When I began to write about our first month as a family of four, I somehow wrote out my birth story. This story was intended to be short and sweet, and it still is. But, I figured it deserved its own post. So here it goes.

Mini Birth Story

I was due sometime at the end of February. My due date paperwork was February 28th, but my ultrasounds dated me earlier towards the 25/26 of February. My guess was she was going to arrive February 10, weigh 6lbs 15oz, and be 20.5″ long. 

Friday Night (February 24), I had a couple early contractions, but I went to bed and slept thru most of them. Little Man was beginning to get a little anxious. In the morning, things ramped up a little bit and we decided to take the toddler to the Grandparents. I called the midwife and gave her the heads up a baby *might* be on the way.

We made pancakes. Cleaned the house. Went for a LONG walk. And things weren’t improving. The midwife texted to check in, and I decided to take her up on a sweep. Eric was going to have to go back to work tomorrow. She came over. That sucked. I was 4cm, 80%.

About 4pm things began to really suck. We visited the toddler. Ate McDonalds (#regret). and started pacing the house. By 7pm, we called the midwife & doula and arranged to meet them at the hospital. I brought my pillow, fluffy robe, and everything else I needed to be toasty warm (hospital ended up being more than warm enough). 

The hospital sucks. But just did that labor thing – paced around, danced around, squared around, curled up in bed trying to make it end… At some point it was baby time (like say 10:30ish) and the Doula, husband and midwife started talking me into the pushing game.

I really wasn’t game for that. I remember that. Seriously, thats the worse part – pushing out a tiny human is no fun. I tried side laying. I tried on all fours on the bed. But that wasn’t working. So, tried a squat on the floor.

At this point, I also remember being entirely pissed off at the nurse who had to check the baby’s heart rate every 5 minutes. But the weird gel on the transponder thing irritated me. I can remember snapping at her a couple of times. Serves her right for trying to leave the room to check on other labouring women. 

My water finally broke, and 15 minute laters at 11:25pm, Little Miss was born <3 She had a sticky shoulder (like her brother) and so I was tossed back up onto that stupid bed. She also had her cord around her neck (like many babies). She was whisked away because of the shoulder, and I was distraught as can be, but finally got her back. She nursed like a champ, and that was it. No tears, No hemorrhage, No problems.

I did have to get that stupid hep lock IV thing in my hand after the delivery and wear it thru the night. Those suck. How does anyone labour with that obnoxious thing on their hand. Drove me absolutely batty. 

Settled into our recovery room, and had a fair night sleep.

The next morning my MIL brought Walter by. I remember him being very cranky and tired. He hadn’t slept well while being away and desperately missed me. We snuggled. He met Anna, and then we took them all home. By 9am, we had settled into our house. I nursed Walter down for a nap, and he slept for a beautiful 3 hours. It’s so nice to be able to recover at home, and Im forever grateful that midwife care gives me that opportunity.

And that’s how we met our baby girl. She was born weighing 7lbs 15oz. <3