0430 hours, Friday morning

Slowly I awake from my sleep. I can sense my legs moving, kicking, and something else. A strong groin pulling, stabbing sensation. It abates. I'm fully awake now. I wait. Another one hits, and I think "I remember this!" After it goes away I wake Patrick. We are timing them at nine minutes apart and lasting 60 seconds. At 0530 hours I call Nadine. I feel foolish having thought my previous episodes of tightenings were labor pains. There is no mistaking what is happening now. Patrick continues to time the contractions, which are now five minutes apart and lasting 45 to 60 seconds. We make coffee. I call Sara, "It's time."

Paul awakens and cuddles with Patrick on the couch. He looks on quizzically while I have my contractions. Between the contractions, I finish packing Paul's bag for when he goes next door to his aunt's place. Nadine arrives shortly after I call Sara. I can see that she is excited for me (having known my frustration of the day before). A contraction makes me fall to a hands and knees position as she enters the door. She rushes to me with tender hands, massaging my back. The contraction feels wonderful. Patrick and Paul look on. Up on my feet again, I inform Nadine of the morning's events. We then head for the bedroom to ready the cameras and video equipment. We make the bed with me occasionally hopping on to have a contraction. I'm so happy and excited. We take prego belly pictures.

0630 hours (approximately, I've begun to lose track of time)

Sara and Lisa, the student midwife, arrive and begin to set up. My contractions are now three minutes apart and remaining at 60 seconds long. I've begun to chant through them, "strong body, strong mind, strong baby." It helps me to focus. With each contraction, Nadine lays a gentle hand on my back, letting me know that she is there to help me, to support me, to encourage me. Up until now Patrick has been helping Sara and Lisa set up. I'm only aware of them in the kitchen. I don't want to leave the bedroom. Patrick takes Paul to his aunt's house. Eventually we are all in the bedroom. I'm very consumed by my contractions, but clear minded between. I'm very chatty between as well, only pausing to have my contraction and hardly missing a word when I finish. This fact draws a laugh from my birth team. I sit with my back to Patrick's back, pressing against it during contractions, which have gotten very strong. Sara and Lisa have marked points on my lower legs that they press on when I have a contraction, it helps to divert my focus away from the discomfort of the contraction itself. Lisa takes pictures. All of a sudden things change. When the next contraction hits I roll over to a semi hands and knees position, a groan escapes my lips. The term "labor song" flashes through my mind. My song has begun. From this point on there is no more chatter. I concentrate on resting between. During the contractions I try to continue my chant, but all I can manage are the low moaning sounds. The moaning helps a great deal and whenever I get too high pitched Sara and Lisa encourage me from the hazy back- ground to "stay low." I remain in a hands and knees position throughout the labor. I try at one point to labor on my side. No go. Too painful. It feels better to have my belly hanging and rocking back and forth. I am aware of my birth team surrounding me. I feel safe. I equate it to a trust circle. No matter which way I turn there is someone there to catch me. During one contraction, I look up and face my strong and loving husband. Throughout the contraction I keep repeating "I love you." I want him to know that I do this only for him. It is an extension of our vows of love and commitment that we made on our wedding day.