We were thrilled and scared about this welcomed surprise. As the days, weeks and months progressed, our excitement mounted. At 28 weeks, we had a level II ultrasound and were delighted to find out that we were expecting another girl! Tears of joy streamed down my face as the doctor examined the baby's heart, stomach, intestines, lungs, even her little mouth was viewable. She looked perfect and healthy in every way. We left the doctor's office elated, tearful and full of gratitude.
At last, the morning of September 15th rolled around. I had been having contractions off and on for almost a month and wasn't sure if "today was the day." I was ten days past my "due date." Starting at 7am, my contractions started getting longer, stronger and closer together. Around 9am, after speaking to me briefly on the phone, Dave concluded that today was indeed the day. He came home and took charge as I was feeling very indecisive. He called the doctor's office to inform them of my situation and alert them that we were headed to the hospital. With Lily in tow and Kathleen and my Mom on the way, we headed to the hospital.
Stephanie, one of my midwives was on call that day and was prepared for our arrival. By 10am I was gowned and examined and found to be 100% effaced, 6cm dilated and +2 station. Fetal monitors were placed on me and I tried to rest between contractions. Dave was a great coach and he talked me through my contractions. I could focus on his voice, calm, reassuring and strong. I couldn't have done it without him.
Lying on my side, it was difficult to find a comfortable position and contractions started coming one right on top of the other. It wasn't long before I started pushing. Laboring on my side was not part of my plan but once I was down, it was near impossible to get motivated to move. I pushed in this position for about an hour. The baby was still in the posterior position and at the suggestion of my midwife, I somehow found the energy to get on my hands and knees in hopes of rotating the baby. Another hour or more passed with heavy contractions and lots of pushing but still no baby. Finally, around the three hour mark, my midwife suggested that I get up and try to empty my bladder. I wasn't sure how, short of a crane, I was going to get off the bed and walk to the bathroom, but with Dave grabbing one arm and Kathleen, the other, they basically carried me to the bathroom. Every few steps, I squatted and pushed with the contractions. I labored on the toilet for a little while but my legs were feeling numb so I headed back to bed, again squatting every few steps until I made it back to the end of the bed, where I stayed for a little while, squatting and pushing.
I somehow managed to climb back into bed and was in a semi-reclined position. I recall Stephanie asking me to breathe through some of the contractions at the end and not push in order to allow the tissue to stretch. The walking and squatting encouraged Kate to finally rotate into position and shortly thereafter, I pushed her out - all 9lbs. 4oz. and 20 1/2 inches of glorious baby!!
She nursed right away with a strong and vigorous latch. There was not a dry eye in the room as we welcomed
the newest member of our family. I am still amazed at how big she is and that I actually birthed her without drugs and without interventions. Miraculously, I only needed a few stitches at the end. I absolutely attribute it all to my Bradley training, prenatal yoga and all the tailor sitting/squatting I did throughout my pregnancy. It was the hardest work I've ever done in my entire life and Kate was worth every second.
