Water Birth Baby

After weeks and weeks of Braxton Hicks that were strong enough that I couldn't walk through them - I was convinced baby number two would be on time, if not early! Sister was right on time and I was sure any day now I would go into labor. We were planning a water birth at home with our Certified Nurse Midwife and Doula, and I was relaxed and ready! Our Guess Date came and went. And so did day, after day, after day. As the days passed I started to try the at home techniques and each night I'd diligently bounce on my ball, eat pineapple, have sex, whatever Google safely prescribed. Nothing. Nine days later hubby and number one (who is four) both came down with the most horribly violent stomach bug. That night baby and I had a little chat about how important it was that it stay inside at least another couple days. Apparently that was the route I should have told it all along because I woke up at midnight with pretty good period cramps. I'd been through that before though so I went back to sleep. Woke up at one with stronger ones. Refused to believe life could be so cruel and made myself go back to sleep. Woke up again at two thirty when my water started leaking and I couldn't deny it any longer. I told hubby who in his wiped out state barely acknowledged me and went back to sleep... So. I went downstairs and texted my midwife who said she'd be right over, and bounced on my ball. My midwife and Doula were the greatest. They arrived and magically (well, for me anyways) set up the tub, and got snacks out, set everything else up, and came to check me and baby all while doing so. Bounced, hung on the couch, and waddled around for four hours before I NEEDED to get into the tub. May have been some muttering about how I was never having another baby again in there too... :) Ohhhhh transition. Got in the tub (sweet sweet relief), and within fifteen minutes was ready to push! We woke up hubby for this (and he was somehow feeling better!). And about twenty minutes or so later Arlo, was born in the water!!! 8 lbs 13 ounces and 21 inches! We didn't know what we were having so it was definitely a surprise (our four year old is a girl).

Birthing at home was awesome! Got stitched up and then got to spend the next hour cuddling and eating the breakfast my awesome Doula made me. :) I was nervous about not having time in the hospital to figure out life with two kiddos but transitioning to two was great as it was normal from the start. Totally awesome experience even with the horrible bug going around. If we go for a third I can't wait for it to be even more awesome as hubby could be there more. :)