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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	Meagan's Birth Story By Lisa       My labor actually started around 8pm the 20th of November, contractions were 5 minutes apart, about 15 seconds long & painless, although annoying. I packed our bags for the birthing center, and went to bed, fully expecting to awaken in full labor.       I awoke the next morning, around 10AM, with painless, annoying contractions that were STILL 5 min apart, and STILL only 15 seconds long. I ate breakfast, went for a walk, and called my midwive, who said I should come on down for a check. So, around 3pm, we arrived in her office, she hooked me up to an EFM, and my contractions stopped completely. An external exam indicated that the baby's head was not engaged yet, and an internal exam showed that I wasn't dilated or effaced.      I made a prenatal appt for the following week, and felt like a moron for driving 45 minutes for nothing. On the way home, I ate five Arbys roast beef sandwiches, and we rented "The nutty professor". That evening, after we watched the movie, I attempted to go to bed, but I thought I had to move my bowels, so I went into the bathroom.       After an hour in the bathroom, with contractions 3 minutes apart, lasting 30-45 seconds, I thought this just might be it, but since it was the middle of the night, I didn't want to wake up my family for another false alarm. I filled the tub with warm water and ran around the bathroom, squatting, bending, doing whatever I could to be comfortable. Suddenly, my contractions stopped.       I looked at my notepad, finally conscious enough to absorb what was going on, and I realized they had been exactly 2 minutes apart. I wondered why they had stopped, when I realized that I'd probably need to push soon. (I read ALL the books, so I KNEW!)      I woke up my husband, and while he was shaving, I started pushing. Of course, I yelled at him to stop shaving, and when he saw the vein on my head popping out, he knew I meant business! I asked him to grab me something to wear, he had the nerve to pick my best white maternity shorts, so of course, I yelled at him again.       Finally, we left the house, my in-laws were following us because they live down the street, and I'm trying to estimate which freeway exit we'll be at when this baby comes out, because I knew we wouldn't make it to the Birth center! (I didn't want anyone to worry, though, so I kept my mouth shut)       Then, my husband pulls over, he wants us to ride with my inlaws, because our bald tires are slipping in the rain. Of course, I yelled at him, and refused to get out of the car. My mother in law came over to me, to help me out, and I was in the middle of a push, so I couldn't talk, but I managed to grunt out the words "it's coming now", she's a panicky person anyways, so it was really funny to see her running around.      She gave my husband the cellular phone, and took off her jacket to catch the baby. We had some very funny conversation, she told me to push if I had to, and I explained how at this point, to avoid tearing, it's important for me to let the baby's head ease it's way out, "See, like this..."      Then, when the cord was twisted through the baby's head and shoulders, my mother in law nearly passed out, and I managed to untwist them, all the while, keeping a fingerspace at the baby's neck, for her first few breaths to enter.       In the meantime, my husband was cursing the 911 operator, who insisted that our intersection didn't exist! When my husband told the 911 operator that the baby's head was out, the lady said "Oh wow, sir, let me put you on hold?" After the baby was delivered, it was the most beautiful sight. Right there, in the dark and rain, she looked around, with the most genuine look of amazement I have ever seen. She looked right into our eyes, with a half-grin on her face, and the biggest eyes. She never had to squint at us, because it was dark, (except for the headlights of passing cars!)       As soon as I could get the heat in the car turned on, I adjusted the blankets and began to nurse her immediately, my husband and I grossed out together as I passed a few blood clots, then finally the placenta. (Luckily I had a bin in the car to keep it in!)      Anyways, against my better judgement, we went to the nearest hospital, where they entered my room every 5 minutes with another stupid reason why she needed to go into the nursery, and I had to keep defending myself. I'm glad she wasn't born in that hospital, The rest of our kids will be born at home, unless my midwive gets a closer office!       I love to tell that story, it was one of the best days of my life, and the funniest thing most people have ever heard. That part of the story can probably be left out, I think my transition & 2nd stage overlapped eachother, by about 10 minues. From the time I thought I was having a BM, to the time the baby was born lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Since the birth center was 45 min away and I had false-labor embarassement, there was no way I was going to make it there, nobody leaves the house an hour after labor starts anyways. I figure my prelabor was about 30 hours, except for the 15 minutes I spent on the EFM. First stage was 1 1/2 hours, and 2nd was about 15-20 minutes (they overlapped!) 3rd was only about 5 minutes. Next time, we're staying home. That is, If we happen to be home at the time! 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