Birth center birth positive

On Friday just as it turned midnight I woke up feeling very nauseous. I got out of bed and walked our dog outside hoping the cold air would help with the nausea. The walk helped temporarily but before long I was back inside and sick to my stomach multiple times. I had had prodomal labor the week before that started the same way so I figured this was the same thing. I managed to fall asleep at 3 for a hour but woke up at 4 to a pretty strong contraction. After only 3 more contractions I decided to find them and see how close they were. At this point they were 5-6 minutes apart and the intensity was definitely already there. I woke up my husband and asked him to come rub my back for awhile. Still believing I was having prodomal labor I jumped in the shower to relieve the tension and told my hubby to go to bed. At 5 am I woke him back up and told him to pack his bag because we needed to head to the birthing center.

I called the midwife and let her know I thought I was in labor and that we were on our way. Our plan for our older daughter fell through and so did our back up plan, so she came along with us to the birthing center. She was so sweet and kept telling me mommy you can do it and fed me her snacks and told me to drink water. Upon entering the birthing center I asked if I could get in the bath ASAP and after being checked at 4 centimeters they said okay. It was about 6:30am at this point. I labored in the tub with my hubby and daughter near by for awhile listening to birth affirmations and red red wine radio. Luckily my father in law was able to take the day off work and came to pick up our daughter.

I asked them to check me again and the midwife let me know I was at about a 6 or 7. I decided I needed to get out of the bath to make things go faster as my energy was getting low. I labored backwards on the toilet for a few contractions and then moved to the birthing ball. After 3 or 4 contractions on the birthing bowl I started to feel the urge to push and moved to the bed. I tried hands and knees on the bed but quickly realized the intensity was too much out of the water. Between the next two contractions I waddled back to bath tub and got in as quickly as I could. The fetal ejection reflex kicked in and my body started pushing automatically.

I started pushing while side laying and before I knew it my babies head was visible to the size of an orange slice. The ring of fire is no joke. My midwife told me to try to wait to push so my body could adjust and to reduce tearing. After a few minutes I was encouraged to push again and more of her head came out. I realized I needed to change positions to get her out and started side lunging in the tub on one knee. Apparently I have a very tight pelvic floor and I had difficulty getting her through but I ended up standing up and then bearing down into a mid squat to get her out. With a crazy roar I birthed my baby into my midwives hands who encouraged me to reach between my legs and grab her. She was a bit purple and required some suction but she quickly pinked up and we were able to walk back to the bed were I delivered my placenta. I only had 5 hours of active labor and really enjoyed the experience. It was 100 times better experience than my first birth at the hospital.