Happy 1st Birthday Joseph! Joseph's Birth Story

I woke up early on June 4th with noticeable contractions every 10 minutes or so, actually it had been happening on and off since around dinner time the day before. I knew around 8 am that today was THE day, I just had that feeling that the contractions were for real. I woke up Dave and said "I think these contractions are the real thing, I need to call my Mom." We called my Mom around 9 am and I told her to hurry over because I knew the baby would be here soon. Of course Dave and I didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl yet, we like to keep things a surprise, all I knew was that this baby had a lot of energy. When I was in labor with Rosie, she was very still, hardly moved at all, but this baby... it was kicking like crazy, even during contractions.

I called the midwife, Rhea, to give her a heads up and tell her that "something" was happening and that I was pretty sure she'd need to come over at some point that day. Her day was open and she said "great, I won't have to cancel any plans (or miss any sleep) you can have a baby with me anytime!" She told me to call her the second things started getting intense, and to relax and get things ready for the baby.

Dave and I had decided on a home birth for this baby. I don't really know what sparked the idea, but it sounded like a great experience, so we planned on it. I also didn't want an epidural this time. I enjoyed the pain relief and calmness that the epidural gave when I had Rosie, but I knew it wasn't natural and had a few negative side effects, plus I knew that millions of women had gone without, so if they could do it, I could do it. I figured, with a home birth there is no epidural, so I would just have to endure. Weeks before we bought all the items on the list, plastic shower curtains to cover the bed, extra pillows, extra sheets, hot water bottle, hydrogen peroxide, etc. We were totally prepared for a home birth!

My mother arrived around 10 am and she helped get the bed ready for the birth. She knew what she was doing because she had 3 of my siblings at home. I was feeding Rosie her breakfast and hanging out with her because I knew this would be my last day with just her. It made me pretty sad that things were going to change in a few hours and I almost started crying while I was reading Rosie a book. I was excited to meet my new baby, but I was just a little bit sad, or maybe sad isn't the right word... I was emotional about the change in our lives and worried about how Rosie would be affected. I was nervous about not being able to spend as much time with her and worried that I wouldn't have enough love for both children (don't worry, I soon found out that I DO have enough love!) Later my contractions kind of stopped a bit. I started to second guess if the baby was going to come that day, or if I was going to have to be induced in a few days. I was after all 12 days late according to one of my ultrasounds. The baby's due date was May 24th so I was REALLY anxious to give birth.

Mom went to McDonals and bought me a Greek chicken salad (we had coupons) and I ate it, totally contraction free. I said to Dave "maybe I'm still in labor but it's easier this time around. Maybe I'm better able to handle it." Haa haa I can't believe I thought that! My contractions seemed to be disappearing, with the occasional BIG one that lasted a few seconds. I basically was going about my day as usual. I played with Rosie, read her some books, took a little nap, showered, did my hair and makeup. Mom said that I needed to do the chicken dance to get things going. So there I was, grudgingly doing the chicken dance with my Mom. I have to admit that the contraction I had while doing the chicken dance was a little bit stronger than usual (maybe it does work). Mom also took Rosie across the street in the stroller and walked her around the track for 45 minutes until she fell asleep, so I could nap at home before real labor started.

I called the midwife around 4 pm and told her that I wasn't sure what was going on and that my contractions hadn't really picked up. She was in the area so she came over to asses the situation. She checked me and I was only 2-3 cm dilated and that it didn't seem like I was in active labor. She told me that I might be physiologically putting off labor until Rosie goes to bed so that I wouldn't have to worry about her. She said that I'd probably have the baby after 8 pm. I pretty much agreed with her. It was so true that I was worrying about Rosie and what she would do or think of a new baby, but at the same time, I wanted her to be around to greet her new sibling minutes after it happened.

At 6 pm my contractions started to really pick up. I was starting to tense up my feet and kind of kick/tap my toes on the floor because a lot of them were intense. Dave decided that he better go to the store and pick up some dinner before it was too late. He bought Shwarmas for my mother and himself, and veg sushi for me. I asked him to get me veg sushi because pregnant women can't have real sushi (I should have asked for the real stuff since in a few hours, I'd no longer be pregnant). At 6:30 pm (Dave was still at the store) my Mom said "those contractions are really close together, you better call your midwife!" I called the midwife and told her things have really picked up and that I needed her to come over. After I hung up the phone Dave came home and asked me if I wanted to eat. I said no because I was in too much pain (so much for being able to handle it better this time) and I decided to get into the bath tub.

Rhea was at my place in no time, before I could even get the tub ready. I was in so much pain that I didn't want to be checked, I just wanted to get into the tub. I got into the tub and it helped a little bit. I liked it when water was poured on my belly so Dave sat there and did it for me. Of course Dave is always trying to solve problems so he thought it would be a good idea to get into the hot tub (outside!). He thought it would be nice to fully immerse myself in the warm water, but I refused. There was NO WAY I was sitting in the backyard where people could hear/see me about to give birth. Besides, I didn't want to be covered in chlorine and I didn't want to move from where I was at the time. The hot tub just wasn't going to happen. Dave still insisted and he even went searching for my bathing suit. I was getting pretty annoyed with him because I didn't want to go in the hot tub, I just wanted him to be near me, instead of searching for my swim suit. He was all like "Rosemary isn't home (our neighbor) and Rhea said it would really help ease the pain. You should do it."

While in the tub I actually thought to myself "an epidural would be great right about now." I also thought "I'm not going to be able to do this much longer." I also started shaking and I thought to myself "what happens when women dies in child birth? What if I die?!" I decided that I was getting uncomfortable and wanted to get out of the bath tub. I went into my room where I laid down on the bed, on my left side. The midwives still hadn't checked me yet because I had been in the tub so I had no idea how dilated I was. I just knew that when I was in labor with Rosie, that it took a really long time, so I figured this baby would be born after midnight. I told the midwives that they could check me when I was done with a contraction, but they seemed to never end. I remember at one point standing and leaning on Dave and saying "They won't stop, why won't they stop?!" Finally my contractions seemed to ease off a little so I let my midwife check me. It was about 8:25 or so when she checked me and she said "You're 9 1/2 cm dilated. What time did you call me... 6:30, right? See how FAST second births are? Two - two and a half hours is pretty good!" When I heard 9 1/2 cm I was thrilled!! I thought "really?! Can it be true, I'm almost done?! Wow, I'm doing it, I'm really having this baby without drugs!" At this point Rosie and my Mom had been at the park for about 5 minutes. My Mom took her there because she said things were getting intense (really? labor? intense?). I didn't really care if they were in the next room or not. To be honest, it was cute hearing her laugh and play with my Mom.

My water hadn't broken yet and the midwife said "let see if it breaks if you push. If it doesn't, we'll break it for you. Feel my fingers? Push right there." I gave a big push and then "POP!" my water broke like a big water balloon breaking! Water exploded everywhere. I could feel a huge puddle under me and the midwife got it right in the face! I felt really bad and kept on saying "sorry everyone!" Rhea told me not to worry about it, and that she should have known not to sit there haa haa!! There was mecconium in the water too which means that the baby had a bowel movement inside. That happens a lot when a baby is overdue. I became a little bit worried because complications arise when that happens and normally a respiratory therapist is called to examine the baby. I also knew that during a home birth, if there's mecconium in the water, that they would need to rush me to the hospital. Rhea told me that we didn't have time to call an ambulance and that we'd deal with any issues later. The midwife told me that if I felt the urge to push, that I should go ahead. I was still lying on my left side because that was the most comfortable for me. I was covering my eyes because it made me feel better, plus the blinds were letting in light, right into my eyes. *side note - the blinds were broken from Rosie pulling on them.* The guy next door (we live in a semi detached house) was doing construction and I could hear him drilling and hammering. I wonder what he was thinking when he heard all the groaning. Any way, I started to feel shaky again and the midwives told me to push. I started pushing but that really hurt, so I eased off. It was like I didn't know what to do. The pushing hurt, yet I knew it was necessary to get me a baby, and it also kind of relieved some of the contraction pain. I pushed hard and also screamed hard, still laying on my side. I guess the neighbor was freaked out and stopped his renovations haa haa.

Three contractions later, and a lot of pushing a screaming and I heard Rhea and Dave say, "there's the head!" Dave was there, ready to catch the baby. At 8:38 pm I gave one more BIG push and suddenly there it was! It was a baby boy!!! I was the first to know it because I had a great view of his "stuff" Dave and the midwives only saw his back side so they didn't even know. Dave placed the baby on my chest and I gave a huge sigh of relief and I cried and cried. Tears were just flowing like crazy because I was SO HAPPY to finally hold my little guy in my arms. He was so beautiful and cute and I couldn't believe I was experiencing the miracle of birth for the second time. I instantly loved this little boy so much and I was overcome with emotion! He was crying a lot which meant that his lungs were clear and the he didn't inhale any of the mecconium (thank goodness!) I was so happy and relieved that I was able to give birth so quickly and without an epidural. I cut the cord this time while Dave ran across the street to the park to get Rosie and my Mom. He was so excited for Rosie to meet her baby brother! When Dave brought her into the room she looked so confused. She saw me and I think she was wondering why I looked so sweaty and exhausted. She didn't even really notice the baby, she was more concerned for me and wanted to give me a hug. My Mom was thrilled and she couldn't stop smiling! Who knew that Rosie would go to the park and about 20 minutes later, come home to meet her new brother. Dave kept on saying "I knew it was going to be a boy!" He and Rosie got onto the bed next to me and together we all cuddled as a new family of 4! What an amazing experience!

The baby was weighed in at 9 pounds and 9 ounces which totally shocked me! I was like "What?! Are you sure?! That's huge!" I knew that the baby was bigger than Rosie just by the way he felt in my tummy, but I didn't think he'd be THAT huge. The day before, I had an ultrasound and the tech said that he'd be around 8 pounds, give or take... ya she was wrong!

I fed him and he latched on really well. The midwife said it was so perfect she wanted to take a picture of his latch (ummm, no thanks) We got him dresses, in the sleeper I bought him, and then I went to take a shower while everyone fixed up a new bed for me. The baby still didn't have a name yet. While I was in the shower I decided that we should go with the name Dave and I had discussed earlier. Joseph would be his name. I came out if the shower and said "I think we'll go with Joseph." The midwife said "That's a nice name, a VERY nice name." Dave said "ya that's what I've always wanted."

I curled up in bed with my little baby, blissfully knowing that I had one special gift from God!

Happy Birthday Joseph. I love you more and more as each day goes by!

Me Ka Aloha (with love)
- Elisabeth