Birth Story • Baby Rhys

I woke up to intense cramping at 1:36am on Monday morning (5/1, 38w4d). I decided to time them bc I was PRAYING that this was it after having irregular contractions for 5 days. At 3:45am I woke up my husband and told him that it was go time - contractions 2-6 mins apart and getting more intense. Went to the hospital and got admitted at 4:30am. I was 6cm dilated and apparently my water had already broken, leaving me with a slow leak - I had no idea! At about 8:30am I was 8cm and got the epidural - these contractions were NO JOKE compared to those with my first! 9am my midwife showed up and I was 9cm with a bulging water that was still somehow pretty intact despite the leak. Once she broke the bag I somehow went back to being 8cm. Layed with a "peanut ball" (peanut shaped yoga ball) between my legs for about an hour. Got checked at 10am and was back to 9cm. My midwife told me to let her know when I felt the strong urge to push......but I didn't feel mentally ready to start pushing yet, this was all happening so fast compared to my 12hr labor with my first!!! So I waited until I couldn't wait anymore. Got checked one last time and was 10cm at 10:20am. Started pushing immediately and 11 minutes later he was here! Once his head and shoulders were out my midwife had me assist in the delivery and pull him the rest of the way out, and onto my chest. Rhys Taylor • 5-1-17 • 7lbs 10.5oz • 21in💙