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Stephani’s Birth Story

What a whirlwind her delivery was, I had some crampiness about 2pm and by 2:40pm was thinking yeah ok baby might come, but I wasnt fully convinced. I gave my midwife Marianne and photographer Kathryn a heads up in case. There were 3 more intense contractions in that hour that made me think it could be it. I had already showered and french braided my hair so I guess my intuition knew more than me. I began to color some of an adult Halloween coloring page and was dancing to music around the house. Meanwhile my husband took E to the park and store so she could burn off some energy. At 4pm I knew it was real and that labor had really begun. I let the midwives know and the photographer and ate some food. The midwife said they were coming and she asked if Kathryn was on her way too. My husband Ryan came in shortly after and I said, "baby it's go time." The song “All We Need” by Odesza came on and I cried. Realizing that after this day we were to be a family of 4 and I would no longer be pregnant. 

Ryan made himself a pot of coffee while I settled into my zone. Marianne and Kathryn showed up almost at the same time. I said hello to them and got back into labor land. Hannah arrived shortly after. At this time it was a dance between being on all 4s on the floor, leaning over the couch, sitting backwards on the toilet, and Dancing/swaying to the music. I got in the tub for some relaxation and E joined me. She really loved playing in the water. It was a very sweet moment for us. Between contractions I would lie on my back and try to relax into the water. When I felt another contraction I would get on my knees and grunt or hum through it. I had to get out and pee so I spent some time backwards on the toilet. I tried leaning on the yoga ball and smelling some essential oils. I grabbed a palm stone and squeezed it through contractions. The midwives and Ryan would put pressure on my low back through contractions, they were all so attentive. At this point it was getting intense and E went to her room to watch a movie.  

The contractions started coming really fast and I figured I was in transition, there was absolutely no break. I went back in the tub where I thought i'd have relief, it was not what I needed. I tried to relax but wasn't getting a break between contractions they were roughly every 2 minutes. E had asked to come back in the tub with me and I said no. The midwives and Ryan kept reminding me pressure stays, contractions come and go. Marianne said to blow air out in puffs between contractions. After a few contractions, I got out and went pee again but couldn't. I said I felt the head, so we went to the living room. The contractions were so intense, I cried out, "I have no idea where I want to be." So I went onto my knees, gripping my husband tightly through some intensely fast contractions on the living room floor. My water broke and I had my bloody show, I could feel the baby desecending with each contraction. I put my knee up and I started bleeding, I gave two good pushes and she was out. 7 min after my water broke. Ryan caught her first with the help of Marianne. She spiraled out of me and there was nothing gradual about it. Ryan said, "is a boy!" Holding her in front of me and I said, "no it's a girl. She's a girl!" He had thought she was a boy due to the location of the cord. Finally she was given to me and I sat there in baby bliss awaiting the placenta to deliver. E had emerged from her room excited and eager to kiss her sister. She brought her Elsa doll out and introduced her also. It was very precious. I had a partial early placental abruption which was why the bleeding happened early. The placenta delivered whole within minutes of birth thankfully and the cord had a true knot. Once we got everything situated we all moved to the bedroom and laid down. Soaking in the new baby snuggles and oxytocin. E curled into my arm and baby on my chest. The midwives did their check up on me and E fell asleep in minutes. They weighed J and took measurements then Ryan snuggled her for a few while I was examined for tears and sent to try and pee. I felt like a warrior. Team Green is baby girl #2