Raya's Birth StoryElliot decided to make his appearance a week early at exactly 39 weeks (8/10/07). My water broke at 2 am, I listened to my Hypnobabies scripts for several hours and didn't wake up my husband until 7 am. My contractions were 2-4 mins apart from the get go, but lasting only 40 seconds or so.
Around the time I woke up my husband things started getting much more intense and so we dragged time on purpose and didn't get to the hospital until 9 am. Shortly after that I was admitted to L&D and Elliot was born at 12:14 pm after an hour of pushing. He was 6lb 1oz and 17.5".
I didn't get the water birth I wanted as my labor progressed so quickly. But I did get a chance to labor in the shower which really helped. I listened to the Hypnobabies scripts the entire time except for when I was in the shower. I did not have any progress checks done as my water had broken, in fact no one even realized I was in transition until we suddenly noticed that I was pushing and my contractions spaced out.
After the birth I was told by everyone in attendance that I appeared very calm throughout, even though from my perspective it did not seem that way. I was able to give birth medication free, it was the most beautiful, amazing, experience of my life.I am really pleased with my experience at OHSU, everyone was very supportive of my wishes and not once did I feel like they were trying to make me do something I didn't want (well except having to sit in a wheelchair at the ER to go to triage which did not feel very good).
I look forward to seeing you again at prenatal yoga! (maybe she means postnatal? Vittoria)