I started to feel a few cramps at about 3 in the afternoon, but they weren't painful and I knew to expect them because of the membrane sweep. After I put groceries away and did some housework, my cramps got a little worse and my stomach was feeling pretty upset. At this point it was 4:45pm so I texted Jamie and said, "Sorry, but I'm not going to cook dinner tonight," and then asked my Mom to watch Marlee for a little bit. I decided I should pack a hospital bag, just in case, but I was pretty sure I was not in labor. I started throwing a few things together and within minutes was crawling on the floor because my cramps were pretty intense. By 5:00 I was in a good deal of pain and texted Jamie, "I think I'm in labor". No response-he was with a patient. My Mom helped me pack my bag in between contractions and kept Marlee occupied. I had her time my contractions and they were coming every two minutes. By this time it was 5:15 and I really felt I needed to get to the hospital, so I had my Mom call Jamie at the clinic and tell him to come home right away. He got home at 5:30 at which point I was breathing pretty hard and acting pretty crabby. We headed to the hospital, checked in, and got up to our room at 6:00. I was in a LOT of pain and ready for an epidural. My nurse immediately checked me and said I was, "A loose 7, almost an 8". NOT what I wanted to hear as I wanted that dang epidural SO BAD!!! I knew I wasn't going to get it. She said by the time they got an IV and fluids in me and the epidural placed, I'd probably already have the baby. Frown.
I had not prepared for a natural birth at all and I didn't know what to do. I kept saying, "This sucks!" in between contractions. I was mad and seriously doubted my ability to handle such intense pain. My lips and hands were tingling because I was breathing so fast and my legs got so weak I could no longer labor standing. I poured myself onto the bed and found a "comfortable" (haha) position. I finally just let go of everything and my body took over. No one told me when it was time or encouraged me to push, my body just started to do it. The "ring of fire" description I've heard about was fairly accurate:) After a few contractions, Asher was born at 6:54 pm. He was a chunk and weighed in at 9 lb 5oz and 21 in long.. My midwife let Jamie catch him, and he was born in his bag of waters.
I had heard recovery from natural birth was easier, but I'm not sure if I agree. Unlike Marlee, I didn't need any stitches, but I think it's ironic that I had to have Pitocin after I delivered Asher (to help control bleeding). I also felt pretty darn sick and weak that first night. If given the choice between a natural birth or an epidural again, I'm not sure which I'd chose (and at this point, thinking about giving birth again induces slight panic). We so love having handsome little Asher in our home and the sweetness he brings. So far he seems to be a pretty chill little guy and tolerates well his older sister's overbearing love. We feel so lucky to be able to call him ours!
