A year ago today it was a little man's 1st day of school . It was also the day that a little lady decide to grace us with her presence....fashionably late as expected.
The morning started out with contractions. Normally not a good way to start a day but when you are 41 week + 3 days, have siatic pain and are as large as a horse...it's very very good news. I also like being right and I soooooooooooooo called that she was coming this day. Poor Jack keeps getting his days overshadowed - 1st his birthday 3 years ago and then his first day of school.
Life doesn't stop because of labour, especially big days like the first day of school. A boy has to be dressed, fed, packed, photographed, walk to school, hugged, kissed, told I love you, hugged again, tears wiped away and signed I Love You before you can have a baby on his first day of school.
Thankfully it was a beautiful day to go for a walk so Pat and strolled Fergus with 'contraction breaks' every 20 minutes or so. You know when someone has a really great idea, like 'Hey, we are about to have a baby. We aren't going to get alone time. Let's go for brunch.' Thankfully Fergus had this quaint General Store which served delicious meals and had lots of stuff for sale. Sitting stopped contractions so I walked and walk and walked around the store. I also ran into coworkers and clients while there who wondered, I'm sure, why I was walking around the store and brunching while in labour!
For a change of pace we headed home and watched some Top Gear specials. Yup, that's right. When I am in labour we watch Top Gear. Sounds fair, huh?! Well at least I got a foot massage...and by foot massage I mean ankle massage...and by ankle massage I mean stimulating the acupuncture needles put in my ankles the day before to bring on contractions. So basically while watching Top Gear, Pat poked me with needles until I hurt.....and still no baby!
Nothing was consistent or trending in anyway. I would only get contraction if I was standing or walking. Needless to say I was getting a LITTLE impatient. I decided to walk to get Jack from school and then go home and sleep.
That was a mistake. We made it there, almost on time, but I didn't think I was going to make it back. I was going slower then the 4 year old who was "Too tired. Carry me!....Oh look leaves.....My back pack is too heavy.....A STICK!.....My feet hurt....Are we home yet?"
Finally home. I got to lie down to get a rest and don't you know it the contractions don't stop. Now they are 8 minutes apart and not slowing down. Might as well get up....HERE WE GO!!!!!!
There are some very important things that need to be done: 1) Call the photographer 2) Call the midwife 3) Set the pool up 4) Call The Moms 5) Order Pizza - if you know me you know this is the order I did it in too!
While my boys had a pizza picnic out on the back deck with Nana, Pat and I worked as a team. He is my pool setter upper, my coach, my breathing partner and the hand a squeeze. He is the one I rely on, cry on and (almost) bite on. Without him in the room I would feel afloat, adrift and unable to focus my breath and energy.
I find every birth has it's feel, it's vibe and it's own energy.
My plans to walk the field and spend time outside were not only
sidetracked from the impending storm but by my desire to sit at home, be
close and be secure. I had no desire to get out, but to create a bubble
in my living room with which I would get my work done and bring my
littlest human into our world.
A storm was slowly brewing...No really, I'm not being artsy here. Thunderheads loomed and the sky got dark. The midwife arrived to a torrent of rain. Lanterns and and flashlights were collected from around the house. I have a feeling that having the power go out in the middle of birth is not as fun as it sounds...and it doesn't even sound fun.
Finally I was ready....ready for a before bed swim! It's not everyday one gets a swimming pool in their living room. Despite the warning label indicating that the pool was 'Recommended for ages 7 and older' (which begs the questions what kind of 7 year olds are having water births?) the boys rejoiceded and swam in the living room. I did stop them diving though, I have to follow some of the birth pool rules. I wanted good birth pool karma to come my way.
The Moms hustled the boys upstairs for bed while the contraction intensified downstairs. I could hear them reading books and chatting about the storm raging outside. As I sat on the couch I watched blue lightening flash across the sky. What a night!
Waters were broken. She did not "just come out" like I was oh so hoping she would....and I kinda think the midwives were prepared for.
Into the pool. That feeling, that wonderful feeling of relief washing over you you dip into the warm water and relax for a minute. It didn't last long though. The intensity was over whelming. I could not do it. I couldn't. Again, there I was convinced this was not going to happen. I remember the guttural screams...and apologizing to my midwives for yelling. She laughed at me, 'You are doing great. That's nothing. You should have heard me.'
After pushing for 16 minutes a head was delivered, but the shoulders were stuck. We had talked about this. I knew what I had to do, why I had to do it and what the next step was. Stand-up and the baby might slide out - Nope. Step out of the pool and she might shift and slide out - Nope. Get down on the floor on your hands and knees and her shoulders might shift and out she will come - Nope. The midwife will rotate her shoulders off of my pelvic bone - Check. This sucked. I remember biting the towel to stifle my screams and chanting please, please, please. I don't know what exactly I was asking for; Please keep her safe. Please get her out. Please make this stop.
And she was born.
She was laid below me on the towels on the floor. Our first skin-to-skin was cheek-to-cheek. "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh It's okay. I got you now. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh Shhh Shhh. Hey beautiful. I got you. Momma's here. I'm here. I got you. Shhhhhh"
As I got up on the couch she was laid on my chest. Eight minutes after her first cry Jack and Owen were meeting their baby sister. It was love at first sight.
As Pat was going to cut the cord Jack started crying hysterically 'No. Don't. Don't hurt her. No.' Awww protecting his sister from the get go. She was put to the breast and latched like a champ. Jack kept telling us all to be quiet and Owen would just look at her in awe.
Just Look At That Love.
"Don't hurt her!!"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
An hour later, after the boys were back in bed, she was still nursing (was I proud momma or what), but needed her check over before the midwives left.
As Pat and I laid in bed that night we wondered what to call her.....
Adalia Summer Regen Ney, this last year has been a blessing beyond words. I love you more then you will even know...until one day you have a story like this of your own.
- XO Momma
