(Typically I would edit this story extensively making it more entertaining/easier to read/etc, however I’m currently still deep in the throes of newborn fog where simply completing a sentence is, in itself, a major accomplishment! And being that time is of the essence and I have an absolutely amazing post written by my husband next up, please forgive my lack of finesse this post. These are essentially the facts plain and simple, along with a few photos, of course!)
Wednesday, March 13th, 2012 ~ 40 weeks, 6 days pregnant
9:00 pm- Feeling beyond exhausted I told Josh we had to go to bed. Though we’re usually up a bit later, having been on two super long walks, to the chiropractor for an adjustment and acupuncture session to help naturally induce labor, and of course distracting myself the day long with all sorts of to do's... I was crashing hard and fast. At around 9:30 we actually crawled into bed for the evening.
11:20 pm- woke up needing to pee, per usual. I was thankful I’d actually managed to sleep for almost two hours before having to get up. Rolling onto my side to sit, I felt something like a pop low in my pelvis, almost like a kick had that been the proper area for baby’s feet rather than her head. There was a small gush of fluid, and of course my immediate thought was that I’d accidentally wet myself. Making my way to the bathroom I realized that no, in fact my water had broken.
It was such a surreal feeling realizing, okay here we go. I felt entirely calm. Back in the bedroom I attempted to rouse a very hard-sleeping Josh, shaking him gently, “Babe... Babe... Babe... Josh!” He opened his eyes and squinted at me. “I think my water just broke.” “Huh?!” “I think my water just broke…” “Huh??” “JOSH, my water broke!” “What?!? Seriously?? Are you sure?!” “Yeah, I’m pretty sure.” In an instant he turned into some sort of super human, wide-eyed and giddy. Blankets and pillows flew across the room as he bolted upright and busied himself throwing on clothes, packing the cooler and the car, calling our midwife, making a run to the drug store to get castor oil just in case my contractions didn’t kick into high gear … I think he even washed a few dishes. I, on the other hand, remained surprisingly clear headed and calm. I can’t say that I felt any specific emotion other than that, simple peace.
The midwife had said to try and sleep and call her at 5 am if my contractions hadn’t hit the 5-1-1 mark (5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour), and to drink the castor oil at that point, as well. I had a very certain feeling none of that would be necessary, and I was right. Within 20 minutes of talking to her contractions started coming on fast, consistently 4-6 minutes apart. There would be no sleeping thru them or waiting until 5 to head to the birth center. We labored at home for about the next 4 hours. For the most part I kept myself busy, and when I felt one coming I’d rush to the bed and hit all fours and Josh would squeeze my hips. The squeezing, surprisingly, helped more than I can say.
3:30 am- I was eager to get to the birth center. Josh called the midwife back and she instructed us to meet her there in about an hour. (side note: Contractions in the car for half an hour weren’t fun. I did not wear my seatbelt. And I might have put the seat back down and remained on all fours most of the way…maybe…)
5:00 am- We arrived in the darkness and I immediately headed inside while Josh unloaded our bags. I found Carol, the midwife, sitting quietly playing ‘Words with Friends’. ;-) She checked me right away and announced I was 100% effaced and 4 cm dilated. Time to head upstairs.