I went into labor early morning on 10/15! I was 39+1. Last belly selfie while I was in labor and getting things ready for the birth center. :)

My husband was my absolute rock throughout labor. He was right there with me through every single contraction once I was in active labor. Literally every single one. Poor guy had to pee so bad at one point and had to make a mad dash in between my contractions lol. He was the best birth partner ever.

Here’s our goofy smiling photo after I got checked and we were told I was dilated to 9 cm!!

My water was still in tact and we waited awhile thinking it would rupture any time. My water did NOT want to break on its own so the midwife broke it.

I was still having a tough time getting that last centimeter, so I had to walk around and walk up and down stairs. 😐

After that I gave up. I said I wanted to go to the hospital and get an epidural. I was seriously done.

But then I started screaming bloody murder and got on the bed. My doula gently pointed out in between contractions that she noticed a change and thought I was at a 10 and ready to push. So I let them check me and it was time to rock and roll.

I had a really, really hard time getting in the groove of pushing. Baby wasn’t descending all that well so they wanted to me start bearing down with contractions to move her. It was so hard and so tiring.

It took what felt like an eternity. I was exhausted and so discouraged. I really didn’t think she was ever going to be born.

My midwife had me get up and change pushing positions every 10-15 minutes. I hated it every time but I knew it was what I needed to do.

Finally she was right there and so close. I screamed bloody murder, especially when she was crowning. I screamed at the top of my lungs “GET. HER. OUT!”

It was so damn hard. But we did it! She came out with a perfect cry, weighing a whopping 8 pounds and 13 and a half ounces. So perfect and so healthy. I only have one tiny tear that didn’t even need to get stitched. :)

I did get some pretty terrible shakes and was freezing after delivery for about 45 minutes. They said it was hormones and the adrenaline.

Baby latched perfectly and has been a nursing champ. We were good to leave the birth center and go home 4 hours after delivery.

We’ve been in absolute bliss ever since. 💕

I’m convinced I would have ended up in a c section if I would have been at the hospital. I am forever grateful for the kick ass job my midwife did, and the support of my whole birth team!