Jameson's Birth Story, Part 2

And So It Begins, this new life

By this point in pregnancy, I was regularly waking every 45 minutes to 2 hours to make my way to the bathroom. I also regularly woke up in order to roll myself over in bed. Sometimes I’d be awakened by Braxton Hicks contractions. This night I was awakened by several painful contractions, but it wasn’t until the third or fourth contraction that I realized that they really were painful, with menstrual-like cramps. The first time I’d experienced contractions like that were when I’d woken up in labor with Elizabeth. At just around 3am, I woke Wyatt, asked him to pass the iPod over, and told him I was going to time some contractions (there’s an app for that!). The contractions were something like 6-9 minutes apart, lasting for about 50-60 seconds.

I decided to take a shower before rushing to call the midwives as I figured that would either relax me enough that the contractions would slow down or ease, or they would pick up. They did not slow down or ease.

After my shower, I told Wyatt that things were still moving along and we decided I should call the midwives. I was only hesitant because I didn’t want to wake them in the middle of the night only to find out that it was not going to progress to delivery. While practice runs can be helpful, I rather wanted to avoid one altogether. But, I called them, and they said they’d come out, and I think that’s when I mentally started to switch over to the idea of getting into labor.

Wyatt got out of bed, turned on some soft lighting and peaceful music, and began making little preparations here and there. I remember him emptying the dishwasher, but I found out later that he’d stealthily packed a bug-out bag of sorts in case we needed to make a quick transfer to the hospital. He also called my mom, who was our designated caregiver for our big girls.

I was hanging out laboring in the bedroom by myself for the better part of 30-60 minutes. My mom arrived after 4:30, and the midwives just before 5. I think my contractions were every 3-4 minutes and lasting for about 50 seconds to 1 min 15 seconds. I stopped timing things once the midwives arrived.

Fresh life

There was an initial check on me and baby with heart rates, my blood pressure, baby’s positioning, and my temperature being taken amidst contractions. I also vomited shortly after the midwives arrived. I labored for a short while in the bathroom, having gone in to vomit, but also because it was quiet and dark in there, and the midwives, Wyatt, and my mom were all still quietly organizing, prepping, and discussing.

I vomited again around 5:30, and that was awful. Having a painful contraction, trying to breathe through the pain and relax while simultaneously vomiting-- that was the closest to death I felt during labor and delivery.

I made my way back to the bedroom where we had all our birthing supplies, and the baby’s co-sleeper. That co-sleeper became my labor spot. During contractions I would lean on the sleeper with my hands or forearms, and afterwards I would sit back on the bed. I think, aside from my bathroom breaks, I labored that way from about 4:30-6:30/45. Wyatt was with me from about 5:30 on as I was needing more physical support by that point. He would sit behind me on the bed to give me a support to lean against, and he gave counterpressure on my lower back a few times when I needed it.

The midwives were quietly there supporting me as well. Both they and Wyatt would breathe and moan with me on occasion, helping remind me without words that low, slow breathing and moaning would help me relax. They also encouraged me to keep my shoulders, arms, and knees soft and relaxed, and to imagine energy or air flowing down my spine and out my tailbone. Just those simple reminders while in labor were so helpful, and I think that they really helped my body give in to labor, relax, and open up.

During this phase of labor, I was listening to music on my iPod, with headphones, and I was being given sips of coconut water between each contraction. The lights were either off or low, with several battery powered candles on as well.

Around 6:30 my body began pushing, and I soon felt like my legs were too tired to support me standing. I was helped into bed, onto my left side. Around 6:45, the baby’s head was barely visible at the peak of pushing.

Our first photo on social media

To backtrack, with Anastasia’s birth, I pushed for maybe 5 minutes. It felt productive the entire time I was pushing. The experience this time was completely different. I was pushing, but I didn’t feel like any progress was being made with baby moving down the birth canal. I kept on, having some nice rests between contractions, taking sips of coconut water and having a cool washcloth placed on my forehead.

Around 7:10, my hips, glutes and lower back were cramping to the point of distraction. Everyone helped me roll over to my right side. I continued pushing in that position for a short while, still feeling like my pushes were not being productive. I was helped onto my hands and knees to see if that might help relieve the cramping I was continuing to have and to see if it would help with the effectiveness of the pushing. I was told that I could reach and feel the baby’s head, but all I was able to feel was the bulging bag of waters.

Just before 7:30, I was asked if I’d like to have my membranes ruptured. I said yes as I knew that with Elizabeth’s birth, once the membranes were ruptured she was birthed shortly after. So, membranes were ruptured, and while I expected a moment of relief before experiencing the pressure of the baby engaging, I didn’t get any relief.

I learned later that before the membranes were ruptured Jameson was still a bit high, but as the midwife broke the bag of waters he immediately dropped and nearly fell into her hand as she moved back to give him and I space. I recall immediate and intense pressure, and within moments felt the aptly named ring of fire. I was pushing, panting, breathing, and praying that I wouldn’t be torn apart.

Hours old

Within a minute and a half of having the membranes ruptured, Jameson Michael Wyatt was born into Daddy’s hands. The baby was crying before his body was completely birthed. He cried for a few moments, and I cried when he was handed to me. I was helped onto my back, and baby was placed on my chest while I looked at him and fell immediately in love.

The cord stopped pulsing within about 6-8 minutes, and the placenta was delivered without problem. The placenta was complete and I didn’t have any concerning signs of bleeding. I was quickly examined and it was found that I had not torn at all. I was so pleased to learn that, as I’d torn with the girls’ deliveries and the healing was not pleasant.

Baby’s Apgar scores were 9, both times, and by 7:45/50 he was nursing with a deep latch, vigorous suck, and audible swallow. While he was nursing, Anastasia came into the bedroom to meet her brother. I’m pretty sure the infatuation was immediate. She loved her brother and was so excited to see the baby who’d been in Mommy’s tummy for so long.

It was after he nursed that I was offered a shower. I accepted, and handed to baby to Wyatt who had some father/son skin to skin time. Also while I showered, Wyatt took the baby to the living room to show him to Elizabeth. Our sweet, sensitive girl was hesitant to see me and the baby after he was born, so easing her into meeting the baby seemed to work well. After my shower, I went out to give her a hug and kiss, and invited her into the bedroom with me.

My girls meeting their baby for the first time.

I went back to bed, and Elizabeth joined the rest of the family. The baby had his cord cut and was given his newborn physical. He was about an hour old at this point. His weight was 7lbs 14 oz, length was 21 inches, and head circumference was 13.75 inches. Not bad for an early bird born at 37w5d!

He was given a vitamin k shot, and everything else appeared and checked out normal and healthy. He was back on the breast nursing just after his shot. He was quiet and alert, taking in the world and his family around him.

By 9:30am, the midwives were packing to leave and the baby and I were tucked snugly in bed, with food and drink for Mama. We’d done it! We’d had a baby, and we’d safely and comfortably had a homebirth! Glory to God!

Midwife Mason

My next week was spent in bed, sleeping when possible, nursing frequently, being served my meals, and getting to know this new little person. We had visits with the midwives for further newborn examinations at 4 days and 6 days PP. He and I both checked out well and healthy.

At this point, Jameson is nearly 3 weeks old, and nearly 10 lbs. Way to grow, chubby baby!

We’re just delighted to have this sweet, mellow boy in our lives. He sleeps, eats, and dirties diapers well, and he is clearly growing, just as he should. His sisters dote on him and are eager for him to be big enough to play with them. He is allowing me and Wyatt to get good sleep at night, and for that I am grateful. He’s such a light in our lives and a perfect puzzle piece in our family of five. Thanks be to God.