My Crazy Birth Story
You Had Your Baby Where?!?

As moms, we love to share our birth birth story after we have a baby. I'm no exception :) When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, I never realized what a great birth story I'd have to share.

I had my first two kids in the hospital and my third at home. The fourth time around, my husband suggested we try my midwife's new birth center. No problem, I said.

We were really excited about it. Every time I went to my prenatal appointments I imagined what my labor would be like here. Peaceful. Beautiful. Calm.

One morning, I woke up to use the bathroom (for the fourth time that night!), and my water broke. Finally! It was about 7:15 AM.

I sent a message to my midwife letting her know that my water broke, I was getting in the shower and I'd update her later. I got in the shower and I was having some pretty decent contractions. I was thinking that they were pretty close together for being so early in labor.

After the shower, I walked around, gathering my stuff for the birth center here and there as I stopped to focus through my contractions.

I called my midwife and told her my contractions were only about 2 min apart, but they really weren't horrible. She said it would take her about a half hour to get to the birth center. I said no problem, I wasn't going up there THAT soon. That was about 8 AM.

My sister was watching me saying "They're getting pretty bad, are you sure you don't want to go yet?"

I insisted it was fine. I had only been in labor for an hour. I mean, I've been through this 3 times already. My labor is going to be at least a few hours. We have time!

A couple minutes later, my emotions started getting the best of me and I started to cry during the contractions. I agree... we should go.

I tell my sister to go pick up some breakfast for her and my husband. She is worried- shouldn't she just come up there with us? Are you sure?? Yes, I'll be fine. We'll meet you there.

My mother in law traded us vehicles so she could take our other kids in the minivan. Her car is nice. White leather interior...

We live only a few minutes from the birth center. My husband was trying to get there fast because my contractions were getting pretty darn intense. Then, we got stuck behind a cop- driving slow.

When we got up to the birth center, we saw that my midwife was not there yet. And the gate to the parking lot was closed. Luckily, someone drove out as we drove up so we were able to drive in.

Once we parked, I jumped out of the car because a pretty nasty contraction hit and I needed to get OUT.

So there we are... my husband and I standing outside. I am in heavy labor. The birth center is locked.

My husband is on the phone with our midwife. She says she thought I was supposed to call her when I wanted her to leave. Misunderstanding between us, I suppose. My husband asks her what to do. She can hear me grunting and says don't go anywhere- you aren't going to make it home or to the hospital. She was driving in the emergency lane as fast as she could trying to get there.

Just to give you an idea of my mindset this whole time: I was in denial. I didn't think there was any way I was that close to delivering. I just thought the contractions were really intense this time. I knew labor was going faster than it ever had for me, but I had no idea what I was in for.

I was holding onto my husband trying to relax myself as much as I could during the contractions. My husband was terrified.

Then, I felt like I had to go to the bathroom- bad. I knew in my head that it was probably the baby, but like I said, I really thought there was no way it could be already.

At that point, I ran over to the grass and got down on my hands and knees. My husband was back on the phone with my midwife asking what he should do. She said to get a blanket and put it down under me. He was tearing his mom's car apart looking for something to put down. All he could find was a sun visor for the windshield and a kids' kite.

Then, my sister pulled up with breakfast as my husband is pulling out the sun visor to put under me. She grabbed her nursing blanket and ran over.

I was in disbelief by that point that this was actually happening. I could feel so much pressure, I really wanted to know what was going on. So, despite my embarrassment at even asking, I told my sister she needed to check and see what was going on.

My husband ran back over to me now, and they looked under my skirt (thank God I decided to wear that skirt!!!), and sure enough, they could see the baby.

My husband delivered that beautiful baby right there in the front lawn of the birth center- at 9:15 AM.

I don't know if it was even a minute later, my midwife came flying up, jumped out of her car grabbing her supplies. She checked the baby and me out, and delivered the placenta.

She and my sister helped me inside while my husband carried the baby in one hand and the placenta in the other, still connected by the umbilical cord.

It all happened so fast, their breakfast was still warm by the time they were able to eat.

My husband and I were in complete disbelief for days about our unbelievable birth story. We were both terrified, and wouldn't have chosen to do it that way. But it was the most amazing experience we've ever been through. I wouldn't take it back for anything.

After the birth, my midwife asked us if we wanted our birth story in the newspaper. What?! I never thought I'd be one of those people with such a crazy birth story that it ends up in the news. I guess you never know!

Reflecting back on my birth story, I really don't know why I didn't think we should leave the house sooner. I am a doula. I'm very familiar with the signs of imminent birth. I know how I act when I get that far along in labor. I was crying during contractions- not necessarily from the pain, but I always get really emotional when I get really close to the baby being born. I was shaky. I felt pressure. All the signs of transition were there. I just couldn't conceive in my mind that I could be in transition in less than an hour after my first contraction.

I guess you never hear the same birth story twice. Every labor is different!

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