FTM waterbirth!

My sweet baby girl Presley Jane was born 9/16 at 1:06pm at 39.4wks. She weighs 8lbs11oz, 19in long, with a big 14.25in head!

The day before, I spent the whole day with my fiance and my mom who came to town from out of state. We spent the day eating a lot and took a long walk on the beach.

I went home, showered, and went to bed around 11pm. I woke up around 12:30am Monday to something leaking out of me. I thought for a minute that it could be my water, but it was just a little trickle so I convinced myself I just had to pee. I got up and went to the bathroom where more kept trickling out even after I peed. It was clear and kind of a slippery, glossy texture. I told my fiance that I think my water broke, but I'm not having contractions so I was going to lay back down and try and sleep. I laid down for about 45 min but was getting uncomfortable and anxious. I got up and noticed contractions that felt like mild period cramps that wrapped around to my back. They were coming irregularly about 8-11min apart. I called my mom to let her know that I was in early labor and that I would update her as things progressed. Around 230am I realized the contractions were getting more painful and more regular. I told my fiance to go pick up my mom. I continued to labor at home and called my midwife around 530am when i realized my contractions were coming every 3-5min for over an hour. She told us to head to the birth center when we were ready. We arrived around 0700am (that 20 min drive to the BC was the WORST!). Midwife checked my cervix and I was at 4cm/100% effaced. By this point my contractions are coming steadily every 2-3min and I am feeling them all the way from my belly to back. I was desperate for some kind of relief. My midwife began filling the tub, but she wanted me to get to 6cm before getting in. In the mean time I got into the shower and labored there for about 45min with the warm water on my belly and back helping me through each contraction, as well as my fiance putting counter pressure on my lower back.

During my time in the shower, contractions became much more intense to where I needed to vocalize during each one. Luckily soon the tub was filled and I was allowed to get in. I felt immediate relief, but that feeling didnt last too long.

By this point my contractions were coming back to back with little rest time in between. I continued to labor in the tub with the support of my amazing fiance and mom by my side the entire time.

With every contraction they reminded me to breathe, relax my shoulders, and not fight the contraction. I remember saying I wanted to be done and just wanted to go get an epidural at the hospital. Everyone kept reminding me that I could do it and I was almost there. I had to remind myself that if I left the birth center, I would likely deliver before I got the epidural anyways. And there was no way I was getting out of that tub! I labored in the tub changing positions frequently trying to find whatever I could to get me through each contraction. I remember needing to have a grip on a handle or side of the tub and wanting to bury my face into the side of the tub with each contraction.

Eventually my fiance got in the water with me. He sat behind me and held me, allowing my body to float in the water. I squeezed him through every powerful contraction and he reminded me of my relaxation techniques.

The Midwife checked my cervix around 11 and said I was complete with just an anterior lip left. She told me I could follow my body and start pushing when I feel I need to. After about 30min I had her recheck and I still had the lip, which she tried to push back as I pushed. This was the most painful part of my labor by far! I begged her to stop, so she did and I began to push on my own with each contraction.

I pushed for an hour and a half, and at 1:06pm, my baby girl was born! I didn't experience the relief feeling of pushing like everyone describes. I still had my terrible back contractions. I just focused on the fact that if I push, my baby will be here and all the pain will be gone. I remember feeling the ring of fire (so intense!). I tried to stop pushing and do controlled breathing though this feeling, but I couldn't stop pushing. With one last push, my midwife said "reach down and pull your baby out". The most incredible moment ever as I pulled her out the rest of the way and brought her to my chest.

I cried and just stared at my baby, feeling such a feeling of relief, exhaustion, and overwhelming love! We were allowed to stay in the tub until baby's cord stopped pulsing. My fiance cut the cord, they handed baby to him for skin to skin while I got out of the tub and dried off.

They had me lay on the bed to deliver the placenta and repair my 2nd degree tear. I then got to latch baby girl for the first time and she did great!

We stayed for a total of 4 hrs after delivery and were allowed to go home. Even though it was the most painful and intense experience of my life, I would choose to do it all over again (although if you asked me right after I would have said hell no!) Now 3 weeks later I can say I will definitely choose this type of delivery again for my future babies.

Here she is going home!

At 1 week.

Here she is at almost 3 weeks old!