I became pregnant about a year ago after trying for nearly a year. So excited. I had a very uncomplicated pregnancy. Everything went the way it was supposed to, very blessed. Sometime during my due week, I woke up and was having mild cramps. Nothing I thought, but I had them all day and they were not bad at all. Didn't really think it could be the real thing because it just wasn't painful enough. Around 10 that night they were a little stronger but still like 10 minutes apart. I called the midwife and she said to wait until they were 3-5 minutes apart for about an hour before we made the hour drive to the hospital. Glad my husband didn't listen to that recommendation. We left our home around midnight and contractions were still 5-7 minutes apart.
Arrived at the hospital around 1:15 a.m. and was sent to triage to decide if it really was labor. After all the questions and hooking up the monitor to check on things, I was informed that I was 7 centimeters and would get to stay and have a baby. Contractions were stronger now and closer together. I was hoping to have a water birth. After they moved to the official labor room I was hooked up again to check progress or whatever and asked another round of questions. They wanted to put an IV starter or whatever they call just the needle in your hand in case I would need fluids or wanted anything for pain. Well, they blew the veins in both my hands and ended up putting it my elbow fold. Anyway, they check again and tell me at a 8, my husband tells me later she actually told the midwife I was really a 9.5. So, the midwife comes to check for herself, and tells me she doesn't think I'll make it down the hall to birthing tub. I never thought I wouldn't have enough time to get the tub. Perhaps if we could've skipped some of those questions?? Anyway, time to push and about fifteen minutes later my son arrived at 3:15 a.m. just two hours after arriving at the hospital. He was a very healthy 8 lb 10 oz 21.5" and gorgeous. I didn't get the water birth I'd hoped for, but thankfully it went really fast and hopefully next time I'll get to get in the tub, I will be heading for the hospital much sooner as I do not want to have a baby in the car.