Johnny, we had such a wonderful pregnancy! I had no morning sickness, I felt extremely peaceful, and felt a deep sense from God that you were destined for great things. We exercised HARD for most of the pregnancy, kept busy chasing Sis around, visited the chiropractor from January on, changed to Dr. Hirata and hired a doula (Bailey) which I knew was right for us. So, you can imagine my shock when I went to our 40 week appointment and you had turned transverse (just like your big sister)! Dr. Hirata and I decided that we would give it the weekend and get back together on the 5th to do an External Cephalic Version if you hadn’t turned on your own. I immediately called Bailey and we set a game plan for what to do. I ordered moxi, pulled the leaf out of the kitchen table to lay upside down on, and spent the weekend floating in Laynie and Pops’ pool. I also got together with Bailey to do an accupressure session. One of the best feelings, though, was when Leslie prayed over you and me. That was really special.
Johnny, the thing is, I spent a good part of the end of our pregnancy building my belief up in my body. I was afraid it didn’t “work” right and that I would never go into labor naturally. I armed us with the tools to do it all RIGHT, so when you flipped, it felt like my brain and my heart flipped, too!
We set the appointment with Dr. Hirata for 3:00 the following Monday. Bailey offered to do another accupressure session earlier in the day because she’s so awesome, but I said no. I wanted to spend the day relaxing and loving on you. I finished up last minute pregnancy and nesting things, then Daddy and I headed to Dr. Hirata’s. The game plan was to check on you and if you hadn’t turned, we’d head straight to the hospital to do an ECV. If it was successful, we’d induce right away and get the party started to avoid a C-Section in case you flipped again. Well, Dr. Hirata was running way behind and they told us the chances of the version being done that day were slim-to-none. Daddy was MAD MAD MAD! I was SAD SAD SAD! It was well after 5:00 before we saw her, but boy was it worth the wait. I will never forget the look of happiness on her face when she felt your sweet little (BIG) head facing the right way! You’re such a clever boy! You had also done some work and we had progressed to 70% effaced and 3 cm dilated. I cried happy tears, she swept my membranes, gave me a recipe for a castor oil cocktail, and we scheduled an induction for 6:00 the next morning because we wanted you HERE! Everyone was so happy you had behaved!
We went to the store and got the castor oil, got Miss Eliza all straight with Laynie, and headed home to take it easy for the night. I can’t remember what we ate for dinner, but I made a not so delicious castor oil protein shake and made sure our bags were all set. I had been feeling crampy since the appointment, but the cramps never really went away. Eventually, they started increasing and I knew it was the real deal! I sent Daddy to sleep in another room and settled in with Southern Charm, a big bowl of watermelon, and some naps to ignore the labor pains as long as I could. When you decided to come, you were in a hurry! I called Bailey at 10:30 and told her it was true labor and that I would let her know when we needed her. I slept off and on until it was time to focus on working through the contractions. For some reason, I had a huge urge to sit on the toilet. I think it was helping you move down. I went from the bath, to the toilet, to the bed on repeat. I remember waking up to contractions and moaning through them and then falling right back to sleep. Finally, around 4:30, I knew I needed help. I took a shower and put some clothes on and came downstairs to get Daddy to help me labor. I’ll never forget he said, “OK, I have to go to the bathroom and get showered.” We called Bailey and she told us to call Dr. Hirata’s office to see if they still wanted us to come to the hospital at 6:00. By this time, the contractions had gotten pretty intense, but I could move around in between them. I was making a lot of really low grunts and moans. It felt GOOD to groan really loud and low during the contractions. I really visualized you moving down with each one. We were SO in sync, Buddy! When Bailey and Keisha got there, Daddy and I quickly decided to go to the hospital. I really wanted to try out some of the cool stuff St. Mary’s had to help moms! Bailey later told me she and Keisha weren’t sure it was a good idea to go, that they thought it was still really early because I seemed to be handling things well. As we were heading out the door, Bailey squeezed my hand and said, “You did it! You went into labor on your own!” I’ll never forget that moment of women supporting women. As we drove out of the neighborhood, I remember passing the Rifenburg’s house and seeing Abigail looking out her window. I swear we made eye contact!
We got there at about 6:30 and had missed Dr. Hirata. They paged her to let her know we were there and in labor! Remember, she thought she was coming in to induce me. Johnny, she was so excited for us! When she checked me out, I was 8 cms and 90% effaced. We had done a lot of work together! I was so excited. We got in the tub around 7:30 and just settled in. We talked to Daddy and Bailey and I worked hard! Eventually, I remember I felt really RESTLESS. like I just wanted to move. Then, I felt very nauseous and like the pressure was too much. I stood up and felt an intense pressure and then my water broke! Bailey said I started sounding “grunty” while I was restless. I wanted to move to the bed and we did another cervical exam at 8:00. I was complete! Things then started getting really intense. I remember feeling HECTIC and like I wanted to RUN AWAY. Such classic signs of the end of the second stage of labor! We started pushing at 8:05 and I remember feeling a lot of butt pressure. We moved around a bit to get you aligned the right way (hands and knees on the back of the bed, laying on my left side). Bailey helped Ryan know what to do, my nurse, LB, held my hand and stayed close to my face encouraging me, and Keisha pressed on pressure points on my feet to help with my anxiety. Then, Dr. Hirata got there and we sat on the end of the bed and pushed! I remember making LOUD, PRIMAL sounds. It really helped me release that enenrgy. When your head started coming out, she grabbed my hand and let me feel you! Your head felt so wrinkly! Then, Daddy got really excited and told me to push hard (oh dear)! I was so ready to meet you. Dr. Hirata told me to reach down and get you and I did! I pulled you up to my chest and all was right with the world. 8:27 am on June 6th. You were absolutely perfect. I can still think hard and remember how you smelled at that moment. I remember looking at you and thinking how much you looked like Eliza! We spent a really long time like that. Daddy cut your cord, but no one tried to take you. We snuggled, nursed, gave thanks to God, and just fell in love. Everyone left us alone. Daddy was so amazing that day and it really bonded us together.
Do you know what was one of the best parts? At that point, everyone thought we were heading in for an induction and that you would be born much later that day or even the next. You were our little secret for several hours! We didn’t let anyone come see you until Eliza met you first, either! She came much later that afternoon so we had the whole day to ourselves. Then, it was just the four of us for a while until we let the grandparents come in. It was so wonderful!
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Marshall part of four! |
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HELP! What do we do with this little thing! |
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Castor Oil Protein Shake...NOT new from Arbonne... |
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Mmm, love them oxytocin vibes! |
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The greatest people you'll ever know! |
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Be still my heart! |