There had been a couple times during the last 8 weeks that I felt maybe I was in labor – one was super early and scared the midwife – I was dehydrated, that solved the problem and the contractions stopped. Then each week 4 weeks prior I would have so many consistent contractions I thought – ok maybe tonight? Then they would stop – and I would keep praying Lord not tonight we are not ready – no bags packed and not mentally ready to have a new born.
Then 2 weeks prior I asked David when he would like the baby to be born – time of day and week day – I reminded him I had no control of it, but I would pray and see what happened. God is so much bigger than our thoughts, he does desire to give us good gifts, the desires of our hearts if we are seeking him with our whole hearts and we are being diligent to put Him first above all our petty circumstances. (keep in mind when I am pregnant my spiritual awareness is higtened so much – I love praying and reading the word – it brings me so much life, my spirit is in tune with God.) David’s desire was that I would go into labor towards the end of the week and we would be able to get a good nights rest before hand. I had told David I feel like this labor is going to be very good and the way we will know for sure if I am labor is one : if I throw up or if my water breaks, other wise we are not going to budge. Because I was so tired of being in ‘false labor’.
Wednesday night 2/6 – I went to a church dinner hang out time with the kids – it was so yummy – clam spaghetti and bread! I ate a good size, but I didn’t feel like I over ate at all. I get home that night, get the boys in bed, David got home at 8pm from class. I was watching tv and all of a sudden I go – get me a bowl – blah! Out came dinner..everything. after I was done I hear David go – you didn’t chew very well! I looked up after everything and said with a big smile – I think we are in labor! Let’s get rest tonight have everything ready and hopefully soon we’ll be done.
We got rest that night, I woke up at 6:45 with contractions and was super happy. I told David – go to work, it be great if your home by lunch time and then we will have a baby then. David went to work and was home by 11:30. In the mean time, I got the boys ready for the day, everything was good. I called the midwife – she goes call back when you feel like you need to be in the birthing tub – b/c you might not be in labor – I told her ok we will – but I am having a baby today and we are going to get things ready and we will be over. Ok give me 20 minute heads up and I will be ready for you. I let her know we would be there around 1pm.
I talked with my friend Jamie on the phone – who also had an amazing easy delivery recently. Just talking to her – I was like Jamie – this is so incredibly easy – I’m not sure if I believe I am in labor. I think you are, labor does not have to be hard – intense yes, painful no. They were 3 to 5 minutes apart lasting from 40 to 60 seconds at a time. I just walked around the house and spoke over my body – be relaxed and at peace.
She called our mutual friend Julie to have her call me to come over and help me wrap things up. Talked with Julie and she came over at 11:15. She made brownies, did the dishes and straightened up the house – while the boys were finishing up a movie and Anita (grandma) was on her way to come get the boys. David came home and loaded the car. Anita came around 12 and got the boys. Julie finished things up, and we made it to The Birth House by 1:20 I think.
I had a 39 week appointment the day prior – still at 3cm. And I was still praying and believing on how cool it would be to have a baby on 2/14. After I had thrown up on 2/6 I was super happy to think her birthday could be on the 7th instead of the 14th – I had so much peace about it – even tho I had asked so many people to pray she would be born on the 14th – thankfully God knew better than me! I love the number 7, 3 and 7 are my favorite numbers – also 7 is the number of completion – which Jasmine definitely completes are family!
Constance my midwife – checks me – only 4cm – I was happy! She wanted me to be progressing more for me to be admitted into the birth house. We took a good hour walk around town. Saw the lamas. I was over joyed because instead of rain – it was bright and sunny out, warm to my liking – it was not raining or snowing – it was such a beautiful perfect day weather wise!
2:30pm – she checked me again – 5cm! 5 more to go. We got situated at 3pm I got into the hot bath tub – SO relaxing! At 6pm – I was a prune and time to get out..getting bored. During those three hours the water helped a ton with the contractions – I listened to music, drank Gatorade and relaxed. Getting in the tub there was only a 50/50 chance that being in the water would help my body to continue to dilate and or make my body dilate – I wanted to chance it!
We walked around for 10 minutes. Then I asked her, please check me and break my water, I’m ready. So I laid down on the bed – you are a 6. How disappointing!!! I relaxed for 3 hours and got only to a 6ish. Boo! Break my water – I’m having this baby please.
At this time it was 6:10pm – Constance breaks my water and the contractions are coming stronger and harder as my legs are shaking due to the intensity of the contractions. Constance knows at that point she needs to break the news that there was too much meconium in the water so I would have to be a transfer…she waits to tell me in between contractions and was very kind and loving about breaking the news to me. The danger being baby’s first poop could be in babies lungs, we don’t know if she has any or a lot, so at the hospital they will have better care for a safe delivery and be able to watch over her better. This broke my heart – I so wanted to have a water birth and avoid the hospital. – however in reality I knew if going to the hospital was what is the absolute best for our situation of course we would go willingly. We don’t always get what we want in life..we get what we need.
Wrapping things up:
So it’s about 6:20pm – Constance is on the phone getting everything ready for us to be a trandfer to the hospital (7 minutes by car) I’m having intense contractions and in between them David is asking me what needs to come into the hospital, Julie and the student midwife are by my side, I throw up maybe 2 times. Then it’s 6:45pm. The plan was the arrive at the hospital at 7pm, so a 6:45 departure.
It’s 6:50pm and they tell me it’s time to go – Julie and the student midwife help me up, I go ‘I have to push’ student midwife goes ‘no don’t, hold it and breath through it’…I’m thinking Lady you are crazy..I’m not going to ignore my body…sorry! (David and the midwife missed this b/c they were making sure the cars were set..we walk outside at this point David is on my side and Constance is on my other side walking me to the car – I stop and go ‘ I have to push’..so much water/other liquids came gush out..Constance go ‘Alright! Back inside!!!
I make it to the door frame of the birthing room where I originally had hoped to be giving birth in. got on all fours, gave maybe 2 more pushes and out came the baby! I remember hearing Constance saying, someone grab towels put them under her, I need gloves, pass me sterile gloves – which I am amazed she had time to get her gloves on. I remember David was right behind me helping – he passed the towels to Constance and gave the time of her birth – 6:58 pm. Jasmine was covered head to toe with baby’s first poop. Constance then cleaned out Jasmines throat and checked her and she was breathing just fine..then passed her up to me. Priceless moment. I kept asking is she a girl??everyone said you have to check..babies come out mess and their cord is covering up their parts..I was so nervous and excited so I had David check..yup all girl! SCORE!
After we made it to the bed the midwife checked the baby out more to make sure she was still clear..and she was. She nursed quickly afterwards and the student midwife goes – she nurses like a 6 month old!!
I celebrated with a Twix bar (did that after all 3 births) and of course brownies and vanilla ice cream!!
The next 2 days were the most intense with pain, yuck L. I did start taking my placenta pills – helped SO much with the recovery part of my body and gave me more energy and endurance to deal with the kids and the new baby girl J.
By Monday David was back to work and I had visitors every day, it was wonderful! People brought us meals and that was a huge help! Transition from 2 to 3 was the easiest for us, David has been so helpful with the boys and with Jasmine. Michael and Ryan adore their new little sister and Jasmine loves to sleep and eat..so far so good!
Last week our little girl turned 3 months – healthy, cute, sleeps well.
She is amazing and I am blessed to have these three little munchkins in my life.
knightstreasure 