Now for the details!
My mom flew out Oct. 28th to keep me company while Lance flew out to Portland for fellowship interviews. I was so relieved to have her here with me just in case Quinn came before Lance made it back. Luckily, Quinn waited until Friday to come. Friday morning my mom, Lance, and I went for a nice long walk around Lake Como to get labor going. After our walk we had lunch at a little Cafe in St. Anthony Park. We continued our walk at the Como Conservatory. Around 3pm I noticed my contractions were coming every 5 minutes and getting stronger so we left the conservatory for home so I could rest for what was coming. We watched Ratatouille and When Harry Met Sally. By 8 o'clock I was ready to leave for the hospital so off we went!
Once at the hospital we were put into triage so that I could be checked. I was 4cm dilated and 90% effaced. They decided to leave me in triage for an hour to see if I would progress. Well I SURE DID! During the hour my contractions got stronger and stronger. To ease my anxiety, Lance gave me a priesthood blessing and turned on Church hymns, which really helped. The midwife came in to check me in the middle of a contraction and said, "If this isn't labor I don't know what is, let's get her into a room". This was music to my ears! The short walk from triage to my room was interrupted by 2 really painful contractions. I thought to myself, "how much worse can this get?!" Once I got into the bath tub, the hot water took the edge off the contractions and I was able to manage them a lot better. I think I was in the tub for about an hour and a half. Lance was with me the entire time! He massaged my back, poured water over my stomach, gave me sips of water, spoke words of encouragement, and held my hand. My mom and doula, Mary, were there as well. The dimly lit room and music were very relaxing. With each contraction everyone helped me work through it and praised me. It was exactly the kind of environment I needed to have a natural birth experience.
Once I was in transitional labor I started to doubt my myself and my ability to cope with the pain. Luckily I had my dream team with me to get me through it. I remember asking to have the midwife check me because I started to feel the urge to push. Well sure enough I was completely dilated and ready to meet my baby! As soon as I stood up from the bath my body began pushing Quinn out. We hurriedly moved to the bed. I remember hearing myself roaring just as a reaction to what was going on. My midwife told me to try not to since my throat would be sore later. So I took deep breaths instead. The difference between transition contractions and pushing contractions is amazing! I literally didn't have pain between each push. There was a definite beginning and end to each contraction, whereas the transition contractions never really ended. It took me three pushes to get Quinn out. Lance got to catch her and place her on my chest! I couldn't believe she was finally here! All I could say was "my baby, my baby" and "I'm done!"
The nurses at Regions were angels. They took such great care of Quinn and I. All in all, it was an amazing experience. One that we will never forget!
A few days later we had our family pictures taken. Here are some of our favorites!
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