Her Story

Where do I begin? I relive the birthing experience in my mind over and over and over again through out my days. It is an experience that I will never forget...one that has brought me strength, a deeper love, patience and understanding. I still get tears in my eyes when I discuss my experience with others. I only hope that my written words can come across in a way that others will "feel" more then just read.

Our little Rylie Jane was born Saturday night at 6:30...in our home...in our bath tub...just as planned.

I started having contractions Friday during the day...but they weren't "in labor" contractions. They were very periodic...just like most have been during the end of this pregnancy. Saturday morning I was woken up around 1am with some good contractions...but again, they were very sporadic, nothing to be concerned about. I did end up calling my midwife because I was loosing some fluid, but she was not concerned, so neither was I. I felt contractions until about 6am that morning and told my husband maybe he should get his boss to go and do the pump job he was supposed to do that morning. He told me he had the same feeling as soon as he woke up. It was decided.

Sporadic contractions...then came to a complete stop.

Saturday afternoon my mom came over to bring our girlies home (they had a fun filled sleep over at grandma's..including a hike saturday morning with grandpa!) and to make us some chicken noodle soup. She decided to stick around "just in case" something decided to happen. When she got here, sporadic contractions decided to return! They were 10 minutes apart, 15 minutes apart, 8 minutes apart...very ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Fast forward to 530 pm. Contractions go from 8-10 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart...just like that. I am now in full labor. I tell my husband to get a hold of the midwife. No such luck. He calls her about 6 times and pages her about 4 times. 15 minutes later I tell him to start the water in the tub. Oh the relaxation that was felt. Contractions are still very painful, but somehow...the water has a way of subsiding that and it feels so much better to be in the warm water. My mom comes to join us and can't believe that my contractions are so close together already. I tell them I need to push...in return, my mother replies with "I'd rather you not!!!!!"

While going through the contractions....the love of my life is doing all he can to comfort me. Making sure the water is right, giving me drinks and ice, and supporting me through his words. The midwife is reached at some point during the middle of everthing. (that is a blur because I was not really paying attention to the phone calls!) I am now actively pushing with each contraction and yelling for my husband who is right by my side. I started to feel very scared because the midwife was not there. But all I heard and felt from my husband was encouragement. He could now see our baby's head in the water, she was coming!

The midwife arrived and I felt a great sense of refreshment. The pain at this point was very extreme. I looked at my husband and told him "I can't do this". He looked in my eyes and said, "yes you can." I could hear my midwife telling me how amazing I was. About 10 minutes later, our sweet daughter was born. I laid in the bathtub holding her in my arms against my chest. She cried and was the sweetest thing. I couldn't believe what I had just done...what I had just accomplished. Together, my love and I did it.

During this whole process my husband was the most amazing man. Everything happened so fast, one hour from the start of full labor and our daughter was born. But during it all...he was so strong. I felt no nervousness from him, all he was--was calm. He did exactly what needed to be done. He was not focused on the midwife not being there...he was focused solely on me, my needs, and the baby. Words can not describe how I feel about him and this whole experience...all I know is that I fell in love with him all over again. I thought that I loved him with everything I had, I didn't think that I could love him any more then I already did.

But I was proven wrong.

Our other sweeties were then brought in to see their newest sister. I looked at this baby and Rylie Jane just seemed to fit her...I guess the kids were right in calling her that the whole time:)

That night was spent in OUR room...family and friends came to visit. Our sweet baby slept right next to us in OUR bed. I couldn't sleep that night...my mind was so busy thinking about all that had transpired. I layed there and just stared at this sweet little girl and the love of my life laying right next to me. I couldn't ask for anything better.