March 6th at 4:30 pmI was in the kitchen heating up some ham, mashed potatoes and green beans for the kids to eat for dinner. Andrew said it was the best dinner he had ever eaten! I didn't think much about it because I had been contracting for at least a week off and on and I really did not want to go into labor that night, because the next day was Lily's birthday and Bobby had a test. Earlier that day I had taken the kids to the library and knew William would be coming very soon. Bobby spent the day studying. I texted him wanting to know when he was coming home. He was actually in the truck on his way home when I texted at 5:15. Until 7 I was contracting lightly but regularly. At 7 I texted my friend JoAnne and my doula Rachel to let them know. Around that time I decided to just accept the fact that I was in labor and maybe I could have William before midnight. Cathy came and got the kids at 7:45 and my friend JoAnne came over. The kids were so excited to have a surprise over night at Nana's they ran out the door excited. Andrew prayed for me and William before he left "thank you for today and thank you for baby William."
I labored lightly all evening at 10:30 Rachel came over to do pressure points on me to help me contract longer. They had been very short. At midnight I sent everyone home thinking labor had stopped I tried to rest but was still contracting. Bobby was able to take a short nap for a few hours. At 3 am my friends come back over, they are great friends that were so wonderful to help with everything. Contractions picking up a little at 4:55 am we arrive at the hospital.
We walk, and walk and walk the halls. Then I rest and then walk more. Not much was changing, I was getting discouraged. At 9 am Tania the midwife came in and checked me and told me William's head wasn't straight and that is why I am not progressing faster. So we went down the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Praying for William to straighten out his head and Bobby applied pressure to help encourage William to move straight. I had lots of crazy contractions in the cafeteria and in the lobby. Many people asked if I was okay and were worried. It felt weird to be out in public laboring, but when a contraction came I didn't care who was watching. I ate greek yogurt, granola, peaches and a banana.
Lots of waiting on a baby.
Got back to the room at 10 am and things started to pick up! At 12:37 pm Tania came and checked me I was 7 cm. So I was able to move to the tub room and we knew transition was coming soon.
I cried tears of joy that labor was moving along faster. I was tired because I had been up for a day and a half so far.
12:55 pm I was in the tub and happy. It felt nice and was mentally good for me, getting in the tub was the next step in ending labor.
I labored like this a lot. Bobby was amazing, during every contraction he was right there, I wanted to physically touch him during each one. He was so calm and encouraging.
I ate ice chips for the first time in labor and kinda liked them. At 2:40 pm I started pushing a little. 3:02 pm midwife comes at 3:11 William is born. I didn't push for long but it was so hard. I was on my hands and knees and then had to move to on my back. William's should was stuck so then everyone lifted me up to standing and William finally came all the way out. It was a very intense 9 minutes, that stressed and scared Bobby. He came out calm and peaceful, the nurse and midwife had to stimulate William to get him to get a good strong cry. He cried and then went to sleep.
I love the flood of emotions that come after a natural birth. It is the greatest feeling ever. So much joy and excitement.
Bobby feeling William take good strong breaths, he is so happy William is here 22 hours latter.
Checking William out.
Some of William's first breaths.
My little side kick, we hung out in the water for a while like this. William still loves to fall asleep next to me in bed.
Proud and tired Daddy, he too had been up for almost 2 days straight too.
Skin to skin.
Aunt Ashley was there in the room helping with labor.
My nurse Maria and midwife Tanya they were so great and supportive.
JoAnne, and Rachel sweet friends who encouraged me and believed in me that I could do this. Sooo thankful for them.
10 tiny toes.
All bundled up.
8 pounds 1 ounce. 20 1/2 inches long
After the birth we took a herbal bath. It was nice and relaxing for both William and I.
I am so thankful for the healthy little boy that shares a birthday with his big sister. William's birth was hard and long but so worth it. Bobby and I are so excited to what the Lord has planned for our William.
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