FTM Surprise/positive/easy birth story!

We went in for our usual Friday ultrasound at 38.3, and baby wasn't moving very much. I had been a high risk pregnancy for a few different reasons, so they decided that today was the day- and sent us to the hospital. We checked into L&D at 2pm with plans to be monitored for the rest of the day, have cervidil inserted overnight, and pitocin the next day. 

I start feeling more pain and contractions around 10pm, so they came to give me another refill of the epidural. The midwife did her exam and to our surprise- BAM  fully dilated!  But I wasn't feeling much pressure because of the brand new epidural dose-  so we decided to wait. By the time she left it was around 11. 

She came back at 1145 and asked me if I wanted to try pushing. My legs were still so numb I was totally useless! They put me into position and got everything set. My boyfriend held one leg up while the nurse held the other, I pushed 3x in a row through maybe 4/5 contractions and the baby was out at 1240!! I felt pressure inside and a shifting of movement durring, but no pain. Pushing was giving me the most grief in my head and chest because of holding my breath, but still totally bearable. I ended up with a small second degree tear, but it's not so bad. After the first potty break, it gets easier. 

It was completely amazing, and an intimate experience with just the midwife, nurse, and my partner. It went so quickly, everyone was so kind, and she came out screaming and healthy as can be! I feel so blessed and still a little shell shocked, but I'm looking forward to our new lives as parents to a beautiful baby girl, Zara Grace Madesko 😍