The Little Lady who was nearly born in the car.....

This sweet newest little lady to join our family had an interesting arrival....

I had planned on a waterbirth with my midwife. I had a midwife with both Maya and Brynn and to say I adore my midwife here in Minneapolis is an understatement. She is amazing. I had hired a doula and planned to labor at home until it was time for a waterbirth at the hospital. I was excited about the plan.

On Thursday night at about 11:45pm I felt my water break. It was a tiny amount of water, but with both Maya and Brynn my water broke as well. Didn't surprise me too much, but I was excited that the anticipated day had finally arrived! I went back to sleep and would wake occasionally with a contraction but could always go back to sleep. Luckily my Mom had flown in on Thursday afternoon and it just happened to be perfect timing for this little lady to arrive. Throughout the day I had contractions but they were manageable and I could continue what I was doing. I did have some back pain, which I had with both girls and HATED. My doula suggested I go to a chiropractor, so at 2:30pm I went to the chiropractor which was a little piece of heaven-and if any of you are pregnant I highly suggest one. She adjusted me and I found that my right sacrum was locked, which contributed to my back pain. By 3:30pm I was home and decided to lay down for a while. The contractions were still manageable at this point.

At exactly 4:07pm, and I know because I watched the clock as my world was rocked by a contraction that felt completely DIFFERENT from my previous ones. It was much more intense, and lasted for nearly two minutes. I called my midwife and told her, and she said that I could make the decision of when to come to the hospital. The strange and annoying part is that my contractions weren't anything but sporadic. I'd have one, then two minutes later have another, then get a ten minute break. And during the breaks I felt good. But during these contractions the only thing that felt good was what is called the double hip squeeze. Evan would squeeze my hips together and it's the only respite I found that relieved some pain. And Evan was awesome. I couldn't have gotten through them without him. At this point my doula was on her way, but hadn't gotten there yet, and I told Evan "We have to go to the hospital now." I crawled in the back of the car and we started for the hospital. We passed my doula on our street and she immediately followed us. The ride to the hospital was the LONGEST AND HARDEST RIDE OF MY LIFE. I would never suggest it. :) I'd have these contractions and it was impossible to get any relief while in the car. I know I kicked the door a few times, and was just yelling in the car. And it seemed like we hit every red light imaginable. The ride is only about 10 minutes, but felt like 10 hours. And then to make matters even more crazy........I STARTED PUSHING in the car! This freaked me out a bit, and I couldn't believe it, but it was an overwhelming, uncontrollable, urge. There was no way to stop it.

We finally arrive at the hospital and Evan parked the car. I said "What are you doing parking the car? PULL UP TO THE DOOR!" Evan and my doula Sarah supported me and I walked into the hospital where my midwife was waiting. I sat in a wheelchair and they ran me up to labor and delivery. I began pushing again in the wheelchair and my midwife said "Amber, you can deliver here in the chair or if you want you can move to the bed." I chose the bed and somehow was moved to the bed. I started pushing and felt great support from Sarah my doula, Kathrine my midwife, and Evan. For me, pushing was a relief from the contractions. People use the term 'burning ring of fire' but to me I am amazed at the body's natural ability to stretch the tissue by having the baby's head descend then go back up the birth canal as a way to stretch the tissue and prepare the mom. It hurt, I won't lie, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was amazing really. And then she was there on my chest, a head of black hair and screaming. And although I hope to never ride in a car whilst having contractions, I am so happy with the way my delivery turned out. I didn't get the water birth, but it was beautiful.

And finally after two days of not having a name we named the little lady:

ZOE GRACE FETTERS

She is beauitful and we are all doing well-thank you for your well wishes.