All I could say was, "tub now" – The Birth Story of Cassie and Gideon

I was a bundle of emotions when I found out I was pregnant for the second time. My oldest had just turned a year old. The pregnancy hadn't been too bad, but the hospital experience hd been a nightmare! I was determined not to go through that again. I went to the internet and started searching. That's when I found Mollie. I couldn't have asked for more! Mollie was so patient with me the entire pregnancy. I would get so anxious that my blood pressure would go up at visits, but she was okay with me monitoring it at home. I didn't want the prenatal RHogam, and it wasn't a big deal. Just a few extra labs towards the end. We were able to work together in making decisions about what I would and wouldn't do during the pregnancy. It was so nice to be heard!She didn't freak out when I went 2 weeks past my due date; although, I was getting pretty uncomfortable. I finally let her check me at my 42 week appointment. 4cm and 90%effaced with no contractions. Off I went. The following night I went to work as a nurse. It was nine o'clock med times and I had that familiar feeling. I knew I was in labor. I toughed it out as long as I could, but by midnight, I was done. I headed home to labor the rest of the night. I wasn't fortunate enough to have regular contractions throughout, I guess that's why it took my son so long to get here. By afternoon, a call was made to Mollie and Kathy, my doula. The both recommended using my pump. I did that for awhile and finally decided it was time to head to the birth center. I had only made it to a 6! Mollie let me do my thing. Kathy and I got through the contractions. Mollie checked on me at regular intervals. Mollie and Kathy encouraged me to get up and walk and change positions. I was in and out of the tub a few times. Later that night, I finally asked to be checked again. My water broke during that exam and from then on it was almost over. There was just a change and I knew it was close. Kathy had asked me to start walking again. All I could say was, "tub now" and I got in. No one told me what to do. I was allowed to follow my instinct. I remember hearing someone say that sounds like a pushing breath. I didn't even realize that;s what I was doing! No one was counting or saying much (that I remember!); although, I am pretty sure I was making my opinion very clear. Mollie suggested a different way for me to situate myself in the tub. She told me to reach down and check it out myself. I told her it felt fuzzy. She said "that's your baby". So close, but not enough. Molly went to check me and I still had a lip of cervix. She held it back while I pushed. I know I said some things that were not very nice, but before I knew it, it was over and Mollie was helping me pull my new baby close. He was perfect. Mollie helped me out of the tub. and into the bedroom. I didn't have to worry and watch to make sure she didn't cut the cord while it was pulsating (which I did with my firstborn) because I coughed the placenta out before anyone could do anything with the cord! It was fantastic. Mollie took such good care of me. She will be a lifelong friend that I will always remember. It was a painful process that was well supported, making it tolerable and the recovery was so much easier than it was with my hospital birth. I couldn't ask for better memories than the one Mollie helped make of my son's birth!