More Freya:) The Story....Part 1

I love my little girl so much. And what an adventure her arrival was for our family! We didn't make it to the hospital until 9:00, and she was born at 10:00...just enough time for them to fill the birthing tub, barely. Wednesday December 1 was a strange day. I awoke with semi-regular contractions at around 4:30 am, and just tried to sleep, but as most of you know that have had children, this is nearly impossible, though almost always the advice you get. First of all, you are too excited, and second of all---they hurt! Anyway, those hung around the a few hours, and then began to die off....we went about our day....I had made an appointment at the clinic just because I was worried my water might be leaking (that is what happened with Jonas) so, I just wanted to make sure. The midwife checked me, and my water had definitely not broken, I was only dilated to a 2, and 50% effaced, and she kindly told me, "Oh honey, go on home... we'll be seeing you next Monday for your 40 week appointment." So, all that worry for nothing, but still...it was good to be reassured that my water had indeed not broken. Jonas and I then headed to the library for something to do, and my contractions started back up again albeit irregular and not quite as painful. After enjoying reading several Thomas books and playing with puzzles we headed home, and after lunch, both laid down for naps....when my contractions began to start up again more intensely, and fairly regularly, coming every 6 or 8 minutes....but it was mainly in my legs and back, so I didn't really know what to think! As the hours wore on, I was getting more and more uncomfortable, and decided to take a warm bath and wait for Jason to be home----what could have been relaxing was really me, laying the tub, with a chatty toddler not wanting to leave my side while I pretended to not be in pain. Jason said he was on his way, just having to run one more errand that seemed to last an eternity. When he finally got home, the contractions continued and picked up slightly in intensity. He kept asking me if we needed to head to the hospital, but I just, in my well-understandable doubt, thought that nothing was probably happening (I was also mortified about potentially going to the hospital only to be sent home)----I was so stuck on not progressing since that is what happened last time with Jonas (and after a grueling 24+ hours of contractions). Anyway, we filled our evening with Peter Rabbit videos, and I even made dinner and ate it----the contractions did pick up in intensity, but I was able to stand and walk around in between them. I think that one of the reasons I doubted that I was progressing is because my contractions were so short---they were rarely longer than 30 seconds and all the books say that the second phase of labor the contractions should be 40-70 seconds. Books are not always so reliable, I guess...Anyway, Jason finally convinced me to call the midwife, and she told me that it didn't seem to be time since my voice sounded so positive and I was able to talk through contractions. We decided to have me call if anything changed---if the pain really intensified or if they got closer together. Both happened, but still mainly in my legs and back; it didn't seem to be my uterus at all for some strange reason, however, by then it was getting to the point where I was bending over and not able to talk through the contractions. Jonas must have picked up on everything, because he was SUPER clingy, wanting me to hold him and read him books, and he kept saying, "Mommy, I need you." Melts the heart. Anyway, after another hour or so of this, me still not believing it was real, Jason said, "Honey, I think we should call Michael (our planned babysitter for Jonas)." I was hesitant, but after a few more contractions, decided to call. I called the midwife again and she still seemed to think I should stay home because my "voice sounds so calm." Ugh.....I guess I should have been more agonizing in my tone or something, because they did hurt, people....but I guess not enough to convince her. After more wise encouraging words from Jason, I told her that were were going to head in to the hospital anyway around 8:15 if this kept up. She said that was fine and that the decision was totally up to me....good thing it was, because if we had listened to her, Freya would have been born at home...(Check in soon for part 2:)