I woke up about 5 AM with contractions. They were coming about every 3-5
minutes mostly, but sometimes I wouldn't have one for 10 minutes. I stayed in
bed for about 30 minutes and decided these were the real deal as I could feel
them down low and radiating around the back. They weren't exactly painful at
this point, but were uncomfortable.
About 5:30 I got up and showered and then
went into the living room and sat on my birth ball. I didn't like the birth
ball at all, the pelvic pressure was too much when I had contractions on the
ball. I had to get up and walk around during contractions. During the peak,
I would stop and lean over the couch or my bed and relax. My Mom woke up
around 6 and I excitedly told her what was going on and that Today Was The
Day!!!
Around 6:30 I started timing the contractions and they were about 3
minutes apart. I didn't believe that it was time to go to the birth center
since I had only been having contractions for an hour and a half. So I
decided to go lay down and listen to my Hypnobabies First Stage Birthing
script.
I finished that at about 7:30 and things were really intense at that
point. I woke up my boyfriend and told him he should jump in the shower if he
wanted a shower before we headed off to the birth center, so he got in the
shower. I called my midwife and told her what was going on, she told me to
call back in about an hour. I then called my doula and gave her a heads up
that we would be going to the birth center soon and that I wanted her to meet
me there. About 10 minutes later I went to the bathroom and threw up. I
thought that you only puked during transition and that that couldn't be
possible, there was no way I was already in transition. I then discovered I
had some bloody show. I also was starting to feel pushy. I gave a little
push and it felt like the baby was almost out already.
I called the midwife
back and she said she was heading to the birth center and would be there in
about 20 minutes I told her we would arrive in about 30 minutes. I told my
boyfriend to get out of the shower, that we needed to leave now. My Mom was
busy getting Jessica, our 3 year old ready.
We left for the birth center
about 8:30 and arrived about 8:50. The car ride to the birth center was the
worst part. I was trying not to push and the contractions were very intense
and coming about 3 minutes apart. My legs were shaking during the
contractions and I was moaning to get through them. I was so worried that we
were going to have the baby on the way. But, we didn't! The midwife was
already there and I told her I was feeling pushy. I also mentioned that I
wanted a water birth, so she got the water in the tub running. She checked me
and said I had a little lip and that the baby's head was still a little high.
I had extra amniotic fluid throughout my pregnancy and if my water broke
before the head moved down the cord could come through in front of the head
cutting off the baby's oxygen during contractions. She wanted me to wait
through a couple of contractions and then get in the tub. I had a couple of
contractions and felt like I had to use the restroom. I went into the
bathroom and sat on the toilet. I couldn't stop myself from pushing a little
and I could feel the head starting to crown. I yelled into the room that the
baby was coming now.
My Mom and Boyfriend yelled for Fran, she had gone to
page the nurse. Fran came in to the bathroom just as my water broke. After a
few pushes the head was out, but the shoulders were stuck. Fran supported his
head while my Mom and boyfriend helped me lay down on the floor and bring my
knees up. One more push and the shoulders came out, followed by the rest of
the baby. Fran put my baby on my chest. My mom cut the cord and then we
moved to the bed. Zachary Richard was born at 9:13 AM on May 29, 2006. He
weighed 9 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 3/4 inches long. It was the most amazing
experience! While I did experience pain, I know the hypnobabies program
helped me progress quickly and stay calm. I definitely will use it again with
any future pregnancies.