I was home all night of November 23 with contractions that came and went irregular. They really hurt in my lower back so I spent the whole night in the shower...or waiting for hot water...and the rest of the time I had to try and sleep on my hands and knees. Well, around 5:30 my contractions began to come one on top of another and I decided to go ahead and go to the hospital. As soon as we got to the hospital my contractions stopped hurting. I was 5-6 and 90 % when I arrived at 6:45. Well, the nurses went ahead and gave me my antibiotics for my heart and some saline...and then they left a hep lock. My doula came in at 8:00 and we began to walk around the hospital laughing and joking. Im not kidding every nurse was laughing at me and in shock that I wasnt feeling a thing. My midwife called and had the nurses break my water at almost around 10:00 and I was 7 cm. I was in shock since I really wasnt in any pain. As soon as they broke my water I decided to go ahead and relax a little in bed since I had been up all night. My doula, my husband and myself all tried different pressure points to start some regular contractions. It was funny how when you really are in labor they do work quite well. I mean ...right away. So my midwife came in and gave me lots of juice to drink and told me if I wanted to go to the tub I could. So finally we got a room and I sat in a warm jacuzzi for an hour. My doula and hubby held the shower head over my back and stomach and we all just relaxed. It was so nice. I could never imagine I would be someone who would tell you I had almost no pain through labor...but I was practically pain free the entire time. The water worked wonders. Well, when my back started hurting again I turned onto my knees and started some faster breating. My midwife asked if I had the urge to push . All I remember was laughing at her and telling her ...I dont know what youre talking about with this urge to push. I never had it. So she told me if I wanted I could try once...well...that was it. Right away I understood what she meant. Yes...I finally felt that ring of fire everyone always talks about. And her head was crowning right away. My husband and midwife had a time getting me out of the tub before I would push again in the doorway. So I finally understood what they meant. Well, my husband carried me over to the bed...which I dont know how he did it...and her head was just about out. My midwife helped me ease her out slowly and my husband delivered her. Wow...could you imagine...he was so proud. No tears...no stiches...NO DRUGS...yeahhh....It was the best experience of my life. Right away I was fine. I could never imagine I could have this easy of a birth. I think it was all due to the tub. Well, everyone is good now and I went home the next day. Joelle Nicole Lanoue was 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches born at 11:58 am.

--
Michelle Lanoue