Shortly after writing my last post, in fact, it was that very night that I started to feel the contractions coming on! Rob had planned to take me on a date night while we could still go and even though the contractions were a bit different than they had been throughout the pregnancy (very draining...and somewhat regular), we decided to head out on a date to Taco Bell. Our good friends Josh and Jenna volunteered to watch Titus for us. We were like two young lovers, out without any children on a date and we had the time of our lives sharing a quesadilla and we stayed up all night talking like we used to years ago. Of all the nights to pick to have such a time, we had no idea what we would be in for the next day.
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| Walking & talking in early labor |
Rob and I laid down around 6:00 AM to get some rest before Titus would routinely wake near 10. When my head hit the pillow, before I dozed off, I decided to time the contractions...and sure enough they were about 6 to 8 minutes apart. Rob and I looked at each other, exhausted as we were, and I said "I think this is it hunny!" I hadn't thought about the dangers of staying up all night ahead of time... my due date was still a week away.
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| Tub labor. Our love got me through. |
We rolled out of bed and decided to keep more consistent track of the contractions and sure enough...they were coming at same minute intervals. I felt like something was different in my body. I knew that the contractions didn't feel like practice ones. They were draining my energy and I had this "feeling" that I was in labor. In just a few hours we decided it was time to call my doula. In no time she was over my house with coffee for my husband and snacks for the family. When she arrived, she knew I was in labor too so altogether we decided we should call the midwives right away. Originally with this labor I had decided from the beginning I was going to do as much labor on my own that I could before calling the midwives in for the "active labor" part. Unfortunately during the pregnancy, I tested positive for "Group B Strep" which is very controllable with antibiotics during the labor. It was a tough decision to make to have to get an IV with antibiotics during the labor, but being that infection from Group B Strep has killed infants in the past, I just wasn't willing to take any chances no matter how "natural" I am. If a needle in my arm could prevent my baby from possible harm, I'd administer it myself if I had to.
After about an hour the midwife showed up and ran the antibiotics right away. She did so every 4 hours until I birthed. For many hours I walked around, drank water and talked with my friends who were over our house. I had wondered in my head if it was going to be as hard as the first time around but I knew my job this time. I had done my research and I was ready to face whatever labor was going to throw at me! When the contractions got more intense I called Rob in to be with me. I could feel it getting more and more intense until transition and trust me, by that time - everyone knew I was in labor. ;)
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| Titus' first time meeting Asher |
Even though the contractions at some points felt like I could not take them any longer... my body took it in strides and gave me a lot of rest time in between them, unlike my first labor. When I knew transition was close, we filled up the bathtub as I was certain I wanted a water birth however while laboring in the tub I felt so uncomfortable that my body would not let me stay in it. As soon as I left the tub, my water broke on Rob's foot as he was helping me back to the bedroom. (Most of you know this from facebook!) The rest of the labor took place in our bedroom, and there our beautiful son Asher Uriah was born. It was very tiring but at the same time so empowering and such a thrill to bring him into the world. I could tell that I definitely had those love hormones running through me from the moment I saw him! I just wanted to hold and cuddle him and I never wanted that moment to end.
On July 11, 2012 at 9:08 PM our little Asher Uriah was born a healthy 8 lbs 2 oz and 19.5 in.
Thank you to all who were praying for us during this pregnancy and labor. It was an absolutely incredible experience! Adjusting to life as a family of 4 has been so much fun and a lot of work! We are so thankful to have your prayers and support!
Full Album of Asher's birth: CLICK HERE
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