Jonah

I went to my 40 week midwife appointment and told her I finally felt 'ready.' If that made any sense to her I'm not sure, but up until Wed July 22nd I didn't feel like my body or baby were ready. She did an exam and swept my membranes lightly. I had some bloody show a few hours later, but tried not to get my hopes up because I wasn't sure what was going on. I went to bed at 9:00pm and woke up around 1:30am with some uncomfortable crampy feelings. I took a bath. I thought I might have been in labor, but I think I was in denial. I tried to go back to sleep. Around 3:30 I woke up Scott. I told him to start filling the pool. He jumped out of bed!

I was having contractions every 3 min. I had to squat down and brace myself through them so I called my midwife around 4am. She said she could head over or she could wait for another phone call. I told her I would call her back. I called her back 30 min later and asked her to head over. She asked me not to get in the pool until she got here. My friend Holly arrived shortly thereafter. Kate and Jill arrived at 5:00am, Kate checked meÉ I was at 6cm! Into the pool I went! I was having very uncomfortable contractions at this point but I was still in really good spirits. I had to have Scott put pressure on my back during each contraction and my way of dealing was to moan or whimper. At this point my friend Amy arrived. She was there to keep an eye on the boys in case they woke. She grabbed the camera instead since they were still asleep.

Things were progressing right along and I would say about 6ish I felt this pop with a contraction, I thought 'oh my goodness, what was that?' It was such a neat and weird feeling. Kate announced it was my water breaking! It broke all on its own and it was clear with a few blood clots. After that things really picked up and each contraction I was more vocal. I was feeling sharp pains at the top of my uterus and I realized the baby was kicking me with both feet with each contraction. Kate said he was trying to get out as much as I wanted him out. I think I said out loud in a crying voice 'what are you doing baby?' because it hurt.

I am so thankful to my husband. He kept the positive pressure on my back, kissing my neck, telling me I was doing great. I felt so secure and loved. I couldn't have gotten through this next part without him.

I have no recollection of time, however I am sure I only had 6 or 7 contractions after my water broke. At 6:30 I would say they really were intense and I felt my body pushing. I started this deep grunting, but it was coming from my throat and I was tensing up, so I had to think 'open' and try to relax. The whole time Kate was telling me what a good job I was doing and Jill was holding my hand. I got a cramp in my leg from being on my knees, so I flipped over to my back. One more contraction and I screamed like I was being murdered. It really did feel like my insides were ripping out and I was scared. I looked at my midwife's assistant Jill with fear and intensity in my eyes, I felt so vulnerable, and she reassured me. Scott kissed my neck, and I closed my eyes, screamed and pushed. His head was out!!

I started to smile and laugh, and asked Amy to go get the boys. Turns out they were awake but afraid to come down stairs because I was screaming. Cole was astounded at what he saw and Jayson refused to come over, he was more excited to see Amy. As I waited for the next contraction to push his shoulders out, I realized his head was out and he was under water. I asked if he was OK under there. He was, of course, and with the next contraction my baby boy was born! Jonah Spratt was born at 6:56 am on July 23rd 2009. He was 8 pounds 9 oz and 19 inches long after a 5 hour labor.

I held him there for a few minutes and he whimpered and let out a short cat-like cry. He was very covered with vernix, I was surprised! Cole exclaimed "He came out of your vagina!" We all laughed! We exited the pool and made our way, still attached to each other, to the bedroom. We laid together until the placenta was birthed about 25 min later. I was a whirlwind of emotions and still in pain. I was excited for the boys to meet their brother, and waiting for the placenta. When the time came, the boys then cut the cord with Kate, separating Jonah from his tree of life. Amy stayed to encapsulate my placenta. She cooked it on my stove, it smelled like Thanksgiving! Yum! She dried it in the oven, and it was finished by noon.

I would say, all in all, it was the best birth experience out of my three. I am so glad I had faith in myself, and the support to accomplish such a feat. I think every woman deserves to feel the way I felt after they birth a child. I can't quite covey how I feel. Joy, elation, exhilaration, satisfaction, accomplishment are all words that come to mind. I have a renewed sense of my own strength and faith in womanhood. Every woman deserves a midwife! Everyone deserves Kate and Jill!

I feel great, we are both doing great. He is nursing well and the boys are adjusting well.