Birth Stories: Olwen

June 5th

At 5:30am, I woke up at first for a potty trip. I soon realized I was having a more intense period-type contraction than the typical Braxton Hicks, and that they seemed close and regular. I woke Justin and sent him downstairs with a list of things I wanted brought up (that I kept adding to). He was going to be up soon anyway to get ready for work. While he was downstairs, I got on the computer to log my contractions on a nifty site a mom on the June online board posted. I decided YEP, need to call Laurie, our midwife. At 6:30, as I was about to get out of bed, I felt a small pop and had a small gush of water. Justin came up and I had him call Laurie. He didn't identify himself right away, he said "Jen's water broke." Laurie figured out quickly what was going on with limited info from Justin.

I had Justin get the bed ready. 7am – Our daughter Adaryn woke up and Laurie arrived. I was already getting more vocal with my contractions. Adaryn obviously wanted to sleep more but was excited to have Laurie there. Adaryn nestled in with me and I told her I was going to get louder. She would make some noises with me. I told her I was going to have the baby that day. She patted me and stroked my leg. She was being so sweet and caring. Justin entered his own little world and was going to read a little of his book until I told him not to. Laurie brought in her stuff and made sure her midwife backup Meredith was on her way. The planned buddy for Adaryn was out-of-town but I wasn't worried.

Meredith arrived and Adaryn thought that was exciting too. Each midwife got a tour of Adaryn's bedroom and was shown many of her treasures. I requested one internal, I was about 8cm and wishing I was further! I was getting super vocal, super loud. Adaryn decided downstairs was the place for her. The midwives stayed with me and Justin stayed with Adaryn. Apparently, she would talk about me and was concerned but not freaked out. She would tell Justin that "Mom is hurting."

The baby moving down was such an insane sensation. I really wanted to push soon but knew I wasn't quite there. Laurie said I would know. Riding those last contractions is quite a doozy of an experience. My pubic symphysis issue was seeming to increase the pain. I decided when it was time to push. I experimented with little ones at first. I had wanted to push side-lying but ended up in more of a side/back position because it felt better to me. Justin brought Adaryn back upstairs. I couldn't hear her but Adaryn was telling me "baby pushhh". I didn't push as forcefully as I did with Adaryn. I was determined not to tear. I pushed for less than 10 minutes. I could hear Adaryn talking about the baby's head as she crowned. It felt odd as the cord was removed from around her neck. Laurie later told me that when the head crowned, the cord was perfectly framing the baby's head in beautiful, thick spirals. The baby came out in a flood of water, soaking both midwives. They soon made comments that they couldn't wait to weigh the baby. She was born at 9:02am.

I got to tell Justin we had another little girl after I picked her up off my belly for a quick look. Her cord was a perfect thick spiral and the placenta was nice sized and healthy, easily delivered. She still had vernix on her! How much more cooking was this one planning??

It took a bit for the wee one to pink up and she was given a little oxygen. She perked up quickly with that and nursing.

Laurie and Meredith excitedly got the scale and weighed the baby..........12 pounds 1 ounce! Her head measured at 14", the same as Adaryn. Her length is 22". Total labor was3.5 hours. A friend said “everything IS bigger in Texas!!!”.

I got to cut the cord this time while Justin held her. I took a bath with the baby using a nice herb mix said to help the perineum and such. Afterwards, I was examined. I do have a small tear that does not require stitches. I am so happy about that.

Laurie had a friend come over with her newborn and 3yo son to play with Adaryn. They arrived not long after the birth. They all made breakfast. It was nice to know Adaryn had some company.

Justin is nonstop helpful even though he minimizes what he does. I am given ample opportunity to rest and establish breastfeeding with the baby.

I [initially] wrote this on the morning of June 6 in bed between my two sweet, sleepy girls. I feel so lucky to have them both. I am happy I brought them into the world on the same bed in the same warmth of our home.

***

It's so funny to tell people the baby's weight. Stunned disbelief. People think we are joking. They cuss, they exclaim.

It will be exciting to see who this new little girl is. Oh, we had a sealed envelope with the sex in it from the 20 week ultrasound and it was correct.

Adaryn was born at home in Illinois. I did have prelabor. Total labor was 10 hours, 4-10cm was 2.5 hours, 3 pushes to birth her. She was 9 pounds.

My midwife in Illinois said (after Adaryn’s birth) that I could deliver a 12 pounder no problem and I proved her right. In birth, I am not afraid but it is good to have wonderful people around who I trust and respect. Also, the support from Laurie and my husband was invaluable through my pregnancy. My postpartum care was great.

I am so pleased with the care my family and I have received from Laurie. I know she has great respect and faith in the pregnant woman.

Jennifer

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