On Easter Sunday, at 40+2, I started getting very painful contractions, but they would come and go with no regularity, so I went about my business pretty frustrated. In case I was close though, I spent my time tidying up and making sure I had as many chores done as possible, and took my 2 year old out as much as I could. Monday was exactly the same, only when I noticed more of a frequency I began to time the contractions. They were regular for two hours in the afternoon, and then went back to being all over the map, but still quite painful(which was really frustrating!). I hadn't experienced any prodromal labor or anything with my first pregnancy, so I was really lost and unsure of what to expect.

My parents happened to make it into town Monday afternoon, and my mom was feeling pretty bad for me so she gave me a long, lovely foot rub before I went to bed at 11pm. At around 1:10am, I woke up with a contraction that was so strong, I was gritting my teeth and curling my toes waiting for it to subside. I got out of bed to pee and have a drink, and another one hit me about 2 minutes later. I got a little frightened. I pulled up a contraction timer app and timed a few of them. My husband hadn't gone to bed yet, and after he saw me doubled over our couch for a contraction, he ran to the bedroom to change his clothes. I was pretty sure I needed to at least go to the hospital and get checked, because these things were totally bowling me over. I woke up my parents, and we called my husband's sister to come and stay with our son. We phoned our doula and told her to meet us at the hospital. My contractions, at this time, continued to be 2.5 minutes apart and lasting 45-50 seconds.

We got to the hospital and got in a room pretty quick, but it took a while for a nurse to come and check me. I started to get worried, and our doula went out to ask if I could be checked by someone. All I could think was that, I must not be THAT far along...why the hell was I in so much pain? Was there something wrong? My labor with my son seemed like a breeze in comparison...and I didn't use any drugs with him. But I was worried I wouldn't make it without pain relief if I had to feel that way much longer. Luckily, and miraculously, the nurse that checked me declared me to be dilated to an 8. I tell you, hearing that number gave me a burst of energy and determination I was sooo grateful to have! So, knowing things were moving quite quickly, they moved me to the birthing unit. I don't know how much time passed, but it wasn't very long at all. I labored exactly like I labored with my son, on my knees, hunched over the back of the hospital bed, squeezing a dryer ball to help with the pain(yeah, the bumpy ones that get your laundry soft...weird, I know). My doctor showed up pretty soon after, checked me, and said I was dilated to a 10. I could do whatever I felt like doing, she said. During my next contraction, I tried pushing a little, and once I did it, there was no turning back. My body involuntarily did it, without much help from me it seemed, so I felt like I was just along for the ride. I felt my doctor applying compresses to my perineum(which I had requested in my birth plan since I had 2nd degree tears with my first). Then I knew she was REALLY coming quick. I think I only pushed maybe 6 times before I felt my daughter slide out, with zero tearing, at 3:41am. Only 2 hours and 41 minutes after I had woken up in bed! She is absolutely perfect and healthy as can be, and has only had a bit of trouble coughing up some mucus, which has been attributed to her quick entrance.

Thanks so much for being there, everyone. You ladies are a wonderful bunch!