I was 40+ weeks pregnant (the longest I've had to wait for one of my babies). I was having prodromal labor for a few days prior and kept hoping it would turn into the real deal, but it hadn't yet. I was feeling emotional all day. We went to church in the morning. Hudson and I had a number count going of how many people would come up and ask about the baby. It was 7. I was feeling off and emotional most of the day - tired, anxious, impatient, and overwhelmed. I had mentally prepared to have this baby early, so for my due date to come was just a little disheartening. We went for a long walk (that included hills) after dinner and I lost a little bit of my mucus plug once we got home. No contractions. As we were putting kids to bed, they started to make jokes and act silly which spiraled into a much longer bedtime routine than usual. It was so fun though and just what I needed. I was able to relax, laugh, and just soak in their silliness. We talked to Logan's parents on the phone for a bit, and then headed to bed. Looking back, I think this night was significant. It was the first night in almost a week that I didn't go to bed stressed or agonizing about why baby wasn't here yet. I slept well.
July 12th - Lila's BIRTH day
around 2:30am....
I woke up to use the bathroom and called out to Logan because I noticed more of my mucus plug. I laid back down and started having mild cramping almost immediately. I told Logan, but I didn't get my hopes up (thinking it was prodromal labor again) and told him we should try to sleep. I kept feeling the cramps, and Logan decided to just start timing them for me. Sure enough they were coming every 8-10 minutes apart lasting about 30-45 seconds each. Logan texted our midwife around 3:30 to let her know what was going on. We decided to wait for her to come because I wanted to rest as much as possible.
around 5:30am....
Contractions kept coming throughout the night, but I just laid in bed - closing my eyes and breathing through them. Around 5:30, I got up to use the bathroom and noticed more mucus/bloody show. Logan wasn't able to get back to sleep, so he started preparing our bedroom - inflated the birth tub, pulled out the birth kit, and put kids back to bed (Hudson and Amelia both woke up to all the commotion). I remember telling Logan maybe he should wait to set everything up. I was feeling great. Contractions were about 6-8 minutes apart, still plenty of time. But he didn't listen to me. He wanted to be prepared. He knew that once labor starts, things tend to happen quickly. I did make my best prediction for when baby would be here though and told Logan, "she'll be here before noon." I went back to the bed and rested in between the contractions. Logan got in touch with our midwife again around 6:30 to let her know what was happening. At this point, I was coping well but Logan knew to message my midwife sooner rather than later. He told her to make her way whenever she could. Btw, who goes to work out at 5:30am in the morning?! Our amazing, rockstar midwife that's who!
Eleanor woke up and climbed into bed with me. We snuggled as I had stronger contractions. I called/texted our birth photographer, Rachel, to let her know I was in labor and to start making preparations to come to our house. Logan also heard my parents waking up, and told them what was going on. My dad was headed back to Virginia with our dog (Otis), but before he left he was kind enough to go to the store to grab drinks for me and my birth crew. Orange gatorade forever! :) At this point, I was still very much able to move around in between contractions. I grabbed some toast and juice for breakfast, and I somewhat got myself ready - brushed my teeth, put my contacts on, brushed my hair, put a bra on, etc. Logan started filling the birth tub with warm water. Eleanor loved having a "swimming pool" in our bedroom and kept trying to play with the water.
around 7am....
Our midwife arrived. She quickly and quietly brought all her things inside. She checked baby's heart rate and we chatted for a bit. I never vocalized it, but I was worried she got to our home too soon. I wasn't feeling like baby was coming just yet. I felt like I still had some time. The kids were all awake and coming in/out of the bedroom, so we started to think about a game plan for the kids as I wasn't sure I wanted them around anymore. I texted my friend, Krystine, to see if the girls would be able to go over to play. She graciously said yes, and we were so grateful! Hudson asked if he could stay at home, and I was happy to have him around. He sat and played games on my laptop during most of my laboring time, but we let him have an open door policy. He was welcome to come in and out of the room as much as he wanted. Our photographer and midwife assistant arrived a little bit later.
around 9am....
I remember everyone, even Logan, did a little car rotation in our driveway because my mom was leaving to drop the girls off. I was left alone to labor in my bedroom for a bit, and it felt oddly peaceful and satisfying to just be by myself. It didn't surprise me feeling this way. I don't like a lot of fanfare or an audience when it comes to laboring. Everyone came back from getting their cars situated, and my midwife made a comment like, "Sorry we just abandoned you!" I told her I didn't mind at all (actually preferred it, honestly), and she stepped out so I could continue to labor on my own a little bit more. I remember our photographer snapping pictures and trying to get good lighting in our dim room. I remember just working through those contractions. Getting stronger and longer, but surprisingly they didn't seem to reach the 2-3 minute apart range like my previous labors. I was pleasantly surprised by how much time I had in between to talk, laugh, and move. I had Logan rub my back with the massage ball, apply counter pressure, help me to the bathroom, and more. He was the best doula dad ever!
around 9:30am....
I could feel my contractions getting more intense and harder to talk through. Everyone kept encouraging me to try the birth tub, but I knew I didn't want to get in until I was close. I asked my midwife if she would check me before I got in. She was so sweet to say, "I don't have to check you, but if you want me to - I'll do it." Hearing my progress is actually helpful for me. I know not everyone feels the same, but for me - knowing my progress gives me something to work toward. It gives me permission to keep going how I am or, if needed, to try something different. My midwife checked me and I heard her say, "Hi baby!" - she could feel baby's head. Good sign. I was very close, just a little bit of cervix left (found out later it was an anterior lip). My midwife suggested having a few contractions on the toilet or laying on the bed. The toilet did not sound fun (even though that is what was most comfortable during Eleanor's birth). I turned on my side instead and worked on relaxing and breathing deeply. This is when things felt more intense and I started to feel some pressure.
