Tuesday, July 2, 2013

E's arrival:

I had been insisting for weeks, in spite of baby boy #3's due date being July 11, that he would in fact come in June.  The end of the month crept closer and closer and my body was having LOTS preparing contractions/surges. The plan was to have a lovely baby shower on June 30th in the morning, therefore I gave him ample warning... come before then, or after, but please not on the 30th.  The morning of the 30th arrives, with a good nights rest behind us, the normal Braxton Hicks were active during breakfast, however I had another telling sign... told hubby and my midwife... but I knew he wouldn't be there in the next few hours so I enjoyed a lovely baby shower with all my dear friends, all the while secretly in the early stages of labor.

While the boys played in the pool, my afternoon held a lovely nap at my moms house. During the nap the surges continued in a pattern confirming the labor was commencing! In order to help this process along, our family of four stopped at the (cringe) mall- for the kids to have a little more indoor play and mommy could make serious business of walking! By the time I walked from one end around the edges completely to the other end where the kids and daddy were I gave Steve the 'look' of "yeah, I'm ready to be home now..." So of course we took the extra half hour to walk to the food court and feed the boys some sort of Asian fare. And then we drove home.  

To this point I really was comfortable but aware of the shift of energy in my body, but completely comfortable and not in pain.

We rallied the two helpers who would attend us and shortly they were at our home.  I cranked my favorite band and danced around the house while my mom put the boys through the bedtime routine, and my sister and husband chatted and readied the birth pool. When the children were asleep, we changed to my more subtle birth playlist. At approximately 9 pm my surges were bringing me to a place of concentration and focus but I was surprisingly 'human' in between each. I enjoyed walking around and talking as normal between them.

At 10:30 my midwife and friend arrived, I suggested that she check my progress. As a midwife it was no surprise to me that I was dilated 5-6 cm. Almost as clockwork, my contractions picked up in pressure intensity. I worked through each using a variety of techniques: TKM, hypnobirthing visualizations, counting and spiraling my mid-section. It was amazing the difference a positive mindset and attitude had to bring me to a place of 'mind over matter' in labor. I remember between surges wandering over to my mom and musing to her it 'wasn't hurting, just lots of pressure.'

At this point I was having closer and stronger surges- knowing when I entered the water I would be ready to push, I allowed myself three contractions more to 'work up to it mentally'.  When I stepped in at 1130pm I wasn't sure I was ready, but guided with love I sank in the warm water and immediately relaxed all of my muscles! My body enjoyed a time of rest just limply floating in the pool supported by my hubby, for about fifteen or twenty minutes. As I was enjoying my rest before the culmination of all the work my little Peanut, once again, had the hiccups. The top of the water was jumping with each of his little hiccups!

As I relaxed I watched the clock on my kitchen wall. Noting that we were getting very close to midnight, I chided: 'Little turkey! He is just waiting for July!' Moments later, the surges returned and I doubted my ability to cope, the pulling and pressure was great- even completely limp and relaxed in the warm water... we were close. I continued to talk to my baby and continually prayed! I felt his position change with each of the remaining three contractions. I was the first to touch him as he entered this world and with a shout of... um... victory(?) he was born! I felt pure elation and praise to Yahweh who gave us our son at 00:01 July 1st!



July 1st, 2013 00:01
Weight 6lb 14 oz 
20 inches Long