I didn't really have a good
sleep at all but being that late along the pregnancy I didn't think much of it
anyway. Then at 3am I was awoken by a pretty strong back contraction. I changed
sides not thinking about it too much. Then shortly I felt another one. Oh well
I had had contractions similar to this. I decided to go to the toilet since I was
up. Sat down and did my thing and then wiped and that is when I saw the bloody
show and realized labor was starting. I'll admit I was seriously excited but
realizing the time I figured I should get some rest while I could. I went back
to bed and breathed through the contractions until I knew I couldn't lie down
anymore. I woke up Joe and told him today was probably going to be the day but
that I would let him sleep until I needed him. I put on socks and pants and
then turned on the heater as it was a little cold. I walked around and tried to
find a comfortable spot to labor in. I knew that kneeling on all fours was
often recommended and so I tried it out and found it worked well for me. Around
4:30am I woke Joe as I was having back labor and knew his hands would help
with the relief. The contractions were coming every 3.5mins and lasting about
45secs. I called my midwife at 5:00am to let her know what was happening but
knew I was okay to continue at home. I continued to drink fluids, eat a little
and go to the toilet. I was having more and more show so I took it that things
were moving along.
At about 5:30am I decided
to jump in the shower to see if that helped with the back labor. It didn't so
much and Joe ended up having to stick his arm in during a contraction to
alleviate the pain in my back. I was starting to feel like when I was laboring
with baby Joe and it became hard but it had only been a couple of hours so I
didn't think I could really be that far along already. I had called my mum
before the shower to let her know things had started and by the time I had
finished using all the hot water in the shower her and my dad had shown up.
I can honestly say that when she came it’s like my body kicked into the
next level of pain because contractions went straight to 2 minutes apart last
about a min each and I was feeling like I was barely able to catch my breath
before the next one started. I had been trying to focus and breathe calmly but
I was now starting to lose it some. Between 6-7am I was really grateful for my
mum and husband because they were such excellent support people and made sure
to help me to hold it together.
I called my midwife (Sharon)
around 7am and I will admit I was starting to think about an epidural A LOT! I
was tired and hurting a lot. She told me I was doing well and to just stay
focused and call her in an hour. About 20 minutes later I was beside myself in
tears. The contractions were so terrible and it seemed like nothing I was doing
was giving me relief. Looking back I now realize I was probably right in the
thick of transition. I know I was saying all the phrases like "I'm
done" and "I can't do it anymore" but all I wanted was to get to
a hospital so I could get some relief. I called Sharon and she said to make my
way in but she also made a big difference when she said that I needed to just
focus and realize that as one would come it would go away. She kept asking if I
could feel pressure in my bottom and I told her no. I guess that is why I was
feeling so discouraged because if I wasn't feeling pressure then I probably
wasn't close the end. We had to make our way to the car and I basically told
myself that I had to breathe until I couldn't breathe anymore and then push a
little bit more air out. As I am walking out the door all of sudden I feel a
change in my back pain and realize that I may actually be feeling some pressure
in my bottom.
Getting into the car was the
hardest part but I knew if I didn't I might be having my baby in a garage. The
6 minute drive was definitely long and I knew that my body was getting ready to
push and all I could do with the contractions was to apply that pressure
somewhere else so I bit down on Joes arm. He was wearing a shirt and jumper so
I was focusing more on biting the jumper. It was what I need to steer the pain
and focus on just getting to the hospital. We got out of the car to walk to the
second floor but right before the elevator I had to collapse to the floor and I
could feel his head move down ready to come. We jumped in that elevator and thank
goodness it was quick. We got into the birthing center and I screamed out
"Help! I need to push!" 3 angel nurses appeared running and basically
carried me to a room as my body literally took over and started to push Rawiri
out. It is the strangest feeling because you feel like doing a big poo but you
can’t get it all out in one go. They told me not to hold back but just to let
my body do what it felt like. They removed my pants and I climbed onto the bed.
The moved the front up so I could squat and it was exactly what I felt like
doing. I was holding the top of the bed and then bearing down into a squat when
my body felt like it.
My midwife had told me she was
going to dry her hair and meet me at the hospital but she must of been inspired
to give that up because she all of sudden ran in, she was there but expecting
me in a different room. She looked me in the eye and I know she was talking and
telling me he was right there but I was just looking her in the eye and felt
such a surge of power. This was my first time to push drug free and it was
everything I had read and more. My body did the pushing for me and I just
breathed as much as I could and pushed a bit more when I felt like it. The ring
of fire is a real deal. Honestly I didn't quite understand how big a baby head
is until you and right ready to push it out. I kept thinking I hope my mum gets
here soon because he is almost here. I heard her voice and with the next
contraction I felt him move back inside and I knew this would be it. I bore
down with everything I had, screamed a bit and felt his head come through. It
was an amazing feeling and I didn't have much time because the rest of him slid
out with the next contraction. My midwife said he came out like superman with
one little arm out by his face and that helped with the shoulder delivery. I
was crying and amazed because we had probably only been at the hospital for
like 15 minutes and he was here. Joe got to cut the cord and then they turned
me around so I could hold him. He had done a poop on the way out and it turned
out all my water bags were up behind him and had followed him out.
He was absolutely adorable and
such a tiny little guy. I knew he was nowhere near as big as baby Joe. He was
perfect in everyday and arrived at 7:52am about 4 hours from my first
contraction. I didn't have to have a single IV or monitor and actually never
got checked either because I arrived crowning. I think I was a little bit of a
celebrity in the ward arriving right I time to deliver and I honestly know that
Heavenly Father blessed me with that because otherwise I would have wanted pain
relief if I was any less dilated. I also only needed two small stitches for
some small grazing and I was up and having a shower an hour later.
I thought Hinalei and baby Joes birth
were nights and day and now I know that even baby Joe and baby Rawiri are night
and day experiences to. Baby was 7lbs 9oz which is over a pound less than baby
Joe and he was 3 days overdue and an ounce heavier than Hinalei. He latched on
great and has been nursing whenever he wants since. He is the shortest so far
at only 20 inches but I think he will take after his dad and be long and leggy.
What a wonderful Saturday it turned out to be!
