Photos from my wonderful friend Kirsten – kirstenberlie.com
It all started saturday night (Jan 18th)… David and I had been doing everything we could to try to bring on labour for the past few days, so after having a super spicy dinner we decided to go out to DQ for blizzards and on our way I started to think I might be having a contraction, as we sat in DQ chowing down they continued coming every 20 minutes. So we went home watched a movie and they started getting closer together. At midnight we called the hospital and asked when we should come in. They told us to come when contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and lasting for a minute. So by 10am on Sunday we had our bags packed and made our way up to the maternity ward only to be told that I was 1cm dilated and got sent home. We were dissapointed and slightly embarassed walking back downstairs carrying three large bags packed with blankets, pillows, and even a lamp haha.
The contractions continued to get stronger and closer together all of sunday, until they were 2 minutes apart so we went back that night very ready to have baby at this point, and I was still sitting at 1cm. Long story short… this continued until Monday night, I held out as long as I could and once the contractions were too much we went back to the hospital. They told us I still wasn’t far enough along and that we could go back home if we wanted. By this point I was breaking down pretty hard and I looked at the nurse with very desperate eyes and told her that I realllllly wanted to stay! They sorted stuff out and set us up in our room, hallelujah! (Not gonna lie, I had no idea how painful labour was going to be. I was never scared to have a baby, but to be honest I’m slighlty terrified for the next one!)
They gave me laughing gas and morphine and I was able to sleep for a few hours (I planned to have a drug free labour…. but stuff happens!). The contractions continued to get more intense and I was still not far enought along so they suggested an epidural. When I was making a birth plan, I said there was no way I wanted an epidural, it freaked me out and I wanted my body to be able to do what I was wanting to do all by itself. But at this point in labour it sounded like the most wonderful thing! I even told the nurse at one point that the anesthesiologist better hurry up because my morphine isn’t doing shit! (I wasn’t quite myself haha). The memory of the epidural settting in was pure bliss in my mind, I asked David to open the blinds in our room and we watched the sunrise over the ocean completely pain free.
A few hours later after my body being able to finally relax I was ready to push. I pushed for 4 hours with so much help from David and our Doula Sarah. I seriously couldn’t have done it without them. They were so hands on, holding me and helping me the entire time. Sarah helped to turn Poppy allowing her to come out naturally. I got to pull Poppy out right on to my chest and she stayed there on me for about 45 minutes. It was one of the most insane moments! I was sooo happy to finally hold my girl! Poppy Darling was born at 3pm Tuesday January 21st, healthy, 7lbs 4oz.
PS. I really wanted to do something with my placenta, but knew I would not be able to eat it! So, I decided to get it encapsulated. I definitely recommend this to all you preggos! Here is the site of the girl I used you can read all about its benefits. She came and picked it up from the hospital right away, and dropped the pills at our house next morning we were home. I’ve felt great since being home, had a great amount of energy, been healing well, and I definitely think the placenta played a big part in that.
She also dried the umbilical cord into the shape of a heart. To be honest with you, when I saw that on the site I thought it was kind of weird and cheesy. But when I unwrapped it, I burst into tears. It is so special to me to and I’m so glad I have that keepsake.
congratulations! I wish you the best for all your family, it's so cute and nice 🙂
I've been following your blog long time ago and when I knowed that you were pregnant and that the baby was going to born in january, I don't know why but I knowed that she would born near my birthday, and yes, she did! my birthday is in january 23rd and I'm from Spain so I remember that when she born, in Spain was 22nd, so curious!
congratulations again and kisses!
congratulations! I wish you the best for all your family, it's so cute and nice 🙂
I've been following your blog long time ago and when I knowed that you were pregnant and that the baby was going to born in january, I don't know why but I knowed that she would born near my birthday, and yes, she did! my birthday is in january 23rd and I'm from Spain so I remember that when she born, in Spain was 22nd, so curious!
congratulations again and kisses!
This makes me so happy. Best wishes to you and David! My baby girl (our first as well!) is due end of April, and your posts have gotten me so excited to welcome this new bundle into our family. Thank you for sharing! xoxo
This makes me so happy. Best wishes to you and David! My baby girl (our first as well!) is due end of April, and your posts have gotten me so excited to welcome this new bundle into our family. Thank you for sharing! xoxo
so sweet! So so happy for you bethany, she is so beautiful!
so sweet! So so happy for you bethany, she is so beautiful!
Beautiful story! It's great reading your experience as I feed and reminisce my own in the wee hrs of the morning. It's amazing what we women can do!! So selfless!
Great story! It reminds me of myself thinking that the pain won't be that bad and I can do this. I wasn't having contractions as long as you were having them but still after I gave birth I was telling my boyfriend "Not another one!". But it is strange how fast you forget the pain. So there might be another one;). And thanks for the link to the placenta services! When I first heard that you could take them home I was like no way, but now I wish I had.
Great story! It reminds me of myself thinking that the pain won't be that bad and I can do this. I wasn't having contractions as long as you were having them but still after I gave birth I was telling my boyfriend "Not another one!". But it is strange how fast you forget the pain. So there might be another one;). And thanks for the link to the placenta services! When I first heard that you could take them home I was like no way, but now I wish I had.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! Do you have the contact info for the girl who did the encapsulating (the link doesn't work)? Our little one is coming in July and just wanted to check out some options:)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! Do you have the contact info for the girl who did the encapsulating (the link doesn't work)? Our little one is coming in July and just wanted to check out some options:)
God Is Always In The Blessing Business:) She's so beautiful & Thanks For Sharing!
God Is Always In The Blessing Business:) She's so beautiful & Thanks For Sharing!