Baby Gracie

Grace Leona joined our family Ocober 16th at 11:48pm.

8 pounds, 7 ounces, 22 inches long

Completely drug and medication free delivery!

She took her time picking a day to come, but Gracie didn't mess around once labor started! I stayed at home until the contractions were 2 minutes apart for 2 hours. I was scrapbooking in my bedroom, pausing every few minutes to breathe through contractions. It kept me distracted and helped pass the time! I tried to watch TV while on a yoga ball for a while too, but all of a sudden I decided we needed to be at the hospital PRONTO!

We arrived at 9:30pm and I was 4 CM; I almost asked for an epidural. I've been saying for months that I was going to try my best to avoid any drugs. But it was bad. I told Brian over and over, "You don't understand how bad this is." He said back to me, "I know, but you can do it". Over and over. He did a great job keeping me focused and motivated. We counted up to 8 over and over until each contraction passed. I had his undivided attention! My midwife was with me almost the entire time and by 11:40 I was pushing her out.

I was so happy not to be paralyzed from the waist down, or have wires strung over and inside of me. I didn't even have an IV put in, which can be more annoying (although certainly less risky!) than an epidural. It's a good feeling to know that my body was created to birth babies just as other women for thousands of years. I have a bunch of amazing girlfriends who shared with me the reasons they pursued a natural childbirth. Thanks to their courage and encouragement, I changed my mind, attitude and decisions for this third delivery. It may have been the hardest, most intense, most painful thing I've ever done. But I've got this little bundle of perfection....