Here's what BirthingNaturally.net has to say about Precipitous Labor:

Fast Labor

A Fast Labor, also known as a precipitous birth, is a labor that lasts less than three hours. A fast labor is not an emergency situation since generally a fast labor means everything is working perfectly.

Why is a fast labor a challenge?

Though it happens in only a small number of births, the strong contractions that accompany a fast labor can be overwhelming to a mother who did not expect to progress through labor so quickly. Emotionally, the mother may begin todoubt herself and her ability to cope because she is having such difficulty handling what she believes to be early labor.

Physically, a fast labor, specifically a fast pushing phase may increase the risk a mother tearing if her body is not ready to stretch. However, some experts believe whether or not a woman tears has more to do with whether she is working with her body than how fast birth happens.

It is important that the labor support and caregivers assess the physical and emotional signs to reassure the mother that she has progressed quickly. For many women, knowing that they are nearly done makes them feel more confident.

Potential Solutions

Pay special attention to the emotional signs to have an accurate picture of where she is in labor.

Do not leave her alone.

Remind her that everything is moving fast because everything is going right.

Try techniques that may slow labor, such as side lying positions rather than upright positions or walking.

Things to discuss with your caregiver:

A side concern with fast labors is the possibility of tearing the perineal skin. This happens because the baby comes out faster than the skin is stretching. Some caregivers recommend using a side-lying position to help slow down the birth. You may want to discuss your caregivers methods for helping to keep the perineum intact with a fast birth.

Although a fast labor is not an emergency, you may want to become familiar with some "emergency birth" skills. Knowing what to do and what not to do will make you feel more confident if you are unable to make it to your birth place.

Some caregivers feel it is safer for a mother who suddenly finds herself pushing to stay where she is and call for help (perhaps 911 or a midwife who will come to you) instead of risking getting caught in traffic where it is difficult for emergency personnel to find you if necessary. Your caregiver can help you determine the best course of action for you depending on the area you live and how close or far you are to help.

Women who have had a fast birth before are most likely to have a fast birth again. Additionally, fast births are more common for experienced mothers than for first time mothers. If you believe you are likely to have a fast birth, be sure to discuss your plans for handling a fast labor and the possibility of a more relaxed paced labor.

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So... yeah. We weren't even close to making it all the way to Atlanta to deliver. We didn't even try. And thank goodness we didn't because we delivered about 45 minutes after leaving the house (less than 30 after arriving at the hospital). We delivered a perfect 7 lb baby girl at 9:28 am at the Newnan Piedmont Hospital. I had my first contraction around 6:30 but wasn't sure I was actually in labor until about 7:30. From that point on, things are both extraordinarily clear and a big blur. Contradictions, I know, but the day was pretty much the craziest I've ever experienced. I think everyone fears but nobody expects to be the couple to deliver on the highway. But it very well could have been us if I'd tossed common sense aside and listened to my doctor's office. Granted, there's no way they could have known what was happening but I do kind of wish they'd have listened to what I was saying instead of what they thought I was saying. Once she repeated it back to me, I knew she wasn't "getting it" and I told her I really thought I should go to Newnan. But I'm getting ahead of myself; allow me to go back to the beginning.

On Sunday, we were over at Grandma and Grandpa's house for football. I was feeling kind of surly and tired of being pregnant, but wasn't feeling any signs of impending labor. I boldly made the statement that I believed we'd go to our scheduled induction date of 9/27. Grandma said that she hoped we didn't but so long as we didn't deliver that Monday (9/22), any time was fine with her. Between those two pronouncements, we really should have known that baby was coming no other day than Monday, 9/22.

As I stated earlier, I woke up around 6:30 and had a contraction that felt absolutely nothing like any I'd had before but also nothing like what anyone else described labor would feel like. Everyone said that it would start in your back and wrap around to your front, that you'd feel like it was period cramps at first and then it would intensify, working from the top of your tummy down toward your uterus. Mine started really low in my pelvis and just felt like a tight, painful knot. I got up and went to the bathroom then had another one. And then another one. It was at this point that I thought I should probably start timing them. When the next one arrived approximately 8.5 minutes later, I thought this might be it. I was pretty sure there was no more than 10 minutes between the earlier ones, but since I hadn't been timing them, I couldn't be sure. It was at this point that I woke up Matt and we talked for a bit about what we'd do if it really was labor. I continued to time them and they ranged from 8.5 to 6, depending on whether or not I had to go to the bathroom. We talked about what time it was appropriate to call his parents and give them the heads up that we'd need them that day. All of this was discussed while we were laying in bed because we were sure we had plenty of time. Around 7:30, we got up and I asked Matt if we could please call his mom because they were starting to get more painful, though I didn't notice that they were any closer together. Now that they were more painful, I wasn't timing them any longer. He told me that he'd like to wait until 8 am, that she'd probably be up but just in case it was one of those fluke days that she slept really well, he'd rather wait.

I was getting really uncomfortable at this point and running back through all the things people told me would help relieve the pain. I leaned over the bed and rocked my hips back and forth. I got down on all fours and rocked back and forth. But they just kept getting stronger. I got dressed and called the doctor's office around 8 -- between contractions, because I was getting sweaty and having trouble breathing with each one by this point. Oh, and I'd started throwing up. What joy is mine. I called the line and told the receptionst that I was in labor, that my doctor had told me to come to the hospital when my contractions were 5 minutes apart but that they'd gone from 8.5 to about 3 and that I'd never hit that 5 minute mark. She told me to come into the office and they'd check me, that if I was truly in labor, they'd send me over to L&D from there. I told her I wasn't sure I'd make it and she told me that if I didn't think I could get to the office, that I could try going straight to L&D. I reminded her that I lived over an hour away and she just said the same thing again.

After hanging up, I had another really strong contraction (that came with vomiting) and then another one... and then another one... and I timed them all. They were down to 2.5 or so, so I called back and told her I didn't think I'd make it to Atlanta, that my contractions are now 2 minutes apart, and was it ok if I just go to Newnan. She told me that I needed to come to Atlanta. Then I had another one. So she went and talked to the doctor. When she got back, she told me again that, since my contractions were only 8-5 minutes apart, I should come in to the office but I could do whatever I thought was best. It was at that point, I decided she was going to offer me no help. 8-5 minutes apart? Had she listened to me at all? At this point, I was fully dressed and on all fours in our bedroom with a vomit bucket in my hands. I was finding the most relief by putting my face on the cold tile of the bathroom floor so I kept alternating between the bedroom and bathroom between contractions. Matt's parents were at the house picking up Henry and I really didn't want them to come in to the bedroom but more importantly, I didn't want Henry to see me like that. He's so little, I know, but I was afraid he'd be scared if he saw me in pain like that. I have no idea if he'd have known I wasn't just playing but I didn't want to risk it, so I waited until Matt came in again to get something and told him in my most adamant way possible, "we need to go. NOW. To Newnan. We're not going to make it to Atlanta."

After that, everything just kind of gets blurry. I know Phil and Sue took Henry and wished us good luck. I know that Matt drove REALLY fast and I either threw up or thought I would at every single tap of the break. I know that he pulled up to the Emergency Room entrance, ran in and told the triage nurse that we were in labor and we needed a wheel chair. I know that I was wheeled in and left at the triage desk while Matt moved the car and that the triage nurse called up to L&D while Matt was out. I remember him saying, "We've got a woman in labor down here. They said her contractions are 2-3 minutes apart but I'd say they're 1-2 at the most. You need to get down here or she's going to have this baby out here." He took us through the staff elevators up to L&D but there was no room at the inn, so we delivered in triage. On a cot. Less than 30 minutes after getting there.

I'm not sure the nurses really understood how imminent our delivery was going to be when we first arrived but they cottoned on pretty quickly. They asked me to get out of the chair, put on a gown, and get in the bed but they seemed to have no idea what a monumental task that was for me. I remember sitting in the chair between contractions with my eyes squeezed tightly shut, trying to shut them out and relax and rest before the next one was going to come. But I also knew I couldn't have the baby in the chair and that they were only trying to help me. So I stood up and took off my shirt. But that's about all I could do. Then I had another one and I bent over onto the bed and wished I could die. I was sure I couldn't do this. They took off my bra for me and then my water broke. Even in the hazy state of pain that I was in, I still was grossed out by it. What a disgusting experience that is. They kept telling me that I had to get into the bed because they didn't want me to have the baby on the floor. I heard them and understood but was in enough pain that I just couldn't muster the energy or break my focus enough to move. But of course I did eventually and a doctor arrived and Matt filled out the paperwork and we had a baby. Less than 30 minutes after getting there. And it hurt. A lot.

Afterward, I couldn't understand how anyone could possibly go through that and then do it again. I mean, I'm all for having more babies but I'm not doing that again. I'm just not. It was WAY too much. It hurt. A lot. I didn't think I could do it. I told them that a number of times. Having them touch my stomach while I was having a contraction hurt. The tool to monitor Evie's heart rate during delivery hurt. The doctor's fingers helping stretch me so that I didn't tear hurt. Everything just hurt. And I don't mean it hurt a little bit. It hurt A LOT. This is coming from the girl who broke her ankle and ran around on it for 24 hours before realizing it. The girl who had shingles for a week before going to the doctor. I'm no stranger to pain, but egads. How could someone do that again intentionally?! But, see, the thing is that precipitous births are a lot more painful because your body doesn't have a chance to kind of level set or get used to the level of pain before they get more painful. There's no break and no gearing up. Things go from zero to intense in no time flat and that's just an awful lot to deal with. But we did it. And I shan't be doing it again. But I wanted to experience natural child birth and now I have. And it's TOTALLY over rated. Goodness. The nurses were wonderful and the doctor was great. The moment the baby was out, I felt totally fine. And I mean the moment. There was no slow release or come down; it was just like gearing up. I went from INTENSE pain to zero. So crazy.

Anyway, long story, I know but we had our baby in less than three hours. In the wrong hospital. On a cot. In triage. But we did get a postpartum recovery room and everyone was lovely. The cafeteria kept messing up my gluten free meals and seemed to actually give me extra gluteny ones (like a breakfast of white toast and Rice Krispies) but aside from that, it was all wonderful. Our baby girl is just perfect. And, while it hurt an awful lot at the time, I think it all happened just the way it was supposed to. Genevieve Kathleen Pieper Rehbein seems as if she was always meant to be a part of our little family. Henry loves her. Mommy and daddy love her. Everyone who meets her oohs and aahs about how lovely she is. As evidenced below: