Finally at 4O+4, I went into labor out of nowhere. Started as mild contractions about 4am. I figured it was probably more Prodromal labor. After a few hours of them not going away though & no matter how I laid in bed or got up to walk around, they weren’t stopping. Little did I know I was in early labor. Around 7am, they picked up fast. Went from a pain scale of 3 to 10 within an hour. I had to start moaning through them which was a first for me. Called my midwife & told her I’m sure I’m in active labor now, & was waiting for my other 2 kids Dad to get them. Planned to get to the birthing home at 10am. Well things picked up alot faster & their Dad got them at 9am & I told her I needed to move it up to 9:30 to meet. By this time I was in so much pain. I got things packed in between contractions. Left in a rush after my kids got picked up, & the ride there was horrible. I could feel the pressure with each contraction & was screaming through them. Got to the birth center around 9:15, & had to wait for my midwife to show up. She got there on time at 9:30 & as soon as I stood to get out the car, I had another horrible contraction & was clinging to my husband screaming. I needed to bite down on something but I refrained lol. Got in, got checked & I was at 9cm & fully effaced. Tried the nitrogen oxide gas but it didn’t help me at all honestly. Got in the water soon after & immediately felt the urge to push. The water felt so nice but the pain was still very much intense & it was no joke! 3 contractions/pushes & his head was out. Waited for the next contraction then his body came. I let my body do most of the work. Both were equally hard & the ring of fire 🔥 oh man! I was grunting so loud pushing him out plus screaming. I couldn’t believe I actually did it! I hemorrhaged immediately after though & lost a liter & a half of blood. Had to be transferred to the hospital. Blacked out at one point & had to get a blood transfusion. I’m finally home & stable but have to rest more than I normally would. So grateful my husband is off for a week to help me. I can’t walk for too long before my body tells me to stop. Well here he is “Kaiden Michael Aviles” born February 14th at 10:12am. 9 pounds 6 oz & 21 inches. I had my natural med free water birth I’m so proud of myself. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced but so worth it! Btw, I used a face cloth rolled up to bite down on during contractions & that really helped me get through them! I made noises I never knew I could make either. So glad I had a fast labor & that it’s over! I didn’t tear either! 🙌