I had been having smaller contractions for a month then at 11:30 pm they were noticeable stronger and 5 minutes apart. I actually got some sleep that night which was good. The contractions only woke up a few times. The next day they resumed their intensity and were around 3 minutes apart. We knew we would be going to the hospital that day so we packed up the car but were not ready to go quite yet. We went to get some things from lowes and that is when my contractions were to hard to walk and talk thru. So we called the hospital and let them know we were on our way. I was 6 centimeter dilated. I was working through contractions with breathing techniques which helped a lot. Later I took a bath and then I felt like I was in transition they checked me and I was 9 centimeters this was about an hour and a half after getting to the hospital. I had a little break before I felt the need to push and when I did it felt a little unnatural but with changing postions on the seat and trying to think about how I could be most comfortable I had one contraction where I gave it my all and she was out. Pushing total time did not take more than 20 minutes, which I was really grateful for. The most painful part really was after I delivered the placenta and the doctor pushed on my stomach to get blood clots out. I think I was just not mentality prepared for that, I felt like I was done and all I wanted to do was to get as comfortable as possible but then they did that and it really hurt. She is a healthy beautiful little girl with a full head of jet black hair, which I did not expect becuase my other two had lighter brown hair at birth and turned blonde. She was born 8 lds. 13 oz. and 21 in. long. She ate well and had been very sleepy. She did have a hard few hiurs last night becuase she had swallowed some amniotic fluid, my water was broke when I wanted to start pushing. It was 11:30 when we got to the hospital and 2:43 when she was born. As far as getting her to eat I just took her clothes off and laid her down in the bassinet for a little while and she started roooting then she took again to brestfeeding. Over all it was the best experience for labor we have had and I am so glad we took a bradley method class. It made all the difference to know what to expect and how best to deal with things that are enviable. There is no getting around that labor is hard work and very uncomfortable but having a clear plan of what I was going to try and how to cope with it, how to make things as easy as possible on us. It made all the difference. I am happy when I think about her labor not reminded of fear amd pain like I was with my previous childs labor. Good luck and congratulations to all you other mommies.