Ash, thank you for posting your story and congrats for doing such an excellent job of birthing your beautiful boy! That was wonderful to read.

I think I beat you on the word count - my initial birth story that I typed up went for ages and I ended up posting the very edited version as I thought I would send everyone to sleep with the first version - it was way too long!

I can relate to a lot of what you experienced. I also felt kind of embarrassed initially at being so loud while pushing. Another OB who was in another birthing suite at the time actually commented to DH on how loud I was and this really upset me for a while as I felt I had done a bad job or should have handled the pain better. After thinking about it for a bit, I don't care how loud I was, we birthed our babies and it is bloody painful, so fair enough that we made a bit of noise while at it!

I also found my waters breaking the strangest sensation - there was so much there! And everytime I moved or had a contraction all day, more would gush out. And birthing the shoulders really killed me too, as did waiting for a contraction to hit with bub half out - ouch!

I don't really remember how I felt when DD was placed in my arms either, I was just so overwhelmed, and for a while I also wished I had kept my glasses on so I could have seen more, but I probably would not have taken it in anyway, and at the end of the day, all that matters is having your gorgeous little baby finally in your arms!

You certainly should feel proud, accomplished and fulfilled - you have just brought another person into the world and with no drugs - good on you!!