My Contractions started at around 3:30am and were tolerable and about 15 minutes apart for a few hou...

My Contractions started at around 3:30am and were tolerable and about 15 minutes apart for a few hours. I couldn't quite sleep through them but was able to take mini naps between. Between 8-10am the contractions were getting closer together & stronger but I actually could still talk through them. While I took a shower (which was very calming) my husband called the midwife & described my current status. The midwife suggested we come in around noon. So we contacted our doula (who is absolutely wonderful) & planned to meet her at the hospital. I desired a drug-free birth using Hypnobabies techniques & a water birth assisted by midwives at a nearby hospital. After the triage process we were admitted & set up in a room with one of the birthing tubs. I didn't get in the tub right away but walked, squatted, and used the bed & exercise ball for positioning. At around 3pm I got into the tub and initially it felt wonderful. My husband & our doula were doing a wonderful job keeping me calm & focused as the Contractions started getting more difficult & closer together. Within an hour or so my water broke & the midwife noted there was some meconium present, so they told me I could still labor in the tub but wouldn't actually be able to give birth in there and I would need continuous fetal monitoring strapped to me. I understand why this is the case, but the continuous monitoring unfortunately did add to the discomfort factor. I am so grateful for my husband, doula, the midwife & the wonderful team of labor & delivery nurses who helped me get through the final & most difficult phase--pushing.