We found out we were pregnant the day before Olivia's birthday, which is funny (to me) because just two short years on that date I was going into labor. This pregnancy was much harder for me; I was sick for a longer period of time, I lost my appetite for pretty much the whole pregnancy and the last 4-5 weeks was extremely uncomfortable as baby had moved all the way down into my pelvis and I was having Braxton Hicks constantly. I was due on September 5th, so I figured that week would be my 'due date' range.
Fast forward to September 13, I woke up about 5am having pretty strong contractions. It didn't totally alarm me as I had been having false labor contractions for a week or so previous to this. They were about 15 minutes apart and lasted a few hours, and then stopped. They started again that night, lasted a few hours, then stopped. This went on Monday as well and then Tuesday night they were a bit stronger, but they lasted all night long. I would wake up to breath through a contraction, then go back to sleep (about every 15-20 minutes).
My uncle had had surgery on Tuesday, so my mom was already in town preparing to take care of him for a few days, so she was already at our house (crazy timing!!). I had gone downstairs to the basement at about 6am Wed morning because laying down was getting too painful/uncomfortable so I propped myself on the couch which made it much more bearable. My mom came downstairs at about 8 and was asking me about going to the doctor (Lisa had scheduled me for a biophysical profile since that's not what we ended up getting done on Tues), but she had just texted me saying she cancelled the appointment, and was asking me how I was doing. I stood up about 8:30, and my contractions got closer together, about 5-10 minutes, and didn't stop regardless of what I did. So, I told Lisa I think she needed to come over.
Lisa had come over on Sunday to check on baby and give me some herbs to try and make my contractions more consistent. She had tried to strip my membranes the Thurs before but my cervix was too far back, even though I was almost completely effaced and she was at 0 station (as low as she could get). So, she tried again on Sun but nothing had changed....a little discouraging because I had been having false labor for so long.
So, needless to say, there was a lot of anticipation about when this baby was coming! Lisa said she'd get some things together and then head over. In the mean time, she sent Debbie, one of her apprentices, over to check me and see if anything had progressed. My contractions were still consistent at this point. Debbie got there about 10am and I was 4-5cm and 90% effaced! She said "we're gonna have a baby today" and I just started crying! It was REALLY gonna happen! At this point, I just simply felt it was never going to happen or that I would end up at the hospital for some reason....just hormonal, irrational thoughts, good times :)
So, because my mom was already there, she watched over Olivia while everyone gathered and got set up for baby. I had Lisa and her two apprentices, one was a doula and the other an RN, so I was pretty excited to have a great team for delivery. I was breathing through contractions pretty well, and it got 'easier' when back pressure was applied.
They asked me if I wanted to go for a walk and I said yes, so we all headed outside! My mom with Olivia, Roger and I, and my three midwives following behind us. Every time I had a contraction, I would lean on Roger and the doula would apply back pressure while I 'danced' to keep my hips relaxed. One of our neighbors came out to make sure I was okay and see if needed to call an ambulance! :) It was such a beautiful day and I was so excited about having this baby here once and for all. Olivia helped keep a smile on my face and remind me that it'll all be okay.
We came inside and hung out downstairs for a bit while everyone ate lunch and refueled. I loved this part of my labor....so relaxed and calm.
Lisa suggested I go up and get in the tub, so we headed upstairs. I sat in the tub for a good 15-20 minutes and then it started getting too hot so I wanted to get out. As I was doing that, I went into transition, so it took me a while to get out of the tub. Baby's heart rate was a little fast, so they had me lay on my side on the bed. This is when it got ridiculously painful and I didn't think I could do it! My body started pushing, but my muscles were so cramped that I couldn't open my hips to make any progress. They sat me up so I was sitting on the edge of the bed (exact same position as with Olivia) and leaning back against Roger. Once again my muscles were so tight and cramped, it was really hard to get my hips spread enough to push baby out.
About 30 minutes and a heck of a lot more than two pushes later, our beautiful Lyla Grace was born! I was so extremely relieved and ecstatic that it was all over and she was finally here!!
We got some great pics of the labor and shortly after she was born, thanks to our amazing midwives.
They thought I was going to have to head to the hospital because I had a hematoma that had formed. They put some ice on it and as I trying to get up to get dressed so we could leave, Lisa decided to check me one more time. It was gone! Praise the Lord. So, she called and cancelled the appointment and we didn't have to head anywhere.
My wonderful husband and mom took care of me for five days since I couldn't leave the bedroom, which is upstairs. Olivia was amazing, she loved having 'picnics' in our room and hanging out with us! She loves Lyla so much; she has to come in and give her a kiss and a hug every morning!
I am so grateful and thankful that I got to have another successful home birth with such wonderful midwives. Although I'm not sure I wanna do it again without some serious pain medication ;)
Lyla Grace, 9/16/2015 3:30pm, 7lbs 10oz, 21.75in.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Birth Story - Olivia Joy
I woke up Wed morning (Jan 2) at about 4:00
with really strong cramps, which wasn't totally unusual but there was
something different about these. I got up, as I usually did, and walked
around a bit, drank some water and then laid back down. I thought to
myself "this could be it, but I'll try and go back to sleep." Sure
enough, I slept until 11:30, when Roger finally came in to wake me up! I
told him that I had been having cramps, but it obviously wasn't it
because I was feeling fine.
I got up and went about my day as normal- Roger was on Christmas break from school, so we were just hanging out. I was working on the computer and at about 2:00 I felt like I was having really small cramps/contractions. I didn't think much of it because I had been having Braxton Hicks like crazy for about a week.
At about 5:00 I felt like they were getting stronger. I texted Lisa, my midwife, and told her I thought I was having slight contractions; she said okay but 'business as usual.; (meaning, don't get too excited yet!). So, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go grab some dinner and go grocery shopping (so we had good food in the house for the labor). As soon as I got out of the shower, my contractions hit full force. I believe I was vacuuming and Roger could tell every time I was having one because the vacuum would stop moving for a few seconds, and then start again! Needless to say, we never made it out of the house!
Roger went to work getting the birthing tub set up, cleaned and filled. I was making the bed ready, eating dinner (that my FIL went out to get for us!) and trying to keep a clear head. I called Lisa and told her she should probably come over now (about 30 minutes after she told me 'business as usual' :)). And I called my mom to let her know that it was time to come down!
Lisa arrived about 7:30 that evening, ready to deliver a baby! She checked me and I was already 6cm dilated and completely effaced. I thought "man, this is gonna go by quick!" Not so much!
My contractions got really strong about that time; I felt like I was in transition. So I got in the tub for a while, which felt really good. Roger sat in there with me and we would just chit-chat in between contractions. Things would get really strong/painful for a while, and then slow down. About this time is when my mom finally got there (I'm sure it was a very long 2 hr drive for her!!).
I was using my mom and Roger for support and stabilizing myself. Everything after this point is kind of one big blur, I was just taking it one contraction at a time. I know I got in the pool again but had to get out because I couldn't get comfortable.
I started pushing at about 4:00am. My legs were cramping pretty badly so it was really difficult for me to get comfortable. Olivia did great, her heart rate would go up in certain positions and if I wasn't getting enough air, so I had to keep getting oxygen. The last 45-60 mins was me laying on the bed and then standing up on the frame to squat during contractions. The hardest part, still, was pushing through my leg cramps. After every big push I would ask "is it out yet?" (since we didn't know if it was a boy or girl). That would make everyone chuckle. I kept saying that I wanted to cuss, but I never did (well, out loud anyway). That was definitely the most intense 3 hours of my life! We had worship music on in the background and I only remember a few songs, but I know that helped me stay at peace and kept me praying for strength and perseverance.
She finally came out at 7:05am, with her hand on her face! That added a couple extra pushes for me :) My first reaction when Lisa plopped her on my stomach, honestly, was "holy cow she is huge!!" Then I asked if it was a boy or girl and Lisa told me to look. Of course I laughed when I found out!! Everyone thought we were having a boy and I would usually say 'he' during my pregnancy.
I looked up at Roger (he was sitting behind me) and he was crying, my mom was crying and I was thinking "I can't believe that just happened! And I can't believe we have a girl!" I asked him "Olivia Joy?" and he said yes, it was perfect!
Olivia started crying right away. Roger got to cut the cord. She laid on me for a while as Lisa and Joana (other midwife) got me cleaned up. Roger spent some skin-on-skin time with her and went out to show his parents (Simona stayed up ALL night!). Everyone was so happy!
She latched on right away to feed, about an hour after she was born, and we haven't looked back! We slept a few hours that day and talked about how crazy and amazing everything was.
I was born at home, so I think that fueled my desire to want to have a home birth, along with other reasons. We had a very successful home birth, thanks to our wonderful midwife(s) and chiropractor and birthing class instructor. We prepared the whole nine months for this moment and it was a total success.
Would I do a home birth again? Absolutely, I wouldn't have it any other way.
I still find myself reminiscing about that day and thinking "man, I'm tough! I can't believe I did that!"
I got up and went about my day as normal- Roger was on Christmas break from school, so we were just hanging out. I was working on the computer and at about 2:00 I felt like I was having really small cramps/contractions. I didn't think much of it because I had been having Braxton Hicks like crazy for about a week.
At about 5:00 I felt like they were getting stronger. I texted Lisa, my midwife, and told her I thought I was having slight contractions; she said okay but 'business as usual.; (meaning, don't get too excited yet!). So, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go grab some dinner and go grocery shopping (so we had good food in the house for the labor). As soon as I got out of the shower, my contractions hit full force. I believe I was vacuuming and Roger could tell every time I was having one because the vacuum would stop moving for a few seconds, and then start again! Needless to say, we never made it out of the house!
Roger went to work getting the birthing tub set up, cleaned and filled. I was making the bed ready, eating dinner (that my FIL went out to get for us!) and trying to keep a clear head. I called Lisa and told her she should probably come over now (about 30 minutes after she told me 'business as usual' :)). And I called my mom to let her know that it was time to come down!
Lisa arrived about 7:30 that evening, ready to deliver a baby! She checked me and I was already 6cm dilated and completely effaced. I thought "man, this is gonna go by quick!" Not so much!
My contractions got really strong about that time; I felt like I was in transition. So I got in the tub for a while, which felt really good. Roger sat in there with me and we would just chit-chat in between contractions. Things would get really strong/painful for a while, and then slow down. About this time is when my mom finally got there (I'm sure it was a very long 2 hr drive for her!!).
I was using my mom and Roger for support and stabilizing myself. Everything after this point is kind of one big blur, I was just taking it one contraction at a time. I know I got in the pool again but had to get out because I couldn't get comfortable.
I started pushing at about 4:00am. My legs were cramping pretty badly so it was really difficult for me to get comfortable. Olivia did great, her heart rate would go up in certain positions and if I wasn't getting enough air, so I had to keep getting oxygen. The last 45-60 mins was me laying on the bed and then standing up on the frame to squat during contractions. The hardest part, still, was pushing through my leg cramps. After every big push I would ask "is it out yet?" (since we didn't know if it was a boy or girl). That would make everyone chuckle. I kept saying that I wanted to cuss, but I never did (well, out loud anyway). That was definitely the most intense 3 hours of my life! We had worship music on in the background and I only remember a few songs, but I know that helped me stay at peace and kept me praying for strength and perseverance.
She finally came out at 7:05am, with her hand on her face! That added a couple extra pushes for me :) My first reaction when Lisa plopped her on my stomach, honestly, was "holy cow she is huge!!" Then I asked if it was a boy or girl and Lisa told me to look. Of course I laughed when I found out!! Everyone thought we were having a boy and I would usually say 'he' during my pregnancy.
I looked up at Roger (he was sitting behind me) and he was crying, my mom was crying and I was thinking "I can't believe that just happened! And I can't believe we have a girl!" I asked him "Olivia Joy?" and he said yes, it was perfect!
Olivia started crying right away. Roger got to cut the cord. She laid on me for a while as Lisa and Joana (other midwife) got me cleaned up. Roger spent some skin-on-skin time with her and went out to show his parents (Simona stayed up ALL night!). Everyone was so happy!
She latched on right away to feed, about an hour after she was born, and we haven't looked back! We slept a few hours that day and talked about how crazy and amazing everything was.
I was born at home, so I think that fueled my desire to want to have a home birth, along with other reasons. We had a very successful home birth, thanks to our wonderful midwife(s) and chiropractor and birthing class instructor. We prepared the whole nine months for this moment and it was a total success.
Would I do a home birth again? Absolutely, I wouldn't have it any other way.
I still find myself reminiscing about that day and thinking "man, I'm tough! I can't believe I did that!"
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