Contractions started: 1 am, August 31, 2011
Went to hospital at: 4 am
Admitted to hospital at: 5:30 am
Labor progression: Slow and steady throughout the day
Things I did to manage contraction pain: sat on exercise ball, sat in whirlpool tub, walked, leaned over bed, slow danced/swayed hips…
In between contractions: I pretty much downed ice cubes!
Dr. broke water at: 3 pm (6 cm) dilated
By 5:15 pm: I was in transition mode and the pain was almost unbearable at this point. Baby was trying to wiggle down into position but kept moving forward or backward on my backside.
By 7:15 pm: I was pretty much ready to die! Never have been in this much pain before, but the Lord was gracious to give me a wonderful Doula, a great nursing staff, and a loving husband to be by my side coaching me along.
By 7:30 pm: I was finally ready to push. I gave one good push and the baby’s head was out… It was all I could do to wait for the next contraction and remember yelling “Just pull the baby out. Get the baby out of me!” The next contraction I did just that!
Baby born at: 7:35 pm, August 31st.
It was certainly a long day… the worst of the pain lasted much longer than I had anticipated…. BUT…
The Lord was gracious to allow me to rest periodically throughout the day to regain my strength. The Lord was faithful to allow me to do this birth completely natural and med free. He completed the work He had started in my heart and He is so faithful!
Phil. 1:6: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
We praise His name on high for this beautiful blessing! Thanks again for all your prayers and concern. Some positives of natural labor that I’m experiencing all ready: I feel great! I don’t feel like I’m retaining fluid. Grant is a super duper eater!
Thanks for visiting!