In a little while, although I wasn't feeling much pressure or consistent contractions, I decided to wake up Jeff and call my Mom to come on over. I just had a feeling. At the looks of me, I thought the nurses at the hospital would think I could not possibly be in labor, but they checked me and I was almost dilated to 5. I bounced on the exercise ball while they went over my birth plan.
I was happy at their compliance to all my requests - especially about not having an IV of any sort. I was doing it all on my own and it felt good.
Within the hour I was starting to really feel the labor kicking into gear. I had a tranquil CD- "Summer Solstice" playing in my room's DVD player and I just let my body relax as much as possible. I asked Jeff to just try to get some sleep and I would wake him if I needed him. Around 5:45 am my water broke and I woke up Jeff to go get the nurse. And then I got on all fours and started pushing. It was just me in the room at that time, then hubby was back in and the nurses were practically begging me from the doorway to stop pushing because the doctor was still on his way. There was no way I was going to stop.
An on-call doctor appeared in the hallway as Gray was coming out on to the bed in literally one push- like a little fish he came out all at once! There had been no breaking down of the bed, stirrups, or bright lights this time. He came so fast. It was wonderful.
Grayson Roger was born at 5:57 am, 7 lbs 5 oz on October 7, 2005.
He is the quintessential big dog in a little dog's body. He is my love and my excitement and is surely headed for greatness.
Grayson, almost 3 years old.
Girl - that is soooo wonderful that you had such a fabulous, easy delivery! I am so jealous. With births like that, no wonder you are on number 4!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look GREAT and you deliver GREAT. Pregnancy really is your thing!
BTW - I am logged in as Sue, but this is really Janice commenting. Just saw your tweet - and this time I am the first to comment. YEAH. Well I better hurry, by the time I hit publish, someone will have beat me. :)
Sounds like the dream delivery!
ReplyDeleteLook it how cute your after delivery pic is. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt will be very interesting to see if baby number four comes so quickly as well! Praying for a safe and successful birth!
ReplyDeleteChildbirth really seems to agree with you, and you sure do make adorable babies! I've enjoyed hearing your birth stories, and I can't wait to hear about and "meet" little Ivy! :)
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Steph
That is a fabulous birth story.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I didn't realize that Gray was so close to BB's age. BB turns 3 on Nov 17! However, he was my most complicated birth, by far, as I ended up with pre-e, a non-functioning kidney, an induction but no c-section. So, all's well that ends well.
That sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's amazing. I cannot imagine doing it by myself...big snaps for you!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a nice birth. He does look like he has a little fire in his eyes.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of you!!! I had a very unplanned emergency c-section with my first and only. My midwife thought she felt a prolapsed cord after Maggie's heart rate began to drop. I had Vasa Previa and Velamentous Cord Insertion. We would have most definitely lost Maggie without the medical interventions, but I mourn for the loss of my natural delivery. Maybe next time I'll do it all natural!!
ReplyDeleteYou are inspiring!!!
Your birth stories have been moving! Thank you for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love reading birth stories. May the next kiddo fly out as easily as this one did!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice birth story! One of my boys is having his 4th birthday this week and birthdays are always a nice day to remember back to their births. Happy Birthday to your Gray - and have a great week!
ReplyDeletethis one sounded amazing!! so peaceful. gray is so cute! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteAren't you so excited to do this again! It is truly the most amazing experience.
Your little guy is precious and certainly looks headed for greatness.
I'm such a sucker for birth stories. I guess it's the miracle aspect to it. It's just so amazing. And what a sweet baby he was. (And look how happy you look!)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear the next two installments....
I love these reflective posts before Ivy arrives. God is so good! Fantastic stories! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Our 4 of 8 was born in a similar fashion, no docs, just me, just dh, with a nurse freaking out!
ReplyDeleteExcited for Ivy's story!
Blessings!
What a great birth story. My girls come super fast too. By the time I got to the hospital with my youngest, I had already dilated to a 7. I always wonder how fast number 3 would have come...
ReplyDeleteYou look so beautiful too in that picture with Gray as a newborn. You would never know you just had a baby.
I can't wait to hear about baby girl Ivy's birth story :)
Good for you -that is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful to just do what your body wants you to do? It always kills me when I hear about nurses telling someone to stop pushing--is that even possible!? I suppose I could do it if my pushing was endangering the baby, otherwise, no way!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely birth! i have enjoyed reading all of your birth experiences. i can't wait to hear about little ivy's grand entrance! :)
ReplyDeletexo,
erika
I am loving hearing your birth stories! It is amazing how different and beautiful each birth can be. I am excited to hear about your experience with Ivy-I'm sending you lots of happy thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It must be great to give birth at home. I don't think I can do it but I always fantasize that. You looked great in the photo too!
ReplyDeleteThis next one is going to be even better!
ReplyDeleteYou have like the best birth stories ever! I'd keep havin' kids too if that were my case! ; )
ReplyDeleteHope this next one is as easy (I'm gonna predict it will be...)
What a great birth story! :-) I bet with Ivy things will be even easier!
ReplyDeleteThis brings back such happy memories. I will never forget trying to sleep with Noah in your bed and he was just so excited and couldn't sleep. When we finally fell asleep, Jeff called to let us know that Gray was born. And yes, you described him perfectly. Love my little Gray. He is going to be a great big brother. Gray the guard dog!
ReplyDeleteI cannot get over all my friends who look so amazing after they give birth! UGH! I will not look that beautiful! ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI cannot get over all my friends who look so amazing after they give birth! UGH! I will not look that beautiful! ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThat is a GORGEOUS picture of you.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you that Ivy is as quick and simple :)
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading your stories.
How special that you started your labor while you were up with your other son. :--)
ReplyDeleteI am in shock that you have had babies that were small and very large! How in the world does that happen? lol
Any guesses on this baby's weight from your midwife?
That delivery sounds awesome. Sounds a lot like my last in some ways in that, it was done the way you wanted it to. I labored at home until 8cm. I hope to have a similar birth this time, my own terms.
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds like the perfect birth story! Wow!
ReplyDeleteYou look oh so happy! And oh so blessed - I hope this delivery is all you hope for and MUCH MORE!!!
ReplyDeleteWow. JEALOUS. That's an awesome birth story.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
I have fast and easy deliveries too and I feel terribly guilty over it, it's really not fair is it? :)
ReplyDeleteWell, except for the easy delivery part, it sounded a bit like my wife's experience. Let me explain...she was 9.5 cm dilated (no pain killers) before they called for a c-section.
ReplyDeleteShe loved some relaxing white-noise-ish music I found on iTunes and the self hypnosis class really helped.
Wonderful story!
WHO looks that good after having a baby??!!!!!! I sure didn't...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had the birth experience you wanted!
Raven pretty much fell out too since she was 2 lbs lighter than Otter.
ReplyDelete