Homebirth

The day started out like any other. I felt huge and uncomfortable, but not feeling like today was the day. I decided to take the kids to a new fountain play area that our park district built for them to play in the water. They had a blast and I got some really cool pictures of them. Little did I know it would be our last outing with just the 4 of them and me.

We got home, had lunch, and went about our usual afternoon. They played outside, I rested. I felt a contraction here and there, but nothing that hadn’t been going on for the past week or so. Around 3ish, DH called to tell me my midwife had to cancel my appointment because her other July mom was in labor. I was fine with that, because I was still feeling fine. I called my mom to tell her she didn’t have to come over and watch the kids after all, and sat outside reading a magazine. I was still having random contractions, but not real ones, and didn’t think the baby was coming any time soon. DH left work and decided to go to the grocery store. After a while I got up and went into the house. I was standing in the dining room when suddenly I felt pressure and thought “uh oh”. I went in the bathroom and sure enough there was blood when I wiped. Crud. I was going into labor and my midwife was at another birth. I called DH immediately, he was on the front porch. Luckily he is the king of the back up plan and already had my midwife’s assistant, who could handle the birth on her own if necessary, standing by. It was now around 5:30-6:00, and I knew I was in labor. I could easily breathe through the contractions, but knew it would change quickly. I laid down on my bed and did everything I could to relax until someone got to our house, marveling at the fact that I was actually trying to make labor last longer?!?!?!?!?!? My midwife’s assistant came over and checked me and I was 2-3 cm and about 80% effaced. My midwife was with a first time mom who had been in labor on and off for 4 days, and we knew I would go quick with my history of short labors, so my midwife told her assistant to have me start walking so the baby would come and she could be at my birth and then get back to the other birth before it was too late. So I walked, had a few contractions that got more intense, and said “OK, I’m done with this. I need to get in the water.” Meanwhile, the kids were playing outside and my parents came over. Long story shorter, my midwife got there in time and Rachel was born at 8:48 pm after about 2 hours of what I would call “real” labor, although obviously I did have some early labor as well. The labor was typical for me. In the water I was able to focus and breathe , and work through the contractions. The actual birth was the most difficult one I have had since my first baby, as Rachel’s shoulders were a bit stuck, but even so the pushing phase was only a few minutes and I only had one minor tear that did not need a stitch. She weighed in at 10 lbs 4 ozs, 21 ½ inches, same size as DS1. Her brothers and sisters are so sweet with her. Everyone wants to hold her and help change her. I can’t believe I am now a mom of 5!

I still need dh to show me how to attach a pic, hopefully I can post some soon.

Lisa

Mom of 5!