L and D began care with me near the end of the second trimester of their first pregnancy.  They were taking Bradley classes and felt they couldn’t have the birth they truly wanted in the hospital setting. L came to see me on April 29, 2015 at 39.4 weeks for her regular appointment.  She had been up with cramping off and on all night and had noticed she was losing her mucus plug.  I did a cervical exam and found L to be 2-3cm, 60% effaced and baby at a -1 station.  Seemed like labor was near. L continued to have cramping and contractions all day, that began a regular pattern late that evening.  L tried to get rest in the night but the contractions kept her awake through the night. L asked me to come in the 9am hour. Around 1030am, I did an exam and found L to be 6cm dilated, 100% effaced and baby at a 0 station.  L was happy with the progress.  She went outside to walk with her mom while I set the birth pool up. L came in to give her feet some rest and rocked on the ball.  Contractions seemed to be coming every 3 minutes, lasting 60 seconds.  Over the next couple hours, L would go out for walks with her mom or sister, then come in and try hands and knees, squatting, sitting on the ball.  She did fabulous at changing position frequently and moving around. As 2pm was nearing, I encouraged L to try a bath for a few minutes and see if it gave her some relief.  She was feeling weepy that her labor was taking too long.  I rubbed her back and encouraged her that she was doing amazing and her labor was moving at the perfect pace to bring her baby to her.  D sat with L and encouraged her through each surge. Close to 3pm, L got out of the tub and moved to sitting on her bed.  Contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes, lasting over a minute long and L was starting to feel a little pressure in her butt at the peak of contractions. At 320, L decided to do an exam.  I found her cervix to be 8-9cm dilated, 100% effaced and baby at a +1 station.  She was moving right along!  I encouraged L to get in the birth pool if she was still wanting to labor and possibly birth in their.  Soon after, L got into the birth pool and reclined back into D’s arms. As 4pm neared, L was contracting every 4 minutes, 70-80 seconds long and was feeling more and more pressure.  I encouraged L to let that pressure build until she could not hold it back anymore. L moved into a left side lying position, allowing D to be able to provide the counter pressure she needed.  She was moaning with contractions now.  Close to 5pm, L’s sister suggested to try a different position.  L moved into a kneeling position, which made the pushing pressure quite strong.  Contractions were now coming every 2-3 minutes. A minute after 5, L asked to be checked.  She was 10cm, 100% effaced and baby at a +2 station with a nice bulgy bag of water.  It took a couple contractions for L to feel ready to push.  She moved into hands and knees and at 5:12 began to spontaneously push.  Three minutes later her membranes ruptured in the birth pool, which made the pushing urge even stronger. Within minutes, the head was visible on the perineum during pushes.  D was so excited to see his baby’s head slowly starting to emerge. 5:28 the head began to crown, followed by the head a minute later.  One more swift push and L pushed out her precious baby earth side at 530pm and into D’s awaiting hands.  It is always so fun to have dad help catch the baby. Welcome to the world Mercy, born earth side on April 30, 2015 at 530pm, weighing in at 7lbs 0ozs, 19.75 inches long.  She is so loved by her sweet family.