I hardly know where to begin. It all happened so quickly and before I realized it--she was here. So tiny, so pure and new. Completely perfect and looking like noone else except herself. Michaela Naomi-Faith arrived 5 days before her due date and 12 days before I was expecting her.The day before she was born, I mentioned to Sam that I was ready to have a baby, that as much as I love being pregnant, I wanted to not be pregnant anymore and hold my newest daughter. On Monday night, I started having some contractions while watching "Dancing with the Stars". Sam asked me if I was ok because I kept making noises. I told him I was fine, that I wasn't making noises and to go to bed. He did.
I got online to talk to some friends. They got all excited and told me to go into labor and have a baby..lol. I told them I couldn't because I didn't have any diapers or anything. They told me to send Sam to the store :) My best friend, Corey, asked if I was hydrated--since being dehydrated can bring on Braxton Hicks. I drank 4 cups of water and they went away..however another dear friend, Aimee, told me to get ready because I was going to have my baby in the next 18 hrs.
On Tuesday morning, I had an appointment with my midwife at 8:30. She said the baby was in perfect position and said, "How about we have a baby tonight? Tonight sounds good." I laughed and mentioned that my mom would love it since it was her birthday. BUT that is was very unlikely to happen since both Olivia and Maia arrived 7 days after their due date. We scheduled my next appointment for November 20th and I left. I was going to go home but the girls were in a good mood so I decided to run a few errands. We went to the health food store for some Emergen C that I had been "craving" for a day. Olivia and Maia enjoyed pushing around the kid carts and did some shopping for me. They were still happy so I decided to go to Walmart for some baby diapers.
About 10am and on the way, I called my mom on the way, wished her a Happy Birthday and mentioned that I was having some contractions that reminded me of when I was in labor with Maia but they were likely Braxton Hicks. We got to Walmart and they kept coming. I had to tell Olivia to not talk while I was having my birthing waves, she asked if I was having Michaela today. I told her probably not..she said I might though. They got stronger and I had to slow down when I was having hem but I could still walk..however if someone got in my way I would think, " Hey, get out of my way, don't you know I am in labor here?" We finished and got into the van.
I called Sam to tell him that they were about 8 minutes apart but very likely nothing--that I was sure that she was not coming that day. I called my friend to ask if the girls could come over to play so I could go home and take a nap, let the contractions die down. She told me to bring them right over. I dropped them off at 11:45am. I got home and unloaded the groceries and things, picked up a little and called my doula and left a message just to give her a heads up...just in case.
I got on the birth ball and sat down to instant message Sam. About 12:15, the contractions got strong enough that I most definitely COULD NOT walk thru them. I called Sam and told him to come home because I didn't want to be by myself---but that I was still pretty sure this was not it. I called him while he was on the way and asked him to bring home some Taco Bell too. I laid down and put on my Hypnobabies Birthing Guide CD and settled in.
By the time, Sam got home they were 4 minutes apart. But then they went back to 8-9 min apart. I sat up in bed, leaning back on the birth ball and ate. I loved that position because I could feel the contractions pushing the baby down and I developed some important imagery that stayed with me for the rest of the labor. I could easily visualize the baby,head down, inside a sock. With each contraction, the baby's head would move toward the opening of the sock, opening and enlarging it. I had no clue how long they were lasting..Sam said they were lasting a minute. I was surprised- they only seemed to last 10- 20 seconds tops. Sam started making some silly jokes and we were totally laughing in between contractions. He said we'd have the baby by 10pm. I disagreed, "No way! IF I am really in labor, I am having her by 7pm."
My doula called at 2:30 and asked if she could come over. I told her I would feel really bad for her coming over just to spend a day of pre-labor with me. She told me that I did it for her (I was her doula) and IF it was pre-labor she would be happy to do it for me. She got arrived about 3:30 to Sam and I joking and my threatening to hit him for telling her that my favorite relaxation technique was being tickled--something I hate. I went back to laying down, I liked having my feet held..weird I know..but I feel secure when my feet are being held/squeezed. It's like a woobie..what can I say? After that, I wanted to try some counter pressure on my knees and hip--something several women I have supported as a doula have liked. HOWEVER, that didn't work for me. Sam took a nap and Katie and I chatted while I sat on the birth ball at the edge on the bed. I would ask her randomly if I was really having a baby today. She assured me that I was. I totally didn't believe it. She told me that when she went to pick up her 7 yr old son, his teacher told her that his mom would be picking him up early today because his mom was going to help a lady have her baby later that day. It is amazing how children can be so in tune.
Then a few contractions hit that were a bit more intense. Katie prompted me in my Hypnobabies, reminded me to turn off. Then she did some hip squeeze counter pressure...which was DIVINE. It took away almost all sensation. Then she suggested that we try the belly lift. We woke up Sam. He leaned against the wall and while I was sitting on the birth ball with my back to him, and during a contraction he would follow the line of my belly and apply upward and inward pressure. The idea being that it helps promote more effective contractions, directs baby's head right onto the cervix and helps turn posterior babies.
Michaela wasn't posterior but the intensity of the contractions did increase after this. They began lasting about a minute and a half. We did that for a few contractions and then I wanted back on the birth ball. A few more contractions and I felt the need to rest and refocus after the contractions were over. Katie reminded me of something I told her when she was in labor, that my midwife's apprentice told me when I was in labor with Maia. She told me how much of an honor it was to see me in my majesty as a woman while I was in labor with Maia. I told Katie that, indeed, Brigette was right. That we as women are completely majestic as we labor, give birth and life to these precious babies we are blessed with. Katie reminded me of this and I totally cried. She and Sam massaged me as more birthing waves came and went.
About 5:30, Katie asked if we could call my midwife Suzanne. I told her no, that it was still too easy, to early. I had one more contraction and the first thought that came to me after it ended was "Call Suzanne". We did and she said she was on her way. I told Katie to prepare me--I was SURE I was only at 4 cm. Katie said she thought I was at 7cm, I tried to be optimistic and said ok..I think I am at a 6. Suzanne came, I was on the bed on my left side. Sam would push down on my hips during contractions. I began to shake and shiver. Suzanne arrived. I smiled. Sam made a joke about it almost being 7pm and that I was about to have the baby. We laughed. I told Suzanne to give me good news--to lie to me if she had too...I did not want to hear that I was at a 4..though it is my favorite number.
Suzanne checked me, my right ear was a bit clogged so I barely heard her when she said, " You are complete." SHOCK!!! "WHAT?" I said. She said, "Either your cervix is so soft that I can't feel it or you are complete." I cried. I could not believe it. I had been so concerned about transition. I lost it for a bit with Maia during transition. I had done alot of visualization during this pregnancy, telling myself that I could go from 4cm to 10cm in one hour..that it was going to be so easy and so fast. Everything that I had envisioned came true. It was time to push. Everything had been so easy and so fast and different. My bag of water was still intact, I had no show..nothing. My water had broke at the beginning of both of my previous births and I had lots of show with them as well.
I got down on the birthing stool. No urge to push. Now that was the same. I'd never had the urge to push before either. I will have to make sure I visualize that for next time. I bore down. I hated it..lol. I asked Suzanne how low the baby was. She said she couldn't tell because my bag of water was still intact. I pushed. My water broke....all over Suzanne. I wanted to rest. NOT PUSH. "I hate pushing", I said. Suzanne said she knew. I decided I wanted to try pushing on my side. I did. I still didn't like it. I tried all fours. I rested there, visualized getting in sync with my body so I could push and gathered some courage. My body told me that I was going to have to push the kid out--that my thinking that she'd slip right out at that moment without any effort from me was not going to happen.
I got back on the birthing stool. I looked into Suzanne's eyes. She told me I had all the strength I needed inside of me. She told me to focus inward and push my baby out. Sam sat behind me and squeezed my hips with his knees. He caressed my brow and neck. . Suzanne said, "Tisha, let's have this baby. Push her out. " I remember looking down at the floor and telling myself that if I would just push despite the discomfort that I would have my baby..that this was my time to do something hard, that I could do it. I took a deep breath. I held onto Katie in a cradle bear hug and I pushed. My Hypnobabies affirmations popped into my head. I spoke to myself saying that peace and anesthesia were coming in front of the baby's head. Katie told me to direct my baby down...down the birthing slide. That imagery helped. I directed all my energy and power downward firmly and I felt a great rush. The baby must have moved past my pubic bone, I felt hugely encouraged by that obvious progress. Suzanne praised me.. I no longer waited for the contractions to come to tell me when to push. I began my opera "ahh" sounds as I pushed. I really am a pretty good opera singer. I was sure my downstairs neighbor would think I was a regular Pavarotti...in labor.
I pushed more, I felt some intense stretching. I realized, then, that I was leaning back and had scooted forward almost off the end of the birthing stool, practically squatting in Suzanne's lap. I think they sat me up a little at that point. I asked if her head was out. They said almost, then I heard Katie say the head was out. She had the cord around the neck. Suzanne told me she was unlooping it, I waited a second while she did just that. I pushed some more. Katie asked if I still wanted to catch the baby. I told her "No, I am busy. Michaela, come out!" One more push and out she came in a warm rush.
She was so tiny! I remember being so impressed with her perfectly round hea
d, her sweet, full lips and her wide, searching round eyes that clamped right onto mine. In that moment, I knew she was mine-that we belonged to one another. I was so relieved to NOT be pushing anymore!! I had my baby!! I could not believe it. I didn't even think I would have her that day and it was 7:32 pm to boot. Sam's prediction had come to pass. Then Suzanne asked me to push the placenta out...once again let me say...I was really sick of pushing. I found out later that I pushed for 9 minutes.So, we were abundantly blessed with Michaela Naomi-Faith in all her 7lbs 5 oz, 20.5 inch glory. She looks like no one but herself. It has been such an adventure to look at her and memorize her chubby cheeked, serene little face. From the moment she was born she felt so incredibly familiar--as if I had always known her. She was born on my mother's birthday. Her name means "My joy, my pleasant one with abiding trust who resembles God."
I have found
that the dynamics of all my births have correlated with the kind of journey I was about to begin. This birth was really just so easy and so fast. I felt so capable, in control, serene and in tune. I have faith that this next chapter of motherhood can have those same undertones if I take the time to trust the abilities that the Lord has given me, affirm myself as His daughter and rely on the love and support of the angels-both seen and unseen that He has blessed me with. I also learned that I can do things that are hard--things that I may really not want or like to do in the moment that is needful that I do them.Hypnobabies is THE best birth preparation course ever. It is powerful and it works. My doula was incredible, her energy is astounding, she kept me so grounded and focused. I am always surprised how my midwife magnifies the ability that I have within me and calls it forth from me. It was such a pleasure to laugh with my husband and feel his tenderness, love and support while bringing our daughter into this world.
Now I am the mother of three little lovely little girls. We are a family of five. Olivia and Maia are i
n love with their little sister. It has been the sweetest thing to behold their gentle love and adoration for her. It has been surreal to feel the love grow and expand with Michaela's arrival. There is nothing like falling in love with your child and with your family. I cannot believe it. My cup runneth over. I am richly blessed.
