I awoke to contractions at 12:30 am February 28th. This was nothing new, as I had little spells of contractions for weeks! This time though, something felt different. I got out of bed, took a shower to relax, ate a granola bar, and drank a bottle of water, then tried to go back to sleep. When I was up the contractions were every two minutes and shallow, while I laid down, they were spaced to 4 minutes apart and lasted longer. After battling reality, around 2am I knew this was it! We called our midwife shortly after, and I continued to handle contractions while Bobby got the room set up for the birth! The midwives assistants arrived at 4:00, and the midwife shortly after. When she checked me I was about 6 centimeters dilated, which I could have guessed by the level of pain at that time. I knew I was doing well, but not quite in transition. I labored in the tub for about 25 minutes, and then got out for an apple and a few contractions on the bed. Around 5:45 I felt the need for change, as the pain during contractions was pretty intense, I wanted back in that water, and I wanted it hot! Our midwife checked me again, and I was at 9! I was thrilled that it was almost time to cuddle a little newborn, yet I was anxious that the worst pain might be ahead! Once I was in the water, I beared down a little with each contraction, until I felt the real urge to push. Once that came, I assumed a different position and began to push with the urges. She let me feel for his head, and that gave me a boost to really push! With one more push his head was out! The midwives removed the cord from around his arm, and I birthed the rest of him and brought him straight up to my chest. It was unreal! Little Levi was here, and such a little cutie!

He took one breath, let out a little cry, then began to decline. The midwife had the assistant cut the cord quickly, and she took Levi to the bed ready with an ambu bag, and asking her assistant to get the oxygen ready. A few minutes of oxygen and Levi began to beathe on his own. It was a bit chaotic for those few moments, but the Lord protected me, and allowed me to stay very calm, just holding his little hand and coaching him to breathe. It wasn't much longer that I had him in my arms nursing him. I was so thankful to have been at home, where in even an emergency situation, things were still sweet and gentle. I feel so blessed to have had yet another precious birth experience! A precious husband to help me cope with the pain, three great birth attendants who have the skills to handle anything that might arise outside of "normal birth", and a precious family to welcome another blessing! God is so good!