Birth Story, Part 2

(Continued)   We arrived at the birth center just after they opened at 8 am Monday morning and I got checked out - blood pressure, baby's heart rate, dialation, etc. Since I still had a ways to go before being fully dialated, and walking helps labor to progress, Sam and I decided to go to the neighboring Annapolis Mall to do a few laps with the mall walkers. We did some window shopping and talked about the baby while getting passed by the other walkers...just before stores opened up I was getting some stronger contractions and getting tired and we decided to go back to the birth center.  There I got into the tub where I spent the next 3-4 hours.  The tub is great for labor and helped me relax through contractions.  My labor seemed relatively easy and short this time, and I feel like I knew what to expect and how to get through it.  By the time I got to the final few centimeters of dialation - known as transition, and typically the hardest part of labor pains - things seemed to take on a life of their own. The urge to push came quickly and within about 15 minutes of that, Magnus was born. 

I had wanted to try a water birth with Arlo but got out of the tub and delivered him on the bed.  With Magnus, I don't think I could have gotten out if I wanted to! It all happened very quickly.  The only downside for the H2O delivery was a lack of leverage while pushing - nothing to work against or pull on but Sam's arm.  When he was out, there were several seconds when Magnus wasn't breathing while the midwives rubbed his back and suctioned his mouth.  He sputtered to a cry (and we breathed again too) and gained color (from blue to red) as his first breathes filled his body with oxygen and get the lungs in use.  Oddly, it took me a few moments to realize I hadn't heard the baby's gender yet and to learn we had a son, I was so fixed on seeing him pink up and ralley to life.  And then he was suddenly in my arms, right where he belongs.
All in all, with Sam as my birth coach and the help of two excellent midwives, it was a simple, natural birth and again I'm feeling blessed by the fact I was able to have the birth story I wished for, with no complications, no drugs, and a healthy mamma and baby.  We were home later that afternoon, as with Arlo, and enjoying our newly expanded family in the privacy of our home.  Arlo met Magnus and took it all in stride; the kitties circled to check things out; and we cuddled and smiled feeling the blessing of our new son.