At 2:30 am on Friday, September 16, 2011, I went into real labor. It was three days past my due date and I'd been having regular "practice" contractions for a couple of days. After two and a half hours of laboring on my own in bed and on the floor, I woke up Jesse at 5 am. We had breakfast, Jesse made a fire (it was cold - only 44 degrees!), and we watched a TV show while timing contractions. We called Lori, our doula, at 7 am to let her know that today may be the day. She asked that we call back if things rapidly progressed or in an hour, whichever came first. In an hour, things had progressed so we called back and she came over. With help from Jesse, Lori, and the sound of Love Actually in the background, I labored at home until 11:30 am. My doctor offered to check my progress at her office so we headed there. After scaring the receptionist (receptionist: "don't go into labor here;" me: "I am in labor!"), my doctor confirmed that I was well on my way (5 cm) and advised that we head to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 1 pm and were barraged with what seemed to be 100 questions about my medical history and allergies. I still don't know why they asked if I was allergic to bananas and avocado! The nurse had to give her spiel about epidurals and other pain management options. She looked surprised when I said I didn't want anything and asked what my plan was. I pointed to Jesse and Lori and said, "you're looking at it!" Shortly after that, the midwife on duty said I was 7 cm. By 3 pm, I was 10 cm and ready to meet our baby. It was all worth it! Jesse and Lori were amazing. With their support, we were able to have the natural birth we'd been hoping for. After 14 hours of labor, Elliott Stafford Doren was born at 4:15 pm on September 16, 2011.
Elliott and me a few minutes after delivery
A family :)
8 lbs, 6.1 oz; 20.5 inches
Elliott was wide-eyed and alert after getting cleaned and checked by the nurses.
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