Third Time A Charm By Wendy Duke It has been 3 months since the birth of Alex and it seems like just yesterday. My pregnancy was uneventful, but seemed to last forever. I guess trying to keep up with 2 and 5 year olds may have contributed to that. My second labor from start to finish was only about one hour. I know everyone says "what luck", but my feelings were "how scary". I was afraid I would be one of those women who deliver in the car on the way to the hospital. I think I voiced my concern to Gretchen at every office visit that my third would be just as quick. She calmly reassured me that she would keep close tabs and we would try not to have another close call. One October 27th, 2 weeks before my due date she went to measure my belly and I asked her to wait a minute because the baby was "pushing" out. She felt my belly and ask how often he was "pushing" I said every once in a while. She said that was a contraction not the baby pushing. When she checked me I was 3 cm. She instructed me to go home, do nipple stims, walk, come back in a few hours and we would see what was going on. I did just as she instructed. When my husband and I returned to the office around 5:30, my contractions were a little stronger and more frequent. I was 5 cm and she decided to admit me. I was so relieved. I was at the hospital and Gretchen was too!! We walked around the block on the way to Family Birth Place and called our family. My contractions were still irregular and not very uncomfortable. At 7:45 PM, Gretchen decided to break my water. WOW!!! That got things moving. These were the contractions I remembered, one on top of the other. Soon I was ready to push. I still say there is nothing in the world like the feeling of that head coming out. His shoulders were a little big and needed some help. but Gretchen remained calm and wiggled him right out-exactly one hour after she broke my water I cannot begin to tell you how fortunate I feel that all 3 of my children came into this world with the wonderful guidance of Gretchen and Sandy. Although Alex has completed our family I will continue to use the Midwives and recommend them to everyone I can. CLOSE this window to return to the STORIES page. Use the BACK button of your browser to exit that page . . .