Emmanuelle Anne - her birth story

Emmanuelle Anne - her birth story

I don't know why I was anxious. I don't know what I was worried about.

She came into this world at the perfect time, in the most perfect of circumstances, right on the dot - at week 39.

I have never gone beyond week 39. She apparently knew that and decided to come out right then.

I started feeling contractions at 11:30 pm the night before. I had been feeling contractions since week 34 - and thus was put on bed rest. This felt different though. But I did not want to jump to conclusions. I had a false alarm 2 weeks prior. I did NOT want to go to the hospital again only to be sent back home.

DH was already in bed.
"I'm having contractions," I said as I nudged him.
"Tell me when they become regular," he sleepily answered and went back to sleep.

Breathing through my contractions. Standing up. On all fours. Taking a shower. Nothing was stopping these contractions. Not that I really wanted them to stop. I was ready to give birth. I wanted to give birth. I was anxious to give birth!

At about 1 am, I woke DH and told him I thought it was time.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm not but let's go anyway. I do not want to wait till my water breaks."

So we started getting ready. He took the camera and laptop. I took my change of clothes. He knocked on my Mom's door to tell her that we were leaving to go to the hospital.

On the way there, there were contractions but nothing I could not breathe through. They were now coming around 3-4 minutes apart, for about 45 seconds each.

DH wheeled me into labor and delivery. The nurse checked me. I was a mere 4 cm! I have been 3 cm dilated for over a month now. I was so discouraged. I thought I was going to get sent home again! The nurse was more optimistic. 4 cm was enough to get me admitted so that's what she did. By then, 2 of the nurses there had recognized me and DH from our previous trips.

At around 5 am, I was 6 cm dilated. They asked if I wanted to walk around. Yes, I eagerly responded. DH and I walked around the hospital floors for about 20 minutes. Contractions were still coming steadily but no change in intensity or duration. I was beginning to think I was going to be in for a longer labor than I expected. They asked if I wanted to have my water broken to hopefully speed up labor. I said yes knowing from previous experience that once my water breaks, I go into active labor in a snap.

My water bag was broken at 7 am. For about 30 minutes, it felt like nothing was happening. And then it hit!

Active labor commenced. Contractions so painful that I wondered why the heck I refused pain meds. I was holding on to DH so tightly, looking, or maybe glaring into his eyes as I breathed through the pain. Through gritted teeth, I managed to yelp a "I want to push!!" In between contractions, I was checked and I was only 8 cm dilated. "Not yet time," they said. "Just keep breathing."

How do I stop myself from pushing?! Short, shallow puffs of breathing.

I told them, "I really want to push now!" This time in a louder, more commanding voice. And it was time!

I was asked to lay on my left side, raise my right leg and push. Whoa! New position for me so I was disoriented for a second or two.
"You want me to push?"
"You said you wanted to push, so push now," the midwife remarked with a smile.

Push...2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.
Breathe.
Push...2,3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.
Breathe.
"You're doing well. You're almost there," said DH and the rest of the nurses. "One more."
Push...2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10... and a yell...
and she was out!

8:46 am. 8 lbs. 2 oz. 20 inches.

"It's a girl," DH whispered to me with a kiss.
I hear her cry. They lay her on my chest. And I started crying. Love in my heart overflowing, like it was about to burst. Tears in my eyes freely flowing as I held this little miracle close.
"Shh...baby. Welcome sweet one. I love you dear baby girl."