The birth story of Roman James Morris is something I will forever cherish!
After a fulfilling 9 months of pregnancy reaching 36 weeks, I was eagerly looking forward to my last 4 weeks as a glowing, pregnant momma-to-be. I had fully embraced my belly; in fact I LOVED it!! I would go out dressed “extra cute” to show it off knowing that I would inevitably get compliments! Can you blame me?
Friday, June 20, 2014
My husband was due to fly to Vegas for his last (and only) pre-baby hurrah. We woke up together that the morning, had breakfast, and discussed the weekend plans. I was feeling a little emotional about him leaving me and told him I didn’t have a good feeling about the trip.
Shortly after breakfast, I went upstairs to go to the bathroom and noticed my mucus plug (sorry for the TMI). It was the second one for me to lose. I immediately texted my doula Kristen to let her know. I said goodbye to my husband and wished him a fun trip, then left for a workout.
As I was getting out of the car at my training studio, I felt a gush of water come out of me! Did I just pee my pants? I quickly realized, OH SHIT!! My water broke!
(Deep Breaths!)
I went into the gym and acted as though everything was normal. Maybe it didn’t break, I thought??! Maybe I just have weak pelvic floor? I was clearly in denial! I even tried to do a leg workout with resistance bands…until I started profusely leaking again and had to waddle to the bathroom (with the bands around my ankles).
I called Kristen, and she advised me to immediately call my midwife. My midwife told me to head straight to triage at the hospital. I started semi freaking out. This is NOT the way my labor is supposed to happen! My husband is NOT supposed to be at the airport when my water breaks!
I arrived at the hospital around 11:30am. Thankfully, my husband hadn’t boarded his flight yet and was able to meet me at the hospital. My midwife ran a test on me to confirm my water was broken and determined I was dilated to 3cm. I wasn’t experiencing any contractions, so we decided I was going to leave the hospital and see a chiropractor and an acupuncture in an effort to get labor started. I officially had 24 hours to birth my baby! The chiropractor was great. Acupuncture was even better! I was feeling optimistic!
At 8:15pm, we headed back to the Alternative Birthing Center at Providence Hospital and checked in for the night. My midwife came in and determined I was still dilated to 3. I started bouncing on the ball in my room, and my husband and I started practicing our hypnobirthing relaxation techniques. At 11pm, I started feeling my first wave of contractions (or “surges“ as we called them in hypnobirthing). My husband started timing them: 7 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart. At 1am my midwife came in to check on me, and I was dilated to 4cm. Unfortunately, not much progress!
My doula Kristen and my midwife advised me that we needed to take some action to help my labor get going. The decision was made that I would take shots of casor oil. They brought me in 4 mini plastic cups filled to the top. It was horrendous, and I started throwing up shortly after I finished the 4th shot!
Around 3am, I got into the jacuzzi to help manage the pain. In natural childbirth, they consider the tub the “epidural”. I could barely get myself in. I was feeling such strong intense contractions that were coming in around 3 minutes apart. I was in so much pain I even threw up in the bathtub! With my room completely dim with just a few electric candles lit around the tub, Kristen offered me a gauze soaked in clary sage essential oil to sniff. After about an hour, I got out and started shivering and moaning. I needed the baby out!
I was measured again and had progressed to 6cm. I could tell the baby was coming soon. The pain mounted, and Kristen reminded me, “Your body is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.” A saying that was ingrained in us during our birthing classes.
My husband was being a complete rock and truly an amazing partner. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for him to watch me! I remember the feeling of just wanting it to be over and not knowing if I could take anymore pain. Finally, around 7am I felt the most massive amount of pressure on my bottom (you know what I mean!) and I knew it was time to push our baby out!
I went to the bed and started on on all fours, and, with the deepest breaths I could take, I pushed with all my might. I spent the next 45 minutes on all fours pushing him down; my midwife could feel his head coming closer. I was so mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. Every push completely wiped me out and I was starting to fear I wouldn’t be able to push him out. They say fear is your biggest enemy in childbirth. Eventually, I decided to change positions in hopes of giving myself a rest. I laid on my back partially propped up. My husband held one leg and Kristen held the other. I continued to push him down with everything I had. As he started to crown, I remember my husband saying, “Oh My God, Honey, I see his hair!” I’ll never forget the way his voice sounded!
I continued to push and more of his head came out. Kristen grabbed a mirror and I lifted myself up and saw his little head full of black hair half out of me. It was surreal! I knew this was it, and I was about to meet my baby. With every last bit of energy, I pushed as hard and from as deep as I could and I felt him slip out of me. My husband and my midwife guided him out while I reached down and pulled him onto my chest. At 8:58am Roman James Morris entered the world and I became a mother. Words can’t describe the flood of emotion that came over me.
I remember feeling his tiny body on me and seeing his long fingers extend out. It was like a dream. The nurse put a tiny cap on his head and wrapped him up in a blanket. My husband and I just held him and took it all in! Despite being born at 36 weeks and 2 days, Roman weighed in at 5lbs 9oz and 20in.
Writing this whole experience brings back so much emotion. I remember the timeline of events so clearly! I’m so proud of myself for following through on my plan to deliver naturally! Would I change it? HELL NO! I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride knowing I had my birth plan and followed through with it even when I felt like I couldn’t go on. I could have never made it without the support and guidance from my doula Kristen, or without the massive amount of love and encouragement from my amazing husband! This experience will undoubtedly be the most special event that we will ever share. At least until we have another.
I am thankful I didn’t have any complications that forced me to have a c-section. If that had happened, I would have embraced that experience for what it was and been grateful that my baby was safe!
For me, being a mom is truly my greatest blessing and I’m cherishing every moment I get to spend cuddling with our little angel. I feel beyond blessed.
Here are some images from our birth. (Please note, some images are graphic and not appropriate for some audiences.)
XOXO Bridjet
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