THE BIRTH OF BABY GIRL – 3 HOURS OF LABOR & A BEAUTIFUL BABY
I don’t know what has taken me so long to write this post. It has been eleven days since I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl and I have been so absorbed with enjoying her that everything has taken a backseat. (If you stopped by right now to visit my house, I would be thoroughly embarrassed. Sort of. Then I would show you Baby Girl and you wouldn’t even notice the sty I call my home.) This labor has by far been the fastest labor that I have had.
My labor began right around 11:00pm.
I had started feeling contractions about an hour before then, but they were so sporadic that I didn’t even count that hour of contractions as actual labor. At about 11:45pm I started to notice that my contraction were getting closer together, stronger, and longer so I decided to try and lay down to get some rest. At about 1:00am the contractions were very strong, very painful, and very long so I called my mother-in-law and told her that I was in labor for real and that we were headed to the hospital.
We got to the emergency room at about 1:45am
It was just my luck that the highway was closed that night for construction and we were rerouted into a longer route. By the time we made it there, I could feel her head getting further down and I just knew that I would deliver her in the hallway if they didn’t get me to a room. Long story short, I was registered and into the delivery room by 2:25am and she was born at 2:54am.
She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches in length. By the time I got into the delivery room I was already ten centimeters dilated and ready to push. I had planned on receiving an epidural during this labor, but it was too late. In the process of me staying at home to make sure that I was really in labor and not experiencing those annoying Braxton Hicks contractions, I had fully dilated in my livingroom. I can smile about it now, but those contractions were no joke. I went from three centimeters to ten centimeters in less than four hours.
Honestly, the thought of giving birth without any type of pain medicine was scary to me.
I was literally trembling, but seeing as I had no choice but to go sans-medicine I did my best to be as brave as possible. I know that women do this every day, all over the world, and some part of me knew that through my fear I could do this too. When I finally saw her in her daddy’s arms the pain was instantly forgotten.
Her face was a little swollen at first, but I thought she was the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. I immediately tried to nurse her and give her as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. I didn’t know that during my labor her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and that she was blue all over. They had to give her oxygen when she was born because she wasn’t breathing well. She was also very jittery so they took some blood from her to check her blood sugar level. I was already in high stress mode, if I knew these details during my labor I really do think that I would have had a panic attack.
From the beginning she was very alert. She kept her eyes open and looked around from the time she was born. I know that newborns don’t have the best eyesight, but I knew that she recognized me from my voice and it made me so happy when she would turn her head toward my voice. I guess all of that reading out loud and talking to myself helped too. *smiles*
My favorite thing to do is watch her sleep.
I am still in awe that I have a little girl and that she is really mine and really here. I just stare at her because after four boys she is my princess. I’m totally biased when it comes to her, but I think she’s gorgeous.
Plus, even though she’s a little girl she can still rock the color blue. This is her at just four days old and I don’t think she has slept outside of my arms yet.
Share your birth stories with me in the comments.
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She is so pretty! Wow! You are a trooper. No epidural? You are my hero (; I am glad she is a happy & healthy baby. Enjoy her, I know you will.
Shes beautiful.. Congratulations
Sounds just like my daughters labor and delivery…… I saw without epi is better
My first kid I was forced to do the epi after 4 hours in labor and then he was born 45 minutes later (I was mad), my daughter I was in the same situation with you and my third was about 5 hours labor but it was so weird because I would dialate fast, then do nothing unless I was laying down. But laying down I was passing out.. All the walking delayed the delivery but once I decided to get it, I laid down and he was on his way. I did get the epi but right when they put it in I laid back and here he came.. So it only covered the stitching….
that is a wonderful story! i love it. im so happy for you…finally you have ur lil girl!
Dear Kenesha,
Hey mama! How are you doing? I was looking for a phonecall from you this weekend. I feel stood up. lol I’m SO happy that I finally have my little girl. I’m trying not to spoil her, but I think I have a future “diva” on my hands.
Take care,
Shynea
Awww
Again, she’s precious!! You have quick labors like me lol My shortest was 1.5 hours 
And girl you’re strong – no meds seems intimidating but it’s really not all that bad. I knew you could totally do it. (If I did it WITH Pitocin and no pain meds, I know you can do it all natural!) haha My birth stories are here (although you’ve probably already read them before): http://senilemomentia.com/2009/06/ok-my-birth-stories/ … Congrats again honey. She’s beautiful!
awh I enjoyed reading the birth story…She is so beautiful!!!
Sorry. Chaos @ my home couldn’t get away. However; getting back to Lil Ms. Mama, thanks for sharing her pictures, and her birthing story with us. Don’t forget every single day tell her how perfect she is, how smart she is, and how she’s a princess.
Congrats! I just delivered May 17. Get ready b/c that baby is going to try to crawl her way to freedom before your eyes…lol My little Josh had his head up and legs moving at 2wks old. Our children are far more advanced so smart right from birth. Enjoy your little one and PA-LEASE you and your hubby stay close and communicate communicate communicate, I cant stress that enough. My hubby and me love our little boy but our relationship has been challenged. Oh, and dont feel bad about your house, its been 2mos and mine still looks like “who let the dogs out.” Take care of you!!!
She is such a beautiful little girl! I give you credit for going through labor that quickly and without meds! I was a basket case just getting the spinal block for my c-section!
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby and I love the way you told the story.
Awww, look at the pretty baby. Stylish already. I’m so happy for you. After 4 boys, I know you’re over there just basking in all of her girliness gloriousness!
Congratulations mama…You’re a trooper!
My God, I wish I could have had a three hour birth with my daughter instead of the painful 11 with no meds. Congratulations on a natural delivery (which is a feat in itself) and on the birth of your beautiful baby girl. Her eyes are so alert! And I love that litte round cherub face!
You did great, wow! And your little girl is adorable. Big congratulations to you and your husband!
I gave birth to all 4 of my children without pain meds. It is definitely not easy. But, like you, I also went very fast. My labors were only a few hours and only a few minutes of pushing. It was nice to know that I did have the epidural option though. I did ask for it once because the pain was so bad, but by that time it was already too late.
Well, I wish you all the best. Babies are so amazing. I can’t believe my youngest is 7 months already. He is not quite sleeping through the night yet, but I will be pinning that down very soon. I need some mama willpower to not give in to his cries for milk.
Anyway, I look forward to reading more posts about your baby girl. Thanks for sharing your story.
DAWN
shes adorable congradulations
OMG!!! She is so beautiful so precious. You got your little girl. I am so happy for you and your family she is your little blessing.
Take Care Shynea.
She is beautiful. I love her eyes…
Awwwwww. What a beautiful daughter you have! Congratulations!
She is sooooooooo beautiful! Just like her Mommy!!! Thanks for sharing.