shower. Contractions stopped completely. I was frustrated.

My husband  started to joke that it would be great if the baby came on his birthday, 6/6. I agreed, saying that the only thing better than that would be if he came sooner. So on his birthday, we went out for pizza and ping-pong with his younger brother. We had a lot of fun, and Quinn, our son, was exhausted. He fell asleep in the car on the way home BEFORE his bedtime.  Michael and I watched a movie and went to bed around midnight.

At 3:15 am I woke up sweating and with some intense back pain. I decided to take a shower and try to calm things down a bit. I showered for about 30 minutes, and when I was finished, the back pain was worse. I knew then that I was in active labor. I stepped out of the shower and wailed for my husband to get up and help me. He started blowing up the birth pool with our pump and called my mom who lived about 11 hours away. He then called the midwives I could barely speak to Peggy, the one who answered. She asked if they should come, and I said I would call her back in 20 minutes. Since I was GBS positive, I got out my Hibiclense rinse and used it. I put on a sports bra and a shirt, and then decided to call Peggy back as I could not get out of the floor. She said she and the other midwife, Kim, would be there soon. I promptly threw up.

The pool was full and I got into it. My contractions were so intense that I was literally on the verge of tears and wailing. I have a REALLY high tolerance for pain, and this was really scaring the crap out of me. I had prepared myself to use the Hypnobirthing method, but there was NO way I was able to relax during the contractions. With each contraction I had more bloody show.  I can't remember what time Peggy arrived, but I was so relieved when she did. By that time the contractions were about 40 seconds apart and about a minute long. About 5 minutes later Kim walked in. The next contraction my body was pushing, so I decided to push with it. I was grunting, and Peggy remarked that I sounded pushy with that contraction, and I nodded. I pushed with another contraction and felt my water break. I told everyone that my water had broken and Kim asked if she could check me. I leaned back and she checked me, which did not hurt at all. Kim then announced that I was complete! Wow was I amazed.

I leaned forward, grabbed my husband's hands, and started pushing in a squatted position. I can't remember how many pushes it took, maybe three for four, and I announced that I was crowning. That ring of fire sure does sting! Kim was closest to me and suggested that I lean back into a reclined squat, so that when he came out it would be easier to lift him up onto my chest. I complied, though pushing was a bit harder in that position. I remember when his head came out, all I wanted to do was keep pushing! Then his body was out and I sighed in relief. Kim laughed and told me I still had to push his feet out! I gave one last push and Kim eased him onto my chest! What an amazing feeling it was to have him in my arms!

Peggy announced that the time of birth was 6:14 am. I had to think for a second. 3 hours of labor and pushing?? That's it?? Then Michael told me I only pushed for about 10 minutes. WHAT?? Only 10 minutes?! I was astonished.

After the cord stopped pulsing we clamped and cut it. It took me a little while to deliver the placenta, so after 45 minutes they went in after it while I pushed. Both of the midwives agreed that it was one of the biggest they had ever seen. Duh, that's why it took so long to come out ;-P. He was already nursing, and after I was cleaned up a bit we weighed him. 10lbs 2 oz??? WHAT??? I could not believe it!

Morgan's birth was the most amazing experience ever. I did it! I had a natural birth with no episiotomy and just the smallest tear! My first boy was 8lbs 10oz, and I was induced, drugged up and cut. The doctor said that I would tear with him. Obviously, I did not need that episiotomy the first time around!

tags: birth, birth stories, home birth, midwife, water birth, home water birth, natural childbirth, positive birth stories, home childbirth stories, group b strep, big baby, 

Comments

[Ann]

Thank you for sharing! I also had a 10 lb 2 oz baby with a minor tear. My labor was longer then yours but I totally related to your story! I had her with a midwife at a birth center but hope to do home birth next time around. Thanks again, I love stories like this!