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This is an account of my positive and healthy birthing story of my daughter, CJ. This was a planned pregnancy, where her birth was at the hospital. Although my original (and adored) OBGYN Doctor was unavailable at the time"Time; From Amit (Sanskrit), which means endless or immeasur... of my birth, the hospital staff luckily took my Birthing Plan very seriously.
Perspective || This was originally written just a couple of days after her birth. I have since updated it to post here. Please note that her real name is hidden online for her own personal security, CJ is just a nickname.
I was diagnosed with a short cervix, which means I was at risk of preterm labor. Other than that I had a pretty good pregnancy. I didn’t always think I’d be a mother, but when I met the love of my life. I knew I wanted a family with him. After 9 years together, and 3 years of marriage we got a serious case of baby fever and decided to make a baby.
Two Days of Early Labor
On Thursday I had my doctor’s appointment, my best friend took me. I was dilated to 3, with 80% cervical thinning. Mind you, via hospital records I was considered overdue by now. My induction date would have been Monday, today (planned for exactly 7 days OD). But after the appointment, I started feeling my first ever contractions and went into hyper nesting mode. The following day, I went in because they were every hour since 2 pm after that appointment and had escalated to every ten minutes. I was being an anxious prego ginger. So we went in. I told them she wasn’t moving as much, but monitoring said I was fine. And that, she was great.
By Friday, early morning, (5 days OD) we were on the road back to beat traffic to arrive at the hospital around 5:30 am (is about 20 minutes drive no traffic, and over an hour in traffic). My contractions mild-medium at 5-6 mins apart.
I was checked right away and my cervix still at 3 cm, and CJ, a happy little bump was monitored and doing great so: They sent me on an hour walk.
Contractions increased to moderate for sure, 4 mins apart but I was released with no dilation changes after an hour.
I was frustrated for sure, not knowing what to expect next. My body not having any previous experiences to go off of. But we were released from the hospital to go home.
My poor mommy (flew in to be with me only 24 hours"Hour; The word has hardly changed in centuries. It denotes ... ago), Bowden and I decided to stay in the area and not risk driving home and getting stuck in the traffic (to or from). I napped for only the 4th hour of sleep in 2 nights now in the back of the van… Until I felt a little gush! But, contractions had slowed quite a bit. Bowden stopped for some maternity stones and we headed back to the hospital about 12 pm to check if my water broke…
Nope. Not my water. But while there being monitored, contractions crept up to 3 minutes apart and getting ever more intense as I grasp the two new maternity stones Bowden gave me… (Holy crap did they, help? Idk if help is the right word. But I feel like they dramatically increased the intensity of my contractions x5!)
But. They check and my cervix remains at 3, “Go home…”
At this point, I don’t even know when to come back because I was living the 511 rule now. I’ve never done this. Guys, my mom was so upset, omg. Bowden looked lost as I moaned through each heavy contraction.
We walked out of there, stopping every 4 mins. I stubbornly thought I could make it to the car but I get to the parking lot and said, “OKAY Bowden GO GET the car PLEASE”, feeling defeated and in pain.
Am I just going to deliver this baby at home?!
But as I gasp my mom for support… My water breaks… ? Right there in the parking lot!
I’m in a skirt, and it’s running down my legs. (Bowden later realized and jokes, “Shes a lot kid from the start!” Oh jeez…) I call him, “Just fn kidding babe, my water just broke. See you inside.”
I make it back in within 5 minutes of my exiting the hospital with the attitude of,
“Wanna swab my leg right here? Or are you more concerned about mopping up your lobby because I’m still gushing here… Oh, good, I get a room! Thanks…”
My Progress Through Labor
We get the room and the same nurse says, “I had a feeling I’d be seeing you again!” I had to roll my eyes, totally irritated with her. (Honestly, she really was a great nurse once we had a room though.)
My contractions roll over me so intensely, my back labor quickly overtakes me. Fully excited to try the tub for relief, I get through all the blood and IV and baby monitors, to my tub.
It helped! But the heat and the pain sends me into violent puking, I admit to Bowden my desire for an epidural.
With no sleep in 48 hours"Hour; The word has hardly changed in centuries. It denotes ..., I lose my inner strength to continue the agony. A part of me wants so badly to experience this well. The violence of the sickness on an empty stomach and being unable to be in the tub (the heat and the pain set off bad nausea).
IF I had only gotten some sleep the last two days
IF I had only eaten some food the last two days
IF I had only practiced my inner breathing techniques more
Maybe just one of those things being done would have made the difference?
I decided with my husbands support to accept an epidural.
The epidural was placed and adjusted with ease. I’m not a fearful person and have no problems with needles, medical procedures, and I trust hospital staff to know their job. I had Bowden there to support me as I delt with two contractions during the placement. She thanked me for my patience and being so still, promising to be back to check on me.
And I’m glad I did this. A little sleep and relief did me very well for this journey. I call in Yedda for photos, my team of support and I, were all ready. It also calmed my team: I can’t imagine my own mother’s agony that day, watching and supporting me through the pain. And I know Bowden was mentally prepared, but it eased him too to see me at ease after watching me agonize for two days already was wearing on him.
Drop the Drip & Starting to Push
When I start to feel slight urges and pressure, hours"Hour; The word has hardly changed in centuries. It denotes ... in, I deny any further epidural drip. Against my awesome new nurse’s suggestions.
I wanted to feel and follow these natural urges. And I do quickly gain back some feeling with an hour as I begin back labor. I am now unable to sleep through them anymore but I’m ready. Ready to overcome this final pushing stage and determined to meet her… Finally!
Sara, my awesome labor coach and nurse, along with my loving family support system (my mom, my best friend and my husband) we spend two hours"Hour; The word has hardly changed in centuries. It denotes ... pushing. It gets brutally intense. But with the help of my team, and the love for my baby… I knew that this was the pain that I looked forward to in some strange, deep-rooted way.
The doctor is called (finally? Oh hi random lady OBGYN…). She was willing to let Bowden catch her and spent time"Time; From Amit (Sanskrit), which means endless or immeasur... earlier reading our Birthing Plan. We prepare for CJ’s arrival. Everyone discussing, “Will she be here February 9th or 10th?”…
As I think to myself, “Not yesterday, not tomorrow, now. I’m so close to holding her…”
The final pushes were grand. I don’t know what else to say, other than that. There are no words for her entrance that came sliding to Daddy Bowden in that moment of release.
Only a few short, sweet cries and my newborn CJ babe was placed upon me immediately! No one took her from me for an hour. Delivery of the placenta was easy only a few minutes later. She latched to me for the first time"Time; From Amit (Sanskrit), which means endless or immeasur... within 10 minutes! Our breastfeeding journey and all it’s complications has begun!
Soon my sister Jessie joined us too. Brandon held her skin to skin also, I adored his closeness and love of our new family like never before…’
And after an hour our family, waiting patiently right outside. (I had the room closest to the waiting area, I guess they also heard her short cry, and I don’t want to know what else, sorry Dad ha!) Anyways, they came in and she was passed so lovingly around them all. I loved witnessing this.
The joy in this moment was more intense than anything. Even the contractions. It was all worth it when you get to meet your tiny human, face to face, for the very first time"Time; From Amit (Sanskrit), which means endless or immeasur....
I Know the Meaning of Perfect!
Needless to say, she’s as amazing as you can expect from the Bowdens and what true love can make… She is perfect.
My life is forever changed. I am made a new person, right along with my perfect new daughter. Our family is now complete and as we embark on a new life together, surrounded by more love and support than I could possibly have imagined…
We were released home on Sunday morning with flying colors and no complications.
Did I mention no stitches, no episiotomy, just a few micro tears… I raced past the other women in the halls the following morning when I went to the Breastfeeding Class. My recovery went great and I’m not bedridden. Well, other than breastfeeding every 2 hours"Hour; The word has hardly changed in centuries. It denotes .... Not to brag, but Brandon and I kind of rocked this whole experience, like, even I am impressed by our strength.
I’ve read so many birthing stories that have gone so badly. I am so extremely thankful that my birthing story is warm, loving, and healthy. She’s healthy, I’m healthy. We’re overachievers her and I! And I am so, so very blessed.
After Birth Checkups
The health continues as she had no colic, no jaundice, no latch issues, no feeding issues, no allergies, no bad reactions to vaccines. I told you guys, she’s perfect.