The birth of Gage Owen

My water started leaking at 9 AM on July 5, 2011. It was a slow leak but I knew the day had finally arrived!!!
I took time to eat, clean, paint my toe nails, and shower.
At noon, my contractions started so we packed the van and headed down to San Diego because I wanted to get down there before the pain really hit. My sister and her husband were in town from AZ and it was really getting boring at home.
At 1:00 pm, we arrived at a park near the birth center so the kids could play. When I got out of the van, my water gushed, over flowed my pad, and soaked my shorts. So I went over to the center to change my clothes while my sister stayed at the park with the kids.

At the center, I had a non-stress test and regular prenatal exam. They guessed baby would be no more than 8 pounds.
At 3:30, we left the center to have lunch at Subway. My contractions really picked up while we were there. One of them lasted more than 2 minutes. It was intense. I decided to call the midwife and tell her that we were coming back.
Around 4:15, I checked into the birth center. I was 90% effaced and 3-4 cm. I was trying not to show how much pain I was experiencing.
I labored between the toilet and the bed while the tub was getting ready. Listening to my hypnobirthing CDs helped me relax and stay focused.

 

I finally got into the tub just before 5pm. It was so warm and relaxing. It felt amazing but I still had some crazy pain. OUCH! We turned on the Affirmations for Easy Birth, and the midwives reminded me to visualize my baby going down.

After just a short time, I started to grunt and push with contractions and the midwife checked me again. I was 6 cm so she told me not to push yet. At this point, I wanted to jump out of the tub and go to the hospital. It hurt really bad and I got really loud! I repeated the affirmations along with the CD and practiced some visualization techniques from the Hypnobirthing book (opening rose and blue satin ribbons).
About 2 contractions later, I moved to a side laying position/sitting in the tub. I couldn't understand why I had a strong urge to push. Afterall, I was only 6cm. Like instinct, I put my hand on my vagina. To my surprise, I could feet the top of the baby's head!
HOORAY!!! What a relief! It was almost over.
I told Jessica (student MW) that I was crowning and things started moving fast. The midwives were putting on gloves and Dusty ran downstairs to get my sisters and the kids.
I felt the ring of fire and the urge to PUSH. Since my hand was already down there, I could feel my perineum getting tight. I breathed through the contractions and allowed my baby to emerge slowly. He turned to the ROA position while I pushed. Once his head was out, I felt him turn to make room for his shoulders. It was remarkable! I felt so much control. Breathing the baby down paid off because I didn't rip at all!
He slid right out and Jessica helped pull him up to my chest.

I looked between his legs and shouted, "It's a boy! It's a BOY!!!" Gage Owen!

9 pounds 4 oz. His face is bruised from turning in my pelvis.

Going home around 9:45 or 10 pm.

 He nurses really well and I love him!
It was completely worth the 41 weeks and 4 days wait. I'm happy that I didn't have to use herbs, castor oil, or a membrane sweep to make labor progress. I couldn't have had a more perfect experience.
My only complaint is the postpartum cramps. WHOA!!!! They mean buisness! I hope it doesn't last long.