Selah's birth is our first UN-medicated childbirth. It was an awesome, exhilarating, and humbling experience! Russell and I participated in 10 weeks of The Bradley Method of Childbirth Classes before she was expected to arrive. We learned about proper nutrition, exercise, and relaxation and how they help to shape your childbirth experience. Since this was my third pregnancy, and first non-medicated birth, I had no idea what to expect. I had been having contractions off and on for a few days around her expected due date. Each time, I thought "this must be it!" They always stopped. On the night of her birth, I had dozed off to sleep at around 9:15 PM. At 9:30 PM I was jolted awake by my first BIG contraction. It subsided and I went back to sleep. 20 minutes later I awoke with another contraction. This continued until about 11:30 PM with contractions happening about every 20 minutes. I kept telling Russell that I couldn't continue like that if it would last all night. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! At 11:30 PM, I awoke with a contraction and then they continued every 5 minutes after that. I felt like a "raging bull" trying to outrun the pain. Russell called our Doula and she took a moment to listen to me and instructed Russell to calmly depart with me for our birth center. It was a 50 minute drive and boy was I regretting choosing somewhere that far away. The contractions were so intense but I was trying to focus and remain calm. Prior to my due date, I had prepared a list of songs on my iPod as well as a list of of Bible verses that I felt would encourage me. The song that I remember most vividly was, "I Surrender All," by The Isaacs. I had Russell turn the volume up as high as it would go and I just felt like that is what I had to do...surrender all. Childbirth is a natural process and God made me to do it. "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13" By the time we reached the birth center, it was around 1:00 AM and I was dilated to 7cm. The birth tub was filled and I got in.
I immediately felt more relaxed. Between contractions I would float to the top of the water. During a contraction I felt like an alligator trying to roll around and take down its prey. Russell and my Doula (Tina) were right there to encourage me. Selah Margaret was born into this world on September 22, 2011 at 2:11 AM. She weighed 8 lbs 9 1/2 oz. I thank God for her!
