I had decided that it was about time this baby came, so I walked, and walked and walked. The week before I had Katelyn, I wore a path around my block. On the eve of her birth (only 3 days early), we went out for Mexican food and then walked again. Around 3 am, I woke up and couldn't get comfortable. My back was really aching, so I lay in bed awhile as it came and went. After awhile, I started to time the aches and lo and behold, there was a pattern (5 minutes apart) I didn't even wake up Alan because I didn't think it was the real thing. I think my real fear was going to the hospital and feeling silly if they sent me right back home. So I went out and layed on the couch and watched TV.
About 5 am, Alan finally noticed I was not in bed and came to check on me. I said, "Honey, I think I may be in labor." He looked at me like I was crazy. I told him that I thought my contractions were about 5 minutes apart. He was incredulous that I didn't wake him, but at that time they were not especially painful, just achy. I went in and took a shower to see if they would stop or change or what. But they started to get closer together, so now I am thinking, "O.K. maybe this is it."
At 6 am I called my doctor and told her what I was feeling. And she asked me if I thought I needed to go to the hospital (now does that even sound right). Now you should know that I had already told my doctor that I wanted to wait at home as long as possible because once you get there you lose all control over the situation, I was adamant that I did not want a heplock or IV or any of that stuff. Luckily my doctor was the one on call.
So after I got off the phone, they got very intense, so I told Alan I thought we should go. I called my mom in Louisville to tell her that we were going to the hospital to see if they'd keep me. I threw some stuff in a bag and off we went. By that time, they really hurt and I actually cursed my husband when he hit the brakes to let a squirrel cross the road.
So we get there around 7:15 am and I am 6 cm. For some, that is a lot, but I had been walking around 3-4 cm for a month, so 6 cm didn't seem like much. I called my mom to tell her we were staying, so they jumped in the car. We labored away for a couple of hours: the birthing ball became my friend. I was 7-8 cm at 9 am. The doctor finally made an appearance at 10:00. By this time, childbirth was no longer "fun." I am not sure if she couldn't stand my primal moaning or wanted to put my husband out of his misery, but she decided to break my water. Things progressed quickly from there.
Around 11:00 the doctor was ready for me to start pushing. That is about the time that my mom and sister got there from Louisville, so they made it for the good part (hehe). I wanted them there, so that was fine, although I don't know that they were prepared. They walk in around the first push. My sister expected to get there and hang out with me for awhile as the contractions built. Boy was she in for a surprise. Her first glimpse was of me spread eagle and pushing
I actually think I blocked most of the actual transition and pushing out. I remember they kept yelling at me to push and there were so many people around that I couldn't concentrate on any one person's directions. Katelyn's heart rate was dropping, so they were pushing me with some urgency. They ended up using a vacuum to get her out. She was the sweetest thing, born on June 6 at 11:12 am. She was a healthy 7 lbs 1 oz baby, 19 inches long. My mom cried. I think Alan was just worried about me.
The nurses at Centennial were wonderful. They read my birth plan and never tried to push an epidural or anything on me. Thanks for the tip Angela to ask for a nurse that likes natural childbirth. So while my family all thought I had gone granola on them or was just plain crazy, I was pretty proud of myself that I managed to make it all the way through without any drugs. Although I have to thank god for a quick delivery. I don't think I would have had the willpower if I had been in labor for 10-15 hours like most.
So overall, I had a wonderful experience. I was glad my family was there to experience the miracle of birth. Alan doesn't recall the whole process quite so pleasantly, but I guess women don't remember all the pain so that we will be more likely to birth again
