i called my midwife, linda, and let her know that my water broke but that i wasn’t feeling any painful contractions. i felt contractions all the time for the past month or more but never felt any pain with them. just a real tightening and hardening of my stomach. i am not a woman who is confused about if she is in labor or not. when i am in labor i know it and haven’t felt anything like it up until that point.
and so we waited.
i would have to go in the next morning around 7 if labor didn’t start on it’s own to check and see what was going on with me and the baby because my water had broken. i prayed that labor would start on it’s own. oh, i prayed so hard right then. we got our stuff together for the birthing center and called my mom to let her know what was going on and she was on call to come and stay with the boys. we watched jeopardy and wheel of fortune like the 70 year old couple we are, and i made this cookie dough dip, and ate it by the spoonful. we laughed about how i thought i was going to take a unisom and get a good night’s sleep to make up for the night before. that certainly wasn’t going to happen.
and so i walked.
hoping to start some contractions, i walked back and forth in our little 1000 square foot house, from the bathroom to the living room. over and over and over again. 9:30ish rolled around and still nothing, so caleb went to bed and i laid down with him for a minute. i realize now that i should have realized then that laying down would make all the fluid pool up inside of me and come gushing out once i stood up. which is exactly what happened. woops. wasn’t going to be laying down anymore, and when i did any slightly painful contractions would stop.
i took a shower and walked some more. i sent a few emails and texted my girlfriends to keep them posted. and soon they started. they were so irregular. 5 minutes, 7 minutes, and then another 15 minutes before another one came. they were painful but bearable. i called linda back and let her know what was going on and we both agreed that i should go in. it was my third baby, my water had already broke, and i knew these were real contractions, irregular or not. my mom arrived and we left for the hospital around 11:45.
as soon as we got in the car the contractions picked up and became increasingly more painful. they were three minutes apart exactly and the bumpy roads weren’t making it easy. but all i could think about was meeting my daughter. and soon.
we arrived at the birthing center a little after midnight and my midwife checked me, i was 5 1/2. we weren’t going home. oh no, we were there to stay and going to see our sweet girl before we knew it.
the nurse, whom i actually did like but not in that moment, monitored the baby’s heart rate a little longer than normal because she wanted to see some flucuations. story was happy as a clam, with her heart rate in the 140s and they just wanted to see her reacting to the stress of labor. not what i wanted to hear. i looked at caleb with my eyes bulging out my head and told him GET ME OUT OF THIS BED. i am not a labor in bed kind of girl. i am a labor in the water kind of girl and the water was a-calling my name.
the pain was hard and strong and became intense and on top of each other so much quicker than my previous labors. i think a lot of this had to do with my water breaking prior to the contractions starting and the baby’s position. i felt this pain before but it was gradual leading up to this intensity in my other labors. not this time.
after what seemed like forever to a mama in labor i got out of that blasted bed and into a heavenly, jetted tub. i couldn’t submerge myself down as deep as i wanted to because of the baby’s position and the pain i was having in my back. but it was still so much of a relief.
i labored in the water 25 maybe 35 minutes and then asked the nurse to check me because i was feeling a lot of pressure.
i was 8 and 1/2 and felt so close to pushing.
she suggested that i labor in the water for another two contractions and then i could get out if i really felt the need to push. i am so glad i did this. the water helped so much. those two contractions were consuming, horrendous, and becoming all wrapped into one.
i was ready to push.
i got out of the tub and onto the bed. i was fully dilated.
i could see a little bit of nervousness come over the nurse’s face as i groaned and yelled through that first push. my midwife was in the next room delivering a baby right that very moment and i knew from the look on the nurse’s face that this baby was coming out. now. she tried to have me breathe through the contractions instead of push. not gonna happen, lady. not gonna happen.
she’s coming out.
my body was pushing her out whether i was breathing or pushing through the contraction.
all the sudden i felt the ring of fire. you know about the ring of fire right? i screamed and screamed as her head came out and my midwife ran in. two more pushes and my girl was out. linda had made it just in time to catch my baby and lay her on my chest.
and there she was. only two hours after arriving at the hospital, there she was. my girl, my daughter, a child of the King, a gift from my precious Jesus right there in my arms.
a piece of my heart laying on my very heart itself.
i counted my blessings and prayed over her, for she is not my own, but His. caleb and i rejoiced to see her healthy, beautiful self and i entered the high, the out of body experience that one can only feel after bringing a life into this world.
…and then there were five.
Ashley@The Vanilla Tulip
I LOVED your story π There is nothing better than a good birth story!! So glad you shared it π
You enjoy every minute with that sweet girl. There is nothing like a bond a mama has for her little sissy. π
Congrats again!!!
danielle @ take heart
thank you friend! xo
Ashley@The Vanilla Tulip
ha! loved your story and love the pics of your story as well;)
Unknown
oh man. tears. beautiful. SO HAPPY YOU SHARED THIS SO SOON! and umm, I must say this was very much like my Elsie's delivery. only two hours after arriving and such an experience I will never forget.
danielle @ take heart
it was so great to happen so quickly, intense and crazy but wonderful!
hannah singer
adoring your story of STORY and her arrival. you're a champion.
beautiful, grateful you shared. praise jesus xo
danielle @ take heart
i love you hannah! and, as always, thank you for your sweet words!
Breeann
So precious! π Thanks for sharing! xoxo
danielle @ take heart
of course! π
Unknown
XOXO. So happy she's here!
danielle @ take heart
me too, friend. me too.
Anonymous
So happy to see 'then there were 5'. I have two girls and they are so great. Congrats, my dear!
danielle @ take heart
thank you!
mommatojoa
Beautiful birth story!
Gorgeous little lady and gorgeous family!!!
I have to ask, how on earth did you deliver a 10 lb 13 oz baby?
My youngest was 10 lbs 11 oz and I had to have a c-section because he just wouldn't fit π
danielle @ take heart
i didn't know anything different, thank goodness π brody paved the way for foster & story, that's for sure!
Kelly
Danielle, Your birth story is similar to mine! I had my second baby five weeks ago and the contractions were totally irregular, my water broke everywhere as soon as I arrived at the hospital, and the pain got crazy and intense very quickly with a quick pushing stage! So weird, right??
Glad you had a great natural birth, and congratulations on your sweet girl!
danielle @ take heart
thank you! congratulations to you too!!
tiffany | monuments and melodies
this was PURE GREATNESS!! I need to get on the ball and document B's birth story π your sweet lil Story is just beautiful!!
tiffany | monuments and melodies
this was PURE GREATNESS!! I need to get on the ball & document B's birth story π your sweet lil Story is just beautiful!!
danielle @ take heart
i can't wait to hear your story!!
Brooke Fischer
crying over here. π
Brooke Fischer
crying over here π
danielle @ take heart
π happy tears!
amanda
oh what a beautiful story! you go girl!
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much!
Unknown
beautiful birth story! i so feel ya on the ring of fire, i screamed, "this freakin' burns" to my midwife and she say yup, it's supposed to! π
danielle @ take heart
ah! nothing in the world like that feeling, so awful yet so amazing!
Bridget
love your story Danielle (and the name too!!). congrats congrats congrats!! rockstar
danielle @ take heart
thank you friend!
audrey
I totally cried when you talked about her not being yours. What an honor to be a mama. On days like this, I need to reminded of that. Precious Story.
danielle @ take heart
audrey, i have to daily remind myself of this. love you friend.
audrey
I'm not sure if my last comment posted. Beautiful, quick labor! I cried. Good reminder that these babies are gifts.
Aubrey
so glad it was quick. So fun to hear the story ;))
danielle @ take heart
me too!!
Cory
Beautiful!
danielle @ take heart
thank you!
Rachel
What a beautiful story. I had goose bumps! God bless you and your little bunch!
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much rachel!
Megan
how wonderful!!! Story is just a doll!! Congrats again dear!!
danielle @ take heart
thank you again!!
Bethany
just beautiful!
danielle @ take heart
thank you!
lindsey.
This beautiful tale has me crying from beginning to end. You are such a lovely person and I am truly happy for you that Story is here. I have a daughter and am touched each and every day about how amazing the relationship is between a mother and a daughter. Yours will be no different. Lots of love to you all – you are a gorgeous family of five!
danielle @ take heart
thank you SO much for your sweet words!
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
Thank you for sharing ALL the details sweet girl. I'm so excited for your family to be growing and I believe that soon enough you'll be a family of six!
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
Not sure if my comment worked but so thankful you shared all the details friend!! I love it. And I know that soon you'll be a sweet family of six!
danielle @ take heart
i love you friend! i can't wait til we're six!!!
Nick
so beautiful! of course you made me cry. but i laughed so hard when i read that you did a "bow legged tribal dance!" Bwahahahaha! I'm still laughing at that!
anyway, congrats to you, caleb and the boys! your precious "story" has begun her life in this world!
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much maryanne! you should have seen the dance in person π
kate
Even though i see babies born every week, i can never pass up a great labor story. Many, many of our patients get epidurals but we do offer tub laboring and fully support natural delivery. When the nurse asked for you to breathe through the contractions at end, i had to laugh…you are right. Not. gonna. happen…not for a mamma going natural. Thanks for sharing. You have a beautiful family.
danielle @ take heart
i am sort of jealous you get to see babies born every week! such an awesome job.
Candace McClintick
Yay! Thanks for sharing-I loved to hear (or rather read) it!
danielle @ take heart
of course π
Unknown
Ohh I loved reading this! I just had my membranes swept today (about 5 hours ago) and have had a few mild contractions but nothing to write home about. This gives me a little bit of hope that I'll have a baby in my arms in the next 48 hours. Hears to hoping! Congrats on your beauty! Beautiful story.
danielle @ take heart
yay! will be thinking of you, i hope that you go into labor so very soon!!
Unknown
bawling like a baby about this wonderful birth story! i've been thinking that if we have a 3rd i may try to do all natural.
but the ring of fire thing sounds scary.
is it awful?
so proud of you.
i'm glad all went seamless. to God be the glory. what a cute family you are growing into…one that will do crazy awesome things for the kingdom.
all my love.
danielle @ take heart
awful but amazing, so worth it! love you friend!!
Shany
I have been reading your blog for a while now and finally felt the urge to comment. You are the one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen after giving birth! I am due in April with my second and have a 22 month old. God Bless you and your beautiful family! I love reading your blog!
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much! best wishes for your birth!!
alisha
What a lovely story! You're a rockstar, lady. I admire all you mamas and wonder how the heck I'm gonna do this one day!! π
So happy for your sweet family. You're a pretty dang good-lookin' bunch, that's for sure. XO
danielle @ take heart
thank you!!
Ashleigh
What a beautiful story. I can't ever read a birth story without tears. Good job, momma!!
I stumbled onto your blog after another friend had a recommendation on her facebook wall from someone I don't know. I'm so glad to have found you! I will definitely be following!
I just had our second daughter (after 2 1/2 years of infertility) and it was a home water birth and such an incredible experience. If you're interested at all her birth story is here: http://lovejoyandlaughter.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-miss-lydia-hope.html. The two posts that follow are the rest of the story and pictures from her birth. You know…if you're not busy doing anything else – haha!!
Congrats on your sweet girl!
danielle @ take heart
i can't wait to read your story, thank you for sharing!!
Ashleigh
Hmmm…I just wrote a comment and then it disappeared, so hopefully I don't comment twice. If so, sorry!!
What a beautiful birth story!! I can't ever read a birth story without tears. Great job, momma!!
I came across your blog after a friend had someone recommend your blog on their facebook wall. I'm so glad I found you and will definitely be following!! π
I just had our second daughter in November and it was a home water birth. It was the most incredible experience! If you're interested at all Lydia's birth story is here: http://lovejoyandlaughter.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-miss-lydia-hope.html. The two posts that follow are the second part of the birth story and then pictures from her day. You know…if you don't have anything else better to do! haha π
Congrats on your sweet girl!!
sarah
oh danielle. im just weeping over here. thats so beautiful, Story is so beautiful, and YOU are so beautiful friend. love you!!!
danielle @ take heart
love you friend! π
Jennifer
Beautiful family…so happy for you! π
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much!
Saya
I love your writing style – you got the message and emotions right through to us readers! Congratulations on the new family of FIVE… beautiful beautiful children xoxoxox
danielle @ take heart
thank you!!
Whim Wham Life
amazing incredible beautiful, oh my! it's stories like this that helped me…push through the birthing experience. ha. pun intended:-) xoxo
danielle @ take heart
π
jaquelyn {mama thoughts}
So beautiful, Danielle! Story is just adorable & precious. π
danielle @ take heart
thank you so much Jacky!
Lindsay N. Strickland
I'm 24 weeks preggers today and this story about your precious Story is both amazing and incredibly scary to me. This is our first baby and I'm terrified of facing the pain! Oh, the terror of the unknown.
I loved the post, Story is beautiful and you are brave!!
Carina Schoen
it isn't scary when the time comes, i promise. you just want that baby out π
Carina Schoen
i love this. thanks for sharing. do all mamas find birth stories super fascinating? 'cause i do. and i love "the ring of fire" comment. π
welcome to the world, story kate! you're lovely!
danielle @ take heart
thank you sweet friend!
lesleyzellers
Congratulations beautiful momma! Such a great, heart-warming post. Love your honesty and realness π
danielle @ take heart
thank you friend!
ΞΞ»Ξ΅Ο ΞΈΞ΅ΟΞ―Ξ±
I kept reading and reading.. i accidentaly jumped into your blog…and i am going to stay!!!! lol…
may God keep you all healthy and strong to raise this beautiful family!!!
nice to meet you!!!!
Unknown
Okay, I officially LOVE your blog. I came over to visit from Casey's giveaway she posted. I love your birth story; it brought tears to my eyes. Congrats on your girl!!
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