Sunday, November 8, 2009

3 days here

Our baby arrived on Thursday afternoon!!!

I went into labor the day before at 6pm, and labored slowly, slept for 2.5 hours and then was awake at 230 am with contractions I couldn't sleep through. I wanted to go to the birth center, but they were like "you must be in Active labor!" and I was frustrated that I couldn't go. But then, as I lay on the bed and looked at birds out my window I had the realization: "just because I get there doesn't mean the baby comes right away!"

The birth center had me come in at 930 am and I was 'only 3 cm' so they said "go home and come back in 2 hours." Having had a couple of contractions in the car, and in traffic, I was like "I don't want to go home." So we went to the nearby huge garden/park. It was a beautiful morning, but I was in pain, so I walked, contracted, looked at plants, and we went back.

They checked me and the student midwife said, "she is just 3-4cm." so they were like "we'd like you to go home and sleep for 2 hours." Mind you, my contractions were getting really rough, and I was like "NO WAY!" but not out loud. Mr. S convinced them to let me rest there for a bit. They checked me in an hour and the student midwife said "still 4." but the head midwife looked and was like "no, that is 5." which made me wonder about the previous check.

So, I was officially admitted.

By then the labor had removed me from my brain and I was a bit primal and in a netherworld of pain. I found out a day later that I went from 5 to 10 cm in less than 2 hours, and that is why I was in so much pain, so non-stop. I definitely was like "this is why people do epidurals" but knowing I didn't have the option, it was just a wistful thought.

They filled the tub and while waiting for that my water broke in a big burst.

I labored in the tub, lost to the world, with 3 midwives and Mr. S all helping. They went to do a dilation check and could feel the head, so they said I was getting ready to go. Every push/contraction felt like it had to be the one, and finally, one was. I had the baby and they had me walk to the bed, holding the baby!!! (they supported me) we laid on the bed, baby and me, me saying "you are here, you came, you're safe!" and still shaking. After a few minutes we realized we didn't even know boy or girl, so they had Mr. S check, and we found out it was a girl!

So, our baby girl was born at 323pm and weighed 6lb.11oz, and was 19.5 inches long. I could say much more, but just wanted to get this posted for now.

She is absolutely gorgeous and I feel worlds of gratitude that she arrived safely, and we are all home. Today was our due date, and she is 3 days old and sleeping off a milk coma(my milk came in today)...

21 comments:

  1. AHHHHH! I was wondering/hoping this was the case when you hadn't posted for a few days. Congratulations mama! A little girl, how amazing. I hope you are feeling well. So happy!!

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  2. Congratulations and Best Wishes to the New Parents and your baby Girl!!

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  3. SO amazing! Congratulations on your precious little girl!

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  4. Congratulations and a warm welcome to the newest member of your family!

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  5. What great news! Congratulations! Sounds like a great birth -- so glad you were able to have a waterbirth, and that now your milk is in. Awesome! 5-10 in 2 hours is super intense -- way to go super-mama! Hoping you'll post pics sometime soon ...

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  6. I was wondering... Congratulations! So glad that you are both doing well! Take care and enjoy this time!

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  7. Congratulations!! So pleased for you both, well done!!

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  8. Wow Birch, amazing labor story! Can't wait to hear more. Hooray for your milk coming in! Thinking if you and Mr. S and your new addition.

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  9. So touching to read your delivery story - congratulations to you and Mr. S! So happy that you are both well and home. Best wishes adjusting to life with baby!

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  10. Oh poppy! Congratulations!!!!!! Welcome little girl!!!! so happy to read your news.

    Mo

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  11. Hooray -- and hooray for the fact that is sounds like the birth you'd hoped to have -- what a gift in all ways!


    What happy news!

    Love,

    Pam

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  12. Oh Poppy!!! Congratulations to you and Mr. S! Welcome to the world little girl! I loved reading your birth story - you are amazing! Thank you for sharing. I am hoping our birth center/water birth goes just as smoothly! Enjoy your little one!

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  13. I'll say it again, I am so excited for all 3 of you! I'm glad to hear your birth story, and I'm so glad you got what you wanted. :) Much love from the Goodmans.

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  14. Amazing news, big congratulations to you all!!! Glad to hear everyone is doing great.

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  15. I am so happy for you! It's been such a long time coming! Can't wait to see pictures. Hint hint.

    Congratulations! Whoo hoo!

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  16. Congratulations on your Daughter!!! Can't wait to see her. :)

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  17. what wonderful news, what an amazing birth! congratulations mama!!! welcome to the world little girl!

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  18. Sounds like you got to have the birth you wanted... mostly. congrats!

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