Anna’s birth story

I thought I should write this down before I start to forget the details. Labor began on her due date at about 5pm. James and I were driving back from the library and the contractions started. They were welcomed since I was eager to meet my baby girl! We went about our evening as normal, but I told George we needed to get James in bed asap so that we could pack our bags for the hospital. By 9pm the contractions had picked up and we notified the grandparents and the doula. As the night wore on I began to worry about getting to the hospital in enough time to treat my GBS, so at 2am I called the doula to come over to the house. By 5am we were checked in at the hospital since I was having regular contractions and I thought we were getting close. The nurse checked me and I was at 2-3cm. Needless to say this was very demotivating for me trying to give birth naturally. I had already worked so hard and thought I would be much further along. After a couple hours of being at the hospital my contractions slowed down and spaced out. My midwife told me not to worry about the GBS and sent me home to relax until I couldn’t relax any more. So we were discharged at 8am and by 11am George and I were gearing up to go back to the hospital. It was becoming more difficult to work through my contractions and I knew she was definitely on the way this time.

I should mention at this time that it was a full moon, so when we got back to the hospital every delivery room was full. So unfortunately I spent 30 to 45 mins in the lobby working through contractions as best I could without causing a scene. Or at least I hope I didn’t cause a scene. Poor George was trying desperately to get me a room and the ladies at the desk felt awful for me but until a room was ready I was stuck laboring in public.

My midwife came out to get me as soon as a room was ready and at that point I checked in at 7-8cm. Thirty minutes later I was at 8-9cm and was getting ready to push. So within an hour of getting a room, I pushed out our baby girl and she was born at 1:03pm. The midwife and all of my nurses were such a great support to me since my doula was stuck on 285 in repaving construction traffic. Everything happened so quickly once we got a room that George and I didn’t have much time to think or prepare. I remember making my nurse promise me that once I started pushing the baby would come out quickly. She assured me that since this was my second, the baby would be here in no time. With her support and and reassurance, I felt confident enough to push through and birth our baby girl. My midwife was awesome as well and I couldn’t have done it without all of their support.

Anna had to be seen by the respiratory team right away, but she got a clean bill of health and was back in my arms in no time. My recovery was 100% better than it was with James and I was and am so thankful. I’ve been able to care for my family without having to worry about my own health.

One false start and one fast and furious delivery later, we were able to meet our precious baby girl.