Well my "due date" came and went(May 4) and I realized 100% that she really was a girl! Making her fashionably late appearance! I vowed to not try any natural/old midwife tricks, until after i was 40 weeks!! So 40+1 came, and i broke out the raspberry leaf tea, ate a ton of pineapple, walked, cleaned, ate spicy food...nothing really made me feel like labor was coming soon!! I actually was feeling pretty good! I even was still working out!! Well my weekly midwife appointment came, 40+4 and I told her I didn't want to risk being medically induced...so we tried a few things. I was on the fence about taking some castor oil, luckily my midwife in Michigan talked me out of it, because that night, I had my first real contraction! I knew she was coming! So wednesday night, we went to bed, and around midnight was woken up with contractions! 2 am-5am i slept on and off, but in my own bed, which was lovely. ARound 5:30 am Owen woke up, and we all were snuggled together in bed, and shortly later henry came to join us! Owen asked what was wrong, when i was making my breathing faces during a contraction! I was happy to tell him that Ellanore would be joining us today!! He gave my giant belly a few hugs , as he was very excited!! I made a quick phone call to my mom, to fill her in and let he know we were headed to the hospital! She was crying, tears of happiness but also sadness, for she couldn't be there physically for me, but she knew i had all the support i needed. I told shane that we needed to get going(6:30am). We fed the kids, called our friends to let them know we were on the way, packed up the car and headed out!!!
We were so blessed that our community groups friend said yes to our asking them to watch the boys for us!! The boys went and were strong, Owen especially. I of course cried, a few times. I remember Shane telling me to pray and to not stop praying, the entire way to the hospital. My contractions were very very close now and there was no doubt about it, it was going to be fast! After fearing we would be stuck in traffic, or have the baby in the car, we made it to the hospital! I made it through the parking garage, in the elevator, full of people.....Shane's remark was "Amanda, you are making everyone very uncomfortable in this elevator :)" as i was hunched over, breathing through a contraction! The entire elevator full of people laughed and let us off first! A security guard got us a wheel chair and escorted us to the labor floor!
Signed some papers, and we made it to the room!! I just wanted that tub!! Even though we soon found out it was more like a trough! lol. They had to monitor me quickly, get all the info and fun stuff. I was almost a 7. I was hoping for more! But God knew what he was doing! As i got into the tub, I felt relaxed even more. Shane had my music on, was being an amazing coach! Praying with me, singing to me, holding me, reaffirming that yes, I can do this, and this is how God made my body to work. I could get this done! Honestly, It would not have gone nearly as well if he wasn't so amazing! I think he calling is to be a midwife!! And yes, we did have that conversation with my midwife, and she agreed he has a gift! Although, I am sure it is much different when its your wife in labor,and not some strange woman you hardly know!
My water broke on its own in the tub, praise the Lord! I really wanted that! And within minutes, Ellanore was here!! I warned the midwife I didn't think i would make it to the bed....and I didn't! Ellanore was born as I was standing, gripping Shane for dear life, and my midwife down on the floor practically. It was amazing! I got to hold her and bring her up to me instantly, but this time it was so different, almost as if i delivered her myself!! I thought she looked so tiny! I couldn't believe it! Actually though, 9lbs 2oz she was our biggest baby yet!! She was 21 inches long and beautiful!
Everything about this labor and delivery was perfect! It felt, honestly, like it was just me and Shane, and we were in totally control! not that my other 2 labors were bad, they were beautiful and I love their stories. But everything I desired and prayed for happened with this delivery! I was able to labor at home and not worry I wouldn't get my antibiotic for being group b positive...because I wasn't! I was able to love on my kids while in labor, but still have someone to care for them when we needed it! Shane was there! he had not left for work yet! I was able to be in the tub, let my water break naturally, and do birth the way my body needed to! I just had no idea that meant standing up!! I had only met this midwife 2 times before i went into labor, and she was totally amazing and just let me do my thing! Also, I honestly didn't even know there was a nurse in the room until after i had the baby!! No one asked me what my pain level was(I hate that questions) no body asked for my birth plan, they didn't offer any meds, they just knew what i wanted and what they believed it and it was beautiful!
One added bonus was that my friend, who is training to be a Douala, was there for us and took pictures of it all! I know, who really wants pics of that....but I do! I don't want to forget it! I forget too much as it is! And the top of the cake was that my parents made it down the next day and were able to see their granddaughter and help us out with the kids!
Honestly, if I could have the promise that every labor could be like that, I would do it many more times! It was just true and beautiful! I wish all woman could experience what I had. From start to finish!
Ellanore is 11 days old now and even more beautiful!! We just had her newborn photos taken yesterday and we can't wait to see them! She is calm and peaceful and is already doing well with her 2 big brothers!!
