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The birth story of our son, Colby.
- Aug 20, 2008 at 4:05 PM
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- Comments (15) Total Views (424) Everyone can see this journal post.
Colby Joseph was born April 11th , 2007, on an early, spring morning. He weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 21 inches long. He cried when he was born. More to help clear his lungs, as he took his first breaths, than to complain. It was a wonderful birth. Here is our story of bringing our son into this world.
I went into labor at 12:20am on April 11th. That Wednesday was the start of my 38th week of pregnancy. Braxton-Hicks & the baby's elbow jabs had been my constant companions for the last 2 ½ months.
I had exercised as much as my big belly, swollen ankles, & Joe would allow. I stopped running about 6 months into pregnancy but still went for brisk walks & hikes up until the day before I had Colby. The dogs were happy at least. I was just uncomfortable, tired of being pregnant, and excited for all the upcoming unknowns.
The evening of April 10th, Joe and I went to Deep Lake to exercise. We took the dogs. The trail around the lake was 1.4 miles and we decided that Joe would run 2 laps and I would "walk" one.
Off we went. I was daydreaming of going into labor. Even though I had finally come to terms that the baby would come when he was ready, not before. I walked (waddled) along with my very, pregnant stomach jostling. My belly added an extra 45 lbs for me to carry!
By the end of the walk, Joe had caught up to me & we loaded the dogs into the truck. I felt a shift in myself. I couldn't put my finger on it. I didn't mention it to Joe at that point. I didn't want to jinx myself & realize it was nothing.
When we got home we ate dinner. I was tired, big surprise there! I got ready for bed. Joe stayed up to watch TV. Around 10:30pm, I, reluctantly, got up. I couldn't sleep. I figured I walked too hard. Duh! My muscles ached all over & my back muscles just hurt! I was very restless. I waddled to the living room to watch TV with Joe for a while. Soon we both decided to go to bed. Joe had to work in the morning.
I tossed & turned trying to get comfortable. Finally, I dozed. At 12:20 am I woke up with period-like cramps. (Except my uterus was as big as a watermelon so it was BIG period-like cramps!) I figured it was labor but was too good to be true! I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep anyway.
About 6 minutes later, I was once again interrupted with cramping. My heart started to beat a little faster but, stubbornly, I still wanted to sleep! I wasn't ready to wake Joe up, just then. I found I could still relax and was able to doze off between contractions. I also was having a hard time believing that "it" was finally here! So I counted contractions between dozing, for two hours, before I had myself good and convinced that it was labor and it wasn't going away! Contractions were coming every 4-6 minutes in a definite pattern!
Deciding it was time, I rolled over & gently nudged Joe's shoulder. He barely stirred. I didn't want to startle him awake & have him do whatever guys do when they find out they are about to become a dad, so I softly whispered in his ear, "Hey, Babe, our little guy is coming." I had to say it twice before he woke up, coherent enough, to understand what I was saying to him.
Excitedly terrified, estatic, & completely frazzled. That is some adjactives that described us then. The contractions were averaging 5-6 minutes apart and were gaining in intensity. I started to shy from being excited to being uncomfortable & a little nervous. My body was starting to take over on its own. I could feel the change. (Transition to active labor?)
Every 3-4 contractions, I would have to "dash" (waddle quickly) to the bathroom and vomit. But when I would get up from bed to go to the bathroom, the contractions would come every other minute. I would have to just kneel by the toilet & let them pass before going back to the bed. On a puke break, actually sitting on the toliet, to pee, I saw the first signs of "bloody show". Another gripping contraction. I wasn't so sure, then, that this would be like I had fantasized! Back & forth I went. Contraction, puke, bed, & over again.
We called Toni at 3:30am. She told us to keep timing & to call back when they were about two to three minutes apart. We never made it that far. The contractions rose in intensity until all I could do was try to breath and ride them out. I was more uncomfortable than I had set myself up for. The bed was pressing in all the wrong places but when I got up the contractions would come closer together. I couldn't get a break!
We made it until 4:30am & the contractions were an even 4 minutes apart. I must have had a look on my face when I asked Joe to call Toni. He always seems to read me well. Instead of trying to placate me, he picked up the phone. I knew I was ready. We called.
When we got Toni on the phone she began to suggest to Joe that we try a warm bath. Another contraction began. When she heard me going through it (I must have been doing such a good job of crying-out & groaning) she changed her mind & told us to pack up & come. She said she would get ready.
Our bags had been packed for two weeks & were in the Tahoe, waiting for the "big day". I remember how clear my mind was even though it took all my strength to concentrate on each contraction. I kept thinking of extra items I couldn't forget; camera, camera battery charger, brush, make-up, a clean shirt for Joe, etc. On and on my mind whirled. I settled on my comfy jogging pants, my FD t-shirt, & my fluffy pink slippers to wear. Looking back, I probably looked silly, walking in in big, pink, fuzzy slippers!
The going was rough up to Toni's house. Every bump, every pebble, in the road was AGONY during a contraction! At the top of Toni's driveway, I was in the middle of another contraction & breathlessly pleaded for Joe to wait to turn in. After going down that drive for every appointment for almost nine months, I knew that each dip and bump would hurt. So we waited for it to pass before turning in. I wondered, then, how many "soon to be parents" have waited at the top of that driveway through the years.
As we walked through the front door & slowly made our way down the stairs to the clinic part of Toni's home, the familiar, comforting smell encouraged my anxious mind to relax. Toni appeared and smiled. Joe was standing next to me, supporting me. In that moment, I knew I was where I needed to be. I felt comforted.
With me on Joe's arm, we made it to the waiting room when another contraction began. They seemed to be coming every 2 minutes by then. Toni took my blood pressure & temperature. She brought me ice water, which I sipped gratefully. Another contraction. I began to feel, again, like I couldn't catch up. Joe helped me with my coat. There was a fire going in the fire place and the lights were dimmed. The ambiance was soft and soothing. They both talked quietly over me while I rocked through another contraction, leaning against Joe.
During a break, Joe was able to think long enough to make a phone call to my sister, Haley. She lived the furthest away& had a 2 hour drive to get to us. It was about 5:15am. That was the only call we got out. Life, for us, flew by or stood still, from then on.
Toni went to go fill the birthing pool. I could feel the excited urgency from her. All my senses were heightened and alert. After yet another contraction and a "toss my cookies, again" trip to the bathroom, Toni was ready for us. I slowly, walked into the room, craddling my tight belly. Candles were flickering in the dim room and the warm water was giving of a soothing steam. I about salivated at the sight of the warm water.
She wanted to check me before I got into the pool. The nausea was all-consuming. I was dilated to 6-7cm and 100% effaced. I beagn taking my clothes off to get into the pool. Joe helped me get in and I, gratefully, sank my big belly into the wonderfully, hot water.
Life almost got good again. I regained a little energy and my nausea was gone instantly! I was so relieved by that. I decided I could handle anything as long as I wasn't throwing-up along with it! I dilated almost completely in a matter of minutes. It was then that time ceased to exist for me.
I don't remember length of contractions only that I was doing good handling them. I rested when each one was over. Joe sat over me, holding my hand. That was enough. I knew he was there & I felt him as my anchor.
My mind was taking care of my body. It felt hazy & clear at the same time. If I let my mind "think" it was harder to flow with what was happening. So I let myself "feel" & was able to go with what my body was doing.
Sometimes, Toni & Joe would quietly talk just to pass an instruction or answer a question. I was flowing with what nature had given me to do. Toni checked me, frequently, helping my body get ready for birth. She broke my bag of waters before I began to push. I knew from Joe's account that I was in the pool for about two hours all together. I remember going through "Transition" but I never feared or doubted what was to come. The reality part of my mind kept telling me, "There is no going back now."
In our birth class, they said that during the "Transition" stage a lot of women say they can't do it & yell at their partner, saying mean things. I was so scared of doing that! I remember I apologized to Joe before I went into labor for anything that I might say! I didn't though. I never even considered thinking a negative thought towards him! He was there. My rock. I knew that I couldn't do it without him.
When Toni told me that I was ready to push & to go ahead anytime I felt like it, I remember not feeling like it! It scared me for a moment. I couldn't help but wonder how that baby was going to come out if I didn't feel like pushing!
I started to try and push when I was between contractions! It just hurt too bad to push with them! So on I went pushing & "testing the waters" so to speak. My conscience, that "little voice", kept telling me to "buck-up get it done"! It took me a few more contractions until I built up my courage enough to deal with the pain.
Then the urge to push came. Suddenly, I was pushing with them and his head was coming lower with every contraction! There was an air of excited anticipation in the room. Toni kept softly saying that she could see the baby's head but when I would reach down after the contraction it wouldn't be there! That left me deflated. I felt like I was trying so very hard and not getting anywhere! I got a little discouraged. I was tired (which was a huge understatement). I knew Toni felt the change in me because she began to gently encourage me.
"Get mad", she told me, "Get mad & push this baby out!" I tried to get mad, I really did. It took too much energy! Eventually, I was able to do it. And it helped!
As soon as I worked up a good dose of "mad" with my next couple of contractions, things began to move right along! I began pushing all that much harder. Joe and Toni would count off for me. I felt totally out of control. In essence, I was. My body and mind were exhausted. I think back in total wonderment at how women put out that much energy & effort & still find extra energy & strength, deep in themselves, to make everything work. They do & I did.
I was on autopilot. On I pushed & then I pushed harder. I could feel the strain in my muscles. He was so close to being born. I could feel it but I was running on empty & I remember thinking, "If he would just come out then I could rest!" I wanted to be done so badly! Sad enough, I wasn't even thinking about having a baby at that point. I just wanted to rest for a few minutes.
Suddenly, his head was lower and then it was there. It hurt! The pain surprised me. I wasn't expecting it. It made me come out of my "zone" & cry out. It burned so badly! Toni & Joe kept on encouraging me. Thinking back, Toni was telling me that I was almost done. That is what kept me going. I let myself "feel" that his head was hurting me & was telling myself that if I could just push a little harder it would stop hurting so bad.
Slowly and gently, his head slid out. I didn't tear. Then his shoulders came. I think they hurt worse than his head! It happened fast. I reached down to help him the rest of the way out & into the warm water. He was born at 8:34 am. I think I released him as soon as he was born, relieved that I was suddenly out of pain. I sat back. Instantly, not missing a beat, Toni took over & brought him up & laid him on my chest. Joe was leaning over my shoulder. We paused as we waited for his first breath.
Time stood still for me. I wasn't scared. I knew he was okay. It was just a special time for us. It isn't everyday that you meet your baby& see a human being take its first breath of life. Then his tiny chest rose, gently. It was beautiful! He cried. More to clear his lungs than to protest. He was nestled warmly in my arms, held in the warm water that he was birthed in. For that moment, life was perfect.
Joe & I both looked at each other when we remembered that we had yet to name our little guy. We both said, "Colby" at the same time & smiled at each other. It just fit. I didn't even remember the other names we had picked out for him. He isntantly became Colby.
I think that Haley, my sister, came in then. I was still in the pool & she got to meet her nephew for the first time. She took a few pictures. I remember not wanting any pictures of Colby's birth. But now, looking back, they are one of my most valued treasures.
Toni clamped the cord & Joe cut it. For the first time, Colby & I were physically separated. They wrapped him in a warm towel. Joe took him to sit on the bed to have a moment with his new son.
When the thought hit me that I wasn't quite done, I was terrified! The pain of pushing his little body out was still fresh on my exhausted mind. I was irrational! I feared that the pain of giving birth would come back when I delivered the placenta! I no sooner thought it, then the contractions began.
Frantically, I grabbed a hold of the side of the pool & held on for dear life. I, so desperatly, wanted Joe there to hold my hand! Instead, I looked to Toni. She smiled and I thought about relaxing. It was then that I wanted to give up. Period! I wanted to get up, out of that pool, & walk away! I couldn't do "it" again!!!
It was simple & painless. I blew out a big breath. I had not one scrap of energy left! I don't even have a word for beyond exhausted, beyond empty, & spent. That is what I felt like after giving birth.
I wanted to rest but mostly I wanted to take a shower and have a minute to myself to pull myself together. My emotions were raging! I cried under the hot spray of the shower. I had a son! With Joe! I felt like I had finally come home.
My older sister, Myka helped me in the bathroom. After the shower I felt almost reenergized not to mention a whole lot lighter! I gingerly got up on Toni's scale just to see... 25 lbs gone! I couldn't believe it! Wahoo! Myka helped me get dressed & combed my hair. I walked, slowly, out to the living room to see my brand new, infant, son.
Joe was holding him on the couch. If that isn't the most overwhelmingly, sweetest,& most innocent sight, I don't know what is. Daddy & newborn son. I went over & sat down next to them. I wanted so desperately to get my hands on Colby. When Joe transferred him to me I almost cried again. He was so perfect. The way he felt. His weight in my arms. They way he fit against me. He was the exact baby I had dreamed about all through pregnancy.
Awkwardly, I tried to settle him to breastfeed. He nuzzled my breast & latched on, knowing instinctively what to do. I had dreamed this moment, many times, and I realize now, we had simply planned it together. It was like no other moment in my life.
When we were ready to go home, we got Colby dressed in his first outfit & put him in his car seat. It all went just like I have always wished. Better even. I'm a mom and I loved it from the start & haven't wished life any differently since. Joe & I walked in to Toni's home a couple & we walked out a family. It's a perfect end to a perfect beginning.
Comments:
wow what a wonderful story.i could not imagine natural child birth.[i had a c section]i think it is so awesome.hope everything is going well.
Beautiful story, and so well written! I always wanted that experience of telling DH "it's time" (all my kids are stubborn and go WAY over their due dates and I end up having to be induced)I hope you printed this out to put in Colbys baby book! The only problem I have with your story is I now have baby fever again! Thanks alot LOL. 
Amazing, beautiful, wonderful story you make labor beautiful. Kudos to you for having a mid wife I would consider giving birth naturally but since I'm high risk It probably wouldnt be a good idea..plus I'm a scardy cat any way ha ha Oh and the pictures were beautiful, intimate, wonderful, and warm :)
What a beautiful birth story! I can totally empathise with this:
"I wasn't even thinking about having a baby at that point. I just wanted to rest for a few minutes."
That was exactly how I felt! I fell asleep in between contractions and when they started coming one on top of each other I remember thinking "No! It's not fair! I didn't get to rest! All I want is to sleep!"
He was the exact baby I had dreamed about all through pregnancy
I felt the same way with my first baby/son. When my son was born I looked at him and felt like I knew him my whole life.He's 10 now. We are very close. He still wants me to snuggle with him.
Also, where you wrote:Awkwardly, I tried to settle him to breastfeed. He nuzzled my breast & latched on, knowing instinctively what to do. I had dreamed this moment, many times, and I realize now, we had simply planned it together. It was like no other moment in my life. I cried when I read this.What a wonderfully written story. Thank you.
Congratulations on having such a wonderful experience!
how very cool My husband is all for the water births I am really excited that he wants to experiance this with me. I would love to keep active as much as possible. I wish i had been in shape before I got pregnet.
aw wow how very perfect :) I especially loved the part about how you and baby had planned the first moment of breastfeeding together. I almost cried. :)
What a gorgeous birth story. Thanks so much for sharing it.
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Meet jessicasmom1
This Pennsylvania mom of a 12-year-old girl wishes her daughter's father was still alive to see his little girl all grown up now.
THE BIRTH OF YOUR SON WAS BEAUTIFUL. SO HOW ARE YOU AND THE FAMILY DOING ? NOW THAT IT'S BEEN 4 MONTHS ? FINE I HOPE. SO ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER ONE SOON.LOL . IM NEW HERE TO CAFEMOM AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHAT JUST SEND A MESSAGE AND WE'LL CHAT LATER GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING NIKKI
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