A

Wednesday 3/8 Just before noon my water broke as I was side stepping up the stairs to my office. I called triage and spoke with one of the midwives and we agreed it would be safe for me you stay home as I was not having any contractions, just some low back pain. Phil and I finished our work days and went for a walk in the evening. I took a warm shower and we watched a show before heading to bed together.

We woke up just before 7 and thought I had contractions throughout the night, nothing that became consistent. We decided to get ready, put the dishes and laundry away and head to the hospital. It was determined I was 2cm, 50% effaced and at a +1 in triage.

At 1030a in our delivery room I was given my first dose of miso. Phil and I walked the halls, updated our parents and had lunch.

At 130p I had my second dose of miso as I was having contractions but not consistent. We continued walking the halls and I then started having more contractions and pain in my lower back. I was leaning over the birth ball and swaying my hips or doing figure 8s on the ball.

430p: I had my first dose of Pitocin and I was at 3cm, 80% effaced and a 0. I struggled with nausea and vomited a couple times. I continued to use the birth ball, lean over the bed and did lunges in bed. I also got in the tub with help from Phil and our nurse, Jen.

7p: Our doula, Hanna, arrived. I continued to stay in the tub for a period of time and the lights were dimmed, Hanna put out tea lights and music. Pressure continued to build in my lower back and contractions became more consistent. Pitocin was eventually pushed up to 6.

945p: Susan, the midwife checked again and I was only a 6 though I did not know the number. The pressure continued and Susan checked me again at 1024 and I was a 10! I looked at Phil and said “we’re going to have a baby” and 13 minutes later, standing in the tub I gave birth to our baby girl. It was exciting and overwhelming to have my first child without pain medication and it’s an experience I could only have with all the supports of my birth team.

Baby A Born at 10:37