Reliving the Big Day!! January 22, 2011

Well now that we are pregnant again...SURPRISE...I thought I should probably finish up this blog before I start a new one. Jordan Daniel Savage was born on his due date January 22, 2011. The night before I had hours of contractions that I considered "Braxton Hicks". I would time them because they were consistant and getting closer but they never got very intense. Jarod took the boys out for fun in the evening and I stayed home with my wonderful step-mom Darlene and watched one of my favorite movies "The Christmas Card". After a good night of rest I woke up at 6:50am Saturday morning with heavy cramps and the need to "clean out" in the toilet. I thought I ate something bad. I got immediate relief after using the toilet but then it happened again about 5 minutes later. I didn't think it was labor but it was intense and I didn't want to be alone so I woke up Jarod. At 7:15 Jarod insisted we call the midwife because these cramps were coming consistantly. She spoke to us on the phone and agreed that it sounded like labor and to start filling up the birthing pool. This was my 3rd baby and I had never had cramping like this before. My belly didn't get tight...just cramps. The midwife, Joanna, arrived at 8:15am. We got the boys fed and sent upstairs. I was munching on peanut butter toast. I started using my TENS machine and heat on my back. I used the exercise ball to sit on or lean over. Jarod was right there helping in any way he could. Darlene helped with the kids, took pictures and video and helped massage me. At approx 8:30am I felt the need to use the toilet again. Joanna wanted to check me to make sure it wasn't the urge to push. I was 3-4cm. That was frustrating! I had been in labor for more than 2 hours (Micah was born in 1hr. 26 min)and I was only 3-4cm!? At 9:20am I was having a hard time coping and felt like I should be in the water. I got in the birthing pool and had extreme relief! It felt SO good to be in that warm water and allow my body to relax and float. Jarod did a great job maintaining the water temperature for me! I was realling getting in to the "zone" now. Lots of moans and groans and humming. The contractions were about 2 min apart. Joanna continued to check my blood pressure and Jordan's heartrate often throughout labor. I kept expecting transition to come. The contractions were intense enough for it but I continued to get 1-2 min breaks in between. All the sudden during the peak of a contraction I started to push. Where did that come from? An hour ago I was only 3-4cm and I haven't had transition yet. How can I be pushing? Well, I was! I was leaning over the side of the pool when I started pushing. I only pushed during contractions. I could feel his head coming. After his head came out I rested before the next contraction and Joanna moved me to the other side of the pool so my back was against the wall and I could help bring him out of the water with the next contraction and last big push. (This phase lasted about 10 min) Jordan Daniel emerged from the water and into my arms at 10am! We were on cloud 9! He was a healthy 8 lb 3 oz boy. 20.5in long. We stayed in the pool for another 10 min until Jarod cut the cord. I delivered the placenta on the couch. (with plenty of piddle pads and towels!) I tore a little but did not need stitches. The boys came downstairs to meet their new baby brother and Jarod started cooking breakfast for everyone. After breakfast Jordan and I took a little bath upstairs. Darlene got Jordan dressed while I finished in the shower. After we were all cleaned up we were tucked in to bed for the rest of the day. Jordan slept for 4 hours. I read and wrote in my journal since I wasn't sleepy. Joanna returned that evening to check on us. We were thrilled by our beautiful experience! It was so peaceful and natural...the way I hoped and prayed it would be. Total labor including pushing was 3hrs 10 min. It didn't take long for us to say "We could almost do that again! It was so easy!" Jordan is such a peaceful and joyful baby! He is always making us laugh and smile by his sweet nature. He really is a blessing to this family!