On the 10th of March I started showing a lot of emotional signs of labor.
I was more cranky than normal, I did a massive grocery shopping trip like I
was preparing for Y2K or something, I also ate like a complete cow (6
donuts, 3 bowls of special K, 4 sandwiches, a cheddar cheese and green
grape tray, 4 fish fillets, and a bunch of chips), when lately I hadn't
been able to really eat much at all due to the baby taking up all the room
in my abdomen.

Around noon I started having some contractions.  They weren't any different
really then any other prelabor contractions I'd been having, but I just had
this 'feeling'.  I mean really I didn't even need to pay attention to them.

I called my husband and told him I was going to my class anyway, and that
when I was at my class I would decide if I would have my father in law pick
up our 2 yr old (Olly) from daycare or not.

I went to my class, and had decided by 3 Olly should go home with my father
in law.  I didn't have any reason besides I just felt it was a good idea.
So I called my husband and told him so.  Arrangements were made.

I left my class at 4 because emotionally I was quite owly, and while I'd
had some more regularity to the contractions they still weren't anything I
would definitely call labor.  I went and got my husband, and we went home
where he helped boost my humour.  I was feeling really vulnerable and
thinking my plans for a natural birth and breastfeeding and all that were
really stupid.  I didn't think I could do it.  I mean really I didn't.  I
rested and relaxed.  Had a few contractions.  Hubby couldn't even tell
unless I told him.  I still didn't feel it was definitely labor.

We got up around 6 and had supper.  We then remembered we had forgotten to
give my father in law the antibiotics my son needed to take.  So we went
for a drive.

My contractions increased in the car, but still nothing I would call a real
labor contraction.  My dh still couldn't tell I was having one unless I
mentioned it.  They were maybe every 20 minutes or so?

We got home at 8.  I called Micheline (my midwife) at 8:30 to tell her
things might be thinking about happening and she should go to bed.  She was
sick actually.  She told me Mejda (her backup) would be at the birth centre
if I had to go in the night (because one of her primary patients was
birthing), and she'd come more towards morning when her nausea had calmed
down.  That was no problem with me.  In the meantime, all the midwives at
the birth centre had been making plans on who would cover me if I went in.
Everyone volunteered should Mejda be too tired or Micheline too sick.

She reminded me I needed to come in semi early for my group B strep
antibiotics.  I assured her this would be no problem since despite really
really wanting a natural childbirth I was a serious pain wimp, and if
anything I'd probably get there way too early.

I played on the computer, my husband on the N64.  By 9 I hadn't had any
contractions.  We went to bed.  I was fairly sure we'd wake up refreshed in
the morning and no contractions all night.  I was sure I'd been wrong and
just had pregnancy hormones.

I slept like a log until 1, when the prelabor contractions came back.
About once an hour I was awakened by one after that.  At 5, the
contractions moved into my cervix and I was happy because I knew then it
was real and that I wouldn't look like an idiot anymore who couldn't tell
if it was false labor or not.  The first contraction when I knew it was
*really* labor was at 5.

I climbed into the bath to chill.  I wanted to slow things way down, like
to the point of almost stopping, so I could go get my son from my in laws,
and drop him off at his daycare at 9 without seeming in too much pain and
scaring him.  His favorite teacher doesn't get there until 9, and he cries
if left with anyone else.  My in laws wouldn't be able to drop him off
later than 8 due to their jobs.  At 5:45 we called my in laws to tell them
our plan.

By 6 we decided that plan was just not feasible, I was hurting too much and
Olly would freak.  So we called and told my in laws to take Olly to his
daycare.  At 6:08 according to her pager, I called Micheline.  I told her
"ok, now it hurts.  I want to be checked."  *I* was thinking I should stay
home and work on my own for a couple more hours.  I was certain I was only
beginning to dialate.  She said no, go there now because of traffic.

We live in a suburb of Montreal.  The birthing centre is downtown almost.
On a clear day with no traffic worth mentioning it's a 20-25 minute drive.
Montreal morning weekday traffic could bring it up to 90 minutes or more.
I realized she was right and we got in the car and took off.  Luckily we
were early enough to beat the traffic.  Our car clock read 6:19 as we left.

Before we got out of our driveway I ripped off my seatbelt.  I couldn't
handle it.  Sitting sideways was ok, but straightforward? nope!  I started
to get really pissed as we got on autoroute 13 because they hurt and I
couldn't walk (the only thing that helped).  I *still* thought I was maybe
barely beginning active labor!  I was increasingly pissed as we went from
the 13 onto the 40, because I only got a 15-30 second break between them!
I was so mad the car was making them come faster! <g>

 I told my husband "Goddamnit!  They are coming right next to each other
and I can't get a break!"  My husband whispered "shhh, it's ok it's ok it's
ok!" (I had been whispering "it's ok it's ok it's ok" at home while
stomping about.  It's what my two year old says when he's scared or hurt
and I found it comforting to think of holding him and us whispering that
together).  I still hadn't once screamed or started crying!  I had said
"ow!" a couple times but that is it!  I thought for sure when I got to the
birth centre we'd have to transfer because I was so out of control.  I was
certain there was no way I could do this for a couple more hours, even
though I'd started to realize we'd likely see the baby closer to this
afternoon than this evening as I'd been thinking earlier.

As we pulled onto the Decarie from the 13, I realized the contractions no
longer hurt at the end.  Oh god, I thought I was pushing prematurely
because the car was making the contractions come too fast.  I tried so hard
to hold back because after all I didn't want to break my cervix since I was
only about oh, 4cm at most <g>.  I tried to fight as hard as I could then
decided hell with it we are only 5 minutes away my midwives can ice my
cervix if it swells.  I didn't push voluntarily but I quit fighting.

As we turned from Van Horne onto Cote des Neiges, I felt her head start to
crown and my water break a bit.  I was having a VERY hard time observing,
processing, and communicating with my husband.  In fact I didn't say a word
hardly this whole time, just moaned "ow!" now and again!  I tried to tell
him what was going on but instead just whispered "Pascal?  I love you."  I
meant to tell him to run any red light he had to and get there (3 blocks!)
now! <g>

We pulled into the parking lot and I wondered how I was going to get into
the birth centre.  I realized I HAD to walk.  So I opened the door and
started walking.  Pascal was getting our bags and stuff.  He thought I was
maybe approaching transition.  I thought to myself "he will miss the birth
if he doesn't hurry."  I got to the door and pounded on the intercom
button.  He got up there with me.  He didn't say it but told me later he
was thinking "jesus Wendey I know the contractions are close but come on,
be nice."

Someone answered (I woke the prenatal aides up who were only there because
of a birth the night before!) and I shouted "help... me... in... labor!"
and pushed again.  I could feel her head was mostly done crowning.

Brigette and Catherine opened the door.  I told them I was having the baby
NOW.  Pascal suddenly understood.  They were not quite ready to do the
midwife duties but at least had a mild clue!  We walked the 10 feet into
Micheline's office.  Pascal started to lead me upstairs to the labor rooms
but I said "I can't go upstairs!  The head is there!"

We got in the room and Brigette pulled off my pants to around my ankles.  I
grabbed the back of a chair.  She asked if my midwife was on her way.  I
said yes and she told me the head was halfway out.  I remember thinking
"hmm, her head is smaller than Olly's!"  I pushed again and the head was
out.  Ah, so much better!

I pushed again and Pascal and Bridgette caught the rest of the baby.  They were behind me and therefore it was a bit difficult with the cord still attached for me to turn around and all.  Kathryn coughed a bit, but hadn't started yet.  I knew everything was ok because, well, I just knew, and also because the placenta was still attached and the cord uncut.  Brigette and Pascal however were FREAKING out and Pascal called 911!  He told them, in his panic, the baby arrived premature.  ROFLOL... he *meant* the baby arrived before the midwife.  Micheline walked in and Brigette handed her the baby, in a state of panic.  Micheline of course just smiled, wiped some goop off her, and rubbed her, and she breathed.

*All* of the other midwives showed up out of nowhere at this point!  They brought me to the couch and took off my shirt so I could nurse.  Then they were nice enough to take off my shoes, socks, pants, underwear, etc. <g>  I was totally shocked.  I didn't even feel like I'd been pregnant recently much less just had a baby.  Jeez, I didn't even break a sweat and my lipstick was still intact!  I couldn't *believe* I just had a totally fast totally natural birth.  I thought that was the stuff legends were made of.

By this time the cord had stopped, so it was cut (by Pascal) and I tried to deliver the placenta.  This actually ended up taking almost 45 minutes! The midwives theorized it was because my body hadn't really realized I gave birth.  They had me get up and squat because they didn't want to ruin my thus far intervention free labor and birth with a shot of pitocin. <g> Finally it came out.

Micheline had called 911 to tell them it was all ok and not to come but they were already on their way.  They arrived while I was being moved to the couch, but hung out in the hall once they were assured everything was fine and the call was just from two panicked and inexperienced attendants. Micheline had them stay until I delivered the placenta and they determined I had no need for suturing just to not tempt fate.

I got a sponge bath and then we moved upstairs to a bedroom.  I felt *so good*.  I wasn't totally wiped out like after my first birth, No weird swelling or even the natural oedema, no back bruise from the epidural.  I felt I had to use the restroom and I was really scared.  You see the worst part of recovery from my first birth was the catheter, as I hadn't torn or needed stitches with that birth either.  However, I finally got the courage to go, and can you believe I didn't even need a peri bottle?  God I felt fantastic.

We chose to get the vitamin K shot because she had been born so rapidly. My midwife did it while she was nursing and was quite skilled, as all Kay did was open her eyes and then go back to nursing.  We also chose to get the eye drops based on my being group B strep + and not having the antibiotics in labor.  I don't know if that's relevant or not, but at the time it seemed like a reasonable train of thought.

Based on this labor, we decided next time we won't test for GBS but instead will follow risk factors should they arise.  It seems silly now to test for something when it would be really pressing it to think I'd even have time for the 4 hours of antibiotics.  Also, we'll be homebirthing.  I ain't never setting foot in no car while having contractions again unless it's a matter of life and death! ;-)

One of the best parts though was latching on my daughter.  My son had been a breastfeeding disaster.  I saw her stick her tongue WAY out, open her mouth wide, and take in tons of my nipple.  I felt her suck and it was just like "oh yeah, that is what it should feel like!"  She was awake almost all day her first day of life (compared to my son who slept about all the time!) and nursed probably 75% of that time.  I was totally overjoyed.  As I write this she is about 40 hours old and the thought of giving her a bottle or breastfeeding not working hasn't even crossed my mind.  When she cries I nurse her and she silents instantly.  She doesn't fight to latch on, she's quite the perfectionist about it actually!  When she's not latched on right she stops, unlatches, and relatches.  Oh the birth and nursing goddess has smiled on me. =)

Believe it or not, this has made me feel 100% better about my son's birth too.  Only the last two or three contractions in the car hurt on the same level as most of the ones in his labor.  Had his birth gone like that, he'd have been born naturally and breastfed too.  I think now that he was sent to me to teach me humility.  I plan on making birth and breastfeeding my life's work.  And had I had it this easy my first time, I would be one annoying self righteous uncompassionate militant.  Because of him I realize yes, even when you REALLY REALLY want something, that doesn't mean it will work.  Even if you try REALLY hard.

I can't believe how much positioning matters.  My midwife showed me her diagrams of my son's position.  He was posterior and had a military head flex, and I just found out was anscyntilictic too!  No wonder he was such a pain to get out.  And the intact waters, wow that helps the contractions a ton!  I can't believe I already am thinking to future births, but sometimes I think I better stop now (despite wanting 4 kids!) because I can't imagine anything that could top this.  It almost seems like it would be tempting fate.  On the other hand I think what a perfect excuse to have more kids, if it's that easy <g>.  For now though, I think my two year old and newborn are all I can handle!

Speaking of my two year old... I can't believe how well it's going!  We all came home last night from the birth centre with my in laws.  He didn't even notice the baby.  He fell asleep about 10 minutes after he got home.  This morning he came in and noticed the baby.  He came over, examined her, was curious, wanted to touch her and hold her, but wasn't crying or angry at all.  I was *shocked* about that since he's been quite the king of the little kingdom since he was born.  Crossing my fingers thing continue like that...

I can't believe how good I feel. =)

    ~ Wendey