How does one accidentally have a home birth? My labor with Everett was completely different from my labor with Emery. With both I had about a week of pre-labor, but with Emery I had all back labor and with Everett no back labor. Back labor is terrible. I kept telling Jason "This isn't as bad as it was with Emery, so this isn't it.. we don't need to go in yet" Oops.
Wed I had an appointment with my midwife and found out that I was not dilated at all. Nothing was happening even though I had been having some slight contractions and cramping for several days. I cried. I was so ready to be done and I was so sure that I'd have to go two weeks late like I did with Emery and I just couldn't handle the thought! I had a weird feeling he would come on Sep 1, but the midwifes news made me think it was impossible. That night I had contractions all through the night. They slowed down by morning and just had them randomly off and on during the day on Thursday. We sat down for supper at 5:30pm and the contractions started up again. I was still able to eat and after dinner was with Emery in the living room till Jason put her to bed. By 6-6:30 they were 6 min apart, but the contractions were just in the front and not as terrible as I had with Emery so when Jason asked if we needed to think about going in I confidently told him "No, this is nothing compared to what they were for two nights before Emery was born."
Jason put Emery to bed at 7 and I decided to take a bath at that time. The contractions started to be more intense and long, and Jason was texting two different doulas about my contractions and if we should go in. Jason asked if I wanted to get out and try laying down on my left side. I told him I had a feeling that as soon as I stood up things would be way worse so I opted to stay in for awhile. At 7:45 I got out of the shower and the contractions were so bad I couldn't stand by myself. I screamed for Jason to help me and had to hang on him. I then threw up in the sink and Jason some how got me to bed and threw one of his shirts at me to put on. Within minutes Jason was telling me he was going to call 911. Even though I could barely handle the pain, I told him "No, we don't need 911." I still was assuming that we would have the baby at the hospital. Sure I couldn't make it to the car, but people don't have babies at home unless they plan for it, right?? I remember Jason calling 911 and telling them "I THINK my wife is in labor" as my body started the most violent push I have ever felt. I yelled "I think I'm pushing" (and was thinking "you only THINK I'm in labor?!") and Jason promtply told me "well don't!" Jason then is being told how to deliver his baby and is running around getting towels and a shoestring, and I'm pushing again and my water breaks. 911 asks Jason if he can see the head and he said "no... yes... YES! I see the head!" 911 did not know how long it would take the ambulance to get to us and I think Jason was getting a little (more) panicky at this point. Another push and the whole head was out, and just then we heard our favorite words "Stillwater Fire Department... Hello?" Jason then yells for them to get up to our room and they are yelling back asking where that is. At this point my contractions stop, so when 3 Firemen First Responders and 1 policeman walk into my room, I was able to appreciate just how awkward this situation was. However, I was feeling more grateful than feeling awkward when Steve took over and with one last push my baby boy was born.
I can't describe what I was feeling afterwards. I was in shock. Literally. They were asking me questions and all I could say was "I don't know". Jason was on a huge adrenaline high/rush and probably a freakout high/rush as well. Talking a mile a minute to the Firemen and then panicking when he thought he only counted 9 toes on Everett. The ambulance and paramedics came around this time and they all helped get Everett and I to the ambulance and then off to the hospital.
Thankfully Emery slept through everything. I have no idea how. Yes I do... I think the Lord totally protected her from waking up and being frightened with all the activity, me being in pain, and daddy not being able to leave me to comfort her. Also, Jason's poor mother came to our house to watch Emery not knowing what was going on. She pulled up to a fire truck, ambulance, and a police car. She was terrified and came running into the house, thankfully Jason knew she was there and was able to explain what happened!
So here he is! Our sweet Everett Jack. He had a dramatic entrance into the world, but is such a calm/chill baby. Oh how we love him!