We're home! (long)

[FiddleFit]

Hi everyone,

Well, that was easy (JK!!). Kate (Katharine) Evelyn was born at 1:56am last night. I was having painless BH type of contractions all afternoon on Saturday and wasn't paying too much attention to them, since I'd had so much of that already. But at 7:41pm I suddenly noticed that the contractions were starting to hurt, so I began to take notice. They came about 20 mins apart for the first 90 mins, and then suddenly dropped to 10 mins apart, and were really starting to hurt. I phoned my doula at 8:45 to explain the situation and she told me to go to bed and rest up as much as possible. I thought, "Who can sleep through contractions like this??", but nevertheless gave it a try. Of course, I didn't get to bed until 11pm, and by time I got there the contractions were coming 5-6 mins apart. Since my doula wanted me to leave for the hospital when they were 5 mins apart, I phoned her again. She had me call the midwife, who in a very relaxed way said that once the 5 min contractions had happened for an hour or so, then maybe I should get going to the birthing centre. The minute I hung up the phone, the ctx started coming 3 mins apart! After I had a few of those, I phoned my doula back and said that they were really starting to hurt, and were coming fast. She told us to get moving. We left the house at midnight, got to the birthing centre at 12:30, and were ushered to the birthing room. The midwife checked my cervix.....and I was dilated 7cm!! They got the pool set up for me, and I have to say, climbing into that hot water was the most blessed experience I have ever had. I vowed I was never going to get out!! By time I got into the pool I was having ctx one right after the other, and wanted to push. The m/w said, "Do what feels right for you", so I began pushing. Kate was born 10 mins later (90 mins after we arrived at the birthing centre).

She was born into the water, and DH lifted her up and handed her to me. We both got to look to see if the baby was a he or a she. Then they clamped the cord, Peter cut it, and I immediately put her to my breast. She latched on amazingly quickly and we just relaxed together in the pool while waiting for the placenta to deliver. Eventually we climbed out of the pool and I got cleaned up while DH snuggled with Kate for a bit. It was about an hour after the birth that they got around to measuring the baby and all that stuff. Turns out, Kate is 10lbs 2oz, and 23.5 inches long!!!!! If I weren't already lying down, I'd have fallen over hearing that! I'm so glad I didn't know that *before* I went into labour!

We hung out at the birthing centre for a few more hours, and left as soon as we could get discharged. We were home by 9am, and I swear I do *not* feel like I just had a baby! I'm sure I will crash from the fatigue, but right now I feel like a regular person again. I can't believe what a great experience this birth was. I'm sure it's the hormones, but when I was still in the birthing pool, relaxing after the birth, I have never felt so sexy in my entire life. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to experience such a positive, self-affirming event.

My m/w has recommended that I give myself a couple of weeks of true rest, and then to get back into exercising at a pace that is comfortable for me. She said if I push myself too hard, too soon, my body will let me know. I am *so* looking forward to working out again without a bowling ball between my legs LOL!!!!

I hope all of the expecting moms get to have such a positive experience with their births. Thank you everyone for your support over these past months, and especially, these last few excruciating weeks.

All the best,
Sandra

[EricaH]

Congratulations Sandra and welcome Kate! What a beautiful birth story!

Guess you can return all of those newborn clothes!:-)

Hope you can get some rest!

Erica

[jogger7474]

Congratulations! Very pleased to read that you had such a positive birthing experience. :D

[bceogirl]

What a beautiful , happy experience. Thank you so much for sharing it .
*tears in my eyes*

Big hug for you both.

[luvtorun]

What a wonderful experience you described Sandra, far from the clinical hospital setting I had with both of mine. Yours sounded so peaceful. Congratulations to you and your family!!

[jdoll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I am so happy the experience went well and Kate is finally here! kiss her on the head for me:-)


jes

[Boybert]

Congrats Sandra on your beautiful baby girl!!!! I am so happy for you & your new family. We look forward to hearing more "fun" stuff from you soon ;)

Thanks so much for sharing. Big HUGS to you and your bundle of joy!


"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"

Debbie

[vanity68@aol.com]

Wow! Congratulations and best wishes. Do try to get some rest even if you feel you don't need it!

[Tamster]

Wow! Congratulations Sandra! Anyone who can do the workouts you were doing right up to the end, can surely deliver a 10lb 2oz baby! What an incredible story. I am so happy for you and your family.

A warm welcome to Kate...I'm sure she was worth the extra wait! {{{HUGs}}}

Tammy

[TarHeelMom]

Sandra, what an amazing story! My my, how things have changed -- I wish I'd had a warm-water delivery experience like you and Kate shared!

I love her name, and that she's a big healthy girl, and that Mom's feeling so sexy and strong too! Take care and share pix as soon as you can! Hugs to you and the whole family!

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-001.gif