It has been six weeks since Luke's birth. I realize I need to write this birth story because the pain is already forgotten and now that I am all healed I find myself thinking, "Oh, I could do that again!" With Mason and Layla's births they were both "late" and born in the 41-42 week window. I assumed this birth would be the same, that I would have a huge swollen belly long past my due date, which was May 12th, but I was wrong. On May 4th, I found it difficult to sit through church, I just couldn't get comfortable. Contractions were intermittent, as they had been for the past few days. No big deal, but I wanted to go home and get comfortable. Monday, May 5th, Micah was on shift and I told him the night before that I felt kinda "laborish" but it wasn't any big deal. My body was just getting prepared and I was welcoming the changes and discomforts because I felt it would mean a shorter labor. The same type of thing had happened with Layla for a few weeks, so I thought nothing of it. Most of the day, I found myself needing to lay down or switch positions because the contractions were just annoying. We went to bed at 9 and around 1 am I had to get up and walk around. The contractions were keeping me up and I just couldn't get comfortable. Still, I didn't think anything of it, but I text Micah and said " Can't sleep through contractions, so I am getting in the tub. I will text you if things pick up." His reply, "Okay."I got in the tub for about an hour and things didn't' really change but it felt nice. I then decided I needed a good nights rest because I know how cranky I get when I don't get enough sleep. I said a prayer that I would be able to sleep through the contractions the rest of the night and get my rest. Things stopped and I was able to fall asleep. I woke up at 7 am. Micah wasn't home yet and the contractions started up so I got back in the tub. I lost my mucus plug and had the thought, "Oh man, today could be the day!" I am so not ready for this!!! Micah came into the bathroom and found me in the tub when he got home and didn't really think too much of it but I told him I thought today might be the day. He got a little excited but we were both in denial and thought it was too early. I told him to at least tell his Mom so she could look for flights, just in case.
At around 9 am, the birth center called and needed to reschedule the appointment I had that day because the midwife wasn't feeling well. I told the secretary, "Well, I think I might be in labor but I'm not sure." She then called the midwife and had her call me. When I talked to Kristy, my midwife, I told her what was going on and that I would probably feel better if she could come do a check and see if I am actually in labor or if it's a false alarm. Kristy came over, even thought she had a touch of food poisoning, within the hour. She checked me and I was at 4 cm and 90% effaced. She said it was definitely baby day! I still didn't believe it. Things were too slow and easy and I thought it would still peter out. I also felt bad that her stomach hurt and she still showed up. She was such a trooper. So, I called my friend Lindsey and let her know what was going on. She is a best friend/unofficial doula. I tried to downplay the situation because I didn't want her to go out of her way if it was a false alarm but she was excited and came right over, with lots of yummy goodies from Whole Foods in tow. She is the best!
The day was spent hanging around the house, snacking, watching the Office with intermittent pauses for me to ride out the contractions, which felt like dull waves of pressure. I really didn't feel like I was in labor, I was pretty much in denial till it came time to push. My nephew Manning was having his birthday party that day at the park at 11. So, I told Micah to take the kids to the party for an hour but to not stay too long in case I needed him. I thought about going, but with Lindsey and the midwife there, I thought I should stay home and hope that things would progress.They went to the party and came back and things were still the same. Eventually, we decided to go upstairs and I would get in the tub, thinking maybe that would help things to pick up. I just couldn't get comfortable in the tub. My favorite position was leaning over my big red exercise ball and rocking through the contractions. At some point, the midwife student Kassia showed up. I just love her and was so happy she was there. She has a very positive and calming presence, much like Lindsey, and I liked having them just near me. Around 5 pm, Kristy checked me and said I was 10 cm and could start pushing. I was surprised and excited. I remember touching my forehead and thinking I got to 10 without breaking a sweat!?! That was just crazy.
I kept getting in different positions to try and push but it just didn't feel right. Kristy said the baby's head was cocked to the side and that might be why. For the next 2 hours they had me trying different positions to try and move the baby in the best position. All the while, my water had still not broken, and I thought maybe that was the hold up. Kristy didn't want to break my water yet because the head wasn't in the best spot and it could make it worse if my water broke. Well, after the two hours of trying to get him in the best spot, which was by far, that hardest part of labor up till this point, I was getting frustrated. And tired. None of the things we tried made the baby get in a better position. I was feeling overwhelmed. I had imagined this labor going so quick and easy, just like my pregnancy had been. More and more people had showed up at my house, I could hear all the friends and family and I felt like I was letting everyone down by not pushing the baby out. Like I was wasting everyones time. So, I told everyone who was nonessential to leave the room, I needed to regroup and focus. It was just Kristy, Kassia, Micah and Lindsey in the room with me. I said, "Ok, you are going to break my water and I am going to lay on the bed and just push this baby out!" That was my plan. So, everyone got on board and we attempted my plan.
I kept getting in different positions to try and push but it just didn't feel right. Kristy said the baby's head was cocked to the side and that might be why. For the next 2 hours they had me trying different positions to try and move the baby in the best position. All the while, my water had still not broken, and I thought maybe that was the hold up. Kristy didn't want to break my water yet because the head wasn't in the best spot and it could make it worse if my water broke. Well, after the two hours of trying to get him in the best spot, which was by far, that hardest part of labor up till this point, I was getting frustrated. And tired. None of the things we tried made the baby get in a better position. I was feeling overwhelmed. I had imagined this labor going so quick and easy, just like my pregnancy had been. More and more people had showed up at my house, I could hear all the friends and family and I felt like I was letting everyone down by not pushing the baby out. Like I was wasting everyones time. So, I told everyone who was nonessential to leave the room, I needed to regroup and focus. It was just Kristy, Kassia, Micah and Lindsey in the room with me. I said, "Ok, you are going to break my water and I am going to lay on the bed and just push this baby out!" That was my plan. So, everyone got on board and we attempted my plan.
Kristy got the hook to break my water. Well, 3 contractions later, she still couldn't break it. It was too strong. Apparently, a side effect of my high protein diet. I was getting mad. I wanted my water to break. So, Alex, the backup midwife gave it a try and was eventually able to break my water. The water rushed out and I was up on my feet, I felt like I jumped out of bed. Things got hard, fast! It was contraction on top of contraction and it was hard. Not painful but just SO exhausting and hard! It took over my body. Labor like that is just hard, hard work! After ten minutes, I was done. My mind got the best of me and I got discouraged. I started screaming and yelling, like a spoiled child, "I just want it to stop!" " I want the drugs!" "Take me to the hospital!" I didn't mean any of it, but my body was tired and my mind was weak (my throat was sore the next 2 days from the screaming). I laid against the exercise ball and just looked at Lindsey and Micah and thought, I can't do this!
Then, something happened. I thought about the logistics of going to the hospital and what would happen and it made me sick. I rolled onto my side and started pushing as hard and humanly possible. I pushed with every ounce of energy left. I pushed in between contractions and just bore down in the middle of my bedroom on the floor. Something inside me took over and I was a primal woman with a goal and nothing was going to stop me. I was screaming so loud. It was hard. I felt pain. I finally understood why women get epidurals. And then I felt the baby's head coming out and I just kept pushing and screaming. I was afraid baby was going to go back inside! His head came out and I started screaming again, I just wanted baby out! NOW! A few more pushes and the baby came out and it was the best feeling! The pressure stopped and it felt like my body just relaxed, my belly deflated, and this warm, slimy newborn was on my chest. Baby was out and I was so happy!
My Mom looked between the legs and announced it was a BOY! We didn't know up until then and it was a wonderful moment. Baby Luke didn't cry right away and the midwife was a little concerned and they were about to get the oxygen but I knew he was ok and sure enough, he let out a beautiful cry. Layla met her brother first, then we called out for Mason to come in because he wanted to cut the cord. Layla tried to snake that job since he wasn't there, but I don't trust her with scissors and Mason would have been crushed. Mason came in and met Luke and promptly cut the cord, with help from Micah. Mason is very proud of this task.
Then, something happened. I thought about the logistics of going to the hospital and what would happen and it made me sick. I rolled onto my side and started pushing as hard and humanly possible. I pushed with every ounce of energy left. I pushed in between contractions and just bore down in the middle of my bedroom on the floor. Something inside me took over and I was a primal woman with a goal and nothing was going to stop me. I was screaming so loud. It was hard. I felt pain. I finally understood why women get epidurals. And then I felt the baby's head coming out and I just kept pushing and screaming. I was afraid baby was going to go back inside! His head came out and I started screaming again, I just wanted baby out! NOW! A few more pushes and the baby came out and it was the best feeling! The pressure stopped and it felt like my body just relaxed, my belly deflated, and this warm, slimy newborn was on my chest. Baby was out and I was so happy!
My Mom looked between the legs and announced it was a BOY! We didn't know up until then and it was a wonderful moment. Baby Luke didn't cry right away and the midwife was a little concerned and they were about to get the oxygen but I knew he was ok and sure enough, he let out a beautiful cry. Layla met her brother first, then we called out for Mason to come in because he wanted to cut the cord. Layla tried to snake that job since he wasn't there, but I don't trust her with scissors and Mason would have been crushed. Mason came in and met Luke and promptly cut the cord, with help from Micah. Mason is very proud of this task.
May 6th at 7:36 pm my loud little Luke was here! All 8 lbs 8 oz of wonderfulness. My easiest pregnancy was over. The birth proved to be harder than I expected. Really just the last hour and a half was the hard part. Getting a few stitches was awful and the after birth pains of my uterus going back to normal was rough! I took an ibuprofen. I don't like medicine and it was the first ibuprofen I had taken since Mason's birth. I didn't need anything after Layla, but this time, I needed something. I am still so happy that I was able to have another healthy baby at home, and honestly, I am so proud of myself. This labor made me work harder than I thought possible. My body is amazing. I look at the more graphic pictures from the birth (I don't dare post them, but they are pretty cool!) and I can't believe that is me in the pictures. Pushing that baby out of my body. It's just insane.
By day 3, things were good physically. The recovery was still better than my c-section, for sure! It was harder than Layla's birth, because I didn't need stitches with her, but that's ok. Wouldn't change a thing. Luke is such a happy guy. He nurses like a champ and sleeps like a dream. We are so blessed to have his sweet spirit in our family. It has been an adjustment having 3 kids. I get overwhelmed often because there is so much to do and not enough of me to go around. Most days I just sit and hold my little Luke and thank Heavenly Father for sending him to me.
By day 3, things were good physically. The recovery was still better than my c-section, for sure! It was harder than Layla's birth, because I didn't need stitches with her, but that's ok. Wouldn't change a thing. Luke is such a happy guy. He nurses like a champ and sleeps like a dream. We are so blessed to have his sweet spirit in our family. It has been an adjustment having 3 kids. I get overwhelmed often because there is so much to do and not enough of me to go around. Most days I just sit and hold my little Luke and thank Heavenly Father for sending him to me.
Luke is named after his uncle Luke who passed away in December of 2012. His middle name Superhero is from one of my favorite stories about Uncle Luke. The way I would describe Luke was a huge wall of muscle. He worked out like nobody else I know. So, he was pretty stacked, yet often times insecure. Well, Luke was at a water park and was in a pool area where a bunch of kids were. They were looking at Luke and whispering. Finally, one of the kids came over to Luke and asked him, "Are you a Superhero??" When Luke was having a hard time or felt insecure, Micah would tell him this story and remind him, "Dude, you're a superhero!"
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