Peggy was born on February 12 at 12:34 in the morning. On the 11th at 3 AM, I woke up having some contractions. They were definitely stronger than I had had but still pretty spaced out. By the time I actually got out of bed with Lily, around seven, and did my morning routine, they had stopped. My mother came over, and we did SpinningBabies and went on a walk, then she took Lily out for the day. I did more fast walking and positioning to help encourage labor, but nothing really happened. Then Lily got home at around five, and she nursed once, and I started having contractions. I continued to contract about every 30 minutes from then until bedtime, when she nursed a little bit more.

It was around 7pm and I had to get up to deal with the contractions after she fell asleep. I went into the other room to lay down, and the contractions got closer and much stronger. I needed to massage my lower back during the contractions and, at that point, laying down was the most comfortable. I spent some time laboring alone, but was comforted that my mother was out in the trailer and my husband in the other room. Eventually, I got up to go into the kitchen and standing/leaning over the counter and rocking was what was working. Finally, I called my mother and told her I needed her to come inside and help and she did (she was acting as my doula). We already had the pool blown up and my supplies ready. Lily helped with that before bed.

My mother was thinking it was time to call the midwife (Estee) and fill up the birth pool. I was thinking it was too early. But then, after timing a few contractions and realizing they were 2 minutes apart, I agreed. While the pool filled, the contractions were getting a lot stronger, causing me to vocalize. I helped (as a distraction) to get the bed made up, stopping to lean over and moan, then keep moving. When the pool was ready, I got in, finding less relief this time than I had with Lily, but shortly after I got into the pool, I felt the need to push. It was much more noticeable this time than with Lily’s birth. It was literally one contraction and all of a sudden I knew I was ready to push. Pushing was intense, but this time was also more empowering. I was able to concentrate on pushing slowly, and I was also in the upright position on my knees and then with 1 foot planted. I had asked my mom to walk me through every single contraction. What I requested was basically starting at about halfway through the contraction, I wanted her to remind me it was at the peak and almost over. That really helped with coping, and I’m proud I could know exactly how I needed help this time around. Peggy’s head was born en caul, which is when a baby is born in the sac of water. Head and body came out in one contraction, I brought her up and felt the immediate relief of having a baby. Peggy was born with eyes wide open. I gave her time to transition and then assisted with a quick blow of air in the face, then suctioning her nose and mouth with my mouth. She had a short cord, so she rested low in my arms in the warm water. I started bleeding as soon as she was born, and then while I was delivering my placenta, the cord detached, and I came to find out it was inserted into the membranes. Luckily, I was able to stand and use gravity to assist with delivering the placenta. Although I lost a decent amount of blood, I felt fine and recovered at home. With my baby in my arms.