I realize that Cora is now almost 8 weeks old and this post is extremely tardy but the following is a compilation of 5 minutes here and there when I got them :) So please enjoy our birth story :)
6:30pm Saturday, July 2ndI had had a pretty long last day at work and was feeling pretty good about finally letting myself take my maternity leave. The pies were made, the files and paperwork were in order and my temporary replacements were trained and ready for action. My mom had come into town that morning in hopes that the baby would soon arrive. We had plans to go to the Crozet Independence Day Festival at Crozet park that evening. As we were preparing to leave the house, I used the restroom one more time and I noticed a good amount of bloody show. We knew that this was a big sign of labor and called the midwives. Deren was the midwife on call and she said that it was okay to go about our evening, but to stay close to home and call her in a couple of hours to report the goings on.
The contractions started within 10 minutes of getting off the phone. We went ahead with our plans to go to the festival, ate a couple cheeseburgers, an ear of grilled corn, a huge helping of peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream and LOTS of water (a few sips of which were in beer form, just 'cause :) ). We sat and listened to the music and talked with what felt like the entire town as everyone wanted to know "When's that baby comin'? You need to start chargin' it rent!" Then I'd have a contraction and let them in on the secret..."Soon, very soon," I'd reply.
9pm
We left before the fireworks, so that Mom could go to the grocery store and I could take a shower before heading to bed. I really wanted to stay but the contractions were getting too strong and I knew that I was going to need all the rest I could get.
1:30am
I awaken with super strong contractions, bringing me to tears and freaking the sh** out of Alex. We called Deren and she instructed me to get up and walk around. And walk we did, just like we practiced. Like a dance and when a contraction came on, Alex would hold my weight as I leaned.
4:30am
We called Deren to tell her that it was time. She was there by 5am and the other two attending midwives arrived at 5:30am. They had the pool set up and filled with blissfully warm water in no time. Alex and I got in, they covered the pool with a sheet to keep the warmth in and I dozed in between contractions while Mom made the ladies breakfast inside. All we could here was a lot of chopping and hushed talking as there was nothing for anyone to do yet.
9am
Pushing begins. I started on my knees, draped over the side of the pool. Hot compresses were constantly kept on my lower back to decrease the back pain I was having while ice cold compresses were used on my neck and forehead to help me cope with the low heat of the morning that was coming on. Everyone was helping in one way or another and I am thankful for each and every person that was there. Verbal coaching, hand holding and compress switching were all so helpful and needed at this point.
After turning over so that I can leverage my weight on the sides of the pool, the real pushing began. This is when the head came out.
9:54 am
I never thought I would be as vocal as I ended up being. I knew that every scream was energy being wasted in the wrong direction but I felt like it was the only thing keeping me sane at that very moment. After the head came out, I yelled through one more contraction and at the end, Deren said in a very firm but caring tone, "Margot, close your mouth, tuck your chin and push." I did, and right then is when the baby shot out into Alex's awaiting arms. He knew immediately what gender the baby was but he didn't say so that I could find out on my own. He handed the slippery baby to me and I lifted her up to discover that we had had a little girl. Mom chimes in, "That's not a little girl, that's a BIG girl!"
Cora Belle Diaz
Delivered safely at home
Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
9:54am
9 lbs 14 oz
22 1/4" long
14 3/4" head diameter
14 3/4" chest diameter
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