I thought I'd post a birth story on here - I'm working on the long, fully-detailed story that'll be posted on my other blog.
Finn was due on March 1st, but we knew he wouldn't make his appearance until later, seeing as how I was induced with Oliver two weeks after his due date. On Thursday, March 11th my midwife made us an appointment at Methodist for a biophysical on the 15th (this is a very detailed ultrasound, measuring the amniotic fluid, placenta, and baby to make sure everything is still healthy). If the results came back good, we'd continue with this testing twice a week until Finn was born; if there was a red flag, we'd be induced at the hospital. Cosette (my midwife) said that this was her induction method - every time she scheduled a biophysical, the mama went into labor shortly before the appointment.
She was right! I started feeling short, regular contractions Saturday March 13th. I started timing them at 5:30pm, and continued with my evening. I put Oliver to bed and started on the "to-do" list to get ready for our homebirth!
I called Kambra, who is my best friend, massage therapist, and doula (a doula is a certified labor support person; I am actually going to be a doula soon hopefully!). She came over around 1am. I labored throughout the house all night. Ian was by my side the entire time, holding me up during hard contractions and giving me the emotional support I really needed.
We called our photographer and the midwife around 7am and they came out immediately. I got into the birth tub to labor shortly after that. I was in and out of the tub a couple times, as I really needed to keep moving around to help baby move downwards.
Oliver had slept all night so far, but he woke up arond 7:30am. My mom came over right away to take him to her house.
I started pushing a little before 10am. I pushed while on the toilet, standing in the hallway, and then I made my way to the birth tub. I got in the tub, squatted, and continued to push. His head was born and I had a rush of relaxation. I didn't know his head was born, but I knew I didn't feel like pushing anymore. I could feel him moving, and my midwife told me he was rotating (babies rotate their head and shoulders in order to fit through the birth canal). After a few minutes (Ian said he was freaking out, wondering why I didn't push the rest of him out immediately!), I felt another contraction, pushed, and Finn was born! With the help of Cosette, he floated up to my arms and curled up on my chest.
Finn was born in the caul - which means my water did not break until he was born, and he was born with the amniotic sac over his head, like a mask. It's very rare and supposed to be very good luck. My midwife's son was also born in the caul! Cosette pulled the caul off immediately so Finn could breathe. We turned him a bit and I was able to announce, "It's a boy! I knew it!"
After a few minutes I got out of the tub with the help of Ian to get on the bed to let the cord stop pulsing, deliver the placenta, and be evaluated.
Finn nursed great immedately after the placenta was born and the cord was cut (the cord was too short for him to be up high enough on my chest). Kari, the nurse, evaluated and weighed him. When she said "9-2" I said, "WHAT?!?!"
"Yep, 9 pounds, 2 ounces."
I was so sure throughout the entire pregnancy that this babe was smaller than Oli (who was 8lb 10oz at birth). What a surprise!
Finn's birth was so different from Oliver's. It was incredibly hard, of course, but so amazing. I loved being at home the entire time. I loved being able to labor and birth in the tub. I loved crawling into my own bed right afterwards. I loved having only people I knew and trusted around me.
Oliver is doing pretty good with his baby brother so far. He looooves giving him kisses and 'nice touches'. I'm trying to still give him lots of one-on-one time. I know it'll be a difficult transition for us all but I'm excited for it. I'm already imagining what it's going to be like a year or so from now with two little boys running around like crazy (and one big boy)!
