I can honestly say this was the best birth experience I could ask for! My birth team was amazing as were the midwives at Willow.
My waves started (very inconsistently) Jan 9th when I was sleeping. They didn't wake me up, but when I had to get up (bathroom runs) I felt a wave. The next day I had maybe 30 waves all day. Around 10:00pm Jan 10th, my water broke (in the middle of Target 🙊). I called my midwife and she suggested I check back in an hour. Well, I fell asleep and called her 2 hours later. By then the waves were coming every 15 min and they were definitely stronger than they had been. My midwife told me to sleep, and I couldn't have been more relieved. I really didn't want to go in to the birth center until I had to. Morning came quickly, and so did the waves. However, they were very inconsistent still. 4-6 min apart for 45 min, a few 8-10 min apart, some more 4-6 min apart, etc.
My waves started (very inconsistently) Jan 9th when I was sleeping. They didn't wake me up, but when I had to get up (bathroom runs) I felt a wave. The next day I had maybe 30 waves all day. Around 10:00pm Jan 10th, my water broke (in the middle of Target 🙊). I called my midwife and she suggested I check back in an hour. Well, I fell asleep and called her 2 hours later. By then the waves were coming every 15 min and they were definitely stronger than they had been. My midwife told me to sleep, and I couldn't have been more relieved. I really didn't want to go in to the birth center until I had to. Morning came quickly, and so did the waves. However, they were very inconsistent still. 4-6 min apart for 45 min, a few 8-10 min apart, some more 4-6 min apart, etc.
At this point I hadn't listened to any tracks because I was preoccupied with my usual morning routine.
11:00 am rolls around and I was asked if I wanted to just head to the birth center because of the weather and how long of a drive it would be. I did some last minute packing (and took a shower) and off I went!
On the way I finally listened to my tracks and knew I should have been all along. The waves were much more tolerable. I could focus on the ultimate goal: getting my baby in my arms.
I arrived at the center around 1:00. Since my waves were still all over the place, my doula suggested climbing stairs and a few stretches. 4:00 comes and that was when I had my one and only cervical check. I didn't want to know my dilation because I knew I would be discouraged if I wasn't as far as I thought I should be. (I later found out I was at 5 cm!)
I decided to lay down and listen to a track again. This time, I had very consistent and powerful waves. Around 5:30 I decided to spend some time in the tub. Now, my waves were very consistent and much more powerful. From this point on, I had no sense of time.
11:00 am rolls around and I was asked if I wanted to just head to the birth center because of the weather and how long of a drive it would be. I did some last minute packing (and took a shower) and off I went!
On the way I finally listened to my tracks and knew I should have been all along. The waves were much more tolerable. I could focus on the ultimate goal: getting my baby in my arms.
I arrived at the center around 1:00. Since my waves were still all over the place, my doula suggested climbing stairs and a few stretches. 4:00 comes and that was when I had my one and only cervical check. I didn't want to know my dilation because I knew I would be discouraged if I wasn't as far as I thought I should be. (I later found out I was at 5 cm!)
I decided to lay down and listen to a track again. This time, I had very consistent and powerful waves. Around 5:30 I decided to spend some time in the tub. Now, my waves were very consistent and much more powerful. From this point on, I had no sense of time.
I entered transformation in the tub. My doula read a prompt each wave I had. Which helped keep me calm and focused. She was so amazing!
I could no longer just breathe through the waves, I HAD to make a noise. It started with a calm "Ahhhh" and turned into a low, intense "Aaaaaah". My waves had pushed my baby down most of the way during this phase.
Next, the pushing. This was the most intense feeling I have ever had. My mom told me I was only really pushing for about 20 min. The breaks between these waves felt longer than the others and was very much needed. A few long, powerful pushes later, Brynley was in my arms.
I was so exhausted afterwards, I just wanted to sleep. However, my birth team had different plans. They suggested I eat before sleeping. I'm glad I listened because once I ate, I felt like I could go run a mile (despite being unable to really walk lol). The sense of power I had was incredible.
I breastfed right away because she was born very hungry, hah. She latched right away and was very patient with me while I got her on my breast properly.
11:00pm comes and we were able to go home! I was so excited to just be at home with her. I could not have asked for a better experience. It was amazing!
I could no longer just breathe through the waves, I HAD to make a noise. It started with a calm "Ahhhh" and turned into a low, intense "Aaaaaah". My waves had pushed my baby down most of the way during this phase.
Next, the pushing. This was the most intense feeling I have ever had. My mom told me I was only really pushing for about 20 min. The breaks between these waves felt longer than the others and was very much needed. A few long, powerful pushes later, Brynley was in my arms.
I was so exhausted afterwards, I just wanted to sleep. However, my birth team had different plans. They suggested I eat before sleeping. I'm glad I listened because once I ate, I felt like I could go run a mile (despite being unable to really walk lol). The sense of power I had was incredible.
I breastfed right away because she was born very hungry, hah. She latched right away and was very patient with me while I got her on my breast properly.
11:00pm comes and we were able to go home! I was so excited to just be at home with her. I could not have asked for a better experience. It was amazing!
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