Everette's Birth Story

Happy Monday! Today I am sharing an enormous piece of my heart, Everette's birth story. Since experiencing the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth myself I absolutely love hearing other women's birth stories and I have found that most women love to share their story as well. The day I married my husband was the best day of my life, but the night Everette was born was the best night of my life. 

On Wednesday August 23rd, I woke up about 3 am with some tightening across my stomach, but I just assumed it was those pesky braxton hicks contractions everyone had told me about, especially since I was barely 38 weeks. The day before I had been to my prenatal yoga class, swam in the pool and had gone for a long walk that evening, so I just assumed that maybe I over did it, and was a little dehydrated. I got up and drank a large glass of water, walked around a bit and laid back down not wanting to disturb Josh, who needed to be up by 5 to head out of town for work. We were still over 2 weeks away and I just knew that this was not it. The tightening did not seem to go away and started to become more intense. Finally, I woke Josh up and we tried to figure out whether he should go out of town or not. Only going to be 2 hours away I told him I felt like it was just false labor and to go right ahead. 

By 5 am the cramping had picked up and was closer together and against my encouragement Josh decided that he better stay home and take me in to the doctor just in case. Josh called our office and the doctor coming off call told us it did not sound like braxton hicks contractions, but could in fact be false labor. She advised us to time the pain and once it was consistently happening every few minutes for an hour to head to triage. At the time Josh got up, showered, packing a bag and was ready to roll. I on the other hand kept assuring him that "this was not really it" and "its going to ease off anytime now". 

By about 8 am the contractions were coming very consistently about 4-5 apart and lasting close to 40 seconds. Josh would time them and tell me while I showered and did my makeup when I could expect another one to happen. Still in denial that today was the day, I continued folding laundry, watering the plants and casually putting the finishing touches on my hospital bag, not really thinking I would need it. As the contractions became more intense that I had to stop what I was doing to breathe through them and kneel down, Josh was ready to go. Right before we walked out of the house he remembered that he was scheduled to get his whooping cough vaccination that they urge anyone that will be near to the baby to receive. He had scheduled it for this week, thinking he had plenty of time and not wanting to be unprepared, he suggested we make a pit stop at the health department on the way to the hospital. So we did just that, he ran in and informed the nurse that his wife was in the car in labor and he needed his vaccination as soon as possible. While I waited in the car it seemed like my contractions had virtually stopped, and once we arrived at triage they were incredibly inconsistent. 

They checked me at triage and determined I was at 3 cm. Knowing that women walk around for weeks at 3 cm I was ready to head on home and eat some breakfast, but they wanted us to stay and be monitored for the next hour to see if I progressed. I had hoped we could kill time by walking around the hospital but instead they asked my to lay on the bed and I am thankful they did because my contractions came back. When the nurse returned at the end of the hour I informed her that my contractions had returned and she laughed and said she knew since she had been monitoring me in the hall. She checked me again and sure enough I was at 5 cm and headed to labor and delivery. 

At the moment I remember thinking, "Ok, this is it, and I really wish I had eaten something for breakfast." I was still in shock that this baby was coming 2 weeks early to the day, especially when everyone warns you that first babies are usually late. 

Once I received my IV and we were all checked into labor and delivery the physician on call swung by and I was so thrilled that it was one of our favorites throughout the rotation. Amazingly, our former neighbor was also our labor and delivery nurse in the beginning and what a relief it was to see a familiar face. She kept reminding me to let her know when I was ready for the epidural and I went ahead and got it at about 7 cm before I began to really need it. As the day progressed our parents and siblings came by the hospital to visit, and since I was so comfortable it was nice to pass the time as I enjoyed my Popsicles and ice water. A couple of new nurses changed shifts and I started some pitocin to keep everything moving forward. We were joking with our doctor about whether the baby would be born before midnight or after and the floor was packed that night. At about 9 pm everyone exited and Josh and I rested for awhile, already pretty tired from being up so early that morning. 

Around 11:30 our doctor came in to check on us and had planned to move along but ended up being needed for an emergency down the hall, and asked if we were ok to wait. Still feeling fine I assured her we were all good. She returned a little bit after midnight, which sealed the deal that the baby would be born the next day, and informed me that I had been at 10 cm for quite awhile and it was time to push. Josh held my hand as he prayed for me and the baby and our new family of three. Our nurse began preparing our room and the baby station, and I remember thinking how incredible it was that this little person was about to come out and be laying in that little bassinet. Our room was quiet and peaceful with just Josh and I, our doctor, our nurse and the baby nurse. Everyone was so laid back and calm and I distinctly remember the summer storm and hearing it thundering outside. We started pushing and our doctor informed me that it would not take long, but it being my first baby I assumed that meant an hour or so. Two more pushes and she was here at 12:37 am.

I asked Josh to count her fingers and toes and he assured me she was perfect! They laid her on my chest and we stared into each others eyes while I told her I was her Mommy. Josh went with her across the room while she was checked out and brought her back over where we continued to just stare for the next few hours during recovery and before our parents came in to meet their first grandchild. 

Giving birth was without a doubt the most life changing moment of my life. We were fully aware that we were in the presence of a miracle and something that felt magical and holy. I will remember that moment and that feeling until the day I die. What a blessing it is to be a woman and a mommy.