Hi Jessica,

I wanted to write to tell you that I had my baby on Monday, Sept. 12 -- two weeks before my due date! My doctor had convinced me to take time off of work before my due date. She suggested 3 weeks, and I was planning to take 2 weeks, so 9/12 was my first day of leave. I had big plans to go to yoga, get my eyebrows done, do a little shopping, etc...and instead, I went into labor Sunday night!

I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks every 10 minutes during a movie we went to Sunday evening. Then we went to dinner, and when we came home, we made sure we had everything we needed all set, just in case. Around 3:00AM, the contractions were 5 minutes apart, and by 4:15 they were 3-4 minutes apart, and started to hurt. When we got to the hospital at 5:AM, I was 5 cm dilated and fully effaced. I had my beautiful baby boy at 12:55 PM. I had an epidural and it was just as the anesthesiologist had described -- a low enough dose so that I could move my legs by myself, and could feel when contractions were starting, and could feel when I pushed. I just didn't feel the pain!

My labor and delivery room overlooked the mountains and I could see the Hollywood sign in the distance so I used that as my focal point. :)

I tried to do what you said Feri did - internal spiral and then push. The doctor and nurse told me I was pushing very well (especially for having the epidural). I ended up needing some stitches - because my baby has a big head(!) but no episiotomy.

Overall, the experience was much more mellow than I expected. It was just the doctor, the nurse, my husband and me in the room, and it was very nice and relaxing. Everyone was very encouraging.

So - Jaden Turner Bachrach was born 6 pounds, 14 ounces, 19 and 3/4 inches long. I've attached 2 pictures here.

I will miss coming to your yoga classes. I think they helped me very much and I really enjoyed meeting and hearing the stories of all the other yogis. Thank you so much for everything!

Best,
Liz Bachrach