[Deb]

On March 4th I woke up to a bloody show and as the day progressed cramps and contractions did too. It was nice to have an early warning as I was able to get the house in order and the fridge stocked for (my toddler) Riley and the hubby. I relaxed, hydrated, and ate well.

By 6 pm my contractions were regularly 5 min apart. I wanted to labor at home as long as possible and hold out for Riley's bedtime. At 7:45 Terry put Riley down and I called my mom to come over and stay with her. We left the house at 8:30ish (I was contracting every 3 min) and arrived at the hospital at 9:00 pm. There were no rooms available so I paced the halls of the hospital.

At 10:30 I was in and out of triage. I was 4 cm and I guess my excitement made my contractions slow down. I was placed in a room and was able to get a hep lock (instead of IV) and have intermittent fetal monitoring. It was wonderful being mobile, in my own clothes, and doing my own thing. I could eat and drink as I wished. As each contraction came, I leaned over a piece of furniture by the window sill, looked out the window and swayed back and forth repeating "open" to myself as I imagined my cervix opening.

As the sensations heightened I told myself to relax and felt all the muscles from my face to my feet release. Terry massaged my lower back...this felt AMAZING. The nurse left us alone most of the time...which I appreciated as I was able to focus my attention inward. The midwife came in at midnight to check me. I was 8cm. She broke my water and in minutes I was ready to push. Using a squatt bar, I pushed three times and met baby Quinn at 12:26...my perfect little birthday present. It was the most intense and wonderful experience. I felt great post pardem and had lots of energy. I couldn't have imagined my experience to be any better.

I'm so incredibly grateful for all that I learned in your program. Without all the knowledge I gained from you, I would never have been able to have such a wonderful natural birth. Thank you ... thank you!!! --Christine Brody