Mykal's Birth Story

I was 35 weeks pregnant when I went into premature labor. I woke up that morning feeling crampy but planned on going to work. I called my midwife just to let her know and she told me to go to the hospital. When I got there, I was two centimeters and 80 percent effaced with contractions coming every four minutes. I wasn't feeling them! I was put on Brethene and kept in the hospital for two days, then sent home with a monitor and orders for strict bed rest. My midwife kept telling me it would be any day.

Five weeks later we scheduled an induction. I was now four centimeters and still having contractions, but not in any regular pattern and nothing of great discomfort. I was really worried that I would go into active labor and not be able to tell. My midwife assured me I would know.

Three days after my due date and three days before my induction date, I woke up from a nap with a very painful contraction. I got out of bed, told my husband, then went to the computer to work on my birth plan. I had three more painful contractions about 15 minutes apart. I called the midwife, and she told me to meet her at the hospital, but to stay calm and take my time. The contractions started coming about five to ten minutes apart and every time I had one I would break into a cold sweat. Getting on my knees and laying over the gliding ottoman helped a little with the discomfort. We left for the hospital one hour from the time I woke up with the first contraction.

There was a wreck on the interstate, so traffic was terrible. My husband drove like a maniac, beeping the horn and flashing the emergency lights. The contractions were now two minutes apart and pretty painful. By the time we got off the interstate I was telling him to run the red lights. I was getting nervous.

When we got up to Labor and Delivery the nurse checked me and found out that I was seven centimeters. The midwife showed up about twenty minutes later, checked me again, and found out I was at nine centimeters. I asked about pain medication and mentioned my birth plan. Everyone laughed and said I was going to do this naturally and there was no time to look at my birth plan. Twenty minutes later I was pushing, and I pushed for about thirty minutes. It was very intense, but when the contractions stopped I felt okay. I was even joking and directing my mom and sister where to stand to take photos and video.

Three hours and two minutes after my first contraction at home, Mykal Lynea was born. She weighed seven pounds, six ounces, and had the most beautifully shaped head and pretty face. She was very alert and immediately started nursing. I was very fortunate to have such a quick labor and am thankful I was able to stay focused and handle the intensity of the delivery. My midwife and husband were instrumental in helping me. I also didn't end up having an episiotomy or any tears. It's true what you read - once you have your baby in your arms, you forget about the pain.