Oliver Cromwell's Birth

We welcomed our seventh baby on October 12 at 3:09am. Oliver was another surprisingly big baby--he weighed in at 10lbs., 12oz. and measured 23" long! I was guessing he'd be more in the 9 1/2 pound range.

Sunday night, October 10, I lost my mucous plug. Usually to get to that point, I have many hours or even a day or two of early labor. I had a few contractions here and there Saturday and Sunday, but not as many as it normally takes to make that much progress.

I woke up at 4:30 Monday morning having contractions. They were coming about every 10 minutes and lasting over a minute each. We decided Ben should stay home and he started cleaning and getting things ready for the birth.

Once the kids woke up for the day, contractions all but stopped. I was pretty frustrated. Too much hustle and bustle for my body to focus on getting a baby out, apparently.

Late in the morning, I decided to get out of the house with Katie and run some errands. We went to the chiropractor, and he confirmed that Baby was much lower than he was when I had been in last and he did adjust my lower back/pelvis. 

Then we went to Goodwill. Katie had been asking to go to Goodwill together for a few weeks and I figured this was our last chance for a while. I started noticing contractions again while we were there. 

From there we went to see my midwife. I hadn't seen her in almost two weeks because I was sick the week before.  I was anxious to confirm that Baby was anterior. He had been posterior at my previous appointment. I had done some Spinning Babies exercises with Ben following that appointment. My last two babies were posterior when labor started and it took so long to make progress with both of them. I was relieved to hear that Oliver was anterior and very, very low in my pelvis. We made an appointment for the following week, but Leslie told me she thought she would probably hear from me during the night.

We made a stop at the health food store to pick up our raw milk and then headed home. I started having more contractions while we were driving, and even in the store while we were getting the milk. By the time we got home, I felt pretty sure things were going to pick up in the coming hours. We got the children ready to go and they headed to my sister-in-law's house to spend the night.

Throughout the evening contractions stayed about 20 minutes apart but by 10:30 or so they were requiring focus to get through. We went to bed at 11 and I hoped to get a little sleep before things picked up since contractions were still pretty far apart. But that wasn't in the cards. I did lay down for a while but contractions were intense enough that sleeping in between was too difficult. By 1 they started getting closer together. 17 minutes, 14 minutes, 11 minutes, then 9 minutes. 

At this point, I woke up Ben and told him we needed to get the tub ready. At 1:47, I decided to call the midwife. Contractions were still 10 minutes apart but they were long and strong and mentally I was in labor mode for sure. Plus I could feel them in my lower back which made me think Baby was making his way down. 

I was already feeling desperate to get into the tub but knew I shouldn't until contractions were closer together. I didn't want to slow things down!

Leslie, my midwife, got to our house at around 2:15am. She came in quietly and started setting up. Not long after she got there, my contractions started getting closer together. We weren't timing them, but it was an obvious shift.

Leslie said I could get in the water. Such sweet relief. 

I don't know exactly what time, but contractions started to feel more transition-y and it really felt like it was going to be time to push soon. I told Ben but I cried when I told him because it didn't feel like it had been long enough or hard enough for it to actually be almost over.

Sure enough though, I had a really powerful, long contraction and just as I started to say, "I can't do this," I felt my water break and I pushed out part of his head! The rest of his head was born during the next contraction and I was able to reach down and feel his head while I waited for another contraction. His body came out in one more push, for a total of about 3 minutes of pushing! I caught him myself, which was pretty sweet. Sitting in the tub with him in my arms was so wonderful. He cried just enough for us to know he was okay, and then he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up while we were still in the water, he just opened his little eyes and quietly looked around. I've never seen such a calm newborn!

I feel like my mindset entering this delivery was different than it has been in the past. I prayed before and throughout my labor that God would help me to embrace and lean into the pain of each contraction and really work with my body to accomplish what it was working for. God answered those prayers and I had really effective contractions the whole time.

It was such a beautiful, blissful, and dare I say, relatively easy labor and delivery. It couldn't possibly have gone better and I'm so grateful for the experience. My mom and Katie were there, and my midwife, Leslie, and her assistant, Dorcas, who have been there to help at all 6 of my home births. I can hardly imagine a different birth team! Leslie and Dorcas are so special to me after all these years.

Oliver has taken to nursing really well and is gaining weight nicely. My recovery has been wonderfully smooth thanks to my mom's help with the other children and keeping up with our busy household. And sweet Oliver is so very loved and already such an important part of our family. 

I think the older I get and the more times I experience the newborn days, the more I appreciate them. They're so sweet and they go by so fast and I love them so much. 

Riley Jean's Birth Story

We welcomed our sixth sweet babe on June 1. I don't know why I have waited so long to write out her birth story, but the details still feel pretty vivid, so here goes.

Contractions started on the evening of Wednesday, May 29. They were coming close together, but weren't very strong. Even so, after a few hours of this we decided it was probably the beginning of the real deal and Ben got the children settled in at his parents' house (besides Katie, who was to be there for the birth).

I had contractions through the night and into the morning but they spaced out more and more. Ben was home and the kids were gone, so we had some quality time with Katie. We went for walks, went to the chiropractor and a midwife appointment, had Chipotle for dinner and played Mario Kart just the three of us. After dinner things felt like they were picking back up but by the time we went to bed, my contractions had all but stopped. This stressed me out because with the kids under someone else's care, I felt strongly the pressure to "perform" so I wasn't wasting anyone's time.

In the morning still nothing was happening, so I had Ben get the kids. I decided to have a normal day and go along as though I wasn't "supposed" to be having contractions. It ended up being balm for my soul to have one last day with just my five children. We went out and bought coloring stuff, got Chick-Fil-A for lunch, and spent the afternoon coloring. I had contractions here and there throughout the day, and finally in the evening I had one stronger contraction and finally had bloody show, the piece I knew was missing with all the contractions I'd had up to this point. Now I knew things were going to finally pick up for real.

We went to bed and I started having contractions in earnest during the night. In the wee hours of the morning Ben started cleaning the house and getting things set up for the birth. My sister-in-law, Hannah, came to get up with the children and get them fed and back to their grandparents' house. I alternated between resting and walking. When I would walk contractions were steadier and they would slow down when I would rest.

Things went on like that for several hours. My mom showed up around noon, and at 1:20 I had a very long, intense contraction. I texted my midwife and asked that she go ahead and come.

Contractions were coming steadily, but as soon as I got in the water they slowed back down to almost a complete stop. This felt so discouraging.

At this point, my midwife checked my cervix to see what was going on. I was progressing, but Riley was posterior and not putting direct pressure on my cervix. This is why labor was starting and stopping. This was so deflating since it is what happened with Calvin, and my labor ended up being really long and exhausting.

We decided to try the rebozo and some spinning babies techniques. The thing that finally got things moving was when Ben did the rebozo. Ohmygoodness. I had some contractions while he was rebozo-ing and they were so incredibly painful, perhaps the most painful contractions of my entire childbearing career. But after that we were in business and my contractions became very transitional. I was having back labor and also developed a cervical lip, so the next 45 minutes *hurt*. We used the same herbal concoction we used when I was in labor with Josephine and that helped the lip. I got back into the water and was pushing within minutes. Gratefully, as with all my babies, pushing was very quick and fairly easy. Riley Jean was out in just a few pushes over the course of about 2 minutes. She was 9lbs., 2oz., our second smallest baby.

She was perfectly beautiful and perfectly healthy, and has brought immeasurable joy to our home for the past 8 months.

My main takeaway from her birth is that resting was the right thing to do until I couldn't rest any more. I always have long, slow early labors and wear myself completely out walking, doing stairs, etc. trying to stimulate labor. This time I listened to my body and even though it took labor a long time to pick up as it usually does, I was so much less exhausted at the end this time than I usually am.

I love having my babies at home. Leslie and Dorcas have been with me for all five of my home births. They know me so well. They know exactly what I need to hear and do. I was 20 when I first met them, with one one year-old. Now I'm 30, with 6 children. At this point, they're more than just healthcare providers.

I didn't feel ready to be pregnant when we found out Riley was on the way, but I thank God daily that His plans are better than ours and we have our Riley-girl.

Calvin Gardner's Birth Story

We welcomed our fifth baby, Calvin Gardner Murch, on July 26 at 7:12pm. He weighed in at a shocking 10lbs., 15oz. and measured 22 3/4" long!

My contractions started Tuesday morning, the 25th, a little after 6am. All day Tuesday I had contractions every 20-30 minutes and they increased in intensity throughout the day, while staying pretty far apart. I was in touch with my midwife throughout the day and figured things would pick up in the evening and I'd have the baby overnight.

Around 8:00, I had one particularly strong contraction and things seemed to pick up from there. We started setting up the tub and got the kids ready for bed, planning for them to leave with my mother-in-law first thing in the morning if Baby hadn't made his appearance by then.

My sister-in-law who was coming for the birth got to our house around 9. We all hung out for a little bit and then Ben and I went to bed. I had strong contractions throughout the night, but they were all over the place. Some lasted almost 2 minutes, some were only 30 seconds. They were 8 minutes apart and they were 30 minutes apart and everywhere in between.

Finally at 3am, I got in touch with my midwife. I was frustrated because things weren't developing into any consistent pattern, which I knew I needed, but they were moving along enough that I couldn't get much sleep. She suggested doing the stairs for half an hour in case there was a positioning issue that was keeping labor from progressing. I did that and my contractions got closer together. They were 7-8 minutes apart, and just under a minute. I did have a couple contractions that came one on top of the other, so we decided Leslie (my midwife) should go ahead and come. She and Dorcas (the precious assistant who has come to all four of my home births!) and things pretty much stayed as they were for several hours.

When Josephine woke up, we decided to let her nurse and see if that would help with contractions. Nursing her brought on the most intensely painful and long contractions I'd had. The problem was, I couldn't handle holding her and working through them, so I couldn't keep it up. It hurt her feelings when I'd set her down for each contraction.

Some time around 8 or 9, things seemed to fizzle out completely. We decided to spend a couple of hours trying to stimulate contractions but first, Leslie wanted to check me. I was at 4cm and 75% effaced, but she was easily able to stretch me to 6. We discovered the reason for my stop and go labor (and also an explanation for the back labor I'd started experiencing)--Baby was posterior, something we hadn't realized before this point. His head wasn't putting direct pressure on my cervix; it was off center.

For an hour, I took tinctures, used the breast pump, and did the stairs. It accomplished almost nothing. I was feeling really discouraged! We decided the midwife and assistant would leave and I'd just go about my day. They did work on my belly with the rebozo for a little while before they left, hoping to encourage Baby into a good position. I had some stronger and closer contractions afterwords, but still nothing super consistent.

I spent the next couple hours walking around my house and resting. My contractions got really intense, but they were still quite far apart and I didn't feel like I was making much progress. My sister-in-law was in contact with my midwife and she suggested some different laboring positions to help with the back labor, which was becoming really difficult to manage. The change in positions (chest on my bed with my rear end sticking up, if you're curious) helped with the back labor and my contractions got closer together--about 10 minutes apart instead of 20.

She also suggested a chiropractic adjustment and even maybe some acupuncture to see if the baby would get into a better position. My chiropractor is just 2 minutes away from home, so I thought about going in. The thought of having contractions in his office was super unappealing, so I asked Ben to call and see if there was any chance Dr. J. would do a house call for me. He said yes and was here within a few minutes. This was about 4:15. I still can't believe he did that for me and am so, so thankful for his kindness!

He adjusted my lower back, did acupuncture to encourage contractions, and also worked with a couple ligaments on my belly to encourage the little man to turn out of his posterior position.

As soon as Dr. J. left, my contractions picked up. For an hour I walked around the house and up and down the stairs and I had contractions every four to five minutes. Much to my relief, the back labor was significantly better too! I was so encouraged!

And then they stopped.

I was so bummed. I sat down and as soon as I was sitting I realized how exhausted I was. Since I wasn't having contractions anyway, Ben encouraged me to lay down. I fell asleep for 20 minutes.

And I woke up to a contraction that lasted four whole minutes. It was uncomfortable but actually pretty manageable.

Shortly after that, I had another one.

And then another one. And this time I felt like I had to push!

Our midwife wasn't here. The tub wasn't the right temperature. I freaked out a little bit. Ben was totally calm about delivering the baby, and I just knew I desperately wanted to be in the water (which we weren't comfortable with until Leslie was here).

I got in the shower for a little while and then moved to the bed and then just sat in the bathroom. Finally Leslie was here, the tub was the right temperature, and I was able to climb in.

The water was so relaxing. I expected to start pushing right away, but I just wasn't ready so I waited. After several minutes and a few contractions, it was time. I don't remember how many times I pushed, but after a couple pushes, his [BIG] head was born. At this point, Leslie expressed surprise at how large he was and suggested I get into a squat to accommodate his body. I was able to reach down and feel his head while I waited for another contraction. The time in between was so calm and quiet. With the next contraction, I pushed but he didn't come out. Next contraction, I gave a long, hard push and my sweet boy was born into my arms.  Pushing took right about 5 minutes and gratefully I had no tearing even though Calvin was such a big baby.

All-in-all, Calvin's birth was a really good experience. The hardest part of labor didn't last that long and pushing wasn't bad. The most difficult part was being awake for nearly 40 hours straight. I think I needed that 20 minute nap at the end to have the strength to actually get my baby out!

We love our sweet boy and are adjusting pretty well to life as a family of seven. <3

Josephine's First Birthday Letter (written at 20 months)

Dear Josephine,

I missed your first birthday by 8 months. I've gotten slack over the last couple of years with getting birthday letters written on time and I'm sorry. Even though we're now closer to your second birthday than your first, I wanted to write you a letter anyway.

My sweet girl, you were our long awaited baby. For about a year, I was too sick to conceive, and over time the Lord brought healing to my body and He gave you to us. I was so excited to find out you were on the way, and Daddy and I were both completely in love with you the moment you were born. We still are. In fact, we might spoil you a tiny bit too much. You almost always get a little taste of whatever we're eating because we can't resist your, "A bite? P'eas?!"

I think being a more experienced mama has helped me cherish and savor each stage of your babyhood a little extra. Seeing how fast my babies have grown up has reminded me to slow down. We've spent countless hours snuggling. I love to stop and look into your eyes and listen to the sweet things you say and the words you mispronounce. I love to follow you when you take me by the hand to show me something.

You are such a girl. You get excited about"I wor," ("I wor" = "I wear" = "my clothes") and, "woos. (shoes)" You carry three "beebees" around with you all day long and take such good care of them. You rock and shush them. I love finding them tucked in carefully with blankets around the house. You always tell them, "Nigh-nigh, bee-bee," and tuck them in with a kiss.

Really, you're still a baby yourself, but you get very excited over real babies too--especially your cousin, Gracie. You love holding her. "I wold, Mama?"

I'm hoping your fascination with and excitement over babies will help you with your transition into life as a big sister here in the next couple of weeks. You are so attached to me, I sometimes worry how you'll do with having to share me with someone who needs me even more than you do!

Even though you're so little, you've already become a good helper around the house. You throw away trash without being asked, and you're usually really good about picking up your toys and putting them away where they belong. This is a blessing for your mama!

You do have a stubborn side, for sure, and have started experimenting with telling mama and daddy, "Nnnnnnnnnnnnnno!" Hopefully you'll learn quickly that this approach doesn't work out well.

For the last few weeks, your older siblings have been out of town at Grandma and Grandpa's house. At first, you missed them horribly--especially Katie. Over time you've adjusted, and I think we've both really enjoyed the one-on-one time we've had together. You've been my little buddy. We've done everything together. And it's been sweet. Tonight you fell asleep snuggled up in bed with me, and I just laid there for a while taking you in before I moved you to your bed. I love your sweet baby cheeks and your pudgy little body in footie pajamas. When Calvin is born, I know you'll seem so grown up--and I'm not sure when you'll next fall asleep in mama's arms.

Sweet Josephine, I love you. I love your sweet little voice and the way you smile and giggle. I love how you always want to hold my hand going up and down the stairs ("Hannay?"). I love the way you love your baby dolls. I love how excited you get when Daddy comes home and how you always ask him for a kiss when he's leaving. I have so many moments I wish I could just bottle up and save, so many facial expressions and cute things I want to remember forever. Just like Katie, Benjamin, and Joshua, you're going to grow up on me too. Next thing I know you'll be losing teeth and learning how to read. And then someday you'll probably get married and have a baby of your own.

Even though part of me wishes you'd just stay little forever, I know you won't. And when it comes down to it, I wouldn't actually want you to. That's not why I have babies. I have babies so they'll grow into young men and women who love the Lord and work to advance His Kingdom. That's really what every moment we have together is about--loving you and pointing you to the God Who loves you infinitely more than I ever could. My prayer for you now is the same as it has been since I knew you were a speck in my belly. I pray that you will love the Lord faithfully, even as a child, even now, and serve Him all your days in whatever He calls you to.

Happy First Birthday 8 months late.

Love,
Mama

Joshua's 4th Birthday Letter

Dear Joshua,

Happy 4th birthday, my sweet son. I say this every year, but I simply can't believe another year has gone by. If I close my eyes for a moment, I can go right back to the morning I met you after an easy, peaceful birth at our home in the country. I loved you from the moment I knew you were in my womb, I loved you when I held you in my arms, but my sweet boy, how I love you now that you've been part of our family for four whole years!

It is such a joy to watch you learn and grow. This year has brought so many changes for you!

I closed your last birthday letter with an expression of my desire that you start using the potty. Several months ago, I got you to start by calling you, "Baby Joshua," until you started going potty. It worked! And as soon as you did it you said, "Mommy, you can stop calling me Baby Joshua now!" I'm so glad to have that behind us!

You've also learned so much in your role as Big Brother. You are so sweet with Josephine. You take good care of her, you share well with her, and you love her so much. This year has also brought you much closer with Katie and Benjamin as you've matured enough to keep up with their antics. You three are buddies and that brings such joy to my heart!

You enjoy coloring and drawing, playing outside, and all things little boy. You love cars, trains, planes, tools, superheroes (Captain America is your favorite), sports (especially baseball, like Benjamin and Daddy), and playing rough.

A few weeks ago, you woke up from your nap feeling sad. When I asked you what was wrong, you told me you were sad you couldn't be a superhero and fly like Ironman. I explained to you that superheroes were really just pretend, but that you could grow up and be strong and take good care of other people, protecting them from bad guys. It didn't satisfy you perfectly, but it was enough to get you out of your funk.

You are the earliest riser of the four Murchlings, usually up before 7. From the moment you wake up in the morning, you start talking a mile a minute and mostly end your sentences with, "...right?" You are a man of many words. You're also a man who knows what you want. These two qualities are an interesting combination now. They bring us much amusement and some frustration as well. But I know one day the two qualities can be combined for much good--if you learn to harness them! You are a funny, funny boy and keep us laughing too.

Joshua, I can't believe you're four. You add so much sweetness and joy to our family. You tell me you love me a million times a day. The way your blue eyes squint when you smile big melts my heart. I can't imagine life without you and I'm SO glad the Lord gave you to me. You ask me all the time lately, "Mama, you're not ready for me to grow up, are you?" Son, I'm not. Part of me wants to keep you my smiley, sweet little boy forever. But I know I can't do that. So I work to raise you into a godly man and pray (and pray and pray) that the Lord will bless my feeble efforts.

My son, I wish for you all the good things life offers--good health, a successful career, a wife who loves you, children who honor you, but above all these things, I long for you to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. I pray that you'll rise above the temptations of our day and by God's grace be a blameless man. May you live a life of faithfulness, generously loving your neighbor near and abroad, advancing the Kingdom of Christ with diligence, and may you always have joy and peace regardless of your circumstances.

I love you, sweet boy.

Happy birthday!

Love,
Mama

Joshua's 3rd Birthday Letter

Dear Joshua,

How can it be that my baby boy is three? It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I first held you in my arms after a beautiful, peaceful, fast birth at home. 

My sweet boy, I don't know if it's your personality, the fact that you've been the baby of the family for over a year longer than anyone else, or a combination of both, but you are the snuggliest three year-old I've had so far. You love your mama--and your mama loves you too. And if you can't manage to situate yourself on my lap, daddy's lap will usually do.

You talk a mile and a half a minute, amazing family and strangers alike with your vocabulary. In fact, when we went to the pediatrician for your check-up this fall, they asked if you could speak in full sentences yet. As we pulled into the parking lot that morning, I counted an 18 word sentence. Ha!

You have really grown up a lot in recent months, between your speech and your growing ability to hold your own when you play with Katie and Benjamin. You've also begun learning how to be more helpful around the house. You mainly help with picking up your toys, and truthfully you are often reluctant to do so--but we're working on that. You have pretty strong opinions and are fairly hard to convince when you have your mind set, much like your older sister.

You also definitely think you have swag, as daddy would say. You act like you're 3 going on 19. This frequently cracks us all up--and every once in a while is just a wee bit annoying. But that's alright. We all have quirks, and this is one we love about you. You don't lack confidence despite being the youngest of the 'big kids.' 

You are all boy, my Joshua. You love planes, trains, cars, guns, and superheroes. If it has wheels or is otherwise manly, you are all into it. You're also pretty tough. I'm amazed at the tumbles and bumps you take without crying. Your daddy appreciates this about you!

Just over a week after your birthday, you met your new baby sister for the first time. It has been precious watching you become an older brother. You adore Josephine and are so sweet to her! Between you and Benjamin (and daddy!) she will be so well protected and taken care of. Despite how much you love your sister, adjusting to mommy having a new person to focus on has been challenging for you. You're coming along, though.

I am excited to see what providence has in store for you, my son. You're a smart, funny, strong, and sweet boy. More than anything else, I long for you to submit to Christ and honor Him with all your days. In the end, nothing else matters much.

I sure do love you, Joshua Gianavel. You make my world sweeter by being in it.

Happiest of birthdays to you!

Love,
Mama

PS: I hope when I write you a letter next year, I can say you've successfully potty trained. 

Josephine Marian's Birth Story

Giving birth is such an amazing, incredible experience--even when it's hard. Josephine's birth was one of the most difficult of my four. It hurt a lot and took longer for me to mentally feel like I was "over" it. A month after the fact, though, I can look back at her birth with the same affection, awe, and fondness as my other three.

Josephine Marian Murch
Born October 25, 2015 at 2:49pm into her Daddy's arms
9lbs., 14 oz. and 21 3/4" long

The story starts on Friday, October 23. The previous night I had not slept well. Our children normally go to homeschool co-op classes at church on Fridays. This day my brother-in-law took them for me as I was feeling exhausted and knew labor could happen at any point since I was a few days past my due date. I had a quiet day at home to myself. I was able to take a good nap and get caught up on some things for work, something I really wanted to get done before giving birth.

That night after the children were in bed I started to have some signs of impending labor including some contractions. I texted with my midwife and fully expected to go into labor during the night. Saturday morning I woke up quite surprised that things still hadn't picked up. I had contractions during the night but they didn't get active. We did our normal Saturday morning stuff and I continued to have some contractions. We decided to go ahead and send the children to my in-laws' house because we were sure things would pick up that day.

Ben and I had a nice day together. We went out and walked around town. We also bought our first TV. We came home, had pizza, and relaxed together. I alternated between resting and bouncing on the exercise ball. I was still having contractions but they just weren't picking up enough. We finally decided to go to bed around 10:30 after both falling asleep on the couch watching a movie (on the new TV). I was pretty sure I'd wake up during the night in active labor.

Sure enough, I woke up around 1 having contractions every 5-8 minutes. After an hour of that, I called my midwife. I knew things needed to pick up a lot more, but she had a long drive and my last labor was pretty fast. The first midwife (Leslie) arrived about 2:30. She was the primary midwife for my second and third babies and assisted at this birth. The other midwife assistant (Dorcas) and my primary midwife (Degra) arrived by about 3.  I was happy to have them here and we visited between contractions. Leslie and Dorcas were at both of my other home births, and Degra was Leslie's midwife partner during my pregnancy with Joshua, so I have known all of them for 3 to 5 1/2 years.

Around 5, it became clear things were slowing down. We decided to have everyone lay down for a while until things picked up. I had a snack and then went to bed. Once I was in my room my contractions got stronger so I wasn't able to sleep. I got up and just bounced on the exercise ball and rested in between contractions. Contractions were still not very close together--about 10-15 minutes apart.

Finally around 8 or so, we decided to take some measures to get things going. Contractions were strong enough that I couldn't sleep, so we really just needed the baby to come. First Degra stripped my membranes. She found that I was only about 2-3cm. dilated, but Baby was in a great position and my cervix was soft, so she suspected things would go quickly once they picked up. Following the membrane sweep, Leslie rubbed a mixture of castor oil and essential oils on my belly. Dorcas massaged my feet with the same mixture as we used on my belly. We also hooked me up to a breast pump.

By 11, contractions were much closer together (6-8 minutes apart) and very strong. Based on what I was feeling, I was pretty sure at this point I'd have the baby by 12:30 or so. I spent some time on the ball and stood up and swayed through contractions. Things were getting pretty intense and I decided to get in the shower. We had the tub ready but didn't want things to slow down since they had just picked up.

I stayed in the shower until I ran out of hot water. Contractions were still intense and close together  so I decided to go ahead and get into the tub. The water was so soothing and I didn't want to go back to laboring without it! In the tub, contractions continued to pick up and eventually were coming one on top of the other. It definitely felt like transition and I was pretty confident delivery was imminent. With each contraction I kept telling myself, "Maybe next contraction I'll be pushing."

But contractions just kept coming. I had very intense pain in the center of my lower abdomen, stronger than I remember in my other labors. I also started having some back pain. After about an hour or so in the tub, it just wasn't doing it for me anymore and I got back in the shower. My contractions were intolerable. I started telling Ben I couldn't do it anymore and generally feeling really discouraged. 

I've given birth without drugs three other times and I had never had intense, transition contractions last this long. After a while in the shower, I got out and asked Degra to check me again for dilation. She said I was at 10 (which I expected based on what I felt) but that a part of my cervix was only dilated 5-6 and that's why I wasn't pushing yet.

At this point it was 2:20pm. I asked Degra how long she thought it would take, and of course she couldn't give a prediction, but she said she was confident I'd have the baby by dark. I was SO discouraged--but glad to have an answer so I didn't keep telling myself that I might be pushing next contraction.

The midwives had me lay on my side in the bed with pillows between my legs. During each contraction, they lifted the top leg onto one of their shoulders. I switched sides after a few contractions. They also gave me a couple doses of some herbs--a mixture of valerian, lobelia, and one other that I can't remember. This really helped me to relax which was good because I was starting to have a really difficult time coping with my contractions. In between contractions, I prayed for endurance and strength--and asking the Lord to help things move along because I was so exhausted and in a tremendous amount of pain.

During the time laboring on the bed, Ben was holding my hands, one midwife was pushing my hips together and another putting pressure on my lower back to ease the back pain, and the other was helping hold my legs up. I don't know how I would've managed without the whole team there! These women were amazing and I really do love each one of them.

Sometime after 2:40, I really felt like I needed to pee. I really didn't want to, though, because I knew it would bring on a contraction. At some point I suddenly felt the urge to push. I was surprised because it had only been 20 minutes and nervous because I was worried I'd hurt myself if that one part of my cervix hadn't dilated fully. I said I needed to push and Degra said to wait for a contraction and then we'd walk to the bathroom so I could empty my bladder before pushing. I thought to myself that I'd probably have the baby in the bathroom if we did that, but I didn't verbalize that thought.

After next contraction, a couple people helped me to the bathroom (Ben and maybe Dorcas? I don't think I was fully aware). When I sat down on the toilet my water broke right away and her head came out (with no pushing). I yelled, "Her head is out!" The birth team quickly had me stand up and in one push she was out. Ben caught her--a first for us!

I cried tears of joy and relief when I held my sweet girl. Labor was OVER and I had my long-awaited baby in my arms at last. Because of all my health issues prior to this pregnancy and the fact that it took me longer than usual to get pregnant, I was especially filled with gratitude.

Josephine felt BIG (and she was--my biggest baby, weighing in at 9lbs., 14oz.!) and I was very pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any tearing.

The midwives cleaned up, got us situated, and left by about 5.

It was a difficult but beautiful birth. We are so thankful for our sweet, healthy, big (!) girl and I am finally feeling like I'm adjusting to life as a mother of 4. The Lord has been so kind to our family and we are blessed indeed.

Josephine ready for her first Sunday at church at 3 weeks old,
exactly 40 weeks to the day from when we found out I was pregnant!