My Birth Story

Hello! So I am new to this blogging thing and I have spent almost the past 2 days trying to figure out what I want to write about. The only thing that I could think of to write about is of course, my son.  So here's my birth story! I hope you enjoy :) 

2 days before Little Man was born :) 

May 25, 2012. I woke up with a feeling of excitement, hope, and joy.  I was due any day now and I prayed to God that this precious life would soon decide to meet his mommy.  My 40 week appointment was that morning.

The midwife I was seeing was a 30 minute drive from my house, and the entire drive there I was  feeling "contractions'.  Or what I thought were contractions ;)  They were beginning to feel intense and about 5-7 minutes apart. We arrived at the midwifes office and I was put on the monitor for 45 minutes to see how my contractions and the baby's heart rate was matching up. At this point I was dilated to 3cm and about 50% effaced.

I went home, packed my bags (I knew I was going in that night), took a nap, and when I woke up my contractions were starting to get a little bit more uncomfortable.  I waited for about an hour or so and told my mom and sister "I think it's time to go"!  We left at about 5pm.
On the way, we picked up my boyfriend from work and stopped at walmart to get an ice cooler for my placenta and some snacks for the night. And also stopped at Taco Bell... I had to pig out to celebrate my last day of being pregnant :)

To make sure that I was dilated and effaced enough to be admitted to the hospital, we decided it would be best to go to the outdoor mall to climb some stairs and do some major walking.  We parked at the very top of the parking garage and walked 4 flights down.  We did some walking around at some stores, and finally decided to go to the hospital to see if I was able to be admitted :) My contractions were lasting about a minute each now, and about 3-4 minutes apart!

I was feeling very calm, excited, and SOOO ready for this baby to finally arrive!  My plan was to do an all natural water birth.  No medications, no iv's, and no interventions whatsoever!  That included no breaking of the waters.  My midwife arrived shortly after we got into my hospital room to check if I had any improvement.  I was dilated at a 4 and effacement went up!  My midwife told me I could either wait and do some exercises on the yoga ball, do some walking and see if I progress any faster, or I could have her break my waters.  She left the room and let me think about my decision especially since it was not something I really wanted to do.

< < <Taking a break from walking the hallway.  Back Labor really started to kick in!  I started feeling even more uncomfortable now.  And I was beginning to feel the real onset of  real Labor. It hurt so bad that I had to literally stop in the hall and  moan.  

After some praying, and hard thinking, I decided I wanted to have my waters broke.  My midwife came back in, and in less than 30 seconds, I felt this disgusting rush of fluids come out.  I remember yelling "EWW! IT FEELS LIKE I PEED MYSELF!" It was definitely a good laugh!

I was finally able to transfer into the Holistic Birthing Center.  It was one giant room, with a hospital bed, couches, a fridge, a JACUZZI! And a complete full bathroom.  It looked a lot like a hotel room actually!  I wanted so badly to just get in the Jacuzzi  but had to wait until I was 6cm.

So the time is 11:05pm and Baby Ace hasn't made his arrival yet.  I was standing in the shower for the previous two hours and was really feeling ready to get into the Jacuzzi.  I seriously felt that if I got in the water, everything would be okay and the pain would just end.  My momma prayed over me that I would dilated to 6 quickly. And not too much longer and I was at 6cm! I was waiting for this moment the entire night! FINALLY! :) 

About 12 minutes past 2am Jimmie fell asleep while I was relaxing in the soothing warm water.  I cannot even explain what I was feeling.  As soon as I was submerged in the water, everything went away.  I took very deep breaths in and out, closed my eyes, and relaxed.  That's it.  The nurse just brought in a chair, sat it in front of the jacuzzi and watched me.  For almost two hours she watched in amazement how well I was dealing with the pain.  The only funny part is that I wasn't really feeling much pain.  I felt as if I was watching from above. I didn't feel like I was actually there.  

At one point, I almost passed out.  I was breathing in and out so slowly it was like I wasn't getting enough oxygen.  Everyone who was watching (Mom, Sister, Jimmie and the nurse) said my eyes kept rolling into the back of my head.  I honestly don't even really remember much from being in the Jacuzzi.  It was almost like a dream or something.  

These next couple of hours were about to be the most intense, life changing moments in my life.  

My nurse came in and told me that I had to wait push until my midwife got to the hospital.  This was almost impossible!  I seriously could not help but push.  I wasn't even trying to and it was like my body was pushing itself!  As she left the room again I had to call her back in right away because this baby was coming NOW and there was nothing I could do to stop it.  She grabbed the Doppler to monitor the baby's heart rate and she said the heart rate was dropping so I had to get out of the water and onto the bed.

I just wanted it all to be over at this point.  I was physically exhausted and felt like I could not do it anymore.  That's how I knew it was about to be done.  I knew my prince would be here so very soon!   As soon as I stood up it felt like Baby Ace was about to fall right out of me! It took me about 5 minutes to get out of the water and onto the bed. As soon as I got up onto the bed, my midwife walked in! Thank God!!! She checked me, and said I am good to go.  She gave me the option to stay on the bed, or get back in the water.  I would have so much loved to get back in the water but I just could not even move anymore.  I was so tired. And hungry! So I Stayed on the bed.  

Another nurse came in to help with the birth.  She brought a mirror so I was able to see Little Man's head as I pushed.  3 pushes later my son was in my arms.  He had the most pitiful, soft cry I had ever heard.  And I fell in love instantly.  

I thought I was going to have an emotional break down but once he was in my arms I was speechless.  I had no tears.  No screaming. I was so happy that my son had finally decided to meet me :) 

My Precious Angel <3
Born May 26, 2012 at 4:48 AM
8#2oz 20 1/2 in long

Latched on and this marks my first day of my breast feeding journey!!!! (A whooole other topic!!)

Jimmie was so supportive the entire time.  I was so lucky to have him by my side. <3

Thank you all for reading my birth story!!! Graysen (Ace) is now 15 1/2 weeks old! His 4 month birthday will be September 26 :) I cannot believe how fast time has gone by!!!