Oh boy! This week has been a whirlwind & I really don’t know where to start!
Perhaps with Amber’s birth story? (Beware… This is a rather long post, so grab some water & get comfy).
On Tuesday (Nov. 2nd), I dropped my two older girls off at daycare and Kindergarten, then went to my midwife appointment. At my appointment, my secondary midwife (Jen) discovered that my cervix was 5cm dilated and the amniotic sac was bulging, although I wasn’t in labour. My blood pressure was a bit higher than it had been through my pregnancy and I also had some protein in my urine – signs that my body was “getting ready”. She did a “stretch & sweep” to stimulate the release of prostaglandins to start labour. Afterwards, I went home and frantically cleaned the whole house 
knowing that the baby would be here soon & we’d be bombarded with guests.
Later that afternoon my primary midwife (Kathryn) called to check on me and to find out if labour had begun. She was very concerned because I have a history of fast (aka precipitous) deliveries. My first daughter was born after a 5hr labour, and my second was born after a 3.5 hr labour. Both were also born well before their due dates but were healthy and strong.
My midwife’s concern was that I could go into labour anytime and not have anyone with me to bring me to the hospital so she could deliver. She felt that with my history of quick deliveries, I was at risk for an unassisted home birth, so she advised me to call my husband home, and have my mom come over to stay with my daughters. Kathryn also wanted to come over after dinner to reassess me.
7:20 pm, Kathryn came over with my student midwife, Amy. We went upstairs and they both assessed my cervix. I was very ripe & had progressed to almost 6cm. At 7:35 pm my water broke with my midwives there. Great timing!
They monitored the three to four mild contractions I had at the house, then we had to make a fast decision… Stay & deliver at home, or have all of us parade as fast as we can the 40 min to the hospital. As my hubby has a reoccurring nightmare about me dying during childbirth, we made the decision to go to the hospital. I personally didn’t want to be bothered with the mess in the house either (I’m kind of a “Type-A” personality if you hadn’t already guessed).
Really strong active labour contractions started at 8:00 pm as we got into our cars. As we drove they became, longer, stronger & faster. We arrived at the hospital at 8:35 pm and I was beginning to transition. At this point the contractions were coming every 2 min and I bet it took me a good 10 min to make the short walk to my delivery room. At 9:00 pm I declared “Guys, I feel the urge to push”. After that contraction I crawled up on the birthing bed, Amy checked me & sure enough I was fully dilated. Three contractions & long hard pushes later, Amber was born into Amy’s waiting arms at 9:07 pm happily sucking her thumb! (Amber was sucking her thumb, not Amy – LOL).
I set a new PR! 67 min of labour! This record will stand as I have no plans on ever trying to break it
It’s Sunday now & we’ve had a few days to get to know each other. Amber rarely cries, her jaundice is clearing up, she’s a nursing champ with a perfect latch despite having a slight tongue tie, she loves her thumb & being swaddled. Her big sisters absolutely adore her (and fight constantly over who gets to hold her):
All in all we’re doing well.
I’d like to thank everyone for being there for me during my pregnancy. The support from the Mamavation Sista’s has been phenomenal! With your support & following your examples I was able to have my healthiest, happiest pregnancy ever! I gained the least amount of weight (24lbs), carried Amber the longest, she was by far my largest baby at 7lbs 8oz and definitely was my fastest delivery. I owe you all a wealth of gratitude!
I can’t wait to continue my journey back to fitness with you!
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[...] was a good one for me – I didn’t quite reach my goals, but the reason for that is a true miracle Are your goals [...]
Hilarious! Congratulations; hope you are enjoying some well-deserved REST!
!
Yep, you’ve got me beat by a long shot
18 hrs since 1st strong contractions; I stalled out in the middle for almost 4 hrs, then about 7 hrs of strong active labor to get my boy here (12 yrs ago)…
An endurance event I never cared to repeat
OMG! 18 hrs! My 3 baby total is 1/2 that – you my dear, are a super hero!!
How beautiful! What an amazing momma you are! Congratulations on your new little girl, and enjoy!
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[...] and share it with you in a Food Friday post. Last week I didn’t get around to it, but I had a good excuse, [...]
Congrats Janice! Glad to see that you also had midwives, and yes you were the perfect candidate for a home birth lol! Did you give birth at Joe Brant? You look fantastic and I’m excited for our little girls to meet.
Thanks Julie! I delivered at OTMH. You should have seen how fast Rob booted it down Trafalgar! Traffic was bad from Dundas down, & he weaved in & out of traffic with Katherine hot on his tail. Amy left ahead of us to get the room set up, but we got there before her.
We should get together to go Christmas shopping on a Tues or Thurs (when my big kids are in school).
How much does C weigh now?
omg, both you and Amber look gorgeous after the birth! I’ve never seen someone with so much color in their face after giving birth!!!! Awesome!!!!
(in reference to your question on my blog, i’m actually, a flight RN, and I work ER also…but that’s just between you and I) But, for years before I was a nurse I bartended at TGI Fridays!!
I’m still sitting here grinning in amazement over the 67 minutes of labor! hahaha. I went 9 hours and delivered at home. I like, wanna start singing Queen, “Champion” for you!!!!!
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Woohoo, congratufrigginlations!!!!
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oh Amber is adorable like her sisters! Congratulations! You look awesome in your pics too. Glad you had such a healthy pregnancy and birthing experience!
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Thanks Colleen!
Wow! 67 minutes? That’s crazy. I thought my 5 hour labor with my daughter was fast. LOL I really hope this upcoming labor goes quickly too.
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You DID say these last few weeks that you were training for delivery – good thing! Definitely a PR most women wouldn’t try to break!
I’m so glad that Amber arrived safely and that y’all are settling into life as a family of 5. Hugs!
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Wow! That is a success story if I ever heard one!
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Janice,
That is the most wonderful post I’ve ever read in a blog. It’s so wonderful when a new life is welcomed into the world.
It’s so precious to see the picture of your three beautiful girls together, what a magical scene!
Hugs to you all.
T
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Awesome job! Congrats to you and your whole family!
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Thanks Emma! How are you doing?
[...] Here is slideshow of a few pics for you to enjoy until I’m able to follow up this post with her super fast birth story: (EDIT: Here is Amber’s Birth Story) [...]
great PR! mine was suuuuuuuuper slow. 12 hours almost! congrats again =)
Julie recently posted..What I Would Say to My 16 Year Old Self
You’ll hate me then Julie… My total combined for all three is 9.5hrs :0
awww man… even in childbirth you’re fast! hahaha!
Julie recently posted..What I Would Say to My 16 Year Old Self
LOL! Just call me speedy
You are incredible. 67 minutes, a new PR.
That is one way to look at it! You look beautiful so soon after giving birth! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!