Kelly's Story- 10 lbs.- Home/Unassisted (2nd Child)

10 lbs.

21.5 inches

14.5 (?) inch head circumference. 

Home (Unassisted)

Mother's height: 5' 3 1/2"

How was your pregnancy? Very normal.  I gained 50 pounds, had some average pelvic pain, but also danced all the way through the pregnancy (had stopped around 7 months the first time)

How did you feel about your upcoming birth? Great.

Description of your birth experience:

Home birth with just my husband and older daughter. I had some mild "early" labor for a few hours, although I thought it was just regular ninth month stuff.  I lost my mucus plug around 9:30 pm, and it got intense very quickly. I remember thinking it felt like transition but I hadn't been in labor long enough.  I was on the bed, and decided to try to go to the bathroom, but when I stood up my body started bearing down.  I crouched down, and the head was halfway out.  Next contraction she came flying out, at 10:50 pm.

How did you feel after the birth (first month)?

Definitely had a longer recovery this time.  It was fine, but I didn't get back to dance class as quickly.

How did you feel six months after the birth? One year? Now?

Six months after the birth I felt great, although I didn't lose all the weight as quickly as before...it took a year.

What did you learn from this birth?

That doing it without ANY interference is the only way to get EXACTLY the birth you want.

Any words of wisdom to impart?

Trust your body, but more importantly, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.  There were aspects of this birth that a hospital would have treated as something "wrong" but I knew I was okay.