Labor started (for reals) about 9:30 pm and continued to progress. When my water broke at midnight I knew it was the real thing and got pretty excited. I woke Brad finally and told him the news and he then went back to sleep. Around 2 am I woke him up again and had him start timing contractions for me because I couldn't concentrate on that anymore. At 3 am we let the midwife know we wanted her to come over because contractions were getting intense and 2 min apart. Brad gave me a blessing then which was comforting and reassuring. About 3:30 I started to feel like pushing and we all got a little worried that the midwife wasn't there yet and we had no idea if I was fully dilated or not. With Brad on the phone with the midwife and my mom getting things ready, I tried not to push too hard, yet, so the midwife could get there. She arrived at about 4 am and checked me and the baby and reassured me that all was well and I could push. Valerie was born soon after and did great. I held her on my tummy because her cord was really short.
I really loved having her at home. Labor was so smooth and seamless and I never felt scared or overwhelmed like with Eliza. There were 2 midwives and 2 apprentices there and I felt very secure and comfortable with their care. I am so happy that labor was short and I was able to manage it in my own home in the quiet of my own bed.
Valerie is a champion nurser and sleeper. She has been sleeping 3-4 hours at night, nursing and sleeping again 3-4 hours. I feel great just 10 days after delivering, probably because we are getting lots of good sleep. I have had my mom here for a week helping out and now my in-laws are here to help and celebrate Christmas with us. Eliza is loving the company and attention and trying to get used to the new baby.
