Lydia's arrival into the world was a very memorable and quick experience. I was 3 days past my due date and feeling like she was NEVER going to come! On Sat. morning I was so convinced that I was going to go 2 weeks late like I did with Will and I was not... happy about that. I had lots of contractions on other nights( for 3-4 hours at a time)and each time they stopped soon before bed. I was very frustrated that it just didn't seem to be happening. The pregnancy had gone very well, easy in fact execpt for being tired. I had been seeing a wonderful chiropractor, Dr. Alterman, who had helped my back pain from Joey's very long labor and birth to go away. She had given me adjustments and assured me that I was all lined up and my midwife said the same. So I knew baby was ready and I was ready but still baby stayed all cozy in the womb. By Sat. afternoon I had given up on the thought of baby coming that day and decided to just sit and read with my husband while he rubbed my feet. At dinner time he decided to grill up some chicken for dinner. He was outside grilling when I started getting really, really strong contractions. I didn't think at first that it was really labor because I had had contractions alot before in the evenings and they went away but these were really bad ; the doubled- over- crying- in -pain kind. It was about 7pm. I went outside and told Michael that I thought maybe this was it. He said,"Yeah, we will see. Give it a few hours."  A few minutes later I came back out and told him, "We NEED to call the midwife NOW!! It's really bad!!" We called and Katie said she was on her way. I got into the tub while Michael took the chicken off the grill and got the kids some snacks and into their beds. The kids did an excellent job of helping with Ella and Joey and being very quiet. About 5 min. later the birth assistant, Tanya, arrived and began setting up things. I was so relieved to see her. About 15 min later the midwife, Katie, arrived and she checked me and said I was at 10cm and asked if I was ready to push. I pushed 3-4 pushes and with the last push the baby's head crowned and she came out. She put Lydia up on my chest. I was in shock for a few minutes. In less than an hour and a half we had our sweet baby that I thought would never come. And we were going to now find out if we had a boy or a girl. Michael and I looked and saw we had a sweet little girl!!! We were so excited!! Talk about alot of emotions!!! I got out of the tub and we called the kids in to meet their new baby sister, Lydia Jane!! Recovery was so much easier this time. I got my strength back quicker and was able to be up and doing things sooner than my other births. And no back pain! I am praising God for so many answers to prayer in the safe, quick and easy labor and delivery( my shortest and easiest labor yet) of Lydia and that she is so healthy. I thank God for a wonderful husband who was calm and praying and encouraging through it all, children who were so helpful and little prayer warriors,  wonderful midwives at Fruitful Vine, who are calm, helped me throughout my pregnancy,  know exactly what they are doing and made it here in time, and a great Chiropractor who helped me not just feel better throughout my pregnancy but also have an easy and quick delivery of Lydia, our 6th child. See More