I had a midwife appointment at Greenville Midwifery Care on Friday at 39w3d. No signs of labor yet & we even talked about induction options for the next week.

I had some pink discharge & cramping that afternoon. We went out to dinner with my husband’s family & took a few (unknowingly, last, of the bump) pictures outside since the garden was blooming so beautifully.

Around 0200 on Saturday, I woke up to irregular contraction waves and the urge to have a bowel movement. Zack & I tried to sleep in between the waves but I was up a few more times to the bathroom & refrigerator.

At 0515, I vomited and was writhing around, uncomfortable in any position! Our doula, Hannah Sears, said it was time to head to the hospital. I sat on the toilet for a while & started to feel bulging in between my legs. I got loud. I got up off the toilet just before 0600, trying to gather hospital bag supplies, but in the bedroom I could feel her head in my vagina! I stood beside the bed & involuntarily pushed.

About 3 pushes later I yelled to Zack “her head is out!” I caught her standing up & Zack helped guide her to my chest as I laid on the bed. She was pink & crying loudly.

Our doula & midwife met our ambulance at the hospital, where I delivered the placenta and had my 1st & 2nd degree tears repaired – a small price to pay for a 4-hour labor and delivery.

Eden Amelia is 6lbs 6oz & perfectly healthy. We are so grateful! I didn’t use anything from my comfort bag, didn’t listen to my birth playlist or even glance at my vision board, but Mindful Birth Class prepared us in all the most important ways.

For what it’s worth, I ate dates & drank my red raspberry leaf tea every day & I didn’t find labor particularly painful, just intense. Post-birth is the most incredible high!! Zack was calm, cool & collected the whole time because of your class & all our preparations. His first words to me after we caught her were “You’re so badass!”.