PUSH

Vicki grabbed my feet, told me to take a cleansing breath, then she said it. "Deep breath in and push!" Before I knew it, I was pushing. It was so empowering. In an instant I was in a place no one else could be. My breath was strong, my legs were limber and my baby was coming. There is no way pushing can be described, so all I can say is that giving birth vaginally is the most amazing experience ever.

After three pushes, my doctor was in and shocked. He couldn't believe how quickly things progressed. I looked up to ask him how long he thought it would take, and his response was, "I don't like being hot." At that moment I realized he was all suited up with his "garb". After watching nine months of a baby story I knew this was minutes away. Breathing and pushing was my only memory. It was easier yet harder than I thought it would be. The only time I entered back into reality was when I felt IT! I could feel the snipping of scissors. The cutting had began, but more about that later. I caught my mother's eye and she was jumping out of her skin and shaking her head yes. Suddenly I knew I was nearing the end. She gave me that last push to push. Like a champ, I gave two more pushes and Sophia was born!

That moment...that moment is like none other. When they put my daughter on my chest my whole world changed. From the trauma of birth, infants are wide awake. Her yes locked on mine and I became a new woman. She was gorgeous. No real cries, just blue eyes, a tiny mouth, a button nose and lots of love. I was a mom. No more pushing or cutting, just me and my daughter.

Birth is a gift!