It was a fabulous experience at the birth center in Indianapolis, IN, with the midwives. We had a water birth, which was very relaxing for me.

We went into labor the day before. I had strong contractions even before I went to bed Wednesday night and they stayed pretty regular (every 15 minutes) all night. Justin slept while I woke up and breathed through each contraction. By morning I was sure I was in the early stages of labor. We had a regular midwife appointment scheduled for that morning anyway so we went into the birth center for that.

Carla checked me, determined I was already 3 centimeters dilated and said "great job" and we went home to continue laboring. She was pretty sure we would have him that night.

So I came home and labored until my water broke at 3:10 p.m. and we went to the birthing center. I was Group B Strep positive so I had to go back to get antibiotics as soon as my water broke.

When we arrived at about 4 p.m. I was 7 centimeters and working hard to breathe. I found deep breathing in and out evenly with moaning to be a helpful way of staying in control. I used the birthing ball the whole labor until transition. Then I had to lie in the side-lying position in bed because I was falling asleep in between contractions.

Every two minutes I had weird dreams for hours! That was the hardest, most tiring part of labor because those contractions were so intense. I couldn't talk or communicate with anyone but I was completely aware of everything going on around me. It was like my thoughts couldn't come out during that time.

I stayed in that bed perfectly still until about 9 p.m. and Carla said I needed to move around. I think I had a natural alignment plateau during those hours – which meant I didn't progress. This was probably due to the fact that he was posterior.

I remember I wanted Carla to check me to see how far I was because I felt myself with my hands and could feel his head but I couldn't get myself to talk. So I listened to her, got up and she ran water in the tub. I got in and breathed through about an hour of contractions where I had the urge to push. My stomach was involuntarily pushing for me and I tried to control it. I was able to.

Carla said as long as I could breathe through them I should and that would "breathe" the baby down and hopefully shorten the pushing stage.

So at about 10 p.m. I began pushing and that was a relief. I felt like he would never come out! It seemed like it took forever and I remember every part of it. This was not the worst part; luckily that had passed!

His head came out perfectly slowly and with the next push his whole body came out. I had a very small tear on top and no tears in my perineum at all. He was face up, which explained why I had horrible pain in my back from the very beginning. I just thought contractions felt that way – burning squeezing in my back.

He emerged from the water onto my chest at 11:22 p.m. – a lot later than anticipated! It was the most awesome wonderful thing I have ever experienced and having Justin there was what got me through. He had a sip of water and cold washcloth on my face after every single contraction. He encouraged me to relax, breathe and to remember why I was doing this. It was extremely helpful to hear how well I was doing.

I didn't want to be touched during labor so his presence was what helped me, not physical contact. Whenever he had to leave the room, I noticed it and I was distracted until he came back.

We are totally in love with Jackson. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long.

I wish you all the best with your births, and I promise you all of the hard work is worth it. It is amazing how it feels to have your baby looking at you the moment they come out.

Jackson didn't cry when he was born. He whimpered but never made a cry sound until he got a vitamin K shot! He cries a little more now that he is a month old. I love him more than anything in the world. He is a miniature version of my wonderful husband. Precious! We wish you all the best!