My first birth: finding my strength
It all began at 6:26 am when I crawled back into bed after what seemed like the ten thousandth trip to the bathroom. I felt baby “punch” my cervix so hard that it was startling. One more “punch” led to a little “pop” — and my water broke. I wasn’t entirely convinced it was my first water because I was only 38 weeks and I expected to go overdue. Buuut seeing as I had just emptied my bladder, it was the only explanation for the warm liquid gushing out. I reached over and grabbed my husband’s arm (which scared him half to death apparently!) and let him know.
Now, my only regret in labour... I sent my husband off to work. 😅 I assumed I would have a long labour and that it might even be a day to two before baby arrives. (Lesson learned: never assume anything about labour! lol) I thought I’d go back to sleep and rest up before the hard work of labour began. I planned to clean up and get dressed and put on some makeup after I woke up and before things got too intense.
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WELLLL... within half an hour the contractions began at 7 minutes apart! And it was 100% back labour. I went upstairs to try and eat something (and to call my friend and cancel our pool date!), and quickly realized I’d better get back to my bedroom (where I planned to deliver) before I could no longer walk.
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By 11 am, I was calling him and begging him to come home. I called our photographer & dear friend and called the midwife. The midwife said she’d give me an hour and a half and then call back and see if it would be time to come join me.... within 30 minutes I was calling her back and begging her to come. By noon, the contractions were less than 2 minutes apart.
What a glorious moment it was when I heard my husband walk in. I had just started thinking that I can understand why many people opt for drugs during this part 🙃 I thought “surely this must be close to the end”... a sentiment I’m sure many first time moms feel at this stage in labour.
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Almost immediately after he arrived, I threw up the few bites I had managed to eat for breakfast and everything that was left inside from the day before. Throwing up is a huuugee trigger for me - I was once very, very ill while overseas and when I throw up my brain instantly thinks it's meningitis all over again. THANKFULLY, I spent yearrrsss learning and educating myself about birth and was able to remind myself that in this situation, throwing up was a GOOD sign. It was encouraging - it indicated transition.
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I asked my husband to set up the birth tub (we had planned to do a trial run so we’d know how to use it when it was time for birth, buuuut little miss decided to come early so we were winging it!). Thankfully, our photographer and my husband could take turns setting up the tub and applying counter pressure to my back and hips. That back labour was no joke! I’m not sure I could’ve handled it on my own.
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At 1:30, my midwife arrived and asked to check me before allowing me to go into the tub. I had declined cervical checks (for many reasons - you can do your research!), but in the moment I consented because all I wanted was to be in that tub! That cervical check comes in a close second to the most pain I’ve ever felt so... I’m never allowing that again. 🙃 (don’t worry, it gets better soon!)
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Finally, I climbed into the birth tub and felt almost instant relief. Water is nicknamed “the Midwife’s epidural” because it removes the effects of gravity. For back labour, when it felt like a thousand bricks were piled on your lower back, that was GLORIOUS.
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My husband says it was like night and day how I was suddenly able to handle those contractions again.
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I planned to have my husband in the tub with me to help deliver the baby, but each time he suggested he go get changed and hop in, I couldn’t bear the thought of having a contraction without him there, so he stayed put. My midwives encouraged me, and with each contraction reminded me that I know exactly what to do: ride the contraction the same way I had done each time leading up to this.
My body was made for this.
I am strong.
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At 4 pm, the pressure was so intense and I couldn’t help but push. My midwife suggested getting out of the tub and going to the bathroom ... I made it 2 steps out and was hit with another contraction, so that plan went out the window. 🤪 I was ready to push.
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At 5 pm, I roared her into the world (as you can hear in the videos on my Instagram - warning 🙃). I flipped over to my hands and knees and waited to push with the contractions so no repairs were needed, if you know what I mean. 🙌🏼 At 5:07, I pulled baby up out of the water and collapsed with relief. After a few moments we realized we should check and see — we had a baby girl!
We did it.
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Little Lucille was breathing fine, but didn’t want to cry and clear her lungs, so EMS were on standby (and she’s made up for it in the months since — baby girl is LOUD 😂♥️). It took the freezing cold stethoscope for her to let out a big cry, for which we all cheered. 🙌🏼
After I had delivered the placenta and all was well, I tried to get up and walk to the washroom (on the other side of the house)... and on the way back I fainted. Giving birth without any food takes a lot out of ya! Lol! When I woke up, I was so relieved to FINALLY be laying down... until I realized I was on the floor and not my bed. 😂 All that to say - we took a trip to the hospital to guarantee that I fainted from dehydration and not anything else. A few cups of apple juice and water later and we were allowed to go home (a much better option than an IV... I can’t do needles, if y’all remember 🙈). ✨
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Shoutout to the paramedics, Nicole & Matt, who stayed by our side the entire time, brought my husband coffee, made us a makeshift room with carts in the corner of the hallway, and attempted to teach us how to breastfeed while we waited... and then came to check on us and bring a gift to our house the next day! 😭🙌🏼
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We got home with our sweet girl and were so stunned that simply followed our normal routine and put an episode of Modern Family on the TV before crawling into bed.
We were 3.
Our greatest adventure had begun. ✨
