Rhea's hospital birth story

I had all three of my children (#4 is about 4 months from being born) at the same hospital, with the same OB and nurse in attendence, with my mother and husband.  While all three births were positive, my favorite was #2, my daughter Maggie.  I woke up in labor at about 4:00am, but wasn't sure it was "real" labor, and I also wanted to wait until hubby got home from work to go to the hospital. I realized that he wasn't going to make it, so I sent my mother to find him on his delivery route while I drove myself to the hospital.  I was already at a 5 (which took about 18 hours of labor the 1st time), and really excited as the last 5 only took about 1 hour the 1st time.  The nurse who was with me when I delivered my 1st stayed after her shift to stay with me - she couldn't seem to convince the other nurses that I could just deliver dialate and deliver at any moment.  She "had a feeling" and checked me, and I was at 9 - only 15 min. after I got there.  On my next contraction, I HAD TO PUSH, and told her "You have to catch the baby NOW!" and she said, "no, you have to wait for the doctor!", and I pulled myself up and said "no, YOU have to catch!".  So she did.  I fed Maggie while the nurse examined me for tears (one tiny stitch), and then she took her for a warm bath.  My husband had just gotten there, and was on his way in my room while the nurse was on the was out.  She handed him the baby, and let him take over from there. If I could give birth at that particular hospital again, I would, but as it's a 20 hour drive from where I live now, I think I'll just stay home - it's safer than having a baby in a car.

~Rhea
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