A Lifetime With You

After Every Storm, There's a Rainbow

(continued from last part; same day)
Taylor's POV
We leave the doctors office and head home. I call my mom and let her know we're on the way. When we got home, we were greeted by Elijah and Avery. "Baby is most likely coming tomorrow" I said. Avery hopped with excitement. We ordered some takeout Thai food and I made sure I got the spiciest thing on the menu. "Damn" I said as I chewed my food. "You ok?" my mom asked. "Mhm. It's just really spicy" I said. "If that doesn't start your contractions, I don't know what will." Joe said. Halfway through dinner, I had to stop eating because I had started having contractions. "Mommy? Are you ok?" Avery asked me. "Mommy's fine, baby. She's having some pains, but that means baby is coming soon" my mom said to her. After dinner, I sat on the couch and Joe and my mom got the kids cleaned up and put to bed.

11 PM
My mom is asleep in the guest bedroom and Joe is asleep next to me. I can't sleep and the pain is getting worse. I get up and change into a bralette because I was too hot in my pajamas. I lie back down and drift off to sleep.

Midnight
I'm woken up by excruciating pain shooting from my back to belly. I was lying on my side and all of a sudden I felt a pop and when I stood up, a warm liquid travels down my leg. I start freaking out. I hurry to the bathroom and discover that it was my water that broke. I woke Joe up and then I woke up my mom. Joe called the midwife and doulas and they said they would be here ASAP. We changed the bed sheets and I lied down and remained calm until a contraction hit. "Good job baby. Just breathe" Joe said, rubbing my arm.

2 AM
"I'm gonna take a shower." I say. "I'll come with you." Joe said. We both strip down and get in the shower. "I just wanted to get in so the hot water could help with the pain." I say. "You're doing so good" he said, pushing my bangs out of my face. I lie my face against against his chest and close my eyes. He massages my lower back as I'm hit with a contraction. He stays in for a bit longer and then gets out and gets dressed. I stay in because it feels good on my lower back. Not much longer before I decided to get out because I got too hot. I dried off and went straight back to the bed completely naked because I'm burning up. I'm super vulnerable right now, but at this point I don't care who sees me naked. I cover the lower half of my body. "Ok honey, I need to check you." my midwife said. I rolled over to my back and she did whatever she needed. "7 centimeters!" she said. "Our baby is coming soon!" Joe said. I smiled. I groaned into a pillow as a contraction took over me. "You're doing such a great job, baby" my mom said to me. "Why is it so fucking hot?!!" I ask. "Because you're in labor" my midwife said. Joe went to get me a cup of ice water and my mom patted me with a cold washcloth. "Is that a little better?" she asked as she patted my cheeks. I nod. I get up and put some panties on and I try walking around a bit until I was hit with the worst contraction yet. I wrapped my arms around Joe and swayed side to side as one of my doulas rubbed my back. "I wanna get in the tub" I say. They fill it up with warm water and I strip down to nothing yet again and I get in. About 5 minutes after I got in, the pain became unbearable. "Owwww. It hurts so fucking bad" I said. "Do you want me to put your hair up for you? It's falling down and it would probably be a lot better" my mom asked. "Yes please" I said. I sat up long enough for her to put my hair in a bun. Afterwards, I leaned back and I felt a lot of pressure. "I feel like I have to push" I said. My midwife checked me. "Yep. Baby's head is right there." she said.

2:30 AM
"You're doing so good, mama." the midwife said. "I've been pushing forever and the head isn't even out yet!" I said. "You've been pushing for 5 minutes. It's ok. Lie back and try to relax." one of my doulas said. I pushed again and they said the top of the head was visible.

2:35 AM
"One more big push and baby will be crowning" the midwife said. I pushed as hard as I could until she told me to stop. "I have to push. I have to. I forgot how fucking bad this hurts. I can't do it anymore. I give up" I say. "You can do it. Baby will be here soon. Right now I need you not to push." the midwife said. "You're doing so good" Joe said, kissing my head. When I was told to push again, I gave it my all and after a really long push, the head was out. I kept pushing and before I knew it, I screamed one last time and my baby was placed on my chest. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Hello baby. We prayed so hard for you" I say, tears flooding my cheeks. "I'm so proud of you" Joe said, as tears fell from his eyes as well. My mom was tearing up as well. "Well, what's the verdict?" the midwife asked. I lifted the baby's leg. "It's a girl!!!" I said. Joe cut the cord and took his shirt off so he could do skin to skin while I get cleaned up.