Birth Story of Noah

S and E started care with me at the end of their second trimester of their first pregnancy.  S wanted something different than the hospital birth they had been planning.  After lots of debating and thought, S decided to keep her OB on the side to have as a plan b in case transport became necessary. Ten days past her estimated due date, S sent me a text that evening letting me know she thought labor might be starting.  Contractions soon came five minutes apart, and it was not long and S asked me to come over. Right before 4am, I did an exam and found S to be 4cm dilated, 80% effaced and baby at a -1 station.  Contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes, lasting a minute long.  S was laying on her side in the bed. S was having a lot of pressure in her backs and hips.  I suggested she move to the shower and labor there for a bit.  Close to 5 am, she was feeling more comfortable and got in the bed and took a nap.  Over the next few hours, S alternated between napping and getting in the bath/shower.  At 9:30am, S was 5cm, 100% effaced and baby at a -1 station. S sat on the birth ball, bouncing and rocking, contractions coming every 3-4 minutes, lasting 45 seconds.  Birth team and her family slowly started filtering in.  S ate some soup, as she visited. I suggested a walk.  It was unusually chilly for March, so S bundled up and we went for a quick walk, alternating some curb walking as we walked. As noon came, S decided to try to lay on her side and rest some more.  S rested awhile, and then decided to get in the bath.  Contractions seemed to be longer and stronger.  S requested for an exam right before 2pm.  She was now 6cm dilated, 100% effaced and baby moved down to a 0 station. S moved to the kitchen and leaned over her chair in the kitchen.  My birth assistant and I started airing up the birth pool and setting up supplies for delivery. By 3pm, the pool was ready and so was S! Contractions were coming every 4 minutes, lasting 90 seconds.  S started by sitting and then moved to kneeling for awhile. The water helped take the edge off the contractions.  S did amazing resting and breathing through her labor journey. As 6pm neared, S got out of the warm birth pool and moved to the toilet.  She soon asked for a cervical check and was now 8cm.  S was feeling tired and decided to lay on her side in bed, to build up her energy.  She was ready to be done and be holding her baby. S rested for about an hour.  I came back in and her urge to keep moving positions was evident.  She sat on the birth ball for a couple contractions, then moved to her hands and knees.  She stood in her bathroom, rocking her hips and instinctually holding on to her hips. At 8pm, S asked for another check.  There had been no change.  Her amniotic sac was bulging into the cervix, and we discussed the possibility of that holding baby up a bit. I encouraged S to try the shower for a bit to help her cope through the surges.  Close to 9, S decided she wanted to be alone with E for 20-30 minutes. At 930pm, S asked again to be checked.  There was no change.  S said she did not want to break her water at home and wanted to transport to the hospital.  We left for the hospital around 10pm. Right before midnight, S received the epidural she requested.  She was still hanging out at 8cm, 100% effaced, and baby at a 0 station. Contractions spaced some after getting the epidural.  After the initial panic for S when her blood pressure dropped, S felt better and began visiting with her family that was present. As 4am neared, her OB called for a cesarean section since S had not made any change.  S was happy to be finally meeting her sweet baby! Welcome to the world Noah, born earthside on March 6, 2015 at 433am, weighing in at 9lbs, 11ozs.  Your mama worked so hard to meet you!