Gracie's Birth
Mild contractions started on Jan 31st in the afternoon. They didn’t feel bad at all, but starting out consistently right away at 3 to 4 min. I continued with my normal activities and took a walk. They were beginning to become a little stronger in the evening, but I still wasn’t sure that they were real contractions as they were very mild, but were already 3 min apart. I went to bed that night, hoping to get some sleep and see what happened. Sleep was not coming that night as the contractions continued every 3 min and lasted 15-30 sec. They were uncomfortable enough to keep me from sleeping, but not painful. That morning I decided to call the doctor, just to update and see if they thought it was labor or just practice contractions. They had me come in for observation. We arrived at the hospital around 10 am on Feb 1st. The nurses checked and I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced. They decided to admit me. I was a little skeptical as I felt it would still be awhile and might have been nice to labor at home. But baby decided not to wait too long! Thing kept progressing and by noon I was 4 cm and 100% effaced. The contractions were becoming stronger, but I still felt that I was in control and could handle each one. I used the birthing ball throughout the afternoon and often hung onto Dustin through a contraction. Though the contractions were more painful, in between I could still interact with others. My labor didn’t really seem to be going by the book, so I was also unsure what stage of labor I was in! Around four they checked and I was 7 cm. They filled up the tub and I got in. The water felt good at first, and then some nausea hit. I immediately vomited, but felt some relief afterwards. After 2-3 contractions in the water I started feeling like I could push. They came to check my progress and I was already at about 10 cm and baby was ready to come out! My water had never broken, but I was ready to push! They didn’t want me to push at first because the doctor wasn’t there. After about 15-20 min the doctor arrived and started coaching me through pushing. Between pushing I could still talk and was able to feel like I could rest briefly. After about 15 min of pushing, Dustin told me he could see her head. I asked if she had hair. J The doctor told me if I could hold the pushes a little longer she would soon be out. Then and there I was determined that she was coming out! After about 10 more min of pushing the head was out and I delivered the water sac intact. The rest of her seemed to come easily and they lifted her out of the water and onto my chest. She was crying immediately and got 9 out of 10 on the APGAR. They said water babies usually don’t cry right away and therefore don’t get a 9. We were very proud of her first “grade”. J I held onto our baby girl and they waited for the cord to stop pulsing. Dustin then cut the cord. After getting out of the tub I had to get some stiches due to some tearing. They took her away briefly to keep her warm as I got out of the water. After finishing the stitching they returned her to me so we could spend some time in skin to skin contact. It’s so amazing to think that our baby is finally here! Gracie Lynn Steiner came into this world on Feb 1st at 5:11 pm weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and 19.5 in. long.