Signed, Sealed, and DELIVERED!

I guess it's fitting that the first post from my new house is also the story of my labor and delivery. Life here in Lebanon has been very very good for us. I was only 6 months pregnant when we moved and I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the convenience of living in town. Of course, we miss our beautiful views and some of the other aspects of country life. But all in all, I feel confident that our choice was the right one.

The house itself has been a real blessing. It's a big one, at 2500 square feet, and has three bathrooms. I also love the quaint old street that we live on, and its giant trees. There is a settled atmosphere that pervades this part of town and which I very much needed at this time of my life.

My pregnancy was uneventful, in spite of the fact that we moved and the trauma that entails. We chose not to find out the sex of the baby this time so this last month had us on 'pins and needles' every time I felt a contraction. During the last 5 weeks or so, we expected labor to start at any time because the baby, although measuring small, was carrying very low. My due date was originally set at January 3rd but was moved up to December 31st, considering the baby's low position.

I also made a conscientious change to a midwife with this pregnancy. The doctor didn't make it to my last delivery and I also have not been all that pleased w/ the emphasis the practice puts on 'induction' and other doctor conveniences. I met the midwife (who is with the same practice) around my 5 month mark and really felt she understood my desires for labor and delivery. She was very much an advocate of natural childbirth, the method I've been fortunate enough to utilize with all three of my boys. I also really loved her enthusiasm about the fact that we were waiting to find out the sex. So I made sure to get all the pertinent info I would need to make sure SHE was the one that delivered, when the time came.

On December 31st I literally did all I could to get that baby born by the end of the year...primrose oil, walking over a mile (which was probably not the best idea since I could barely waddle by the end) etc. Nothing worked. The baby wasn't ready and since we weren't to have a handy tax deduction, I decided not to worry about it but to just sit back and relax. On the 3rd (my original due date), I was definitely feeling a 'nesting' urge. I cleaned, straightened, organized and repeated to my heart's content. I also decided to prepare dinner early so that I could go get my nails 'filled' that evening. I hated the idea of going into labor w/ ugly nails and knew that if I had the baby, it would be a while before I could take care of that little matter. After having my nails done, I returned home and enjoyed a late dinner after putting the boys to bed early. I also treated myself to a large piece of coconut cake (with Hershey's syrup) and a glass of milk before settling down to watch 'Tabatha's Salon Takeover' while my husband snoozed on the couch.

About 10:30, I found myself waking up in my easy chair to a mild cramp in my lower abdomen. Having experienced a few more 'false labor' contractions this time, I was not too quick to diagnose the cramp as labor. I switched sides and changed channels, attempting to settle back down and write off the cramp as a coconut cake induced gas pain. A few minutes later, another cramp struck...and an urge to use the rest room soon followed. Again, I had had quite a few gastro intestinal battles in December so I was not assuming at first that this was actually the 'real deal'. I went to the bathroom and while I was doing so, another cramp struck. Then there was 'bloody show'...a sure symptom that most of you who have delivered a baby will recognize as a definite way to know whether the time has come.

I quickly donned a pair of lounge pants and zipped up my waiting 'hospital bag'. I also carried my stability ball ( a staple during labor, for me) into the living room. My husband seemed a little surprised that I had already accomplished this much before waking him, but he was typically motivated and busy within seconds. We called my mother in law to come stay with the sleeping boys and prepared to get to the hospital quickly, since my labors tend to go very fast. I was already clocking in the contractions at 4 minutes apart, and they were progressively getting stronger.

We got to the hospital within five minutes of leaving the house (yay again, for living in town) and went in thru the ER, since the Women's' Pavilion entrance closes at 6pm. It's funny how the staff reacts when you say very matter of factly that you are in labor. It's such a rarity these days for a lady to allow nature to take its course, it's no wonder that most hospital workers have never even witnessed a spontaneous birth. The ladies seemed doubtful that I was actually in labor but condescendingly allowed me the luxury of a wheel chair 'just in case'. I was carrying my stability ball in my lap and the lady who was wheeling me along asked me what it was, stating that it was an 'interesting idea'. She seemed very doubtful that I would actually be 'allowed' to use it during labor, much less delivery. I'm used to that reaction.

When we got to the maternity ward, it was about 11:30. The nurses signed me in, gave me a gown, and of course they strapped me to some monitors and stuck me in a bed, which is standard hospital protocol. I have no problem w/ this initially but I do not stand for their making me do it for long. The contractions slowed down when I was in the bed and since I was only at 3 1/2 cm dilated, I really wanted to walk around and speed this thing up!

After making sure with my midwife, who was en route, that it was 'ok' for me to move around, they reluctantly agreed not to give me an iv or keep me attached to those obnoxious monitors, which only serve to annoy and give added stress to the situation. I immediately used the restroom ( a full bladder or intestinal tract can hinder productive labor) and sat on my ball to rock my way to more effective contractions. My husband was helpful but stayed mercifully out of my way, as he knows to do, and our good friends Michael and Misty had also arrived to lend their support. My trusty birth coach, Melinda, was also there to help out with her level head and loud voice.

Within minutes, the contractions were intensifying. At this point, I know where my body is in the scheme of things merely by how I feel. This is an added advantage to 'natural' childbirth and I strongly encourage it, if you can take it. The pain was getting more intense as well and I felt that signature 'nausea' that usually heralds the arrival of 'active labor'. Misty helped a lot by brushing my hair (which I find extremely relaxing) and massaging my lower back. When the pain was too bad to feel like I could stay in control, Melinda helped me thru using Lamaze techniques with my breathing exercises. Thankfully, when things get this bad, I know from experience that it's almost time to push. And suddenly, I felt a tremendous pressure in my lower regions, straining against the stability ball where I sat.

The nurse came in quickly as I crawled onto the bed and allowed her to check my progress. It really was not much of a shock that I was now at 10 cm and ready to go. My midwife walked in calmly and began to prepare the staff for a hurried birth. It was 1:15 by the clock that was serving as my focal point during this excruciating time. I chose to lay flat on my back w/ my legs bent, a position that is actually recommended in my Lamaze book to facilitate the process of pushing and minimize tearing. Though it doesn't utilize gravity like squatting does, it does offer a very straight line for the baby to travel. The urge to push was horrid and most ladies know that the body starts to do it's own thing at this point.

With my next contraction, I pushed with all my might, using the knowledge that I did not know the sex to give fuel to my actions. It seemed like forever but by 1:28, the midwife handed me a slippery, wrinkly, bony little GIRL! One of the best moments of my life! Everyone was crying...I couldn't believe my eyes and had to keep looking just to make sure she was real. I cut the cord myself and immediately began nursing little Ruby Lu, while the nurses cleaned her up. She was 6 lbs 6 oz and 18 inches long.

I don't even really remember the afterbirth being delivered or the nurses cleaning everything up, because the room seemed so huge and shiny and Ruby was such a lovely surprise.

Over the past few days, Ruby has become prettier and prettier as she is losing that signature wrinkly look of a newborn. She loves to eat and is doing very well, it seems. I can't stop staring...