After months of my energy level hovering between zero and two percent, I suddenly found myself buzzing around like a little bee on the 17th of April. I pulled out and washed all the infant clothes, made headbands and leggings, gathered tiny soft things, ordered fabric samples and was all set to paint the nursery walls. Alas, my intentions were cut short after only a few hours when my water broke just after midnight on April 18th. (Has this ever happened to you? So weird.) I had just had my 34 week check up.
After calling my sister Wendy, I called the doc who said nonchalantly, "Sounds like we're having a baby today." So I woke Caleb and then sat on the bed with him for while in a funk. I always sit for a while in a funk when plans change. This is true for me when the movie I want to see is sold out, or they're out of my favorite flavor of shaved ice. The funkiness increases based on the extremity of the change of plans. I was so not ready to have a baby today, so I started cleaning the house instead. After a couple of hours, I got over myself. My dear friend Kelli came over at 3 am to stay with my other babies and we headed to the hospital.
At 8 am labor was induced with pitocin and contractions were two minutes apart. But no biggie, I was all over those bad boys! My labor with Jane was very manageable up to 15 minutes before delivery when I finally was able to get an epidural, so I had mentally prepared myself for a natural childbirth this go around. I started my visualization exercises (picture yourself on a sunny beach. . .warm sand between your toes. . . yadda yadda) and I sorted through the files on my laptop. They sent the anesthesiologist home.
Then 11:00 am rolled around and suddenly I was not so chipper. But it was too late to get the anesthesiologist back. Bless that veil of forgetfulness, it all seems like a dream now. I just remember feeling more desperate than I ever have, and praying a lot. Caleb held my hand and pulled me through it. Pushing was so painful, but such a relief. After she was born, I didn't feel like I could hold her for a while because my body was just shaking for about an hour. I just wasn't prepared for how hard that was going to be. But we certainly have something beautiful to show for it. Little Olivia arrived at 1:10 pm and weighed 5 lbs. 5 oz., itty-bitty and perfect.
So there you have it. Having now experienced two of the many types of childbirth I feel much as I did before. That no matter how these babes arrive it is a sweet experience. Every birth and every body is different, how great that we have options, and what a blessing that we have inspired technology available to make childbirth safer, however it happens.
And here is Olivia once again, cause I know some of you out there (grandmas) just can't get enough. I know I can't. We love this little babe.
After calling my sister Wendy, I called the doc who said nonchalantly, "Sounds like we're having a baby today." So I woke Caleb and then sat on the bed with him for while in a funk. I always sit for a while in a funk when plans change. This is true for me when the movie I want to see is sold out, or they're out of my favorite flavor of shaved ice. The funkiness increases based on the extremity of the change of plans. I was so not ready to have a baby today, so I started cleaning the house instead. After a couple of hours, I got over myself. My dear friend Kelli came over at 3 am to stay with my other babies and we headed to the hospital.
At 8 am labor was induced with pitocin and contractions were two minutes apart. But no biggie, I was all over those bad boys! My labor with Jane was very manageable up to 15 minutes before delivery when I finally was able to get an epidural, so I had mentally prepared myself for a natural childbirth this go around. I started my visualization exercises (picture yourself on a sunny beach. . .warm sand between your toes. . . yadda yadda) and I sorted through the files on my laptop. They sent the anesthesiologist home.
Then 11:00 am rolled around and suddenly I was not so chipper. But it was too late to get the anesthesiologist back. Bless that veil of forgetfulness, it all seems like a dream now. I just remember feeling more desperate than I ever have, and praying a lot. Caleb held my hand and pulled me through it. Pushing was so painful, but such a relief. After she was born, I didn't feel like I could hold her for a while because my body was just shaking for about an hour. I just wasn't prepared for how hard that was going to be. But we certainly have something beautiful to show for it. Little Olivia arrived at 1:10 pm and weighed 5 lbs. 5 oz., itty-bitty and perfect.
So there you have it. Having now experienced two of the many types of childbirth I feel much as I did before. That no matter how these babes arrive it is a sweet experience. Every birth and every body is different, how great that we have options, and what a blessing that we have inspired technology available to make childbirth safer, however it happens.
And here is Olivia once again, cause I know some of you out there (grandmas) just can't get enough. I know I can't. We love this little babe.
21 comments:
that was super sweet! i was glad to hear that i was not the only one with a sour natural childbirth experience. the episiotomy is a bummer without drugs!
she is a beauty and what a blessing that she is so perfect and healthy, congrats again.
Hooray!
It's probably good she was little if you had to have her with no pain-killer.
I can't wait to meet her.
Tell me about your camera.
I have to tell myself to stop looking at all the pictures you've posted because it's making me want one :)
Ahhh! I am going through Grandma withdrawl...
That's one cute baby!
My goodness! What a story! Glad all is well for you and the new babe. I, for one, am very thankful for epidurals and would definitely recommend them to anyone! She is beautiful, I can't imagine holding such a tiny little thing, I've only seen pics of ones so itty bitty. Congrats again!
I like your honesty on preference of birthing methods. I'm sorry you had a bit of a funk and I'm sorry the sandy beach wasn't sandy enough to enjoy without the absent anesthesiologist.
What a cute outcome, though!
thanks for sharing your story. i have to admit that only having c-sections i somewhat feel like i have 'missed out' on the birth experience, but you are right- as long as they get here safely, that's what matters.
She just keeps getting cuter. I can really see daddy Caleb in her.Can't wait to see her in person Gma
Kate. That story is awesome. Knowing you, and being related to you, I can fill in a lot of the blanks. It's so wonderful to have your husband at your side who believes in you and can't stand for you to be in pain.
I love the color and the b&w. B&W is so artistic, but I love the red tone of their skin as newborns and you just have to record how they really are. I had this artistic shot of Jack naked on my hands and the studio made it B&W and I took it color. I loved how yellow my hands were in comparison with his red skin. I want to see this little Olivia soon!
I will have the anesthesiologist meet me in la parking lot of el hospital next time.
Congratulations Kate! That was so beautiful I teared up. Thanks for sharing such a special journey.
Liv is just perfect and wonderful. I only wish I could hold her and take in that glorious newborn smell.
My water has broken with both so far. Quite different isn't it!? She is such a cutie though!
au natural? i'm impressed. that's so something i always wanted to be able to experience. i'm glad you got the chance,even if it was bittersweet.
i'm glad to hear things went well and you and babe were healthy. she's a doll. so are you. much loves.
You are so right, you can have a preference....it is still a sweet, spiritual experience no matter how they come. I am so happy for you guys and for your sweet Olivia.
I love reading your blog...you are so great!
Good luck with your babies. :)
Two things:
1. I think that is the cutest little baby I've ever seen.
2. You totally sound like me. I get into funks when plans change or, especially, when neither of us have enough will power to make a plan.
Kate - well at least you can say you did it right? you are one tough mama. I think you described it very well. desperation is a key word in dealing with that kind of pain. (and I'm only talking about what pain I had before my epidural - so you get Desperation with a capital D) I'm so glad you have such good friends there. And that Olivia... what an addition to an already stunning family. Love you!
Thanks for the tip on "going natural"--I made it to 10 cm before getting an epidural with Elliot (mostly because labor went so quickly), so I was somewhat considering going all the way next time. Now I'm reconsidering :) Olivia Kate is beautiful.
Oh Miss Olivia, what a doll! Congrats you two!! You are amazing to go al naturale...and I love how you concluded with the quote from your very experienced mother and Pres. Hinckley. I'm sure your girls are being ever so helpful and loving. Hope to meet her this summer if you are home. Congrats again!!
John 16:21
I can't get over how darling she is!:)
Your birth story sounds similar to mine...water breaking, doctor saying "looks like we'll be having a baby today," deciding to just relax and clean our apartment...only we were right on time, and it ended up in a C-Section--no natural stuff for us.:) Sounds like you braved out a tough fight!:)
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