Sophie Eliza was born Sunday, July 12. I was 40+3 that day, convinced she was never going to come on her own and scheduled for an induction a few days later. Two days before (Friday) she suddenly didn't seem to move as much anymore, so I went in for monitoring and to get an ultrasound. I was assured that everything was fine, but still nervous. My regular doctor couldn't see me that day, and the one who was there instead offered to do a membrane sweep, which my own doctor had said I wasn't dilated enough for (only 1 cm). I jumped at the opportunity. Still, I only got a few contractions that evening and that was it. The next day (Saturday) I did a ton of walking and tried pretty much everything else I could think of, but nothing happened. Sunday morning I woke up around 5 AM with contractions. I timed a few of them (I recommend downloading an app for that btw - once I was in labor there was no way I would have kept track of anything properly, lol) and noticed they were regular. I then felt a little pop in my belly and some water came out - no big gush but I still assumed my water broke. Woke up hubby and called the doctor. Labored at home for another 2 hours, then drove to the hospital. When I arrived I was told I was only 2-3 cm and there was no trace of my water having broken. It looked like they were going to send me home, but then a nice doctor told me that since I was past my due date and I was begging to stay, they would admit me. I honestly think they were just not very busy that day. I started laboring without any drugs and everyone was surprised that within a couple of hours I was already 5-6 cm (maybe all that evening primrose oil did help). I was also in a lot of pain by now and I asked for an epidural. I was torn about whether I was OK with getting one until the last minute btw. I had wanted to try to get as far as possible naturally, but that was it for me. Got the epidural and was SO glad I did. I could relax a little, which was especially helpful when the doctor noticed that my baby had suddenly turned "sunny side up." Fortunately they were able to get her to turn by repositioning me and me relaxing as much as I could. Suddenly it was already time to push and I was surprised how quickly I had made it there. Except then I pushed for 2 hours - somehow I hadn't expected that part to take as long. Still, Sophie was out at 6:13 PM, so it was really only 13 hours from my first contraction until I held my baby - as a FTM I had expected worse. Ironically once it was all over the doctor noticed that my water had never visibly broken and concluded that I had probably been right about it breaking early that morning after all. I needed a few stitches, but was way too busy falling in love with my baby to really care. Sophie was 20 inches, 7 lbs 15 ounces. The picture was taken right in the delivery room - she was super alert right from the start.