While I'm brave enough to think about this, I'll write.
To really appreciate this you have to understand my expectations... Josiah's birth was not quick for a second child. Naomi wasn't quick for a first. I expected Nathanael to be not quick for a third... I was wrong. I arrived at the hospital at 5 cm with Naomi and labored for 18 hours after that. I arrived at the hospital with Josiah at 7 cm and labored 4 hours after that (typically only 2). So I expected to have a few hours to spare when I went to the hospital.
Back story of being overdue:
I started dialating at 37 weeks with Nathanael, week by week there was very little change. 37 weeks 1 cm 0% effaced. 38 no change. 39 weeks 2 cm 30% effaced. 40 2 cm and 90% effaced. 41 and 2 days... (his birth morning) I didn't let them check (I should have).
For weeks my small group has been praying for me not to worry about birth and it being long. Also praying that I be patient waiting on Nathanael's arrival.
Wednesday February 20th (9 days past estimated due date)
Tuesday night I had some contractions (more of the same I've been having for weeks) Middle of the night I woke up and noticed I was having some and that they were longer. I tried not to get my hopes up that it was real labor (to many false alarms) so I told myself: go to sleep if it's real labor you'll need it and if it's false labor you will need the sleep also. I wake up and there are not really any contractions maybe a few but they were shorter then the middle of the night ones. So I go to the Dr as schedule and have my Non-Stress Test and Ultrasound. Peanut (the pre-born baby's nickname) passed all 5 test saying that he was safe to stay in for the rest of the week. I skipped the checking of dilation for fear I hadn't changed... I was probably 4 or 5 cm and on the verge of true labor.
12:30 first contraction.
1:30 they are getting stronger and not leaving when I sit walk or lay down... maybe this is true labor.
2:00 I call Ben... I think labor has started you should wrap up and head home.
2:15 I read to the kids and have long pauses during contractions
2:30 This is definatly labor come home and help me relax.
3:00 Ben arrives home.
3:30 Ben tells me we should call the doctor to see when they want me to come in. (4-6 mins apart 45-90 secs)
We call then suddenly they are 3 mins apart almost every time...
Call Ben's mom and ask her to come...
Ben starts moving car seats taking the recycling out and getting us ready to leave.
4:15 I stand up after a contraction to go downstairs and make in 5 ft to the end of the bed and have to sit for one...
I sit as Ben load the car and we let his mom know where the kids things are...
4:30 I had to wait a few contrations to get up... they were probably nearly on top of each other...
I was probably IN Transition at this point, but I had stopped timing and paying attention to the spacing and just was trying to relax to get to the hospital...
Then I was thinking I might want some drugs if I have much longer to go, I wish I had them now.
So we had to drive in rush hour traffic. About 15 mins into the ride we started hitting traffic....
I told Ben I thought I was near the end of labor and he needed to drive in the shoulder NOW or take me to a closer hospital.
Bumpy 25 MPH shoulder drive, while in transition... I DO NOT RECOMMEND
Somehow I didn't panic and could still relax. I was quoting worship songs I had been listening to and praying that we would make it to the hospital.
About 4 miles from our exit (still driving the shoulder) I start getting heat waves after every contraction....
"Ben I'm in transition" the end of it (which he knows Josiah was born first push after the shakes)
Exit arrives... I get the shakes
Ben runs the hospital stop signs and parks in the Handicap parking by the emergency room. I tell him 'run get a chair' and he runs.
So much happens in the next few minutes
I get into the chair after a contraction they push me 10 feet into the entrance and my water breaks (with much relief and tingling).
5:10
The contractions space out (end of transition)
I feel the baby descend with every contraction and almost pop back in afterward. Twice I ask them just to put me on a bed in the ER as they are pushing me toward Labour and Delivery. They check between contractions and the head isn't coming out at the moment, so they tell me we have to go up to the birthing floor. I wanted to yell and argue, but now I am glad that he was born in a germ zone.
I've always had a strong urge to push near the end of transition (during the shakes) and afterward. Somehow I was able to surpress that and not push for the 4 minute trip from the car to my labor room.
I actually scream/yelled during one contraction while holding myself flat and trying not to push. (never screamed in labor before)
I had 3 contractions from the car to the labor room. The 4th one I was on the delivery table but no one was there and ready, they were putting gloves on. I didn't push, but a nurse watch and saw his head come part of the way down the go back up. She was able to tell the resident there was no need to check me. Also they got the doppler out and was searching for a heartbeat and I just said, He's coming out and he's been moving between contractions. Finally the Resident was ready (probably only took her 30 seconds, but it seemed long) so I pushed. He came out, but I wasn't sure because there was still pressure. They held him partly in to unwrap the umbilical cord from around his neck, so the pressure was still there, next contraction the rest of him was out and he cried.
5:14 pm
Ben cut the cord (he actually wasn't planning to, but it happend so quick that he didn't hesitate)
Ben was very brave, he knew he might have to catch this baby as soon as we were driving in the shoulder.
Thank you God for protecting us on our trip and thank you that you answered those dozens of prayers Ben and I were praying in the car to have the baby wait until we were in the hospital.
Doctor Bowen arrived about 10 minutes after the birth and finished up the after birth and checks.
Both of us are healthy and I didn't even have micro-tears.
It was so fast I am still in shock and scared to think about it.
