I was determined from the beginning that my birth with Chloe was going to be different than it was with Jaxon. Not that bringing Jaxon into this world wasn't beautiful, but it was different than I think it is supposed to be. It was not natural. There was a lot of intervention which I believe led to my C-section. My half-sister Michelle had told me about "hypnobirthing" and so I looked into it more this time and am happy with my success. I did not attend a class or anything, but Bj helped me download hypnobirthing relaxation/affirmations onto my phone and I would listen to them at night as I was falling asleep (I believe my subconscious would pick it up as well). And I also used them during the day if I just wanted to relax, and also during labor. I also started taking Evening Primrose Oil at 35 weeks pregnant and then started inserting them at 38 weeks (supposed to help soften the cervix). Another thing I did was I went on a lot of walks to try to get the baby to drop down. As my due date approached, I got more and more anxious and nervous about how my labor/birth would go this time around. I did not want to have another C-section because I know that after having 2 C-sections it is more difficult to find a Dr who will support you in trying for a VBAC. I also know that the more C-sections you have, the riskier it gets, and I didn't want to be limited on the amount of children that I can have. Another one of my fears was that I would have to have all of my babies via C-section. Because of what my Dr said when I had Jaxon, I wasn't sure if I was able to have babies at all vaginally. He made me question my ability, which raises more questions now about Jaxon's birth after having been able to have Chloe the way I did. Anyways, I was getting nervous and starting to get down on myself and doubt my abilities. I was 2 days past my due date, and was only dilated to a 1cm and was really getting down on myself - I turned to the Lord. This is when I feel like the Lord really stepped in and answered my prayers. He sent people into my life at just the right time to lift up my spirits. One of my friends, Brooke Barton, let me borrow a couple of great books to read (Brooke has had both of her babies at home in a tub). The books are called "Ina May's guide to childbirth", and "Labor Pain" by Nicky Wesson. I read both of them in about a day and a half (good thing, because Chloe came shortly there after) - and I think it is because of my attitude change and positive energy I received from the books! I also watched a bunch of Ina May videos and "The Business of Being Born" on YouTube. A couple of other people who I believe were instruments in God's hands (whether they knew it or not) are my cousin, Cassandra Desanti (Allred), and Michelle Archibeque (Allred). They were both due with their babies a couple of weeks before my due date, and they were both doing the "hypnobirthing" route. Michelle had called and talked to me a bunch throughout my pregnancy which was great. She really gave me confidence that it was possible for me to have a successful VBAC. She believed in me, and so why couldn't I believe in myself?! My cousin, Cassie, also believed in my!! She texted me a couple of days before Chloe was born and really gave me the courage and attitude change that I needed! I will be forever grateful for her positive attitude and the strength she gave me when I was stooping low because of the fear of the unknown. She reminded me that I needed to take control of the situation, and that my body was specifically made for the purpose of bringing souls into this life. She had so much faith and confidence in me, that she convinced me I COULD DO IT and that I WAS GOING TO DO IT!! From then on, I sent nothing but positive birthing energy/thoughts to my body, really focussing on the mind/body connection. Visualization was key. I visualized my cervix opening, and I told myself how it was going to be. I told myself that "my labor will be swift, calm, and comfortable".. And It worked! They striped my membranes at 40 weeks and 2 days - was only a 1 (Thursday) then Saturday night started having contractions..3 am couldn't sleep through them. determined to keep them coming. Tried ignoring them for as long as possible, going about the morning. Ate breakfast, went on a walk around neighborhood for an hour and a half with Bj timing my contractions on my phone. They were every 2 minutes each one lasting 45 seconds to 1 minute. Jaxon was so well behaved for our walk. Such a blessing!! He sat in the stroller and Bj helped him chant for me and cheer me on..."you can do it mommy. Go mommy go!"
On our walk I would stop during each contraction and lean on Bj's shoulder and squeeze his bicep. I would say affirmations in my head like "my labor will be swift, calm, and comfortable". We went home and I got in the tub for another hour and a half, still with contractions every 2 minutes. Wanted to stay home as long as possible to avoid interventions at hospital and because I didn't want to get discouraged if they checked me and I was only a 2 or something. We finally decided we should probably head to hospital because it was a 45 min drive. I sat in the front passenger seat and held Bj's hand and would squeeze as tight as I could during each contraction, but really try to relax every other muscle. I had the birthing affirmations playing on speaker on my phone and would use visualization. I don't know if this will make sense to anyone else, but to me it did...I would visualize running a "32" during each contraction. A "32" is the name for one of our 'killers' we would have to run at basketball practice. We would have to run a 'killer' in under 32 seconds, or else we would have to run another one. The reason why I compared a contraction to a "32" is because it is something that only lasts for a short amount of time and then I can relax. Also, I would visualize myself being ahead of the gang (like I was "in charge" of the contraction). It really helped because it was something that I could relate to and really visualize since I have been there before! Well, so we finally got to hospital, I changed and they checked me and I was dilated to an 8!!!! Yay, I couldn't believe it! I had them tell me it again because I couldn't believe my ears and was just so excited!!! Then got to my room, put monitors on my belly (since I was trying for a VBAC) and as I was standing in there my water broke on its own (about a half hour after arriving at the hospital). Then my mother in law, Muriel, got there because we had asked if she would come and be our "doula" and help with the birth. I sat on a birthing ball and leaned onto the bed. Bj rubbed my back/hips and Muriel sat on the other side of the bed and I squeezed her hands while she helped me with my breathing. So nice to have them working as a team. My midwife stayed in the room and gave words of encouragement! When I got the urge to push, I got on the bed and she checked me and then they started coaching me through pushing. I pushed for 50 minutes and then Chloe arrived!! June 1st, 3:31pm weighing 7lbs 6oz and 19 inches long. I only tore a little bit and got 2 stitches. They put Chloe on me immediately :) and we had skin to skin for about an hour. It was heavenly!! It was a dream come true! No medication, or intervention. All natural! The way it is supposed to be. I did it! She latched on within the first couple minutes of being born. Has been a champ at breast feeding ever since! Muriel (Nana) cut the umbilical cord because daddy didn't want to. Then they gave her a bath and daddy got to hold her :)
SO happy and relieved with how the labor and delivery went!!!! She was born 2 hours after arriving at hospital.
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Chloe Kaylene Ward:
Born June 1st, 3:31pm, 19 inches, 7lbs 6oz. Dropped to 7lbs 2 oz when left the hospital (June 2nd at 4pm).
June 3rd at Dr visit weighed 6lbs 15oz. Healthy girl :)
1 week later weighed 8lbs 2.5oz
Sleeps AMAZING through the night! Sleeps 4 hours, wakes up to eat, sleeps another 4 hours :)
Had perfect head shape when came out and beautiful skin. People said she never really looked like a newborn. Kind of skipped that stage. Looked older.
2 week apt weighed 8lbs 10.5oz! Good eater and good sleeper!! Dr was impressed. Growing well.
Slept 6 hours straight at night at 2 weeks old.. Had to wake her up to feed her!
Sleeps consistently 7-8 hrs through the night at 1.5 months old!! Amazing!
2 month check up - 11 lbs 10oz. 23 inches long.
Mommy:
Gained 27 lbs during pregnancy.
4 days postpartum only have 10 lbs left to lose!
6 days postpartum only have 7 lbs left to lose to get down to pre-pregnancy weight!
Lost ALL pregnancy weight at 1.5 weeks postpartum! Horray! Feeling great!
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