Labor Day stories

A buddy on the Scrapdango blog, Sarah, did something really cool on her blog about Labor Day - specifically she wrote about her"labors" with her kids... So, I wrote down her questions and I thought how cool would it be to remind myself about Annde's birth. I challenge you to do this too!

How long was your labor?
According to me: about 15 hours (see next question)
According to the doctor: 3 hours & 40 minutes. (post water break)

How did you know you were in labor?
I was having consistant sharp pain every 5 minutes for about 6 hours before I went in (the 1st time) and my water broke (the 2nd time). I knew I was in labor because
1. It hurt
2. It was consistent just like the doula told me it would be
3. I felt pressure
When I went in the first time (after about 1 hour of consistantly 4-5 minute apart contractions), they told me that I was having Braxton Hicks because there was no way that I could play Cubis (solved all 30+ levels multiple times) and be in Labor. I told them that they didn't realize the level of my pain management. I was experiencing everything the doula told me to expect and they told me I was wrong. So, they sent me home. I had some broth, a shower, and went to lay down on the bed and my water broke - HAHAHAHA!! I WAS RIGHT! So, we packed up and back we went... As my BFF Tracy says, "A mom's intuition is usually right!"

Where did you deliver?
Next town over, Pontiac.

Drugs?
Hell, yeah! It took them 2 times to do it right though... The first shot was for a normal, average woman - not a 6'3" 200+ lbs woman. The booster got it right though... I went from 3 to 10 in about 10 minutes.

C-section?
Nope. Annde did the traditional thing. Guess I do have those "good birthing hips" that my college track coach (Vic the Weasel) told me I had...

Who delivered?
One of my OB's partners.... who barely arrived in time to catch Annde. Her head was already mostly out before she got there... They told me to stop pushing and keep my legs together until she could get there.
If any of you know Annde, you know how hard it is to:
1. Get her to stop doing anything she doesn't want to
2. Keep her from moving.

And I'm adding other interesting facts:
She was 7 lbs 3 oz, 20 1/2" long, and out in under 4 hours with one push. My little impatient, stubborn little girl... :)