Adam David: A Birth Story

Adam David

December 31st, 2013

3:35am

10lbs 3oz

21 1/2"

Oh Adam, how you kept everyone waiting and guessing! I will be honest, I did not really love that about you for those last couple weeks of pregnancy but I sure love that about you now.  I'm so happy that you got to choose your birth day, that you got to join your Daddy and Papa earthside in YOUR way, on YOUR time, and that you were kind enough to go easy on me too! What a thoughtful little guy :) You waited until 41 weeks and 5 days to show your precious little face but I think everyone would agree, you were worth the wait!

 

Your birthing day began with a typical middle of the night trip to the bathroom, I woke up at 1:00am and as I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom I felt fluid trickling down my legs the whole way. I wasn't sure if it was amniotic fluid or not at first, this had never happened to me before, I have always had the bag of water ruptured artificially so I definitely was not expecting this! At any rate, I wasn't having contractions so I decided to get back in bed and wait to see if contractions would start.  It didn't take long! I had a couple contractions that were ten minutes apart, then 7 minutes apart, then 5 minutes apart and by then I just couldn't lie down through them anymore.  I asked my husband to get me a towel so I could get out of bed without getting amniotic fluid on the floor again and he just laid in bed next time me, half asleep, and said he was looking for it.  I suggested that he look in the bathroom ;) I got out of bed and stood up and swayed through a few contractions before I decided that these were getting intense enough that I wanted to be in the water.  At 1:50am, I called our awesome midwife, Stephanie, to let her know what was going on.  She asked if I was ready for her to come and I told her I thought it would be a good idea. And then at 2:00am, my husband called your Papa to let him know it was time! He said your Papa sounded very calm and by 2:20am he texted me that they were on the way! I floated around in the birth tub, with the jets swirling the water, and breathed deeply in and out through the contractions.  I could feel you moving around inside me and remember smiling to myself as I enjoyed those last kicks.  By 2:30am, Stephanie had arrived and quickly checked on your heart tones and got to work setting up the birth supplies.  I talked and laughed with Stephanie and my husband, breathing through the contractions which were coming closer and closer together.  I remember a few of the contractions I started feeling a little "pushy" but kept breathing through them, I did not want your Daddy and Papa to miss this... and maybe I was in a little bit of denial that it could be happening so quickly! Around 3:15am, your Daddy and Papa arrived - I was happy to see them there but was deep in my work by then, I could feel you moving further down with each contraction and soon I told my husband that you were coming.  I think he was a little surprised! Within a couple of contractions, you were crowning and then I pushed your head out and said "ooh that feels better!" - which sounds so funny, but it did! And with another push, the rest of your body slipped earthside into your Papa's hands. He lifted you out of the water and just like that, at 3:35am, you and Daddy and Papa officially became a family.  They ADORE you Adam, you are one lucky little guy!

I held you while we waited for your cord to stop pulsing, since we were still attached, then your Daddy cut your cord and we got out of the tub.  While Stephanie tended to me, your Daddy and Papa cuddled with you, skin-to-skin, and got to know you a little better :)

Soon, they were ready for me to nurse you so you could get that very important first milk - I think you liked it because you nursed for quite awhile! When you were done, Stephanie weighed you - 10lbs 3oz - measured you - 21 1/2" - and checked you out from head to toe.  You checked out perfectly in every way!

When we were both stable, Stephanie and her assistant (Crystal, who didn't make it in time for the birth but who we all love!) left but I was so happy that you and your Daddy and Papa stayed for a couple more hours and that each of my children, as well as myself, got to hold you and love on you before you went home to start your life together! What a precious little blessing you are and I feel so honored to be part of your story, which is just beginning! Thank you Adam, and thank you M and C - I love you all so much and can't wait to watch you grow together.

P.S. Adam, it looks like you are settling in nicely at home!