Finley came at 37weeks 6days- similar to his big brother at 38w1d. My midwife did a mini sweep on 8/7 and I started feeling contractions around 2AM of 8/8. This continued through the night and I began to time them- though I still wasn’t sure if they were real contractions yet.

By the morning around 8AM I told my husband that I think I’m having contractions every 6-8 min. I texted my midwife and we decided to wait an hour to see if they increased in frequency or became more intense before deciding on going to hospital. (My first labor was 8hrs and very quick and intense. I tested GBS positive with second pregnancy so we wanted to make sure we got to hospital with enough time to have at least one dose of antibiotics). A little before 9 I had my bloody show and contractions came every 5min and stronger. So my husband emergency dropped my oldest son at summer camp and we left for hospital at 10:30! We got there at 11:30 (NYC traffic) and when I checked into triage on labor & delivery I was 5cm around 12:30. At 2pm I was 7cm and contractions were intense but I was managing. My midwife checked me again at 3pm and I was still 7cm so she suggested breaking my water- which would make things more intense, but would hopefully speed things along.

It definitely did! She broke my water around 3:15 and Finn came at 3:39 in probably 2 pushes. But those 25 min was the most insane and intense experience of my life- I was afraid to push because I wasn’t sure I was fully dilated yet, but my midwife told me to listen to my body and I gave into the feeling and let my body move him down on its own. And out he came!

I can’t believe he’s been here a week now! I’m so glad to not be pregnant any longer and I’m wishing all you other aug mamas who are still waiting for their babes strength and luck and love during your labors and the craziness of that first postpartum week!

Xx