Sunday, May 12th, I woke up at 1:15 am with contractions every 5 minutes.  I laid in bed for 30 min, then got up, thinking they would peter out like all the other contractions I've had.  At 2:15 am, I decided to get my watch so I could have a second hand.  As I was digging in my purse, I felt a trickle down my leg.  I checked my OB instructions and knew I was supposed to call when the contractions were 10 min apart.. so since I thought my water was leaking, and my contractions were 5min apart, I called, and the dr told me to come on in.  I still didn't think I was actually in labor... the contractions were so mild (my only previous experience is with pitocin caused contractions!)  When we got to the hospital, I was at 4 cm...and they said my water was still intact.  I was admitted and Rob and I started walking.. we did this about an hour.  My contractions were 3 min apart.  I didn't have an IV, just a heparin lock, so I got into the Jacuzzi tub.  I sat up in it for a long time, but as the contractions got stronger, I felt more comfortable lying on my right side in the tub.  The first time the nurse came in to ask if I would like to get back on the monitor, I flipply replied, "no"....not expecting her to listen, but she said that was fine, and she used a Doppler to check the baby's heartbeat.  She did this several times.  When the shift changed, I did have to get out and go on the monitor for 20 min., but I was able to defer to be checked internally at that time.  Just before 9 am, the nurse came in to say that the Dr. wanted an internal check, and 20 min on the monitor.  I was at 6-7 cm then.  Rob went to call my doula, who was in VA that weekend.  We knew that since I was already dilated that far, she wouldn't be able to make it.  About 2 contractions after Rob left, I felt something and pressed the call button.  Courtney came in, and asked if my water had broken.  I told her I wasn't sure, but I felt a lot of pressure.  She checked me, and said, no your bag is intact still, but this baby is coming!  She pressed the call button, and asked for help for delivery.  Things happened very quickly after that.  Rob came back a few minutes later to find 6 or so nurses in the room.  At first they told me not to push, but my body was doing what it needed to all on it's own.  They then said to go ahead and do what I needed to.  Then they were all yelling for me to push and not scream (things were very intense!)  Mostly I moaned and screamed, and only actually pushed a couple times.  I remember even Rob was telling me to push.  They found a amnio hook to break my water (otherwise he would have been born in his sac!).  Rob says the baby actually came out facing down, instead of to the side like normal.  That was why they were yelling to push, because the shoulders were coming out side to side -- instead of top to bottom.  They said it was a boy!  They then hooked up and IV to my hep lock to give pitocin and pushed on belly.  About now, my Dr. shows up, just in time to give me a couple small stitches.  The differences are interesting.  With Katie I was induced and had stadol, the pushing felt good and stopped the pain.  This time I was natural, no meds, and the pain didn't stop as the baby was coming.  Katie was sleepy for a week, and had trouble nursing.  Kenny nursed with the first 30 minutes after birth, and is a champ.  I was so surprised to have a boy!  I had been so sure it was a girl all along!  Katie was disappointed at first, but got over it quickly.