The Birth Story

The Birth Story

Unfortunately, on Monday night, March 28th, I took a bad fall and crashed flat on my back on the hard tile floor.

Fortunately, the baby was still moving and there were no sharp pains or bleeding. The on-call doctor said not to worry.

Unfortunately, I lost the ability to walk and for the next day had to shuffle around my house using a walker like a 90 year old grandma.

Fortunately (I guess), this whole jolting of the baby seemed to have sped up the birthing process and on Wednesday morning, the day before my due date, I started having stronger contractions. I told Jesse to keep his phone close because we could be going to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the contractions seemed to have gone away by lunch time so I called and told him "Nevermind. Sigh."

Fortunately, the contractions picked up again in the afternoon and I was timing them at 2 minutes apart. They felt like strong cramps, but nothing unbearable. I was waiting for them to get more painful, so through it all, I worked on my church calling, doing genealogy on my computer while watching Lost DVDs.

Unfortunately, I started gushing blood and did not think that was normal. I called my doctor's office and they told me to head to the hospital.

Fortunately, my sister was already on her way to my house and she drove me so that Jesse could meet us there.

Unfortunately, I didn't bring our bags because I was so certain they'd be sending me back home as my contractions were regular but not very painful.

Fortunately, the midwife examined me and I was already dilated at 9 cm! All the sudden, the nurses were pushing me down the hall in the hospital bed at lightning speed.

Unfortunately, they did not think my doctor would make it on time and I thought I would not be allowed an epidural.

Fortunately, my beloved Dr. Stanford arrived and because my bulging bag of waters had not burst, I was hooked up to an epidural. The epidural was just enough to take the edge off. I could still feel every contraction and could move my legs. The doctors and nurses left our room for a while and Jesse and I hung out waiting for the baby to work himself down a bit. Jesse watched the monitor and we played a game where I would guess how high it peaked on the chart. After several minutes I told my doctor I wanted to push. We quickly went over what would happen when the baby was out and then I got ready to push. I pushed for a bit lying on my back and couldn't feel any progress. The nurse suggested that I squat and turn over on my hands and knees. I tried to get in the right mind-frame because I kept thinking there was no possible way a baby was going to fit through down there. Near the end, the nurse suggested that I reach down and feel my baby's head. That gave me the motivation to dig deep and in a few more pushes, he was out and screaming. Such a beautiful sound.

Altogether, I pushed for 1 hour. The whole thing was easier than I expected, but I expected it to be horrible. I think I am pretty lucky though. I turned over on my back and the nurse placed Benjamin on my chest and told me he had red hair. I looked at Jesse and he had tears dripping down his face. It was such an intense moment; there is no way to describe the feelings. It felt like a dream.

(My birthing gift from Jesse.)

Jesse and I have been completely enamored by our son ever since. I am experiencing the crazy rollercoaster of emotions that come from postpartum hormones, but overall I am so happy I could burst. I love staring at Benjamin's face. I love not going to work. I love smothering my baby with kisses constantly. I love watching Jesse take care of our son.

I love being a mom. I love that Benjamin is sealed to us. I love that he is mine forever and we are an eternal family.

(These photos are courtesy of our favorite photographer ever, at Pier 23 Photography)

Now life has truly begun. This is what it's all about.