It is exactly one week from the grand debut of our little Rigdon. I woke up that Tues morning to go to the bathroom and then got my workout clothes on so I could teach my HIIT class. I then woke up the kids so they could start getting ready for school. As I was hurrying around the house I felt a little gush of liquid. Not a ton but enough to make me go "huh?l" As I continued with getting the kids ready I kept having those gushes. I finally had to change my workout pants and put on a pad. Brett even noticed a clear, non-stop dripping when I was changing. At that point I knew something was happening and it was probably my water that had broke. Thank goodness I had read that it's not always like you see in the movies with that big gush of water coming out and that it can be more of a leak. I called my mom to tell her what was going on and not to come up to Payson quite yet like she had planned. I told her I was going to teach my class and then head on down to the valley. Both her and Brett were a little shocked that I was still going to teach my class. I wasn't feeling any contractions or pain at that point, only leaking fluid and I figured I would be fine to get through a class. Next thing I know I get a very concerned text from my dad saying "Mom just called and said you're leaking fluid. Remember you are GBS positive and you need to be on antibiotics to protect the baby . She said you were going to teach your class and then go down. Might not be a bad idea to go down and be treated. I love you." My dad hasn't been the most supportive with my decision to see a midwife and some of the more "natural" ways they handle things. I was a little irritated but decided to call the on-call midwife just to see what she thought. Midwife Laura answered the phone and I told her what was going on. I also reminded her that I live in Payson and that I tested positive for GBS. She suggested I call the office to try and get in as quickly as I could so they could check to see if I had really ruptured and if I had then they needed me in the hospital within 12hrs of rupture which would be 7pm. After talking to her I decided to contact Kadi Tenney to see if she could sub for me so I could head on down. I also called the office and they scheduled to see me at 11am. Brett took the kids to school and I told him to go on to work and I would call him after my appt with an update. I then got a shower and got ready so I could be all nice and clean to head down. I started to have a little bit of mild cramping here and there but nothing too crazy. Here is a pic of me just before I left the house.
As I drove down the gushing was getting more frequent and stronger. I had to text my mom to make sure she had some towels when I got there. I arrived at her condo at about 10:30a and we then drove to the OB office. When I went to the bathroom to pee in the cup (for the last time) my pad was bloody. Midwife Diane came in and checked to see if I ruptured. She did a little swab and she said that my water had definitely broke and I was in labor. She said I would be having a baby that day. Holy mackerel this was getting real. Belinda then came in because she was the on-call midwife that afternoon/night. She was saying "we are going to have a baby!" They wanted to hook me up to the sonogram machine to monitor the baby and my contractions. My contractions had gotten a tad bit stronger but still totally doable. I was hooked up for 20min and after everything looked good Belinda told me I could go on home and labor as long as I wanted to or until I was ready to go to the hospital. Either way I had to be checked in the hospital by 7p no matter what. So I called Brett to tell him that I was indeed in labor and had until 7p. I still think we were both in shock because we were kind of non-chalant about everything. I told my mom to stop by Paradise Bakery so we could get some lunch. When we got there my mom ran in so I could wait in the car. At that point my contractions really picked up in intensity. By the time we got back to the condo I took one bite of my sandwich and that was all I could handle. I went to the bedroom to lay down and get in a relaxing position. Holy moly contractions are no joke. I actually told my mom that. I called Brett to tell him to get on the road and get there as soon as he could. He still had to finish up a few patients and pick up the kids. Here is a pic i got during my contractions that said "That will make you smile. Hang in there!"
For about two hours I labored really intensely. My contractions were about 2-3min apart some even a minute apart and lasted at first about 30s going up to about 45s-1min long. It was a pain I have never felt and can't really describe. I actually had to keep going to the bathroom and even had a bowel movement in between contractions at one point. I guess better than when I would be pushing:) My mom was getting really concerned and kept saying I think we should go to the hospital. I wanted to wait til Brett got there so I told her not yet. I remember getting really hot during a contraction and had even stripped down to my sports bra and underwear. But then between contractions I would get cold and almost just go limp like I was sleeping. It was such a relief to get that break in between. Finally Brett called my mom to say he was almost to the condo so she helped me get to my car and be ready for when he got there. I did not want to get in the car and have contractions. It just seemed like the most uncomfortable place to be. Brett pulled up, jumped into my car and we drove to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. I was having contractions and I couldn't just sit in the seat. I turned myself around on to my knees and hung my arms over the seat. It was the most comfortable position I could find in the car. Brett was trying to be helpful and kept saying over and over "you got this babe." I told him to please not say that to me anymore. I also didn't want him talking or touching me. It was probably a good thing that I pretty much labored by myself at the condo. I really didn't want anyone touching or talking to me. We got to the hospital about 3:30p and we walked through the ER. They asked if I wanted to be wheeled in but I just wanted to walk and when a contraction came on I would lean against the wall. It was so frustrating to have to check in. They were asking me all these questions and then a contraction would come and I couldn't talk. I could hear Brett trying to answer but not knowing what to say for some of the questions. They led me to triage where I tried to lay in a bed. Another laboring woman also came into the triage and she was soooo loud. I wasn't sure how I was acting but Brett told me later that I was nothing like that lady and he was sure hoping we didn't have to labor side by side the whole time. Luckily Belinda informed them that I was to be taken straight to a delivery room. When I got to the room I changed out of my dress and put on the black pretty pushers gown I had bought. So much seems like a blur because I kept my eyes closed both during and in between contractions. I was back on the bed when Belinda came in. She could tell I wasn't comfortable so she told me to turn around and get on all fours. I kind of just draped my upper body over the hospital bed and was on my knees facing the wall. I told her I couldn't do this anymore and she immediately said to the nurse "Grab me a glove". She checked to see where I was and told me that I was at 8.5cm and we were going to be having a baby. Apparently I was really at 9.5cm but she knew I wasn't mentally ready to hear that. Even being told I was 8.5 sent me into a sort of panic. I began to say I can't have a baby. I can't do this! Belinda was so amazing and in her soothing British accent said "but you are having this baby. You are doing it...you are going to birth this baby that you have waited so long for." She said and did just the right things. Brett said if it was him I would have been so irritated by him. I guess it's different knowing that Belinda knows exactly what she is doing and has been doing it for years. After going through several more contractions I suddenly began having the urge to push during a contraction. I could literally feel him lower each time. When Belinda said she could see his head and dark hair I just couldn't believe that this was all happening and I couldn't believe he had hair. Brett says I pushed about 6-8 times and then his head finally came out. Oh what a relief. Instantly I felt so much better. Then came his body and the next thing I know I am crying and Brett has him in his hands and sort of lifts him up underneath me right into my arms. I slowly turned myself around on the bed and just held my precious little boy born at 4:51pm. Even writing this I can't believe how fast everything went. During it all I kept thinking to myself that I was being such a baby because I hadn't labored long enough. I only say that because of the books I had read said a typical first time birth usually takes longer. I stayed on the bed holding my beautiful, dark haired boy as Belinda and the nurse cleaned things up. After the cord had finished pulsating Brett cut it and then Belinda delivered the placenta. It didn't even feel like anything after everything else I had just experienced. Belinda also commented that she wouldn't have to stitch anything because I didn't tear...hallelujah! Brett and I looked at each other and we both knew this perfect little boy would be named Rigdon Jay Flaherty. I immediately began to breastfeed him and it was a little awkward at first but thanks to my sister who helped me out just a little bit later we started to get the hang of it. It is 100% more natural than I ever expected. In fact I was more nervous to breastfeed than I was about labor but now I'm not sure what I was afraid of. Rigdon was just absolutely perfect. Belinda even commented on his beautiful coloring. Just a nice rosy pink. What a crazy but absolutely amazing experience. Sarah was the first to come in and see him. I decided to get up and get showered so the nurse got him weighed, measured and bathed. He was 7lbs 14oz and 20 and 3/4 in long. My mom then brought Bradock and Raylee to meet their brother. Bradock said "He looks just like me only he is lighter":) So cute! I told them I have 3 cute dark-headed kids. Raylee corrected me and said you have two dark headed kids and one dark headed baby:). Bob and Terri came to see us and then we were told we could move to our room. I got up and pushed Rigdon to our new room. I am so thankful to have done it naturally because I seriously felt so good after. I could walk, get up and down and go to the bathroom with no problem. I was definitely sore down there but after what I had just felt and experienced nothing could ever compare. Anything else seems like a walk in the park. After that we had all kinds of visitors. Meegan, Rachel, Kiley and Mindi all came by to see him. I was on such an adrenaline rush and happy high that I could not sleep that night. I was just so in awe at this perfect little being that we created and delivered to this earth. An experience I will treasure forever and ever. I am so truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to get and be pregnant and then deliver this beautiful boy. He is a completion to our family and we couldn't be happier. 
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