After Cindy and Sarah both were about 2 weeks past their due date and kept coming to yoga, I imagined the same would happen to me. But our daughter Lina decided to arrive just one day short of her due date - on June 7th. Here is our birth story:

My water broke (trickled) after I woke up from a nap on Monday evening around 6p.m. (thank goodness for that nap). I called my husband who was on his way home from work to let him know what's going on. Then I called my midwife and she said to wait for the contractions to start.

Sure enough, they stared about 2 hours later. I used the time in between to get ready to go the birth center - my bag had been packed days ago (which I highly recommend). I took a long, relaxing shower and had a light dinner. The contractions came pretty strong right from the beginning.

My husband, Jesus, was trying to time the contractions with his digital watch. 511 (one contraction for one minute every 5 minutes) indicated active labor. I was either sitting on the edge of my bed or on the balance ball and each time a contraction came I had to stand up and grab Jesus' arms for support. At one point I felt very sick to my stomach, I made it to the bathroom in time and threw up. There went my dinner.

It took from 8 p.m., the start of my contractions, to 11 p.m. when we decided it's time to drive to the birth center. By then I had contractions that lasted only about 30-45 seconds, but in a 3 minute interval. Jesus called our midwife (I couldn't think straight anymore) to let her know that we are on our way. My parents, staying with us from Germany, came along.

Luckily it was only a 5-minute drive to the birth center. I entered the birth center, but couldn't walk up the stairs. I sat down to rest. By now I had shivering fits and head waves back to back. Elisabeth, one of the midwifes, came down the stairs and kneeled in front of me. She asked me if she could touch me, put her hand on my knee and explained to me with a very soft and soothing voice that the head waves and shivering fits are absolutely normal due to my high oxytocin level. It calmed me down and she assisted me up the stairs into the birth room.

We all got settled, Jesus got his I-pod ready with my selected music (among other things the WAH CD that we often listened to at yoga - thank you Jessica J). Andrea, the main midwife, arrived and checked my pulse, baby's heart rate, and how far I had dilated: I was at 5 centimeters. She asked me if she should set up the water tub since it takes a while for it to fill up. I replied that I am not sure right now if I want to get into it but I'd like to have the option. She filled up the tub but I actually never ended up in it. All the time before I was really excited about a water birth but I didn't feel like it the night of.

The contractions were getting stronger and stronger - like nothing I had ever felt before. In between I felt so exhausted that I wanted to go to sleep, but I couldn't. I had read birth stories of women who slept between contractions - but it felt impossible to me. Also, I was extremely thirsty in between contractions and drank large amounts of water and orange juice, even ate pieces of watermelon.

It was a wonderful atmosphere at the birth center, the lights were dimmed, our music was playing, the two midwifes were very nurturing, calm, and encouraging. My mom, who was with us the whole time, said later that she was
amazed how the two midwifes worked with us and around us. She never felt that she was in the way. On the contrary, they suggested positions where my mom could be of help.

Around 3 a.m. Andrea told me that she wants to support my breathing and connected me to an oxygen tank via a nose tube. I got a little alarmed but calmed down right away once I realized how much more energy the oxygen gave me.

By now I had switched to the birth stool (just a frame of a chair). It felt great; I think gravity played its part here. I felt like pushing, Andrea advised me to not push all the way but to save my energy for once Lina's head is crowning. For now I should just let out small puffs of air. I had some bowel movements, it was pretty embarrassing, but I figured it's probably not the first time the midwifes have to deal with it.

They encouraged me to feel for myself where about the baby's head it. I did and it gave me more strength to keep going. By the time I was fully dilated I was in a standing position, my mom stood behind me and held me by my elbows. I dropped my whole weight into her during each contraction/pushing phase. She is a pretty strong woman but I could tell that she was sweating up a storm.

The midwife checked me again and suggested I should lie on the bed, legs up to push. She was afraid that the umbilical cord was around the baby's neck. Lying down would be a safer position for the baby. I did, one foot pressed into Jesus' shoulder, the other into Andrea's shoulder. We now called in my dad, he was holding one of my hands, my mom the other. I was able to push with all my might now. Everybody acted as my cheerleader and shouted "push, push" with each contraction.

Andrea put a mirror in front of me so I could see my progress. Jesus kept telling me what he saw also. I really needed it since I had come to the end of my strength. (I had been pushing for 2 hours now) In between contractions I was gasping for air like somebody who had been pushed under water for too long - sorry, can't explain it any nicer.

Finally - her head crowned and we saw her black hair! I felt a wave of joy and relief going through my body at the same time. I knew now that
everything will be fine! I tore a bit and needed a few stitches - it seemed to be the price to pay…

It took a few more pushes until Lina's head was out - and her hand! It turned out that she had her hand up by her face. Her head was all blue and her eyes were closed. I was in between contractions again, gasping for air, asking Andrea if she will not pull out the rest of the baby? She laughed and said: "No, one more push."

It took quite some time till the next contraction came - at least so it felt. Then - I pushed and - plop - there she was: blue and covered with vernix. Jesus caught her and they put her on my naked belly. It was done; I had our daughter in my arms! I'll never forget how warm and soft and silky she was and how good she smelled. She still had her little hand by her cheek. Elisabeth pointed out to us that Lina is telling us HER birth story right now. And sure enough, she was cooing and babbling and moving her hand around! Lina was born at 6:46 a.m., her weight was 7 pounds 14 ounces and she was 20 inches tall.

Jessica, besides so many other things, the deep abdominal breathing I learned in your class became a great tool during my labor. Your one-minute exercises such as "hands up in the air" and the partner squats really helped me getting through my contractions.

Thank you very much; you are a magnificent teacher and person!