Matthew's Birth Story

I woke up at 4:00 on the morning of November 3 with Jeff's alarm. I was experiencing some contractions as he went about getting ready for work, but I tried not to get my hopes up - I had been having contractions in bed for weeks. But eventually I allowed myself to accept that these were stronger, more frequent, and just felt different. I got up to use the bathroom and produced a large amount of blood in the toilet - now I knew for sure that things were happening!

I went out to the living room to find Jeff and let him know he should probably stay home from work, only to find that he had already left. Whoops! I called his work and told his coworker to have him call me as soon as he got to work.

From there I spent some time packing last-minute items in the hospital bag; calling the babysitter, the midwife, and my parents; and breathing through the contractions. Jeff called at about 5:00 and was excited to hear that it was happening and he needed to come home!

After Jeff got home and we got the babysitter set up with instructions, we headed to the hospital. Contractions slowed considerably during the drive over, but continued to increase in intensity. At triage I was checked and found to be 4 cm and 90% effaced. We were left to labor for a while in triage until I progressed further.

At first I was able to relax through the contractions, probably looking much as though I were taking a nap. Here I am between contractions, still smiling and peaceful.

But as the contractions grew stronger, deep breathing and mentally going over my birthing affirmations wasn't enough. Once my water broke, I had Jeff provide counter pressure by squeezing my hips, which helped a great deal. The nurses came in to check my progress and make sure my water had actually broken. At this point I was about 6 cm. Then I was once again left to labor in peace.

Jeff alternated between squeezing my hips, pressing on the small of my back, and pressing my knees, and I have to say now how much I admire and am grateful for his stamina! This part was hard work for both of us.

At one point I threw up, after feeling like I needed to for some time. It was actually a relief because it took my mind off the contraction I was experiencing at the time.

I'm not sure of what time it was during any of this. I couldn't see a clock anywhere, and would probably not have paid attention if I could. But soon I found that the contractions were more bearable if I bore down and pushed a bit while I was contracting. At that point I paged the nurse and said things were getting intense and could we move to labor and delivery soon? I didn't mention that I was already pushing, though I probably should have. Sneaky me.

The nurses wheeled me down the hall to the labor and delivery unit, and it was a very unpleasant trip - Jeff wasn't able to provide counter pressure while I was in the wheelchair, so the contractions were less bearable.

Having expressed a desire for a water birth, I was taken to the room with the big tub, already full of steamy warm water. I stripped down to my sports bra and climbed in. It felt so nice! I knelt and leaned forward against the back corner of the tub, threw off my glasses, and labored, while Jeff got his sleeves nice and wet with squeezing on my hips again.

Finally I mentioned that I was pushing, because I could feel that the baby was moving down. I turned over in the tub so the nurse could check baby's heart rate. At this point Jeff could no longer reach me to provide counter pressure, because I was now sitting with my back in the far corner of the tub, but I was able to provide my own by pushing my feet against the sides of the tub.

Contractions continued to increase in intensity, and I continued to push. Even though I've always been very vocal during active labor (momma roars are a real thing), this time I didn't do any more than some low, quiet moaning and groaning. The whole mood of the room was peaceful and quiet.

The midwife had me move between contractions to a nearer corner of the tub so she could reach the baby if needed. Finally I felt the baby crowning, and after several more pushes, between which I was able to reach down and feel my baby, the head was birthed, followed by the body. What an incredible experience it was! I brought him up out of the water to my chest, nurses and midwife wiped him and covered him with a warm, wet blanket, and I just sat there in the water holding my baby as he looked up at me. I cooed at him while we rubbed his back, legs, and tummy to encourage him to breathe and cry. He was so beautiful!

After the cord stopped pulsing, I cut it, then the baby was handed to Jeff while I made my way out of the tub and into bed.

I had no tearing, so didn't need any stitches. The baby latched on and nursed strong for about 40 minutes, after which he was checked, weighed, and measured. Official stats: Matthew Norman Basker was born at 8:35 am (after only 4 1/2 hours of labor!), weighing 7 lbs 8 oz, measuring 20 1/2 inches.

I'm so grateful and feel so blessed to have had such a beautiful, amazing birth experience. The whole thing still feels very surreal. And very wonderful.