A Birth Story: Theodore Rex
I feel like my pregnancy absolutely FLEW BY, except for the last couple of weeks. I felt huge, had terrible indigestion, and was just ready to get this baby O-U-T! I wanted to try and go all natural, but after watching my sister labor for 3 days and after working in the hospital on the Mother/Baby unit and seeing a lot of different scenarios I told myself whatever happens, happens. I didn’t have a “plan.” I had prayed that I would be able to deliver all natural, and that it would be quick and smooth. My husband and I took a Natural Child Birth Class, which was very helpful. I would highly recommend taking a class if you want to try and go all natural, or even if you don’t it really helps you to learn a lot about labor progression and how to speed things along!
I never really had any Braxton Hicks contractions throughout my pregnancy. So, I didn’t know what those were suppose to feel like. However, if I did have Braxton Hicks, I didn’t realize it. Tuesday October 13, 2015 I started having cramps around 5 PM. They felt pretty low down in my stomach and pelvis and just felt like period cramps. They weren’t consistent and I just thought they were Braxton Hicks contractions and wasn’t too concerned. I continued cleaning my entire house and then went on to prepare dinner for my husband and I all the while having these cramps. Jonathan got home from work around 7:30 and I told him about them, but I insisted on him not getting his hopes up because I most certainly was NOT in labor! After dinner, Jonathan went up to shower and I went on to clean the kitchen up and pack his lunch for work the next day. Later on, we were watching Netflix and I began my nightly routine of bouncing on the birthing ball. I started to notice that the cramps were getting a little more intense and painful, but I still thought they were just Braxton Hicks. We went up to bed around 10:30 PM and when I laid down, I really started feeling the pain. Every time I would have a contraction, I had to get up and walk around because it hurt too bad lying down. I never slept that night. Jonathan got up at 2 AM and encouraged me to get in the tub and said he was going to call out of work. I insisted that he go to work because I was NOT in labor. He then started to time my contractions; they were coming every 5 minutes and lasting anywhere from 45 seconds to 1 minute. He then texted his manager and said he couldn’t come into work that day. I continued to walk around, bounce on the birthing ball, sway, rock, and breathe through all the contractions alongside my fantastic partner, my husband. I couldn’t sit or lay down at all, it hurt WAY too much! Then Jonathan asked if I wanted him to call my sister and mom and tell them that I was in labor. I insisted that he not text or call them until we went to the office and my midwife could check me. But, when he noticed the contractions getting stronger and more frequent he went ahead and texted them both. My mom immediately came over at 6 AM. For a change of scenery and fresh air, we went outside and went for a walk. My husband called my OB office around 7:30 AM; they asked me to come in as soon as they opened at 8 AM to be checked out.
We went to see my midwife, and they worked me in. When she checked me, I was 4 cm and couldn’t believe it! So, she encouraged me to go on ahead to the hospital! Jonathan and my mom had already loaded the car with our bags. But, when we left the office I realized I didn’t have my Boppy pillow, so we went back home to get that. We only live 5 minutes from the OB office, so it wasn’t like we were going out of the way. Once at the house, we went inside, I went to the bathroom, got some water and snacks, and we got the Boppy. Finally we were on our way to the hospital… just kidding! I was hungry so I wanted to stop at ChicFilA. We went through the drive-thru and we got some breakfast and then we were on our way to the hospital to have a baby!
On the way to the hospital 4 cm:
We went to see my midwife, and they worked me in. When she checked me, I was 4 cm and couldn’t believe it! So, she encouraged me to go on ahead to the hospital! Jonathan and my mom had already loaded the car with our bags. But, when we left the office I realized I didn’t have my Boppy pillow, so we went back home to get that. We only live 5 minutes from the OB office, so it wasn’t like we were going out of the way. Once at the house, we went inside, I went to the bathroom, got some water and snacks, and we got the Boppy. Finally we were on our way to the hospital… just kidding! I was hungry so I wanted to stop at ChicFilA. We went through the drive-thru and we got some breakfast and then we were on our way to the hospital to have a baby!
On the way to the hospital 4 cm:
The drive to the hospital was intense when I was having contractions because it hurt a lot to sit down. At 9:45 AM we arrived to the hospital. After getting checked in we were shown to my labor suite. The admission nurse had to monitor Theo’s heart rate, ask me a ton of questions, and put in an IV; unfortunately I had to sit in the bed for a little while. Then, the midwife came in at 10:30 AM to check me and told me that I was 5 cm dilated!!
The nurse asked if I wanted to put on a hospital gown or just keep my clothes on for now; I chose to keep my clothes on. We went for a walk around the maternity floor, and I would have to stop some during contractions and focus on my breathing. I made sure to keep drinking lots of water because I had learned that dehydration was an enemy of natural labor and childbirth and it was key to stay hydrated. I also learned that changing positions frequently was the key to making labor progress, so I tried to constantly change things up, which made the time go by faster as well. The only times I sat in the bed were to be checked and during delivery.
After an hour of walking the halls, we came back to the room; the contractions were getting stronger and more frequent and pretty painful. The labor room was equipped with a walk in shower with 6 different shower heads. To change things up, I got in the shower and my husband sprayed water on my back which helped a lot. I stayed in the shower for as long as I could tolerate and then got out and continued to walk around the room and sway and rock. My midwife came in to check me again at 1:30 PM and I was 8 cm dilated!! Transitioning from 8-10 cm was seriously the most painful part of my labor.
I got in the shower a second time, which helped; however, I was starting to get really exhausted. My legs were starting to shake and my breathing was becoming more rapid. The pain was intense, and I felt a ton of pressure. My mom had suggested to get in the bed on my knees and elevate the head of the bed and put my upper body against the top of the bed and hang my arms over. This position helped to relieve some pressure and it also helped work with gravity. Kneeling in the bed and hugging the head of the bed helped a lot because I was just feeling very weak and like I had zero energy. The pain was fierce; I felt like I was about to lose control. My mom suggested the midwife come check me again.
Finally, the midwife came in at 3 PM to check me again. She was confident that I was fully dilated and thought I could go ahead and push. When I did, she felt baby hair! This was music to my ears. Apparently at some point my water must have broke without me realizing. Everyone then began to prepare the room for delivery. Previously I told my midwife that if able I wanted to help pull Theodore out. For 49 minutes I pushed and pushed and finally was able to pull my son out. Once out, I put him on my chest for skin-to-skin which was such an incredible and special bond. As soon as I pulled him out he pooped and peed all over me!! We were able to have skin-to-skin time. During this special bonding time the nurses were able to assess him and made sure everything was okay!
Theodore was born at 3:59 PM, he weighed 7 lbs and 7 oz, and was 20 3/4 inches long. As soon as he was born I was so overwhelmed with a multitude of emotions. I felt so much love in my heart for this sweet baby, and I couldn’t believe that he was in my belly just 5 minutes ago! I was also glad that he was finally out!!!! We couldn’t keep our eyes off of him!
We have a BABY!!!
I was so thankful to have such an incredible labor team! My mom, sister, and husband were all extremely helpful! From massaging my shoulders, distracting me, to telling me how to breathe, and encouraging me to change positions, they all helped so much! I couldn’t have done it without their help or help from the Lord. During contractions I had to keep my eyes closed; this was a perfect opportunity to pray and quote Scripture in my head. I just kept telling myself, this pain won’t last forever. I also wanted the labor room to be quiet while I was having contractions. Having Pandora Radio Christian music playing softly in the background helped set the mood to be calm and peaceful. Another thing that really helped was essential oils. Loving Sense Aromatherapy had sent me the “Labor Inhalation Blend,” which is a mixture of Lavender and Frankincense. This blend was created to decrease the need for additional pain medicine, promote relaxation, relieve anxiety, and help to stay centered and focused. My sister would wet a washcloth and then put a few drops of the oil blend on it and place it on my neck. It was extremely soothing and relaxing, not to mention the labor room smelled great!
Post delivery, feeling great!
My grandparents came to see Theo that evening and were SO excited! My mom and sister stayed for a while after delivery and brought us Panera and loved on Theo as well!
Jonathan and I are so blessed and thankful for this new season in our lives! We are so in love with this sweet little miracle! Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes! We are all doing great and adjusting well!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Brittany says
Hi! Congrats ! We just had a baby girl in January and I am wondering are you breastfeeding ? Cuz we are and it's so hard on top of everything else! I feel like we can't go anywhere because of it yet and I always swear people who don't have much more of a life for some reason lol. Just wondering ! Xo