Ruth Mathewes was born December 7, 2007 at 11 AM. 5 lbs, 12 oz., 19" long. Dark hair and dark blue eyes--sure to change!
Everything started around 1 AM. Stephen and I hadn't been in bed that long, and suddenly I realized that my contractions were starting to feel a little less like tightening and a little more like menstrual cramps. They were coming quickly, and so after a few came and went, I woke up Stephen and asked him to start timing them.
5 minutes apart, at least a minute long, they continued steadily while we lay there. We got up, puttered around for a bit. We snacked on cheese and crackers and talked between contractions. It was exciting, but we didn't want to jump in the car right away if it was a false alarm. So Steve put on some Monty Python, and I sat squatted in front of the television surrounded by pillows.
After awhile, we thought it would be good if we got in the shower--the hot water would help me relax and maybe even speed things along. So Steve ran the water and in we went--it was delightful, and definitely helped. We dried off and kept watching TV until we decided, "This is probably it."
A call to the doctor confirmed that it yes, indeed it was time to go, and so we packed up the car, called our friend Amy (who was coming to assist as a doula), and headed over.
Being very early in the morning still, it was dark, and there were few cars on the highway. We even saw a fox scurry across the highway. I could hardly believe that it was time. We had the car packed with DVDs and music and overnight bags--even clothing for little Ruthie when she arrived. I was eager and apprehensive--how long would this last, and would I be able to do it? We played "Revolver" in the car... it was comforting and exhillerating to have familiar (awesome) music on.
We reached the hospital and had to check in at the emergency room. They offered me a wheelchair, but I told them I would much rather walk. We made our way slowly up to the labor & delivery ward, pausing for each contraction. They showed me to a room, and then hooked me up to an IV (because I had tested positive for group-B strep bacteria) and an external fetal heart monitor.
Contractions were still very steady, and the hours passed. I wanted to get up and walk, but the doctors and nurses were nervous about Ruthie's heart rate, so I was essentially strapped to the bed. This made the first half of labor quite difficult, actually, because I couldn't get comfortable and relax while lying down, which meant that the pain were less easy to deal with, since I wasn't quite relaxed enough.
With all the adrenaline and hormones, it does make everything a blur. I remember being told I was dilated to 5cm, and thinking to myself, "Am I going to be able to make it? Should I have an epidural?" I had been lying down the entire time, and wondered how I would make it if I wasn't allowed to move or change positions. I just tried to zone out and focus on relaxing myself. Contractions were much easier to deal with when I relaxed my entire body; if I tensed up in anticipation, I shook uncontrollably all over and it was much harder to manage.
Dawn was breaking--snow on the roof of the building nearby glimmered brilliantly. Things started to get busier in the hospital, too. When the doctor came in, she assessed the situation and had me get on all fours. This helped immensely, and I moved quickly through to the end of labor. I can barely remember the hours passing--it was a blur of resting and closing my eyes and half-dreaming (boy, did I have some strange pictures and dreams in my head!), then getting up and breathing as intensely as I could, as though my life depended on it.
It was a surprise when it came time to push, and a surprise what crazy position they got me in. I almost didn't believe them when they told me, but I figured they knew what they were talking about! Everyone was cheering--Stephen was at my side, watching the baby come, and encouraging me and telling me how far along I was. In ten minutes of pushing, she was out. I tore painfully, but I knew that I was the only person in the room who was going to make this baby come, and so whatever it took, there it was.
Ruthie cried fairly immediately, was a little purple, because the cord had been wrapped around her neck, but was very alert and curious. I must have looked so surprised when she first came out--I could barely believe that there was a person in the room now, and not just a heaving pregnant belly. Stephen even cut the baby's cord!
Sure enough, I have to believe it all happened, of course, because there's a little person is sleeping in the bed right now, snoring her tiny, muffled snores.
I could not have done this medication-free had it not been for the amazing support of both Amy and Stephen, who were so gracious and never left my side. The two of them were so encouraging--one as a translator between us and the medical folk, and the other as my ever-loving and supportive husband, who kept me believing in myself.