My son was born on July 13, 2008 at 9:14am. It was a beautiful experience and thankfully, everything went perfectly and there were no complications.

My labor started in earnest around 8pm on July 12. My S/O's mother was our midwife, so we called her occassionally throughout the night. I labored at home for the most part. It was very painful, but I made it through. My water broke around 6am and immediately I began to feel the urge to push and during contractions, my body would push involuntarily.

I delivered at the birth center here in town. There was a little cottage behind the birth center that consisted of a room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom with a big tub. By the time I got to the birth center, around 6:30am, I was complete and fully dilated - they were proud of me for waiting until then to go in. I pushed for a few hours, I got into the tub for a time, and I stood and squatted to push for a few contractions because my son was crooked and he had to turn a bit. That worked out fine and I climbed back on the bed.

S/O's mom told me to reach down and touch my baby and I felt a sliver of his head showing, and it gave me the extra adrenaline I needed - I cried out, "Oh, my baby! My baby!"

From there it took 12 pushes to get his head out. The ring of fire was agonizing, I cried out to God and Jesus to help me! Then with one more push he was born and they just flipped him up onto my belly. He cried immediately and didn't need to be suctioned. I rubbed his little back and arms and checked his fingers and toes. They waited until the cord stopped pulsing to cut it, then I brought him up to my breast and he nursed immediately.

He's been such a sweet, wonderful baby this last week. I love his little chirps and coos. I'm so happy. I just wanted to let everyone know since I've been posting on here since I was a few months pregnant!

Awww, congrats!

Thanks for sharing your story!! I am terrified of labor but when I read the part about you touching your baby's head as it was coming out and then giving you motivation to finish.....it gave me hope and motivation also.

"ring of fire" hadn't heard of that term before but it's an appropriate name from what I hear. Did you have him naturally or did you have an epidural? I plan on having an epidural.

Sorry it took so long to reply. It seems like I never get a chance to get to the computer lately...when they tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps, DO IT! Don't try to stay awake all day and then be up and down all night, too. You will go insane.

I had him naturally. It was an intense experience, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Plus, I had him a 9:14am and was home by 12:30pm, so that was great - in and out (so to speak).

Congrats! Great birth story, sounds like everything went so smoothly for you! Hope you and baby are doing well! I cant wait to meet my little man!

Congratulations, hun! What a beautiful story - thank you for sharing it with us