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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	Joanna's Birth Story By Debra Baker Third of seven births. Jessica's Birth Story Jennifer's Birth Story       Joanna was born in the same hospital birthing room as Jennifer. I was pleased with Jennifer's birth. With Joanna, my pregnancy was uneventful.       Five days before my due date, I started having irregular contractions as I was washing the dishes after dinner. I figured I had better hand wash some diapers if it was the real thing. (Jennifer was a little over two.) When I was busy, the contractions came every three to five minutes. When I rested, they were spaced between 20 and 30 minutes. This went on for several hours. After awhile they became more intense and never more than five min. apart.       Pat called the doctor who told us to go to the hospital. I was afraid I was having braxton hicks contractions and would be sent home again. (I figured after three babies, I would be a real idiot if I couldn't tell the real McCoy from false labor.)       We got to the hospital and settled in the birthing room. The nurse wanted to wait for another contraction as it was her opinion that an exam would be more accurate during a contraction. I waited and waited for two long minutes. I saw in the nurse's expression that she was thinking, 'this woman isn't in labor.'       Finally, I felt a contraction coming and the nurse examined me. Oh, my, you're eight centimeters dialated! she shouted! She had to hustle to get the doctor into the room! By the time he got into the room, I was fully dialated and ready to push.       Honestly, her labor wasn't at all painful. I pushed her out and she was born quite gently. No tears, no episotomy.       Joanna was nine pounds even. She rooted around to nurse and fell into a contented sleep.       Her birth was a pleasure. Search the Birth Stories Match All Terms Any Term and show results in Standard Form in Compact Form Hint! Enclose phrases in quotes. For example "home birth" [ Return to Section Seven Birth Stories Index ]