A Birth Story: Part Two

I remember the commotion as the doctor ran into the room. That and intense pressure. And the feeling that my entire left side was breaking away from the right. Dr. D gowned up and pulled out the stir ups. The nurses lifted my legs up and I knocked one of them over with the right one.

Anesthesia swooped into give me a booster dose of medication so that I wouldn't feel stage two. I almost shooed them away since they had done such a stellar job the first time around.

I remember looking up and seeing the TV. It was turned off and in its blackness, I could see everything. 'Don't look', I told myself.

They asked me to do a test push and when I did, their eyes widened and the doctor said to stop. My mom grabbed my left leg and 'The Hubs' had my right.

Push 1: I felt like was out of my body. 'This doesn't feel real', I thought. I could not believe that it was all happening so quickly.

Push 2: I could feel the relief to my ribcage immediately. Then I scolded 'The Hubs' for not holding my leg the same as my mom. He was. It was the right leg. I couldn't feel it.

Push 3: Why was their no rest in between contractions? It was just one push after another and I was getting tired already. Please God, let this end soon. I felt a small snip. An episiotomy...great.

Push 4: Her head was out. "Look at your baby", the doctor said. I couldn't see over the blankets and towels. 'Please don't make me pull her out myself', I prayed.

Push 5: My daughter is born. Please cry, please cry, please cry...thank you.

I immediately looked at the clock. 10:47 am. 9 hours and 17 minutes after I had started.

The doctor cut the cord. It was too short for 'The Hubs' to do it but I think he was secretly relieved. Then they plopped her on my belly and I looked at my girl for the very first time.

In an instant, my heart doubled in size with love.