roxie’s birth story

The morning of May 23rd, 2018 I got out of bed, had a coffee and got Bodhi ready for our day. We had to leave at 9 am to meet for a local mom’s group meet up.  I was looking forward to seeing some family friends I hadn’t seen in years. I put on a nice long flowy dress and did my hair and makeup (that almost never happens anymore).

As soon as I sat down in the driver’s seat, turned on the car I felt a little rush. I began to pull out of the driveway thinking okay my body is getting ready to meet this baby. I was 38 weeks and 1 day pregnant.

I continued to drive, talking to Bodhi, and just as we were about to get on the highway I felt another rush. In my head I am thinking okay that was pretty close together (about 10 minutes apart). I took a peak at the time this time. I have another rush on the highway, and another one just as I am unloading the stroller and getting ready to walk into the coffee shop.

I thought no way am I in labour. I still have two weeks to go. As I arrive at the coffee shop (1030am), I started to talk to my friend and her mom about mom life and how much life has changed over the past couple of years. I finally said to her “ I am feeling a little hot”, a little later in the day I said  “I think I’m having a contraction (1130am)”. My friend’s mom said maybe you are in labour. I texted Ryan at this point letting him know that I was feeling these rushes and also gave my mom a call. My plan was to go to Ikea after this get together because I was in the area, but my mom suggested I go home. I was annoyed because Ikea is a mission to get to and I was in the area and I really wanted to go. I was home by 1pm and had lunch with my mom. Ryan decided to cut his day short and come home too. We then put Bodhi down for a nap and I decided I would go lay down too. These rush’s were happening about 10-15 minutes apart but were very bearable. I would say it was like an “o, that’s a different feeling”. I was lying on my bed, texting my friend who was still back at the coffee shop, being like I think I am in labour but I’m not really sure if this is the real deal. She said “ I think you may be”. Little did I know I would have a baby in my arms just 3 hours later.

I called my midwife who then advised me, it’s normal to feel contractions after a stretch and sweep (which I had the day before) and that my contractions will either progress or taper off. I laid down for about an hour. In the mean time, Ryan took Bodhi and Ruby out for a walk, and my mom was cleaning my kitchen. I was laying down and really could sleep, so I decided to go down and sit on the couch (about 4pm). I was talking to my mom saying that I felt frustrated and on-edge, what was going on? My first birth was not like this AT ALL. She said “well we will know soon enough”. Within 10 minutes, I felt like biggest internal punch I have ever felt in my life, I stood up, and my water just gushed everywhere (my water did not break until 9cm with Bodhi so this was new to me). Thankfully I made it to the hardwood floors. I knew from reading that they say babies are normally born within 24 hours of your water breaking. She was coming!! Woop Woop. This baby is going to be early just like I thought (but a full 2 WEEKS).

Instantly my contractions changed from bearable to holy hell. Ryan called my midwife. She advised timing contractions. My contractions went from 10 minutes, to 6 minutes, and then 4 minutes. We called her back telling her it was time to meet us at the hospital.

4:45pm: We parked the car in the emergency section, walked in (dripping my water still). The reception nurse looked at me weird and was like would you like a wheelchair. I said probably a good idea. We went up to the birthing floor. Then I saw WENDY. Wendy was one of my midwife’s and delivered Bodhi so I knew I was in such good hands. It’s a trust and comfort you just can’t explain. Upon arriving in the birthing suite, she checked me and said I was just 4cm. I thought to myself (ONLY??). That’s okay, relative to Bodhi’s labour I was in good shape (positive self-talk here). I asked right away to get in the labour tub. This is heaven when you are labouring. It feels BEYOND GOOD.

5:15pm: I get in the tub and feel instant relief but I know my toughest contractions are on the way. Ryan is right by side encouraging me, holding my hand. Wendy is off getting me ice chips (another thing I loved during birth). I am having contraction after contraction. I finally reach a point and look up at Wendy and say “I can’t do this”. She then looked at me and said “you must be close to meeting your baby then”. At this point I already felt the urge to push.  I got out of the tub and made my way to my birthing room. I had two contractions on the way. One was in the doorway to the room and I remember standing there half hunched over saying “I wanna push”. Wendy said no no “let’s get you to the bed”. I got on the bed, she checked me and said “you are 10cm”. I literally was in SHOCK. How in the world did I labour that fast. I was labouring for 10 hours with Bodhi, that just took 40 minutes.

6:20pm: Another rush came on I pushed, her head came out. I pushed again, and her shoulders almost followed. Wendy asked me for one more, I pushed and her body followed. 3 pushes in 3 minutes (thank you SQUATS). 6:24pm: My baby girl was in my arms and she was cuter and more perfect than I ever thought. Ryan cut her cord. They showed us her placenta (ask your OB or midwife to show you the PLACENTA, its is magnificent). Man, I was on cloud nine.

I then said “I’m never doing this again.” We are now 3 months later, and hell ya I’m doing that again!

24 hours Postpartum: Uterine contractions continue to happen postpartum as your uterus is shrinking from accommodating your baby to its normal size. Breastfeeding stimulates these uterine contractions. Right after I had Roxie, my body began to shake uncontrollably. My midwife has really never seen it before. They thought it may have been my bodies response to shock or just from having the baby so fast.  I couldn’t really stop shaking, to the point where I couldn’t even hold her. It would settle down, I would put Roxie back on my breast and then it would start up again. I was also really cold.

They got me warm blankets, did all Roxie’s paperwork and wheeled us over to postpartum care. When we got there, I began to puke and shake about every 15 minutes. The onset was Roxie feeding. The OB finally came to see me and put me on gravol and fluids it was so bad. It continued for about 12 hours and eventually I settled down. To be honest this was worse than the birth. Reminded me of when I was in the hospital at 32 weeks gestation. I was upset because not only was I in pain but Ryan did most of the skin to skin, because I would get waves of nausea and uterine contractions so bad I would puke and couldn’t hold the baby. After those 12 hours passed, I finally got to snuggle my baby girl.

Thank you for reading and please message me & comment with any questions you may have. I absolutely love talking and learning about childbirth!!