It was quite a journey

Mikayla arrived on Monday, December 7th at 3:05 PM. She weighed 7 lbs and 2 oz and is 20 inches long. The labor and birth were surprising and unlike any of my other four. We believe that the difficulty was in that she presented 'military' style, with her chin forward and looking straight ahead instead of tucked and presenting the crown first. The labor was hard and furious and the birth came off with out complication for the baby, but I hemorhaged pretty well and am required to be flat in bed, leaving for NOTHING until I can rebuild some of the blood loss and regain my strength.

As we had all suspected, I was unable to get to the hospital. I have a history of four home births previously, a couple extremely fast, but there was a point in the furious labor that I was saying I should have scheduled a cesarean and that I wanted an epidural! On the other side of it, I am just thankful that the midwife was there and provided her excellent care. The parents were able to make it into my bathroom (she was born in my jaquizzi tub) just seconds before their little girl was born. I repeatedly aplogized to the mother for being loud and screaming(we had previously discussed this topic and I told her that in my previous births, I was quiet).

My dear man was of impressive fortitude and compassion as he tended to all of my needs, never taking his hands off of me. I truly could not have made it through without him as he held my bowl and hair as I vomited, and as I cried and swore I could not make it through. As I pushed and pushed and screamed, Don re-assured me at every turn although I can only guess how frightening it must have been for him to see me like that. I am so truly blessed with an amazing man........

When the cord had stopped pulsing, it was cut and I was able to hand this sweet little girl over to her parents. As I lay in the tub, gazing at such a sacred site of these parents accepting their daughter with joy and love and appreciation, I felt so fulfilled and know that whatever I have gone through, beginning to now, it has been a worthy journey that I will take to my grave.

As I lay here in bed, I thank God for his hand in it all.

Arrival day

The IPs just landed in Portland and I am so excited to meet them. I haven't been able to relax all day and as you might have figured, the contractions stopped (almost) when I went to bed. I had a great night's sleep and not much activity to speak of. I already know that when I am anxious, things don't happen toward birth........................so, here's to a nice dinner with a couple who I am so intimately connected to but have been world apart.

Many practice runs and IP are in the air :-)

Tonight is the eve of the arrival of the parents. My body has been pre-laboring for 2.5 weeks. I'm wondering if it is just girls that do this as I went through this also with my girls, but not my boys.

As I soaked in the tub tonight, I was filled with awe and wonder of how our first meeting will go? Will it be at home, or hospital? Will it be with babe in my belly or arms? The parents, being so busy to get out the door for such a long and important trip only text me today and didn't call. They have no idea how eager my body seems to be to give them their gift!

It's 6 PM now and the parents will be here around 5 PM tomorrow. We're hanging on to see if things stop again, or progress..........more updates to follow.......

Sunday was practice day!

So, on Sunday afternoon, I began having contractions that were averaging 5 min apart. I'm never one to have a typical labor and I was just waiting for something to tell me that it is or isn't the real thing.

Don and I went to dinner as I was craving fajitas and NOTHING else. As Don saw the frequency and concentration on my face, he got nervous in a very cute and lovable way. After a warm bath, things quieted down and we felt pretty sure that this would not be the night.

And it wasn't...............so on to waiting and wondering.............

Here we are in the last stretch apparently

I typically go through 2-3 weeks of pre labor. Some call prodromal labor. Some call false labor. I call it exhausting, but is the cause of my very easy labor and births, so I will strive to be greatful. Until then, it is restless nights, contractions, back discomfort and more........time to rest again.

34 weeks

My friend, Carol who is a midwife of 30 years stopped by for a visit and when I shared with her how I am feeling, she offered to check my hemoglobin. The result is I am anemic. She asked to see what supplements I am taking and then offered advice on what to take to balance myself out and feel better. Amazing the wisdom and care of a midwife vs a DR.

back to self portraits.......

Here is a before bed, or was it early morning photo? Tired and look it. She is grrrroooowing! 28.5 weeks here.

Swollen ankles and sore feet like an elephant is walking on them. On the bright side, I am glowing according to everyone I am around..........hmmm. Think it is consolation for being so tired. I thoroughly enjoyed a water park today and letting my body float weightlessly :-)