She’s here!! Our baby girl made her debut on her due date (what are the chances)!?
April 21st and 22nd were a whirlwind! I went to my weekly doctors appointment April 20 and my doctor informed us our baby girl could make her debut any time – Little did I know, I would go into labor that night!
I began having contractions at 2:45am Saturday, April 21. They were 10 minutes apart, and strong enough to keep me up the remainder of the night. I thought for sure “today’s the day!” I spent the day walking around our neighborhood, listening to music, and squeezing the crap out of Brett’s hand as contractions came and went. By that evening, I was in the fetal position on the floor during each contraction praying for each one to pass. We headed to the hospital around 9pm – I knew I wanted a labor and delivery free of interventions so we waited as long as possible to head to the hospital. Once at the hospital they admitted me and placed a hemp lock on my hand just in case an IV would be necessary at some point during delivery. Once in my room, I labored several more hours in several positions (in a hot bath, on a yoga ball). I was free to roam because I didn’t have an IV and I had a wireless fetal monitoring system. Long story short, I ended up laboring for 26 hours and delivered our sweet Bennett the following day (April 22, on her due date) al naturale at 4:30am. I don’t know how many times I said while laboring “I can’t do this”, “I have nothing left”, “I just need a break” – I even said “Can’t you just pull her out already!?” 😳 It’s by the grace of God I pressed on and had enough energy to push for 45 minutes and deliver our baby.
I feel so honored to have carried this sweet baby girl for 9 months. I already miss her nearness. Seeing her face to face is surreal and overwhelming. Looking back on pregnancy, labor and delivery – God was/is present in every step. The Lord simply used my body as a vessel and I am forever grateful.
A week after Bennett was born, I ended up hemorrhaging. Brett called an ambulance and I was rushed to the ER. They performed an ultrasound to confirm all of the placenta had been delivered. Side note: getting an internal ultrasound after having just delivered a baby is not comfortable (to say the least). I left the hospital the same night with medication to help my uterus contract. It was scary (and expensive) but after talking with others I learned it is extremely common!
A little bit about my pregnancy – I made it my goal to continue to run / exercise up until I had the baby (doctor approved) and maintain a healthy diet. Keeping my eye on the prize, and knowing what I put in my body directly affected my growing baby, helped me to achieve this goal. I also knew from the start I wanted to deliver our baby free of drugs and interventions. See this article for the benefits for Mom and baby of a drug-free delivery. I did not have a doula/midwife and I delivered in a birth center. The book “Mama Natural” served as my “doula”. This book was my roadmap to a natural / epidural-free childbirth. If you are considering a natural birth, YOU NEED THIS BOOK.
A month after giving birth I can tell you – I’m so glad I stuck with it! I am reaping the benefits of staying healthy during my pregnancy.
On my blog and Instagram I do not typically share health / fitness / personal “stuff”. I try to keep it strictly home decor – However, I am extremely passionate about pregnancy, health/ fitness and would love to talk with and/or counsel others hoping to achieve the same goal(s).
I’d love to hear other topics you all are interested in! Comment below and let me know!
Thanks, friends!
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