My "guess date" was October 12, but I was certain that date would come and go with no news. I was right.
I told my mom to not come on or before the 12th, because I wanted her here for the maximum amount of time after the baby was born. My mom flew in from Oregon at 1:30 on Monday (the 17th) afternoon. We went to Ikea, and walked and walked and walked. And dreamed and planned and bought.
At bedtime that night (11pm), I started having some hard contractions, and knew I'd be home with my baby in the next 24 hours. That was a happy thought to go to sleep to! I woke up at 1:43am, no longer able to sleep through the contractions, but I stayed in bed until around 2:30am. I started timing my contractions and writing down how long they lasted (because I'm terrible at remembering things like that). At 2:30am I came out to the front room so that I could walk around a little and rest on the couch. I found that my favorite position was leaning over something--on my knees leaning on the piano bench, on my feet leaning against the kitchen counter--that was what felt best. I gathered a few last-minute items, and finally decided it was time to call the midwife.
When I was laboring with Lincoln I discovered that counting really helped me make it through each contraction. I focused on each individual contraction, not thinking about anything else. And I would count up to the peak and then backwards again.
I was having to do my low guttural breathing to get through a contraction , and felt some pretty good pressure down below. I woke Stephen up at 4am, telling him I was calling the midwife, but then changed my mind--the contractions were so close I wouldn't have had time to talk between them, so I told Stephen that he was calling the midwife. I gave him my list of contractions and he was able to tell Catherine what was going on. She said to come right in (she was already there with another laboring mom).
Stephen was surprised that she wanted us to come in right away--he was thinking back to Lincoln and how we were at the birthing center for quite a long time before he finally showed up. Truth be told, that is what I was thinking, too--I DID NOT want to be at the birthing center any longer that I needed to be. But I figured, with how I was feeling, I needed some extra help--especially if I was going to feel that way for many more hours. I was dreading that. I knew I could do it--what was my alternative?--but I wasn't looking forward to it. My contractions were almost on top of each other, and so hard.
I was so grateful that Mom had just arrived--as my dad said, "Looks like the calvary made it in the nick of time!"
We arrived at the birthing center at 4:30am. Catherine (my midwife) met us at the door, and in between contractions I told her how I was feeling and what had been going on. We got to the Chocolate Room (don't you love the name?!) where the giant tub was full and waiting for me. She suggested I lay on the bed so she could check me and the baby, but then decided to put me straight in the tub. Oh, it was wonderful to get in that hot water! She checked me in between the next 2 contractions and said, "You are complete! Let me know when you want to start pushing!"
HALLELUJAH!!!!! This wasn't going to last forever! It wasn't going to last much longer at all! I said a very, very heartfelt prayer of gratitude. Stephen turned on Yanni and helped me remember to make low sounds and relax. I really focused on what he was saying, and survived every single contraction--even when I didn't think I could. I kept saying to myself, "Every one of these brings me closer to holding my precious baby." And once out loud, "GOD ALMIGHTY!!!" I was leaning against the side of the tub, in the wonderful water, on my knees. It was just the most comfortable position for me.
In between each contraction I felt perfectly calm--I even remember saying, "Stephen, remind me about how I feel right now next time I want a baby." And all of a sudden I needed to push. Oh my, oh my. Stephen moved in to position (having no idea how to catch a baby). Push one, I can see the head! Push two, you're doing great! Push three, out to the ears!! Push four, he's out!!! GREAT relief--the pain was gone, and replaced with a beautiful baby boy. And I didn't tear at all!! He was born at 5:05am.
Catherine and Stephen put him on my back and gave him a rubdown to encourage him to take his first breath, and then I heard the sweet, sweet sound of my newborn's cry! I rolled over in the water and just held him close to me until the cord stopped pulsing and Stephen cut it. We stayed in the water a bit longer, and then Stephen took the baby and Dana (the birthing assistant) helped dry me off and put me in bed.
Then I just held our little Trevor David and looked at him and loved him. He started rooting around and so we nursed...and nursed...and nursed. And then slept and rested. Our Trevor David is named after two of his uncles--my oldest brother, Trevor Dean, and Stephen's oldest brother, David.
I was able to get up and go to the bathroom, and had some yogurt and fake gatorade. And then we rested and listened to music. Dana and Paula (another of the midwives--Catherine was helping another baby come to the world) did little Trevor's newborn exam and Vitamin K shot, and then Stephen left to get the kids and my mom at about 8:45am. Our "little" Trevor beat out all of his siblings (and namesake) at 9 lb., 11 oz.!!
Mom made breakfast for all of us in the kitchen, and the kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it. :o) What a special memory for all of us to be there together! The birthing center (Morning Star) has been just great! If we have another baby while in MN, I'm definitely going back!
I got home at 11:30am--same day--with a "tuck-in doula" to get me all settled in. I was put on bed rest for 24 hours, and settled in to rest. It was great--I felt so good (considering I had just given birth) and everyone waited on me hand and foot. It was wonderful to have my recovery at home, in my own bed with my own lumpy pillow and my sweet kids poking their heads in to check on the newest brother and I. I could have the door closed and sleep or open and be part of the fun, without any of the responsibility.
We couldn't be happier with our sweet baby Trevor! 5 kids. Wow. We feel so blessed and grateful!
