Team green turns pink! Natural birth on 9/11! (long)

I did it!

Short version: DH and I welcomed a baby girl at on 9/11 after a natural vaginal delivery.  Baby girl weighs 9 lbs 3oz and was 41w + 6d.

Long version:  Mild contractions starting the night of 9/10.  Bloody show morning of 9/11.  Irregular contractions all day.  They were uncomfortable but not really painful at all.  We called my in-laws to give them the heads up because they would be watching DS and they decided to come get him right away, even though I wasn't sure if I was even having a baby that day or not.  It was a good decision.  I had a BPP at the hospital and it looked great.  I walked from the hospital to the midwife's office down the street for an NST and it looked great.  I was still having contractions, maybe every 10 minutes apart, but nothing hard.  I told my midwife that because I was contracting, I was going to decline the membrane sweep, which she had previously encouraged me to do that day since I was almost 42 weeks.  She said since I was already contracting that would be okay.  I joked with my midwife that if she wanted to tell me I was almost ready to deliver I would be okay with that.  I had been declining cervical checks for the last couple of weeks so I really had no idea what to expect.  I figured since I could still talk/joke/walk through contractions she would tell me I was 3, maybe 4 cm.  This is the crazy part:  She checked and then hesitated and double checked and said, "I've never had this happen.  But, well you're about 7 cm.  Better go to the hospital!"

That was insane.  I definitely didn't feel like I was even in active labor yet.  I called the doula and my husband.  I checked in at the hospital around 5.  Another good NST.  They asked me a bunch of questions (including "are you female?" no joke).  We played cards.  Around 8 someone suggested we go for a walk.  My midwife brought my doula, DH and I around the maternity ward (it was dead quiet) and through the hospital.  We walked outside through this little garden which was really nice.  Contractions harder and more painful but never overwhelming.  I never felt panicked like I did with DS.  It didn't even occur to me that I might want drug relief.  We got back at 8:30 and the nurse suggested a shower, which was awesome.  I really liked being in the water and being alone, for the privacy.  Around 9 the contractions were really hurting and it started feeling easier to deal with them if I bore down a little.  Then it occured to me that I was feeling rectal pressure.  I took my swimsuit bottoms off, sat on the toilet, felt a popping sensation and called for help.

They let me deliver baby girl standing up and leaning over the bed.  The midwife and nurses were great.  One of them was on the bed holding my arms.  Someone put pads below me.  Pushing sucked.  I really hated it and it was super painful but I think it lasted 3 - 5 contractions.  And now I have a daughter! 

I'm amazed by how much easier (and different) this L&D was from my son's three years ago.  It's like night and day.  I'm overwhelmed by God's mercy.  Thank you for all the support from this board!  It was tremendously helpful.