Birth Story - courtesy Betsy (our doula)

Hannah had contractions and crampy feelings all day on Saturday, but went about her day thinking nothing of it (oh and she also lost mucous plug, too). She ate some dinner, and went to bed, but started feeling some stronger contractions at about 2am today (Sunday). Still thinking it wasn't "real" labor, she decided to read a book :o) and let Ben sleep. Ben woke up around 4:30 amwhen the contractions started to become more intense and Hannah's labor woke him up. Ben called Betsy (our doula) at 6:30 am, and said that he thought labor was starting, but the contractions were really irregular. He said he would call back, and at 8:30am, he told me that Hannah was worried these were still Braxton Hicks contractions. We both listened to her vocalize during one contraction, and laughed, because it was pretty safe to say, she was in labor :o). They decided to make their way to the hospital but wanted me to hang back a while until they were in triage. Hannah said later she was thinking they would check her and she would be 3cm.

Finally at 9:45, I got the call telling me they were in triage and she was 7cm. I had a feeling that she was pretty far along, so I was waiting for the call in a coffee shop around the corner. I got to St. Mary's at 9:55 am and caught them just as they were heading out of triage into their room. Hanna did not smile when she saw me, and ran past me to get to the room so she wouldn't have a contraction in the hallway. YES! I love when moms don't want to talk to me or smile! After giving Ben a quick hug, I joined them in the room and helped them get settled, and started to observe the contractions, which were now on top of one another. I learned that her water broke just before I got there, and now while Ben and I were rubbing her back during contractions, she started to make pushy sounds and do little squats. The nurse checked her again and she was 9 cm, 100% effaced. Hannah labored a little longer and did such a great job with relaxing between contractions, vocalizing, and just following her body's urges. Ben was right there, comforting her, holding her, loving her, and doing everything he needed to do as well. They worked so well together.

Before long, she REALLY felt like she had to push, and nurse checked again and she was complete at 10:40 am. We helped Hannah get into hands and knees for a while, and then she really liked pushing in the squatting position, and said she could feel the baby move down. She did some of the most natural and instinctive pushing I have ever seen...it was great! The Dr. was concerned about a "big baby" or possible shoulder dystocia when baby's descent wasn't so quick, like her labor had been, so she had Hannah in the "classic" position for the last 20 minutes of pushing, which Hannah was not happy and very vocal about :o) but the Dr. (her normal family practice doctor was out of town) said she didn't know how to do it any other way, so Hannah did a great job coping with her discomfort, and Ben encouraging her that what she was doing was ok. After only 1.5 hours of pushing, little Cecilia was born, and she immediately began crying and had great color. Daddy did lots of skin-to-skin time while mom needed some repairs, but was soon placed with mommy skin to skin, and nursed wonderfully. Of course, she's adorable, and likes to use her voice a lot. While I was with them waiting to switch rooms, she loved rocking with her daddy in the rocking chair, and would make little vocalizations (much like her mom!) with every rock.