eden’s birth story
The month before Eden was born was probably one of the most anxious months of my life. The whole pregnancy was just like my others (very sick and not myself), and I don’t love being pregnant. I went on about the pregnancy and at about 34 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed breech and I was trying to do everything I could to turn the baby to turn head down; chiropractic care, moxibustion, headstands in the pool, you name it! The next thing I was suggested to try was an ECV (external cephalic version) where they manipulate baby head down. This procedure ended up being successful but until she was in my arms, I was a nut-case! I really really wanted a vaginal childbirth, especially her being my third. I am going to write another blog post on breech babies/ECV if you are more interested about my experience as many people have reached out to me!
The month was also stressful because I was finishing work at a brand-new school and both Bodhi and Roxie had hand food and mouth so I was just overwhelmed to say the least. Physically and emotionally depleted. Now the fun parts comes…Eden’s birth.
About a week before she was born I started to feel really tired and crampy. I really didn’t know if it was the after effects of the ECV but I was just so on edge. On Oct 17th I called my older sister (she was off work thay week) and I basically said “I am going to lose my mind, please please can you come over and help me with the kids”. She came over, we chilled and she helped me take care of the kids. I was really crampy and tried to nap but I couldn’t. At this point I was 38 +6 so I really thought she wasn’t going to be here just yet. The kids were in bed and I was so grumpy on the couch and my sister said I think you’re in labor. She suggested I call the midwife but I didn’t want to be over dramatic and I didn’t think I was so I went on about the night.
She went home, Ryan got home and I decided to go out to Chapters and ToysRUs to get Bodhi’s birthday present. I came home and felt more liquid discharge but nothing that was signalling labour. I called my midwife and she came over around 10pm to make sure it wasn’t my waters breaking. She got to the house and checked me and I was 2cm (btw you can be 2cm for weeks and throughout your pregnancy) so this didn’t mean much!
She tested my fluid and it was not my water breaking so she left and said see you in a couple of weeks.
I still just felt off.
Ryan and I went to bed and I started to feel some contractions but nothing unbearable. At about 2am a contraction woke me enough to go to the washroom. I was half asleep and went to wipe and saw A LOT of blood. Ladies…blood is a really good indication that your cervix is ripening and you are in labour.
I called my midwife and asked her to meet me at the hospital. Roxie was born in 2 hours and I really didn’t want to risk having a car baby. We arrived at the hospital and I was 4cm. I was admitted.
I birthed at Oakville Trafalgar hospital all three times so I knew where I was headed. I was headed right to the tub room. I spent most of my labour in the tub. My total labour was about 6 hours and I would say I was in the tub for 4 hours of it. Midwives say it is natures epidural and it sure is. Warm water is just heaven! I went back and forth between the delivery room and the tub room until it was getting close to GAME TIME.
This labour was definitely the most challenging for me because I was so tired (in so many aspects). I looked at Ryan at one point, crying and said “I can’t do this. I am just soooo tired”. The pain was hard of course but honestly my fatigue was what challenged me. He assured me my values for wanting a drug free childbirth and encouraged me over and over again that in fact I could do this. You really have to believe you can as your mind is tied directly to your body. I know in fact that my mind was fighting the labour and stalling my cervix from dilating. I tried my best to relax, do deep breathing and let my body do what it needed to do. After this moment in labour when I looked at Ryan I committed to knowing that my body can do this, I just have to let it. That change in my mentality made all the difference. Within about an hour, our baby was born.
We headed back to the birth room after that moment and I was about 8 cm. The midwife suggested I go on all 4’s on the bed as she said this can help the last bit of cervix get out of the way (reach 10cm). I had about 2 intense contractions and within moments SHE was born. I am just about finished editing my birth VLOG and I can’t wait to share it with you guys. I have been debating sharing it (I need to muster up the courage) with the world but I know that with vulnerability comes growth and I really want to let you in on one of the most accomplished moments of my life.
The midwife didn’t even have a chance to tell me I was 10cm. My body naturally felt the urge to push. To be honest I didn’t really even push. The contractions came and I just tried my best not to fight the contraction. Within 2 contractions (2 “pushes”) she was born.
Ryan and I announced that it was a boy. She did and still does look SO much like Bodhi to us. About a minute later the midwife corrected us to tell us it was a girl.
I would say my labour actively started around 2am and she was born at 8:17am for a total labour of about 6 hours. We named our little girl Eden Lilly Lyn. We loved the meaning of the name Eden. She is named Lilly after me. My Opa called me that growing up and my whole family still calls me Lee. I thought it went pretty well together.
In regards to her being breech, doctors still don’t know why babies are breech. The midwife thought her cord was a little short but she was born completely healthy. I am still in awe of pregnancy and childbirth even the third time around. Crazy to think that she may have been my last baby (but I have a feeling she won’t be 😉).
