This weekend was: being released from the hospital, getting used to being a family of four, a pediatrician appointment, and our first full day home. While that all sounds exciting, it was mostly spit up, diapers, and cabin fever so rather than my typical Best of the Weekend post, I figured I’d share Owen’s birth story. If you’ve never read it and dig birth stories, check out Ryan’s here!
I want to start this by noting: I don’t hold back on details in my life. I’m going to tell you it all in this little story of mine. If you’re doing hypno babies or something similar, skip this and read it after baby (I think it’s a pretty good one, ha!). If hospitals, talking about pain, birth, general grossness skeeve you, skip this post – I’ll be back tomorrow. But if you’re a birth story junkie like myself, keep on reading!! As always, Iām linking up with Katie and Erin!
I 200% thought this story would go one of 2 ways: 1. I have a car baby/parking garage baby/a baby in a weird place, OR 2. I have a very boring textbook birth that even I fall asleep reading. Neither happened.
Let’s start waaaayy back to the day before Owen was born. I thought something was happening and that a baby was probably in the cards soon. Sunday night I was having contractions, but nothing consistent or really painful. I had the same kind of thing with Ryan for a week or two before he came, so I knew nothing was set in stone. BUT I also knew that the day I went into labor with Ryan, nothing was consistent or hurt too bad until my water broke.
Either way, I woke up a bunch that night with contractions. Nothing too painful, since I was able to go RIGHT back to sleep. I couldn’t decide if I was waking up on my own, moving and then having a contraction from the movement, or if the beginning of the contraction was waking me up, and moving just helped it to peak a bit. But when Ryan woke me up at 9ish, I noticed consistent contractions ever 10-13 minutes and they hurt when they peaked. When Alex woke up, I told him today may be the day.
And then they got a little more jumbled – 5-14 minutes apart and varying in strength. Alex was to leave for work at 2, and I hate the idea of going to the hospital and being sent home so much that we agreed to wait until 1 to see if he should call out. Around when he would have needed to call out, I had 3 or 4 contractions 6 minutes apart so he made the call.
And then they went back to 8 minutes apart.
Seriously?
So I start stressing because Alex called out and I would hate for him to call out for literally no reason. We put Ryan down for a nap and decided to make the ‘final’ decision of going to the OB or hospital once he woke up. At about 3, though, I had a few close, strong ones and decided to just go to the OB. After Ryan woke up, we packed everything up and headed in that direction. I called on the way since the office that was open was an hour plus away, but in the same direction as the hospital. Thankfully they were in the same direction so it worked out well.
We get there and go to check in (I forgot my wallet in the car.. oops) and the nurse checking me in says, “Oh, you don’t look bad and you’re only 37 weeks so we’re ruling out labor and will bring you into observation to monitor you.” Thankfully, my MIL was on her way home from work anyway so she could meet us there to watch Ryan, who wasn’t allowed into the room. They bring me to observation (I should note here apparently it was a VERY busy day for births – the entire ward was packed.) where I’m hooked up to the monitor. Eventually, the nurse checks me and a sense of Deja Vu overcomes me – the same confused/shocked look the nurse gave me when checking for Ryan. This time I was only 4-5 cm but apparently I wasn’t showing it in any visible way. The nurse tells me that I’ll be admitted to delivery!
world’s most serious baby
After an iv, a declined epidural (since I was feeling good when not contracting, which at that point was every 3-5 minutes) and a wheelchair ride across the floor, we were in the delivery room and ish was getting real. I was starting to hurt. My doctor was running around and I still hadn’t seen her, but that was fine. Not fine was maybe 20 minutes later (don’t trust my times, I had no clock and it’s all a blur!!) when I tell Alex that during the last contraction I felt like I had to go poo – a sign you should be pushing soon. We tell the nurse who checks me gently and says that she can feel the bulging bag and the head is right there – but DON’T PUSH. Which is all fine, if you aren’t in agony every 2-3 minutes with your entire body screaming PUUUSHHHH. Turns out my doctor was delivering another baby. Awesome. So I had to wait for that baby to be born before it was “my turn”. (There were other doctors there and apparently very close in case my water broke – which they were avoiding because broken water would be the point of no return – but they weren’t my doctors or approved by my insurance.) At some point I was made to lay on my side with an oxygen mask, since the dude wasn’t getting enough during contractions.
You guys, not pushing when every fiber of your being is screaming to push is probably the most agonizing experience of my life. I was on my side, crying hysterically with each contraction, breathing so I wouldn’t push. According to Alex this went on for 20+ minutes, but I just know that it felt like an eternity. When the doctor finally came in and said it was okay to push during a contraction, I was so relieved. I actually said at some point, oh that feels so much better. I pushed during that contraction, broke my water, and the head was right there. My doctor (who magically also delivered Ryan, which is mostly crazy because it’s a practice with about 20 OB’s. What are the chances she’d be on call both times!) was amazing and coached me through not pushing (since the contraction had ended, but the head was in limbo..) and managed to help me through to the next contraction where out he came AND without any tears. Considering how badly I tore with Ryan, this has been the most amazing thing ever. So basically 1.5 contractions and out he was – a little BLONDIE. the best. We named him Owen Robert, which we decided that day while I was in observation. Owen had no meaning other than being on our short list of names, and Robert is my dad’s middle name.
We snuggled and the nurse cleaned off the goo while I held him and just marveled at him.
Now (a week later!!) we’re all home and happy and adjusting well!!
Mommas – any tips for dealing with 2 kiddos? Any interesting birth stories? Non-mommas – did this post terrify you? (I really hope not!!) Leave it in the comments!
Other posts you may enjoy –
37 Weeks.
An Introduction.
Owen Robert: 1 Week.
Ryan’s Birth Story.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Are you just deliriously happy???
Congrats again on giving birth to the world’s most serious baby lol. He has the biggest eyes!
Morgan says
Hahaha so, unbelievably, ridiculously happy. It’s surreal to have two little dudes!
Morgan {The Gym Bunny} says
Always love meeting another Morgan in the blogosphere š Congrats on the birth of your little one!
Morgan says
Morgan’s are the best kind of blogger š Thanks so much!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Congratulations! I wasn’t allowed to push either, although I had an epidural at the very end (which I don’t think I even needed — long story, but like you, I dilated quickly), but I don’t know what doctors are thinking, just let us push!
Morgan says
Hahha it was excruciating! With my first I got to the hospital and wanted an epidural, but I was already too far (9.5 centimeters!) so was forced to do it sans epi. I figured that this time I would dilate quickly again, so I opted out and I’m pretty glad I did, since from what I understand the recovery is so much quicker!
Anna says
Thanks for sharing, Morgan! As a non-mom this definitely did not terrify me. I so appreciate your realness! Congratulations š
Kate says
Thank you for sharing! And yeah for no tears. Surprisingly this didn’t scare me- it made me more excited for that day in the distant future š
Morgan says
Hahha I’m glad it didn’t scare you! I wish I had been more open to learning about babies and labor and what not before I got pregnant with Ryan – learning about it while you’re pregnant is a bit overwhelming!
Darcy says
Congratulations!! That picture of him with the serious look is just too cute!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I love to read birth stories too! Thanks for sharing yours!! When I was in labor with Matilda, I remember being in AGONY when I was allowed to push. Seriously. The worst thing ever!!
I am so happy for you guys!!!
Morgan says
That’s so crazy! Both times I felt SUCH relief once I was able to push – I think part of it was being able to channel all of th energy somewhere other than just making it through contractions ahahha
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Way to go, Mama! He is just gorgeous – and you did so well! xo
Morgan says
Thanks so much Kristy!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
what a cutie! Thanks for sharing–im not a mama yet but love birth stories š
Morgan says
Thanks, Heather! I think it’s so weird – I hated birth stories until the last 2 months of my pregnancy with Ryan and now I’m totally obsessed!
Marilyn Lesniak says
I remember all the ups and downs of the birth of both my boys. Thanks for bringing back all those memories. Enjoy them. They grow so fast! Found you on #Celebrateyourstory
Morgan says
So glad I could help you remember those special moments! Thanks for stopping by, Marilyn!
Dana Ivy says
Just found your blog and love it… brave mama! I can’t believe you didn’t get the epidural!! Your newest addition is a doll with that blond hair!
Xox Dana Ivy // http://www.iadorewhatilove.com
{ps giveaway on my blog! woohoo!}
Morgan says
Oh gosh, thank you! In my defense, I have a bigger fear of needles that I do of labor pains, so the epidural was actually a scarier thought to me!
Sandra Garth says
Congratulations on your adorable family. Thank you for being so open and for sharing this at Celebrate Your Story link party. Have an awesome week and a Happy Easter!
Morgan says
Thanks so much, Sandra! Glad you stopped by!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Wow you have some fast labors! So glad he made it safely into the world. Look at that blond hair!!! What a cutie pie š CONGRATS.
Morgan says
Thanks, Amy!! I don’t think I’ll ever complain about being a fast laborer! hahah the blonde hair definitely took us by surprise since Ryan was so dark haired!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a wonderful story! I’m so glad it worked out well for you. He is perfectttt!!!!!! š Thank you for sharing.
Morgan says
Thanks, Julie! We’re all definitely awestruck by him!
Edye says
Congratulations again!! So happy for you, girl <3 Glad things are going well š
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Morgan says
Thanks so much, Edye!
Celeste says
Congratulations, Morgan! I loved reading your story! Owen is adorable! Glad to hear everything went smoothly and you’re adjusting to being a family of four!
Morgan says
Thank you, Celeste! We’re definitely loving on the new addition!
Giselle says
Wow! Amazing birth story and you go mama! Way to do it sans epidural! I can only hope that happens for me š HUGE congrats too!
Morgan says
Thanks Giselle! I was hoping that I would have a quick labor like I did with my first son (where I didn’t even have time for an epi!) so I skipped it – thank goodness that worked out in my favor, ha!
Danielle from Storypiece says
Thank you for sharing at the Celebrate Your Story Link Up Party. I love hearing birth stories… each one is it’s own tiny miracle. Being a momma of 2 has it’s own unique blessings and challenges. Enjoy every minute of it!