Juliette's birth story

Over the past few months I have been praying so hard that Juliette would be born in a certain time frame.  The time frame being, soon enough after my mother and sister arrived so that they could be here to see the birth and help out with the boys, that I would get a long enough period of "rest" and help with the boys, and that Juliette would be baptized the weekend before they left.  And God answered my prayers!  Tuesday, the day after my Mom and Catherine arrived I had been having a contraction here, a contraction there throughout the day and I was also having some bloody show.  I didn't want to get my hopes up too much but I kept praying Juliette would make her appearance soon.  Gabe and I went on a date Tuesday night - dinner and a movie.  I continued to have sporadic contractions but we enjoyed our time together.  Tuesday night I went to bed thinking "maybe tonight is the night!"  However, the only times I would have a contraction were when I got up to go to the bathroom.  Other than that, I slept very well.  Wednesday morning I woke up a bit disappointed that nothing much had happened.  I continued to have contractions throughout the day, but nothing too serious.  We went out to do some grocery shopping, finish up some last minute errands, and I made my bed (two sets of sheets and some shower liners) and got my room ready for the birth because I had a feeling Juliette would be coming that night.  Wednesday evening my contractions were a bit stronger and I would have them for longer periods of time.  I had also been having bloody show through-out the day and my water was leaking a little at a time.  Mom did some baking and we sat around talking.  By 10:30 PM my contractions were about 10 minutes apart for the next few hours.  At 11 we called my midwife to let her know that I might be going into "real" labor.  My contractions continued to get stronger so I decided to get in the bathtub and run the shower on my back during each contraction.  Being at home was so nice and I was able to breath through each contraction and stay relaxed.  The boys were in bed sleeping and the house was quiet.  A little after 1 AM Gabe called the midwife because I wanted to be in the birthing tub with the hot water to help me through the rest of labor.  By then my contractions had started to get closer together and stronger.  I would have a long contraction and then two shorter ones, then another long one.  Right before the midwife showed up, I threw up so I knew this was the "real deal" and not just false labor.  I was excited and a bit nervous but determined to get through this.  The midwife arrived around 2AM and started setting up the tub.  By then I had moved back into my room and was sitting on the birthing ball between contractions and leaning over my bed and swaying back and forth during each contraction to help ease the pain.  I had some Enya playing in the CD player and it was calming to listen to.  I was very surprised at how well I was able to handle my labor and Gabe helped out a bit with some back massages.  My contractions were about every two minutes apart now and much more painful but I was still able to handle the pain.  I had back labor but it wasn't nearly as bad as it was with the boys.  At 2:30 AM my water broke.  I was so excited because this was the first time it had broken on it's own!  I felt like superwoman!  (For my three other births it had always been broken by the midwife)  I was a bit proud of myself and I thought "I can do this!"  It gave me an extra boost of energy.  Right after my water broke my contractions started to get really painful and I got into the birthing tub.  I was kneeling up against the side of the tub and I had about four really strong, very painful contractions and then I just started to push.  I couldn't talk, but the midwife was trying to ask if her head was coming down and I shook my head yes.  I couldn't believe how fast she was coming and I kept pushing and calling on God to help me get her out.  After about 3 big pushes her head was out and the midwife had me turn over and sit down so she could get the cord off her neck (it was loosely wrapped around once) and so that Gabe could catch her since the other midwife had not arrived yet.  Another big push and she was out and up on my chest at 2:53 AM.  Right then the second midwife walked through the door.  I was so happy and couldn't believe how fast it was over.  (My intense labor was a little under 3 hours)  I was also very proud of myself and this was the first birth where I thought right after that "I could do this again!"  It was the absolute BEST birth experience.  I couldn't believe how much easier the laboring was for me compared to my last births.  I think being at home and being able to really relax and the familiar atmosphere had a lot to do with it.  One of the reasons I had really wanted a home birth was to have the one on one help through labor with a midwife; someone other than my husband.  However, I realized that I didn't really need that one on one contact, but that I really just needed to be able to relax and work through the labor without all the disturbances in a hospital setting.  Another great thing about Juliette's birth was that she was not born sunny-side up like the boys have been, but came out in the correct position.  I don't know if that was due to my chiropractor appointments or moving around more during labor to ease her into the correct position but she came out the right way!  Right after she was placed on my chest I made Gabe check her gender to be sure it was a girl!  After bonding with her awhile and nursing on the bed, the midwives weighed her and to my surprise she was 9'6!  Thank God she was on time!  40 weeks 2 hours and 53 minutes to be exact!  It was so nice and comfortable to be in my house and in my own bed with my family there.  I am so thankful and blessed to have had such a wonderful birth experience and that Juliette is healthy and that all went well.  God willing, I will be able to only have homebirths in the future.