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Our Birth Story

Thank you all so much for the sweet congratulations and well wishes on the arrival of our baby boy. We are thrilled to be parents and are truly loving every moment with our little man. His birth story couldn't have gone any better, and I want to make sure to write it all down so I don't forget the details! In the final weeks of pregnancy, I spent so many hours wondering what his birthday would look like and praying for that day. Anytime someone asked us what our birth plan was, I said the same thing: "whatever brings him into the world safely and keeps me safe in the process". I never had a specific plan. I just wanted a healthy baby boy, and I wanted to live to tell about it. ;)

Since our baby was measuring so big from the beginning, the doctors started talking to me early on about the possibility of a c section. I was prepared for it, and honestly, I was just fine with the possibility. Since he didn't come on his own in weeks 36 or 37, and his head and shoulders were still measuring really big, we scheduled a c section. Little did we know, our son wasn't going to wait that long. 

At about 3:30 AM, I woke up and thought I had wet the bed. I was annoyed and confused but changed clothes and got back into bed. As soon as I laid back down, the same thing happened again. At this point, I wondered if it could be my water breaking. I probably sound so silly not realizing it right away, but I was always told it was like a big gush, and that wasn't true in my case at all. It literally felt like I couldn't stop peeing. I woke Parker up to tell him I thought my water was breaking, and he sleepily replied "Okay, well just let me know" as he rolled over. Clearly, he wasn't quite awake enough to process what was happening. I called my twin sister who is a postpartum nurse and consulted Dr. Google, both of which confirmed that my water had indeed broken. I woke Parker up and told him what was happening, and he shot up like a bolt of lightning and busily started gathering our bags and getting everything ready. Ready or not, we were having a baby today!


We arrived at the hospital around 4:45 AM and were immediately admitted. At this point, other than having to deal with the fact that my water was still breaking, I was in no pain and hadn't experienced any contractions. I was dilated to a 3, but I had been dilated to a 3 the last 2 weeks. We were told the doctor would be in around 8 AM. Of course, the doctor I had been seeing throughout most of the later stages of my pregnancy was not on call. It was around 10 AM when the doctor on call came in, and he asked if I wanted to do a c section or vaginal delivery. I was really conflicted. The plan was to do a c section just 2 days later, but was my water breaking early a sign that I should try to have him on my own? The doctor said he was comfortable with either but went back to review our ultrasounds just to be sure. At this point, contractions were coming in full force and were about a minute apart. They hurt just like everyone said they would! When the doctor returned, he still said he was comfortable with either option. I looked at him and said "I really need you to tell me what to do. What would you do?". I knew I was leaning towards the c section and so was Parker, but I needed someone to confirm that. The doctor looked at me and said, "Okay, at this point, you are dilated to a 5 and probably wouldn't have him for a while. Since he is measuring so big, let's do the c section." I was so thankful I wanted to cry. Parker and I agreed that was the way to go, and at about 11:30 AM, they were wheeling me back to the OR. 


The doctor on call called my doctor to let her know what was happening, and she asked them to wait while she drove to the hospital so she could perform the c section herself. I almost cried when I saw her. I was so comfortable with her from all of our previous appointments and was so flattered that she wanted to do my surgery even though she wasn't scheduled to operate that day. 

They gave me a shot to numb my back, which was mildly painful and felt like a bee sting. That was the last pain I felt. I didn't feel the spinal, and they laid me flat to let it start taking full effect. Within about 10 minutes, I was numb from my chest down. Parker stood at my head and kept me distracted, and they started the surgery without me even knowing it. The doctor said "Are you ready?" I said "Yes!", and she said "Good, because we started a couple of minutes ago!". I replied "Oh good, that means the spinal worked because I can't feel a thing!". 

It all happened so quickly after that. They worked for a few minutes, and then I heard the doctor say "black hair!" to which I cried and looked at Parker. He had hair! A few seconds later at 12:21 PM, I heard the most beautiful sound in the world- his first cry. I lost it, yall. I mean I was already crying, but I really lost it. For the 10 months I knew and loved this baby growing inside of me, I had dreamed of hearing his first cry and knowing he made it safely into the world. It was such an indescribable moment that I hope to never forget. 

The next thing I remember hearing is the doctor saying "that's a big baby!". And it sure was! They briefly held him over the sheet so I could see what he looked like and then handed him to the nurse to get checked out. He was adorable and so so chunky! Needless to say, we knew right then and there the c section was the right call. The head and shoulders on that kid... I really don't think he would have fit had I tried to have him on my own. 

Parker stood with our son as they cleaned him up and performed the initial essential tests. It was probably 3 minutes before they were done, and they immediately placed him on my chest. Man, he was beautiful! I was laying completely flat, so it was hard to see him perfectly, but the moment they laid my son on my chest was pure magic. Parker and I couldn't believe our baby was actually here. We had a son! We were officially parents!

I wouldn't trade a single detail that happened that day. His birth story was perfect, and my only wish came true: he was here safely and they didn't kill me in the process. I couldn't ask for anything more!


14 comments :

Terri Grothe said...

Congratulations he is perfect and a beautiful birth story to go along with it.

Caravan Sonnet said...

What a beautiful birth story!! Thank you so much for sharing for all of us who have been praying!! :)

Rebecca :)
www.caravansonnet.com

Kimber Scotland said...

Thank you so much for writing this up! I was really hoping you would and am glad the birth went so well for you.
Kimber

Kait said...

Okay so normally I'm not one to gush over a birth story or babies or any of that, but this brought me tears this morning. After reading all that you and Parker have gone through and all that you prayed for your beautiful son...I just lost it! I'm so happy for you guys!!

Ashley @ A Cute Angle said...

I can't even imagine this feeling! Amazing story. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Lisa C said...

I know I've already said this a bunch on all of your posts, but I'm just so happy for y'all!

Kate Mitchell said...

So wonderful! I'm so glad everything worked out. Congratulations!

Jen said...

I love this so much! there really is nothing like seeing your baby for the first time or hearing that first cry. I am so happy for you all!

Simple Luck Blog said...

So happy everything went well! Be easy on yourself as you heal and adjust to a new life. xoxo

Erica @ Whimsical September said...

Beautifully told! I'm so happy for you guys! This story made me teary eyed. There's just nothing in the world that compares to the moment you meet your baby. Enjoy every moment!

Bailey said...

I can't help but cry reading how your sweet son made his debut into the world!!! I am so, so, so happy for you and Parker!!!

Janelle Cook said...

Such a great birth story!!! So happy for you all!

Carly said...

I loved reading this-- so awesome that your doctor was able to get there in time to do the c-section, I'm sure that meant so much to you guys.

Stephanie said...

Many congrats again! That is so awesome that your doctor was able to be there for that. It makes such a difference to see someone you have been working with for so long during this moment!

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