This is the positive birth story of Mason Daniel, my second son. I want to start off by saying my husband, Nick, and I prayed very specific prayers for this birth. My birth story is truly the answer to our prayers. It was a completely different birth experience than with my first born son, Miles (positive birth story here)! But it was so beautiful in its own, perfect way.
Pre Labor
And now for the juice. It started at 7 pm Tuesday night (11/11). We went on a little family adventure to Best Buy and I felt crampy the whole time we were there. In my heart I felt like something was happening. But wasn’t having actual contractions. AND this was FOUR days early (I was confident I was going to be late) so I didn’t say anything. I did take an everything shower when we got home (iykyk) just in case. It was Nick’s night to put Miles to bed, but I was feeling sentimental. So I hung with them for a while to get some extra Miles snuggles.
That night, I had very irregular contractions (anywhere between 5 min and 60 min apart). I was not able to sleep through the contractions, however did fall asleep between them. I moved downstairs to the couch so I could do my thing without waking Nick.
The next morning, THEY STOPPED! So I convinced myself it was padromal labor. I mentioned them to Nick (who doesn’t write things off as quickly), and he immediately got all of his work things in order so he could be done with work whenever I was ready to go. (Because he believed it would be soon).
I had a couple of contractions throughout the morning, and I lost my mucus plug, but still wasn’t convinced it was real labor. So, I curb walked and did some forward leaning inversions to get babe in a good position. I also cleaned our entire house (you know, nesting things).
Active Labor
At 3 pm my sister convinced me I should lay down and rest so I wasn’t exhausted IF labor did start. I laid down for an hour and I don’t know what happened, (my body relaxed?) but when I got up at 4pm, things were happening. I had pretty intense back pain (until 5 pm). It was constant, so I couldn’t tell if/when I was having a contraction. My baby was transverse (back to my side) as of my most recent appointment, so I’m thinking during this hour is when babe turned his back the right way, towards my stomach!
My husband, Nick, was supposed to be getting dinner with his sister, Kate, but he called an audible and had her come hang at our house instead (PTL – I said he could still go but would definitely have regretted that haha).
At 5 pm my back pain lessened and measurable contractions started (so much more manageable than the constant back pain). I did my thing while Kate and Nick ate din and attempted normal conversation in between checking on me lol.
6:30 pm. Kate left and my parents came over. My mom was my doula and my dad was in charge of our son, Miles. So they hung out until 8pm while I continued to labor. Contractions were getting stronger, but only between 5-10 minutes apart, so were very manageable.
Bedtime was approaching for Miles, so at 8pm my dad took him back to his house to sleep. Miles waved bye and said “love you,” and me and Nick had a couple tears. His last time leaving our house as our only son and it was very bittersweet. Obviously we were so excited to meet our new son!! But the end of an era and the end of him being our one and only was the part of the transition I was worried about. I just wanted to make sure we were so conscious about Miles feeling loved and cherished in the midst of adding a new brother to the family. I’ll have to write a whole post on the transition from one to two. And all the feels. So for now I digress.
At 8:30 pm, Nick announced that my contractions had been pretty consistently a minute long and 4-5 minutes apart. (He was in charge of timing) So he put our hospital bag in the car. We were ready.
BUT THEN! Contractions slowed. Meh. I was so annoyed. I started going 10 minutes or more between each contraction. And was very much able to have conversation. And care what I look like. Which they say means you aren’t ready to go yet.
By 10:30 pm, I was over labor (lol). Contractions still weren’t consistent. And I was trying to nap on the couch. We had been praying for a clear sign of when we should go to the hospital, but I was feeling very unsure. While contractions were manageable, they were not comfy.
Go Time
And then for the sign, praise Jesus. At 11pm MY WATER BROKE!! Like in the movies. I felt the pop and it literally gushed out of me. I jumped up and announced that it broke (as if Nick and my mom didn’t notice). And we all got excited. I wanted to have one more contraction before calling it, just to make sure this was it. Had it. Called it. The intense feeling I had been waiting for had arrived. We grabbed our things and headed for the hospital.
A little after 11:30 pm we made it to triage and they started the 20 minute fetal monitoring. Hands and knees was my preferred position, but the monitor couldn’t read baby’s heart rate very well in that position, so I had to lay on my back. The worst. Contractions were 100/100 and I was not comfy. Nick says this is the only time I lost my cool haha.
When they finished the fetal monitoring at 11:58 pm, the natural birthing suite (where I wanted to give birth) wasn’t quite ready for me. So we said we could wait the extra 5-10 minutes. As my nurse was walking out she said “let me know if you’re feeling pushy.”
She hadn’t even fully closed the door before I yelled “I’m pushing!” Three nurses ran in. One said “should we quick try to get her to a room!?” While another one checked me and said “she’s crowning!” No time for transport. I pushed on my hands and knees on the tiny triage bed approximately 6 more (very intense) times and our precious babe was here! (They put the guardrails up for me just in case lol). It was nuts.
12:07 am Mason Daniel was born at 7 lbs 1 oz. He was perfect. We were instantly obsessed. I only needed TWO stitches which was a true miracle and answer to prayer. (I tore in FIVE places with my firstborn, Miles, and recovery was hard). There was no fainting or light headedness (something we also prayed for). I even WALKED myself right out of the hospital when we were ready to go. Which had been a dream of mine.
The end! My positive birth story for baby number two. Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers for this beautiful birth and our beautiful babe.
Your Story
Whether you’re pregnant with your first, 10 and counting, or just here for a positive birth story, I’d love to hear from you!! Let me know your thoughts, your questions. Tell me about YOUR birth story! I live for talking about birth. And truly can’t wait to hear from you!
Xoxo,
Alexa
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