Baby Carley arrived at 11:56 am on February 10th. Much to our surprise she came VERY fast. My water did NOT break at all........... but I woke up at 5:30 am with strong contractions and back pain. I KNEW it was the real thing during each contraction but between each one I second guessed myself because I knew I needed to call my midwife and didn't want her to make a wasted trip to our house. (it's an hour and a half drive) so after timing contractions for two hours at 10 minutes apart and getting stronger I called. She knew I would have a faster labor this time and said she'd be on the road in less than an hour. As soon as I got off the phone with her at a little after 8 am, my contractions got closer, 5 minutes and then 3 and 5 minutes apart. I was still able to walk around the house and then I realized IF I was going to shower I better do it soon cause by now I was on my hands and knees for each contraction. I tried to feed Colton breakfast but kept finding myself leaving the kitchen for a couch or chair or the floor! So, I before Sean left to go pick up the midwives I decided to take a fast shower... well... my fast shower wasn't so fast because I had to kneel down four times... OK I suppose contractions at this time were on top of each other with little breaks between... probably 'cause I was still standing most of the time. When I got out, Nicky our neighbor girl came over to watch Colton and Sean left to get the midwives. I was a little worried they wouldn't make it in time.. but I still had not lost any fluid or blood. And Sean assured me it would ok! It took Sean at least a half hour to return with Marlene, they arrived at 11:00, she checked me and I was already dialated to 10 cm!!!! She said as soon as my water breaks the baby will will be born.... So, not knowing how much time we had she wasn't sure we should set up the birthing tub. Sean and I said lets try... So, a half hour went by and the tub was ready, so I got in and had two contractions where I felt like pushing a little. Colton came in during my first contraction in the tub and put his little hand on my face and stroked my cheek ( as if to say... "it's okay Mommy, I'm here" I reached over and gave him a little kiss and he left the room to check on his movie! On the third contraction in the tub I REALLY felt like pushing...by this time the camera was set up and Sean got in the tub... so with him behind me, supporting me I decided to try my first push.... I could feel the head coming out and heard the pop and water break, one push and a little scream... and her head came out... Sean was very surprised he had no idea the head was already out....I pushed really slow so I wouldn't rip, two more pushes and I pulled my beautiful little girl up into my arms.....Carley was born 30 minutes after I got in the tub and only an hour after my midwife got here. I was also the one to look and say "It's a girl".... little Colton was obviously awake and came into the room while I was holding her, he stared at her with wonderous eyes! But as soon as she started crying, he started crying and as soon as she stopped, he stopped! He's been kissing and hugging her every chance he gets since the moment she came into our home. I must say second births (at least mine) was sooooo much easier than my first. My first was 13 hours... from start to finish with about 8 hours of hard labor. This one was 6 and a half start to finish and only two hours of hard labor.. but hard labor this time was not even comparable to my first. For those of you wondering... a baby doesn't take it's a first breath until it's face touches air. Also, the reason I chose a water birth was to help relax me for the pushing stage and to also prevent ripping. All I can say, is.. IT worked... I was very relaxed and I did not rip. I thank the Lord for my wonderful birth experience. It was really amazing to have both my husband and little boy there with me during such a special bonding time. I was able to hold my baby while being in my husbands arms... we just stared in amazment at our new little daughter for at least 20 minutes... then I moved to the bed were I nursed her for the first time at 26 minutes old... she was a pro! Our first night went well.. Carley was great! I didn't fall asleep until 6 am the next morning and only slept for two hours. I couldn't take my eyes off her.... the next night I slept a few hour and since then I've been sleeping very well... and so has she!
Thank you Jesus for a wonderful new daughter and a wonderful birthing experience!