This story is told by Meadow Gibbons:
Irene Amara Willow Hunter
September 18th, 2007, 10:30pm, at our home in Santa Cruz
I thought I lost my mucus plug around 3:30am on Monday
the 17th. I looked through a pregnancy book to make sure and went back
to bed. I began to have mild contractions which continued throughout
the day. I went to a neighbor's party for her daughter's 1st birthday and everyone there was so excited and surprised to see me there in early labor.
I
spent the night sleeping relatively well and gradually the contractions
came more often. I called my midwife's assistant in the morning to let
her know I had started having contractions. She came over in the late
morning and I spent the day in bed alone (as I wanted it) with her and
my husband checking in on me. I felt calm for the most part, but a
little nervous - I knew there was no going back!
In the late
morning, my contractions gradually began to become more intense and by
the evening I was active labor. My midwife's assistant suggested I take
a walk to help me progress, but I opted to sit out on my back porch and
take in the fresh air under the dusky sky. Shortly thereafter my
contractions really kicked in. My midwife arrived and I soon started to
push. After about 45 minutes, my baby arrived. My husband, two best
friends and my stepson were all present. I was so ready to be done with
the pushing and to see my baby. My back was hurting and I was tired.
Someone mentioned they could see hair. The excitement and awe were
palpable as I pushed. "It's a girl!" The words were surreal. I was
totally overwhelmed. My baby girl was placed directly on my chest.
Purple and wet and furry! WOW!
My husband and I laid there with
her and then my stepson cut her cord. I spent the night on the couch
cuddling her and attempting to nurse. I thought at that time that her
birth was so much less frightening and painful than I had prepared for.
I was (and am still) so thankful for my peaceful birth of Irene.
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