A birth story.

Well, here it goes...I didn't realize how much TIME it takes to feed a newborn. After he is fed, it's a toss up between eating, sleeping, or showering for me. Which will it be today? Then it's time to feed him again. Whew! It's tiring for sure. Blogging has definitely been on the backburner lately! Chase's birth story really is so special to me (of course) and so I am glad you get to learn about it as well.

The first "due date" I was ever told was January 20th, so for my entire pregnancy when people asked, that's what I'd say: January 20th. During the last month, I was told somewhere between January 22-24. (Which doesn't seem that long, but for those of you who have ever been 9 months pregnant, 4 days is an ETERNITY) On January 20, I went to work as usual and came home to take a nap (boy am I glad I did!). That night was the same as usual- I wasn't feeling any contractions or anything. I thought for sure it'd be another week.

At precisely 10:20pm, I had just sat down with a granola bar to watch The Office with Chad. All of the sudden, I felt like I had peed my pants...and then it just kept coming! My water had broke! I was so so so so so excited! Chad and I started laughing and hugging and kissing (we're weird, I know). He helped me get to the shower and I was so excited that I was shaking. Chad called the doctor and (oh no!) my doctor was OUT OF TOWN. Great. Nine long months of checkups and she disappeared during the main event! The on call doctor said I could wait a few hours (we really wanted to labor at home for as long as possible) or until I see lots of blood. Now, as a pregnant lady, blood=bad for nine months. All of the sudden, I start to see lots of blood and I think it's a bad thing. (Little did I know that it actually wasn't a lot) We decide to go to the hospital. We frantically start throwing stuff in our half-packed bags. Luckily I had made a checklist of everything I needed so we didn't forget anything. Chad helped me into the car and I lovingly said "bye" to our babyless house.

At this point, I wasn't feeling any contractions. When I started walking into the hospital, though, I had a few that made me stop in my tracks. We checked in and the nurse checked me. Much to my disappointment, I was only at a 2!! Chad was able to give the nurses our birth plan and they obeyed all of our wishes. I was given an IV with a heparin lock (they never had to use it) which hurt because it was in my hand. Triage was pretty boring--we were able to take a walk around the quiet hallways at 12:30 and then checked into our L&D room.

From 1-7am was when things progressed rather slowly. Our nurse was good but just matter-of-factual. Everyone who came into our room read our birth plan and made sure to follow it. I simply loved that. Looking back, it's strange that I don't remember a whole lot. During this time I remember using the shower (this was HEAVEN), exercise ball, hypnobabies scripts, breathing techniques (which really helped distract me and helped me feel in control). I remember visualizing a heavy cardboard box; I pushed it away from my body during each contraction. I remember tapping during each contraction as well--I tapped my hand or my foot 8 times. I was learning to let go and let my body do whatever it needed to get through the contractions. The little pieces of heaven were the breaks inbetween contractions. They felt so good and I relaxed when they came. I kept saying "open, forward, relax" to myself as well.

At 7am, the nurses had a shift change. I was so nervous to see our new nurse. Lesley, was her name, and I will never forget her. She was incredible. I can honestly say that I couldn't have done it without her. When she came, I had progressed to a 5. From 7-9 was when things really got going. I used the exercise ball, but was so incredibly exhausted from not sleeping all night, I wasn't feeling great. I remember telling Chad that I couldn't do this, I didn't want to do this. I wanted him to give in and go get the medicine SO BAD. He never did. He just kept saying I could do it and every time he did, I wanted to punch him! Why wasn't he doing what I wanted?? I remember there was some yelling and swearing :)
(Side note: A few weeks before the birth, I told Chad that even when I tired and wanted medicine, I wanted him to be strong and not let me get it. I was counting on him. He pulled through!)

Lesley suggested I get on the bed. At this point, that sounded like the worse idea ever. Cramping and contracting in bed DID NOT sound good. But I was so so so tired and I laid down. From that moment on, I was in my own little world. I remember Lesley turned on some tranquility music while Chad kept rubbing my back (I had intense back labor) for hours. I don't remember a lot about this part, just that my body was in complete control. It felt so amazing to lay down and rest during each contraction. Lesley was right about the whole laying down thing. Around 9, I got out of bed and started to panic. I thought "I haven't even reached transition yet. How am I going to keep going?" I just kept thinking it was going to get even harder and I looked into Chad's eyes with panic and fear. I cried a little and threw up a lot. I started to shake uncontrollably and Lesley said she needed to check me. I reached a low point. She checked and the most beautiful words came from her mouth: you're at an 8. Hallelujah!!!!! I started laughing and sighing--I can do this. Only a little bit longer.

I decided to take one last shower. This one didn't relax me quite as much because the contractions were so close together. They became very painful and intense and then this incredibly urge to have a bowel movement hit me so strongly. I started yelling and Lesley said "Katie, it's time to get out of the shower!". She checked again, and I was at a 9. She gave me this small exercise ball shaped like a peanut to put inbetween my legs. It was supposed to open my pelvis so baby's head would come down. I did it, and right as I did, this incredible pain hit me so hard. My pelvis was in so much pain. "Get the ball out!" I yelled. Between the ball, Lesley checking me, and contractions that wouldn't stop, this was the WORST pain I'd ever felt. I started crying. Lesley said I was at a 10. I couldn't wait for the doctor--I said I have to push NOW. All of the sudden, people were being buzzed and the doctor came in just as I was pushing. Unfortunately, I wanted to be upright to push but I was still on my back. Lesley said "I know you wanted be upright but this position will help open your pelvis. He's already here...you're almost done!" I held my legs and the nurses tried to tell me how to push. Everything happens so fast that I wasn't very good at the pushing they wanted me to use. I just pushed how it felt good to me. (Now, whoever said pushing doesn't hurt is a LIAR. It DOES hurt. In fact, it feels like your bottom is on FIRE.) I needed a break and I didn't want to keep going. Lesley stared at me and said strongly "It's going to hurt, Katie. It will. I had both of my babies like this. But, then it'll be over. You're almost done. He's almost here! Let's PUSH!" I just kept looking at her and relied on her strength to help me. Two contractions later, I pushed our little man into the world at 10:11am. The feeling of having this little slimy man placed onto my chest is one that I'll never forget. Ever. Chad and I were thrilled. Elated. There were no words.

He was a little blue, but perfect. After delivering the placenta, I had tore just a tad so I needed some stitches. Chad was busy making videos of our little man and I was busy being a proud mama. Surprisingly, I felt amazing. I felt so good! The hospital obeyed my wishes of holding off with shots and things so Chad and I could bond with our son. It was a beautiful experience, just holding him and falling in love with him. All those months of talking to him and imagining him, and now he was finally here. It was the greatest experience of my life.

Just a few notes about the birth: Chase's umbilical cord had a true knot in it. This only occurs in 1% of births. It can tighten during pregnancy and lead to stillborns, miscarriage, heart defects, and cesaeran sections. Our little miracle baby was in perfect health and delivered vaginally. :)

Although I can't say enough about Lesley, my true hero is Chad. He rubbed my back for literally 5 hours, stayed by my side, coached me through everything, wouldn't let me have anything less than the birth experience I desired. He took care of me and baby. My love for him grows daily but deepened to a level that I will never be able to describe. Chase is so lucky to have him for a Daddy.

So, there you have it! For those of you who said time flies after they are born, you were right. I can't believe it's already been a week. Really? A week? I just love to sit and stare at Chase. When he looks up at me, it's the greatest feeling in the world. This was why I am on this Earth--to be Chase's mom. I feel so complete with him here and I can't wait for the many years to come.