I went into labor at 4:00am in the morning on September 30, 2011. I knew it was the real thing when the contraction didn't let up and came every 5 minutes. An hour later I woke up Ken and we got dressed and went on a walk around the parking lot of the church near our house.
About 2 1/2 hours later we called our midwife Michelle Bartlett. The kids woke up shortly after that. We then wrote an email to Christopher's teacher letting her know he wouldn't be in school that day as he wanted to be there when his sibling was born.
Ken found it amusing at me as I put make up on while coping with the ever more serious contraction. Yes it took 3 times at long, but I wanted to look nice for the pictures that would be taken after our baby was born. He also found it amusing again as I fixed Kirsten's hair for the same reason. While I fixed Kirsten's hair she looked up at me once in a while wondering why I would pause during the time I curled her hair to breath the contractions. Valerie our midwife's assistant walked in while I was fixing Kirsten's hair and also thought it was a funny sight.
Later our friend, Robyn Allgood, came whom we asked to help out with the labor and to take pictures after the baby was born came. She cooked Ken and I breakfast to give us both some needed energy, especially since labor was becoming more difficult. Because of Ken's amusement and grinning over fixing Kirsten's hair and doing my hair, I would burst out in laughter too. This in turn made Robyn, Michelle and Valerie laugh as well. I'm sure they thought I was a little crazy. I mean come on who laughs during labor?
Well, a little while later, I labored more in my bedroom. It got to the point where I felt like laying down on the bed to relax as the contractions were getting quite intense. What took me completely by surprise was shortly after I laid on the bed my water broke. This caused both Ken and I to make a mad dash to the birthing tube that Ken had filled the previous night.
As soon as I got in the water, I started to laugh again. This again made everyone else laugh all over again. This went on for what seemed like a few minutes, but was really around 45 minutes. Finally Michelle asked me to get on my hands and knees and breathe through the contraction and let them do the work. I would know when I needed to push and she was right.
It wasn't long before I knew it was defiantly time to push. After about 5 minutes she was out and Ken handed her to me. I was very eager to find out the gender of the baby. The cord was between her legs so at first glance I thought she was a boy. After a closer look saw that she was in fact a girl. It was a very fun surprise. I felt nothing more then shear elation over the whole ordeal. The joy that only comes through giving birth. Elizabeth curled up on my chest like she knew I am her mom. It was a priceless moment. The other 3 kids watched the scene unfold and were pleased as can be to meet their new sister. Ken was just as surprised and happy as I was.
I stayed in the water until the cord was ready to be cut and I was able to breast feed Elizabeth. After which the Michelle and her assistant Valerie helped me dry off and get into bed with Elizabeth. Shortly after this, Valerie weighed and measured her. I guess that she would be 8 pounds 10 ounces. Michelle, Valerie, and Ken were all amazed to find that I was right. She was also 22 inches long with a head measurement of 14.25 inches.
Anyway the expercie was very joyful and here are some picutes of it. This was by far one of the best birthing experiences I have had. Truly to me one of God's miracles.
