We had the last meeting with our doula that afternoon and when she left at 4:00, I tried to get Elizabeth to take a nap. She nursed her usual 2 minutes before I cut her off. (She’s been down to nursing about 6 minutes a day total.) After nursing her, I felt a contraction and they kept coming all evening, but they were pretty irregular. I made dinner then called Heather, our doula, to tell her I might be in early labor. She suggested taking a bath and trying to relax them away with a glass of wine. This had no effect on the contractions.

I tried to get some sleep, but the contractions were too strong. I kept thinking to myself that it wasn’t real labor yet and these irregular contractions could go on for hours or days. If I didn’t get any sleep then I would be in rough shape later on. I hadn’t had any other signs that Elena was coming for sure until I had to urgently use the bathroom around midnight. It wasn’t until then that I started to believe it was time.

I labored for a few more hours with the contractions steadily getting stronger. At 2:10 am a strong contraction hit when I was sitting on the couch and I felt a pop and gush of warm water. (Thankfully we have a leather couch, so it was easy to clean up!) I went back to take a shower but things were definitely getting more intense. My shower ended when I threw up my dinner. I was actually glad, because throwing up is a sign of transition.

Heather arrived and we decided to head to the hospital. I was really in no mood for a car ride and considered what would happen if we stayed home. It was pouring down rain, cold and I was still wet from the shower when we left the house just before 4 am. Relaxing through the contractions was not very easy.

By the time we were nearing the hospital, I was having the pushing urge. We arrived and they wanted me to sit in a wheelchair, which I refused. I hobbled into the emergency room and proceeded to have a contraction while clutching the check-in desk. (I’m sure it was quite entertaining for the people in the waiting room.) They found a stretcher for me and wheeled me up to labor and delivery. At this point I was definitely ready to get the baby out. I didn’t fight the urge to push–I’m not sure how I could have!

A team of doctors and nurses swarmed the room and they tried to figure out what was going on. It’s not often that they see someone in natural childbirth–let alone someone who comes in pushing. They said things like “don’t push, the doctors not here yet” and insisted on checking how far dilated I was before they “let me” start pushing. Elena’s heartbeat was dipping periodically so they insisted that I get in the stirrups to push. They had me push as hard and fast as I could to get her out right away. Whew!

I don’t remember how many times I pushed, but soon they were telling me they could see hair . . . then her head was out . . . and with a tremendous push her shoulders burst out and they were asking me if I wanted to reach down and pick her up. It was so amazing to finally meet her and even better that Elizabeth was there to witness her sister’s birth.

After such a whirlwind birth, we were able to relax for the rest of the day while doctors came in and checked on me and Elena. Elena never left the room and we were able to minimize the standard procedures and shots that the hospital administers.

We convinced them we were fit to go home at the end of the day and ended up sitting around the dinner table, as we had 24 hours earlier, this time with another precious little girl.

I guess this is a good thing, but it leaves me wondering where all the weight I’ve put on is. I’ve put on 50 plus pounds! I know my thighs have more than their fair share, and the rest must just be baby.

At my check-up the midwife was concerned that my fundal height measurement (how big my belly is) hasn’t changed in the last two weeks and scheduled me for an ultrasound to see if everything’s ok. I’ve since learned that the fundal height can actually drop in late pregnancy because the baby is dropping. The increased frequency of my trips to the bathroom seems to confirm the theory that the baby has dropped. I also know that the baby was positioned quite differently at each exam, so it’s not surprising that the number didn’t change. So now the question is whether to get an ultrasound done . . . .

I’ve tried wearing an elastic pregnancy support belt around the outside of my pants, but then I just ended up pulling my shirt down (to cover the ugly elastic)  instead of pulling my pants up all day long. Which is worse?

I found that if the pants are tight enough to not fall down, they put pressure on the baby and my bladder. Not fun.

Frank has decided that pregnancy bib-pants are the way to go. Cyclists wear bib shorts which have built in suspenders. I guess you could make a pair that allow you to take them off easily to pee. Maybe I should just buy some suspenders?

Anyhow, for all you engineers out there it’s time to take a fresh look at maternity pants. I offer you the challenge of designing pants that will stay on a sphere!

Until then, I will just have to live with pants issues.

Elizabeth really looks forward to our “new baby doctor” visits. All morning long she was asking if she’ll get to sit on my lap when they listen for the heartbeat. It’s been more exciting for her as we can now see and feel the baby moving around. She’s been talking to the baby and giving him kisses. They did the usual tummy rub and measurements. The baby is really far over on my right side, head down. (If I put my right hand on top of my belly, I’m patting the baby’s bottom and her feet are floating in the space in the middle of tummy.) My tummy measurement must not have increased as expected because the midwife assured me that 26 inches is ok, due to the position.

I don’t know if it’s the power of suggestion, but now that I know that the baby is so far over on my side, I’ve been feeling more discomfort and pressure on that side. It seems funny that I can walk without wobbling–or do yoga without falling over. The baby is only around 2.5 pounds now so there’s probably plenty of counterbalance!