Natural Childbirth
I hadn't necessarily planned on 'going natural'.  Ross was supportive of the idea but he thought it better for me to take advantage of an epidural.  So I went into the birth process with an open mind.

Monday afternoon I started to have small contractions.  It was exciting and they didn't hurt much and Ross and I cleaned the house and got the last details finished on the Nursery.  I made chocolate chip cookies in the early evening and felt like this was going to be easy.

By 8pm the contractions were stronger and more regular.  We got in the hot tub and that helped.  Later I laid in bed and Ross read to me.  I was finding it harder to concentrate as the contractions strengthened.  They were coming about 3-5 minutes apart.

We left for the hospital around 10pm.  Now the contractions were really painful.  The nurse insisted on an I.V. which she had trouble with.  I was getting tense and upset, not sure I could do this naturally.  Ross told the nurse to do the I.V. later and I got in the bath.  In the bath I felt more in control and when I got back in bed I was more able to handle the contractions.

Ross helped me with my breathing and let me know when each contraction had peaked.  During the night my parents came by.  I was concentrating on breathing and in 'the zone' so the visit was short but appreciated.  Dilation was a long process lasting throughout the night but at 4am I was at 10cm.  It was time to push.

Pushing was harder and much more painful than I expected. I told Ross and the doctor that I had changed my mind about having a baby, but there is no "emergency exit" in childbirth so they ignored me and insisted I push.  Faced with little choice I did it and out she came.  The first thing Ross said is "She's so big!" and she was, over 8 lbs. and beautiful!  She laid on my belly and latched to my breast and she was mine.

The next day one of the nurses asked me what my secret was for going natural.  The answer was simple and easy; "Ross", I replied.  I never could have done this without my husband's encouragement and support.