I had my natural childbirth.
A waterbirth!!
At the birth center!
She’s finally here!!!
The wait is over.
Monday morning, I had made up my mind that I was going to ask my midwife to strip my membranes and see if that didn’t get labor going. My appointment wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon, but I called first thing on Monday to see if they could get me in that day.
I got squeezed in at 10:00 that morning and we DID decide to strip my membranes, after she told me I was now dilated to a 3. This was good since I was dilated to 1 1/2 the week before. As I left, my midwife said, “Research shows that if stripping the membranes works, it will work within 48 hours.” I was so hopeful it would put me in to labor THAT day.
By the afternoon, contractions had started and I was CONVINCED we were having a baby Monday night.
Kelly, who’s due in November with her 2nd baby girl, came over and stayed with me. My mom, who was also there to take lots of pictures, came right away, too.
We did some walking to try and get contractions going.
After contractions were consistently 6-8 minutes apart for a few hours, I made the call to the on call midwife, Leslie. After a few conversations with her every hour or so, we finally decided to meet at the birthing center at 9:45 so she could check my cervix and see if there had been any change.
There hadn’t.
I just couldn’t understand how I could be having contractions for several hours and they were doing nothing to help with labor.
It was the first time I broke down in frustration.
I was ready to be done with my pregnancy.
I wanted to have a baby.
I couldn’t understand why this baby inside of me did not want to come out.
I was done with being patient.
Leslie offered for us to stay another hour and see where we were at after the hour.
I was so frustrated, I just wanted to go home and go to bed.
She gave me some Tylenol PM and suggested I go home to take a bath or shower.
Still having contractions, even after deciding to go home.
We left the birthing center at 11:30 and I made Jeff drive us through Jack in the Box. I wanted to eat something good that wasn’t good for me! I figured I deserved it. 
I’m so glad I did.
When we got home and had time to eat, contractions started getting stronger.
I took a shower.
I was finally able to fall asleep, but had my mom sleep with me so Jeff could get some uninterrupted sleep and go to work the next day.
Little did we know, he actually wouldn’t be going to work the next day.
Contractions woke me up during the night and they were strong enough to force me up on all fours in my bed, just to get through them.
At about 6:45, I gave up and decided to get up for the day and really think about how these contractions were progressing.
At a few minutes after 8:00, I made my way downstairs to eat breakfast.
It never happened. I went to the couch and started fighting through some intense contractions, with my knees on the floor and my elbows on the couch. They were only getting worse and closer together.
Jeff heard me fighting through them and asked for an update, meaning how close together were they.
I told him they were so much stronger than they were the day before and had been coming anywhere from 4-7 minutes apart. I knew this was serious.
By this point, my mom was downstairs with us and they both knew the plan. They asked if there was time to shower and I told them, “Yes.”
Thankfully they both took quick showers.
A few minutes before my mom came back in to the living room, she heard me holler for her.
I had just felt the baby moving down in my body.
It scared me.
I thought there was a possibility we weren’t going to make it to the birthing center before the baby was born.
I told her to get a towel, which she did, and then brought it to me asking what I wanted to do with it.
I said, “Bring it in the car with us just in case we don’t make it in time.”
I think me saying that scared her to death and she started hollering for Jeff.
He came running in and we rushed out of the door at about 9:40.
I know he drove fast but I have no idea how fast because my knees were in the floor board and my elbows were in the seat, with my head down. It was the only comfortable position for me.
After fighting through several contractions when we got to the birthing center, it probably took me a good 7-10 minutes to get from the car to the birthing suite upstairs.
Because another mom had just given birth a couple of hours before, the main birthing suite with the big birthing tub wasn’t available. We went in to the second suite, with the claw foot tub, and it’s a good thing we did. More on that in a just a minute.
Kelly met us there and she went to work being awesome, right away.
Kristin, the birthing assistant, was with me every step of the way. She knew I was there to stay and went to get Carol, the midwife, to do a cervical check.
Carol was asking me if I could get on the bed so she could check my cervix. I could hardly stand the thought of laying in the bed on my back, but I knew I had to.
Jeff helped me get in the bed and after the cervical check, Carol said I was FULLY DILATED!!
I couldn’t believe it.
I thought for sure I would still have more work to do with contractions before I would be ready to push.
Carol said I could get in to the tub whenever I was ready to since my body was ready.
Jeff helped me to the bathroom and got me in to the tub.
It became a waiting game.
The warm water from the tub made me feel so much better {I can see why it’s called “nature’s epidural”}, but I was still fighting through painful contractions. We were just waiting for me to have the urge to push.
I got impatient and just started pushing. I wanted her out!
Carol helped me through some pushes and when baby girl was starting to crown, she asked for someone to hold my leg while she guided the baby out. Kelly grabbed my leg and with three big pushes, she was on her way.
Carol told me to stop pushing just long enough for her to pull the cord from off of her neck. {SCARY!} Then she pulled her out and put her right on my chest, at 10:37 am.
Can you believe all that hair??!!
The picture looks like she was screaming her head off, but she hardly cried and it was so soft.
It was almost like she was so peaceful coming out in the water.
I actually had to look down and make sure there were girl parts. I guess part of me still questioned.
And then it hit me….
hard.
I have prayed for this little girl to be a part of our family and my life for so long.
I was just given a gift….
and we were blessed.
Jeff and I cried.
Our family was complete.
The whole experience was amazing. My natural childbirth was exactly what I wanted.
My mom got to cut the cord. Since Jeff became the photographer, the picture doesn’t actually show her cutting it. Take my word for it that that’s what she’s doing.
We were at the birthing center for 40 minutes before she was born. The big birthing tub I had planned to use takes 45 minutes to fill up. Had we been in the main birthing suite, I might not have been able to have the water birth experience I wanted so badly.
Want to see more? Check out part 2 of this story. There are many more pictures to show you and tell you about!!
Yay yay yay!!! I’ve been checking my reader so often, hoping to hear the good news! CONGRATS! So happy that you got the birth you wanted! I can’t believe all her hair! Can’t wait to hear more and see more pictures!!!
Jenna´s last [type] ..1 month!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Jenna!! I’m so glad I got to have the experience I wanted, too! I guess it paid off to be patient. :)
Congratulations, Roubinek family! Brantley is beautiful, and I’m so glad you got the birth you wanted and planned for. Such a beautiful birth story — I have tears in my eyes!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Amanda! Pretty amazing day for us!
I was just reading your last update when you posted on Facebook that you had your baby girl! I love your birth story and it made me tear up! I’m so happy for you! God is GOOD!
Sarah´s last [type] ..Ready for Solids
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Oh girl, God is SOOOOO good!!
We are beyond blessed.
Oh Jamie…soooo glad you got such an amazing birth experience and that she indeed was a GIRL! Can’t wait to hear more and meet the newest Roubinek! Congrats mama!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Jess! I’m not sure what I would have done if she wasn’t a girl!!
Such a blessing, what a wonderful experience. I just cried like a baby…love it!
Katie Dotson´s last [type] ..Feeding the Turtles
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
An incredible blessing, for sure!!
Twitter: Mrsourma
says:
AWWW YAY! So glad you were able to have the birthing experience you wanted.
Stephanie @ Our Marriage Adventure´s last [type] ..Shop Till You Drop
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Stephanie!! It was either now or never for that water birth. So glad we were able to make it happen.
She’s beautiful! I love her hair. I love birth stories, they always make me cry. Congrats!
Alli´s last [type] ..Apartment Living
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Alli!! Now I’ll be waiting to hear your story.
I love birth stories, too!
Twitter: giggleglitzglam
says:
Congratulations! She’s seriously so beautiful. I love all of her hair. I’ve always been curious about a water birth & it looks like it turned out great.
Jana´s last [type] ..Adios Facebook
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Jana! The water birth experience definitely did turn out great!
Something I had always wondered about, too!
Twitter: _conscientious
says:
Carol delivered my son at the birth center in Dallas – love her!! What a wonderful birth story, I am so happy for you!!
Jenny B´s last [type] ..Toddler verdict: homemade toothpaste = NO!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
That’s so neat!! Carol was great! Kelly said she delivered her daughter, too!
YAY JAMIE!!!!! SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!! And what a beautiful name! LOVE it!
Erin´s last [type] ..Every Knee Shall Bow
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thanks Erin!! So nice to have finally reached the finish line.
Jamie- so very happy for you! She is absolutely breathtaking, as are the photos of you having her. Thanks so much for sharing! PS. That is some serious bow hair that baby girl has! What fun!
Shannon´s last [type] ..DIY Link Up. Share your Posts!
So happy for you and this experience. Congrats on completing your family! She is gorgeous! I’d love to take newborn pics of her if you’re interested.
Jennifer Neal´s last [type] ..Being a Mom
What a sweet day and baby! I’m glad you got to have the birth experience you’ve been wanting. It reminds me of having my babies there. Brantley is beautiful and I can’t wait to meet her!
Twitter: Organizedisland
says:
Oh how precious! Welcome Baby Brantley! I feel like I was there….thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations to your family! Found you on SITS.
Twitter: lovelimes
says:
Such a great story! Congrats on Miss Brantley! I bet you are going to have so much fun with all of that hair. ;)
Tamara´s last [type] ..Twinkle Toes: The Movie Launch Party – Free Fun & Goodies {Dallas}
Found you at Growing Up Geeky and what a wonderful birth story – thanks for sharing! What great pictures to have! You’re better than me – I wouldn’t let my husband shower before we left if I was in active labor!
Sarah [NurseLovesFarmer.com]´s last [type] ..28 Weeks
Simply beautiful. Congrats.
Susan´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday – Connect
Hooray! You did it! Good job mommy! My little guy is only 2 months so I still really remember my big day. Baby’s are such miracles! Congrats!
To read my birth story go here: http://www.cravingchocolateandlazydays.com/2012/07/06/a-baby-story/
Happy Saturday Sharefest!
Crissa´s last [type] ..Day 17
Jamie,
This is beautiful. I loved reading your story and found myself becoming teary eyed for you!
What a great post! And congrats
I don’t think I could give birth without drugs so I am incredibly impressed.
Amber´s last [type] ..The Proper Way To Store Sunglasses
Twitter: euregirlsandboy
says:
What a beautiful birth story – I love a good birth story
I’m so glad you made it to the birthing center. She’s beautiful!
Visiting from SITS.
Katie E´s last [type] ..Green
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
Congratulations, she’s beautiful!!
Twitter: growingupgeeky
says:
What an absolutely amazing birth story. Congratulations, Momma!
Melissa´s last [type] ..Balance must be found! (or how I am going to attempt to find it, since I have none) – Toddle Along Tuesday
Twitter: ASassyRedhead
says:
Oh, my GOD! That is sheer perfection! You totally made me cry and get all sappy reading this and I loved it!
Congrats over and over…she’s beautiful!
And I love her name…just perfect!
Carrie´s last [type] ..Roofers and an earthquake I can tackle. Small, buggish things in the night? Not so much.
Twitter: Love_Sylvie
says:
WOW the pictures of you holding her in the tub bought tears to my eyes, so so beautiful. Well done on having the birth you wanted. I wish I could have had moments like that with my son when he was born. Maybe next time…
x
Sylvia´s last [type] ..birthday forever.
Awwww, *happy tears* !! I love a good, peaceful birth story. I am so happy you got this beautiful gift!
Sadie´s last [type] ..feathers everywhere!
Twitter: natashahanson
says:
Ahhh! The photos are so beautiful, and I’m so glad you had the experience you wanted in the water! I am really hoping for a water birth – crossing my fingers!
Also, that IS a lot of hair – what a beautiful girl!
I was admiring her at Mamas Write and wondered how old she is! What a great birth story – and what a true blessing!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Thank you!! She really is such a blessing for our family!!
Twitter: FaithFilledHome
says:
Ok I just read through the whole birthstory! I have tears in my eyes! It reminded me SO much of my last labor. I LOVE the tub! It’s the only way to go. I hope we can get to know each other and maybe next year at Mama’s Write. Although I really want to get together with some of the local bloggers!
Twitter: Jmroubinek
says:
Yes, I think a local blogger meet up is a must!! I will definitely be back at mamas write next year!
I love birth stories! The look on your face was priceless!
Jessica´s last [type] ..Art Programs for Kids at the Museums of Fort Worth