It feels so crazy that I have now
done this three times and each time has been so very different. I love remembering
and recalling the births of my children they were all so special and beautiful.
I don’t think I need to write down every detail because I think I will remember
them all my life, but I probably will anyway J
I remember hearing once that a woman’s birth experience is one of the most
impressionable and memorable experiences of her life. I believe that to be
true. Start talking about birth with any woman that has experienced it and I
doubt she will not have anything to say on it.
I woke up
Wednesday morning around 3:15am to go to the bathroom… like normal… and I had a
few contractions, but nothing to keep me up, so I went back to sleep. About
4:30am I woke up again with more contractions and felt like this could be it.
So, I started the shower, but the contractions were growing, so I woke Don up
to take a shower because he needed one more than me He tends to be a little
greasy and I wanted him to be fresh for the arrival of our baby. So random the
things you think before you are about to have a baby. So yes the cleanliness of
my husband was on my mind.
We quickly finished packing our
hospital bag and headed to the hospital. We got checked in and I was 100%
effaced and 4-5cm. I was feeling pretty good, but that quickly took a turn. I
will avoid some rather un-lady like details right now and just say I spent a
lot of time in the bathroom from this point on. I did find a good rhythm for my
contractions. Whenever one would come about I would rub my fingers together or
hold Don’s hand and rub little circles into his hand. At one point he started
doing it to my hand and I had to give him the stare to never ever do that
again. It messed with my rhythm. At one point I was starting to struggle with
staying on top of my contractions and I talked to Don about getting an
epidural. I thought, “I’ve done this whole natural thing twice now and I am
tired and just want to lay down.” And like a good husband he talked me out of
it although I know I wouldn’t have really done it. (not at all saying there is
anything wrong with a woman choosing to get an epidural it’s just not for me).
After that moment I knew I had to
stay with my contractions and just relax my body with every contraction and let
my mind stay in the right place. I decided to lie on my side on the edge of the
bed and just relax. I actually feel asleep in-between contractions. My doctor
came in to check me and I was complete. I was beyond excited. Then came pushing
time. My doctor let me wait on pushing because the baby needed to move down
more. I was glad because pushing for me is the hardest part. It’s so tiring!! I
pushed for an hour and half. So long! I just kept asking if he was getting
close and my doctor and sweet husband kept me encouraged that every push he was
getting closer. And the most amazing feeling at 10:27am Henry Haddon Gale
arrived into the world. I cannot describe how wonderful the feeling is of your
child leaving your body and entering the world. Amazing! Within 30 minutes I
was up out of the bed and nursing my sweet little boy. We are enjoying the newest edition to our
family very much J
