On Thursday January 15th at 1am my extremely long labor began. I had moderate contractions that were about 30 min apart, but as soon as the sun came up they stopped. I spent Thursday hanging with Norah and sleeping and then I taught 2 hours of ballet that night. But sure enough when I went to bed the contractions started again this time more intense, still about 30 min apart. I didn't even try to sleep because I was too anxious. I woke Jordan up to help me get everything ready, we blew up the birthing tub and made the bed and got some other things together. Then Jordan went back to sleep and I kept hanging out timing my contractions Once again when the sun came up they stopped. I was so frustrated and tired, but I was sure the baby had to be coming soon. I told my boss at the dance to studio to not expect me to teach that night and I spent the day resting and researching what the heck was going on. I figured it was something they called prodromal labor which could last up to a week! I was scared thinking about having all these sleepless painful nights for a week! It was now Friday night and I needed to get out of the house so we took the car to get gas and washed, and picked up some Krispy Kream doughnuts, while we were out, at about 7pm, the contractions picked up again still 30 min apart. I wasn't going to get my hopes up this time and I tried to sleep as much as I could but had little success. I spent a lot of time pacing the house, sitting on my birthing ball, and hanging out in the shower. Taking a shower was the only thing that would calm my contractions. On Saturday morning I called my midwife to let her know what was going on and she said to expect the baby in no more than 20 hrs. This seemed like a long time but at least there was an end in sight. I had contractions all day Saturday and even had an emotional break down, probably caused by the sleep deprivation. My wonderful sister who was also my doula came over Saturday afternoon to try a few things to fix the baby's position. While she was there I had very few contractions and she said these aren't labor contractions, this got me very frustrated to think I was going through all this work for nothing!!? That night was the same as the night before, lots of contractions but never closer than 15 min apart. Sunday morning I sent Jordan and Norah to church so I could get some rest. I called the midwife and she said we had a few options some included stripping my membranes and drinking castor oil. I felt really unsettled about having any interventions. The contractions were still going and I had another emotional break down. I felt like I would be in labor FOREVER! I called Jordan and asked him to come home and give me a blessing, I was a mess. I had lost all hope in my ability to birth a child and was scared to death. He gave me a beautiful blessing of strength and peace and blessed that the baby would be healthy and safe. I gained much stamina after his blessing and felt like it would be the right thing to have the midwife come over and strip my membrane. She was over in 30 min and first she checked to see if I was dilated, it was 3pm. Much to my surprise I was dilated to 7 cm!! Hearing this really boosted my spirits, to know that all those contractions really were doing something. She then proceeded to strip my membrane, she left and told me that things really should start progressing and to call her whenever. Well contractions picked up a bit but not much, however at 5pm something told me that we need to fill the birthing tub and tell my sister and the midwife to come over. I got in the tub and everyone arrived and of course the contractions slowed way down. So I got out of the tub and walked around to get them going again. At around 8 pm I was getting really worried that I wasn't going to have energy to deliver the baby so I asked to be checked again and possibly break my water. The midwife checked me and I was at 9 cm! We couldn't believe it I decided to wait an hour to break my water just to see if things would go on their own, but they didn't so at 9:30 the midwife broke my water. Thirty minutes later the contractions finally picked up and at 10:30 I started pushing on my own terms which was awesome. I was just trying to really listen to my body and take it slow so I wouldn't tear like I did with Norah. Along with pushing Norah out it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but at the same time so amazing. In the middle of it all when I was feeling like giving up I had a prompting that Heavenly Father gave me this body and that my body was made for giving birth, this brought me a lot of peace and some more stamina to make it through. I was really taking my time and only pushing once with each contraction, when I felt too much burning like I was going to tear I would stop pushing. After 30 minutes of pushing Darcy was born (with her hand right by her face) and they handed her to me and a rush of joy, relief, and satisfaction fell over me, I DID IT!! She was finally here! But she wasn't breathing, fortunately her umbilical cord was still attached so she was getting oxygen that way and they soon brought the oxygen tank over to give her a couple of breaths and it worked, she let out a huge cry. I tried breast feeding right away to avoid what happened with Norah (She never nursed) Darcy was a pro she latched right on. Unfortunately, I was super uncomfortable with after pains and couldn't just sit and relax. I tried to get out of the pool but almost passed out so I had to stay in until I could get my bearings. Jordan cut the cord and I delivered the placenta and hung out in the pool a little longer holding Darcy. I eventually made it to the bed while Jordan held Darcy. Everyone left to give us some a lone time, Darcy just kept nursing away and Jordan and I were in awe. Eventually the midwife came back in to check for any tears. I was so nervous, this was the worst part with Norah's birth. She checked and found only two small tears that didn't need stitching I was sooooo relieved!! The midwife her assistant and my sister left and Jordan and I fell asleep with our new baby.
Now let me say how I really felt about my home birth, I couldn't have imagined a better way. It was so awesome feeling the love and support of Jordan, the midwife, the assistant, and my sister. There was such a great amount of comfort and peace knowing that they were all there just for me and the baby, and they would get me anything I needed whenever I needed it. I know a lot of people think homebirths are too risky but the truth is there are risks involved no matter where you give birth. Birth is a beautiful experience and everyone should get to experience it in the way that will work best for them.
