Catch up with (Pt. 1) Early labor here and (Pt. 2) Active labor here.
Laboring in my position of choice. Liane was massaging my feet at pressure points.
I gingery got back on the hospital bed. I had done all of my laboring leaning against things, so I wanted to lean over the top of the bed as it was in the upright position. Liane would be behind me. She was all about it and told me that when A2 came out, she would hand her to me through my legs. The grandmas were back at their positions rubbing my back and hips, getting me cold rags and getting me water when I yelled for it. For a couple of these contractions, I thought I would lose my mind. I didn’t want to push. I have to admit I was scared. It took so long with EB, I didn’t think I could handle another 2-3 hours of this mess.
But Eebs had paved the way, I was much more relaxed, and I was upright to let this baby come out the right way. Liane told me to make bear sounds. I said “Grr,” like how EB does, and tried again like an actual bear, and not a cartoon one. I heard laughs behind me and let the contraction pass without doing any pushing.
By the third one on the bed, I finally thought “eff it” and let the urge to push wash over me. Sounds unlike any other I’ve ever made in my life came from my throat. A pterodactyl had taken over my vocal chords. Hubs was head to head with me and I apparently crushed his hands with my prehistoric instincts coming out. This first push broke my water. Liane had apparently told the grandmas while I was in the shower that there was no need to break the water for me; things were moving right along, it would give me sharper pains if we did, and it was cushioning A2 from my pelvis. I felt a warm cloth between my legs and a bubble burst into the plastic tarp between my legs.
In what felt like seconds, but was probably more like 60 of them, another big contraction came. I did what I said I was going to do. I pushed out a baby in this one contraction. I felt light bursting from my body. I felt a human entering the world. I could feel a slithering alien making space in my loins as I connected to every woman in the world. I made it to the end of the marathon without walking or giving up. My body took over and did what it knew to do and it was powerful.
My “holy crap there was a human in me” face.
I felt a wet, tiny body come through the space between my legs and I sat down into Liane’s lap, saying “My baby, my baby,” over and over again. I couldn’t look away. She was beautiful and covered with goop. I wanted to absorb every feature about her, even while panting and in shock. I don’t know how long I sat there on Liane. She let me have that moment, and I heard Hubs and the grandmas in tears. Liane said she would take the baby only for a moment, so I could flip over and get that placenta out of me. Somehow I let her do that, and my body let me move around. I was exhausted.
Liane supporting me, once again.
I flipped around for the placenta and cooter inspection.
Proud papa. In shock mama.
A2 was 8 lbs even, 20-1/2″ long. She was born at 8:27 pm. Contractions started 18 hours prior, but I don’t think I was in focused labor for more than 12 hours, with a 4-5 hour stall in the middle.
Kisses.
If you live in Austin, go to Nurture OBGYN and sign yourself up for an amazing midwife with Liane MacPherson. She is a beautiful human being who helped me find the best possible way to labor, fully supporting me and telling me I was her hero for doing things the way they’re meant to be done. Even when I told her I was scared, she somehow subliminally told me I would rock it out. It was scary, sure. Powerful, of course. Amazing, definitely. But two babies are enough for me. I don’t think my body would forgive me for doing that again.
Am I the only one that’s fascinated by a placenta? Liane examining mine to make sure it all came out.
Recovery for 2nd babies is very different than the first. I didn’t tear, BTdubs. I tore with EB and my cooter was a mess. I am, dare I say, relatively back to normal after 2 days. I still am using that fabulous spray bottle of warm water, but I am nowhere near as tender this time. Now. About this afterbirth contractions of the uterus. I want to murder someone about it. The placenta came out just fine, beautiful and beefy. But I am in sheer pain every time A2 nurses. My uterus is giving me crushing pain while nursing, for 10 minutes at a time, as it gets back down to shape. I am promised it is only for 3-4 days, but I am convinced this is a form of population control since it’s worse the second and third time around. I have had 2 bouts of shaking from what feels just as strong as labor contractions but lasts 10 times as long. I only need medication for that, because the rest of my body is sore/tired/but not spent like with Eebs. So if someone could please take that away, I would almost be convinced I didn’t just give birth.
My sweetums. A fully made infant child came out of me.
Oh, and just because I nursed EB fro 14-1/2 months, it doesn’t mean my nips don’t hurt like they’re in vices. A2 latched on like a champ, immediately, and is breaking all kinds of rules about wanting to nurse every 2-3 hours. More like every 15 minutes. She only lost a few ounces from her birth weight while in the hospital. She’ll catch up to EB’s birthweight of 8 lbs, 14 oz in no time.
She already looks different, just from this picture to today, two days later. We are now back to the comfort of our home.
Ok. I am taking a break for the night. I have adorable pics of EB freaking out about how amazing it is to have a baby sister. The cutest thing in the world, so perfect. But you’ll just have to wait. Just picture pure joy, and you’ll be about 1% close to the real thing.
Recovering Mama Jells.
Oh I am soppy messy crying all over myself. This is the good stuff here. Good stuff.
P.S. I think placentas are amazeballs.
Placentas! We didn’t just grow a baby in there, after all.
And I feel like I did good if I got you crying finally. You’ve gotten me teary about a million times.
I’m t.i.r.e.d.
YOU should be to my way of thinking. I don’t know anyone who can pop out a baby and write three installments within minutes. You go girl. More power to you.
It felt good, like delivering the images from my head and sending them out into the world. I felt like it was how I could get that last step of understanding what I just went through. I hadn’t even seen pics until I started writing!
You are such a beautiful strong mama! In tears and in awe of you my lady… Thank you for sharing every beautiful personal detail. You’re amazing as is your sweet girl.
Thank you for wanting to read! I love sharing (sometimes oversharing, let’s be honest) and when it’s something this big, I can’t keep it in.
You do such a great job! And you’re kind of my hero! And A2 is beautiful!!! Congrats, Mama Jells!!!
Aww, darlin’, thanks so much!
Welcome! You are a very lucky baby! Sending enormous amounts of love to you and your very, very sweet family. <3
Hey you! Thanks a bunch! Definitely feeling the love <3
Congrats!!
Thanks!!
I am in awe of what you accomplished, on all levels. Thanks so much for sharing. Congrats to your whole brood and here’s sending wishes of health and strength for a speedy recovery!!
I really appreciate it! Recovery is different for #2, so I’m doing my best just lying around and trying to absorb how different/wonderful everything is!
This was beautiful and made me cry, Jells. I felt like I was right there with you — better than streaming live! Haha! I think you did such an amazing job. Wow! Seriously, you give the sisterhood a good name!
All my happy love,
Lisa xoxo
Yay! I streamed it straight from my brain, to you! Hearts and love back at ya, Lisa!
Ok. You’ve brought tears of joy to my eyes three times in four days. I’m feeling dehydrated. I just want to say how phenomenal you were in your work- we needed towels on the floor to sop up the overflow of love in that room. I’m so proud of you and so honored to that I got to be a part of your days. Your team, Hubs & superMums were also Incredible- they make sliced bread look lame. Love you guys.
LIANE! My favorite person ever. I want to put you in my pocket and tell the world how fabulous you are, every second of the day. I basically want to live at Nurture OBGYN so I can hang out, especially now that I don’t get to see you on a weekly basis. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love you back.
I cried all the way through this, then, I called Anne and had her read it, too. She cried. (I’m in the hope she sees my happy tears and understands they’d have to–to quote Liane–mop up the love in her delivery room, so, hurry up!). Oh, Jells!! You did the Motherhood proud. Your daughters have a hell of a mom to look up to, and I am stunned by your focus, your drive and your steadfast reserve in doing this as you wanted. Yes, you had a little human inside you, and look how beautiful she is!!
Lots of love,
Adair
Oh how great would I feel if I started the chain of events that made you a grandma? I would brag about it always. And thanks, babe! For being so supportive, loving, and great.
I’ve already hinted at this, and, Anne said to tell you congrats and ‘thanks’. The ‘thanks’ didn’t seem too sincere.
ahahaha!!
I can picture it! Oh, that Anne.
Oh girl! I am so impressed! And happy for you.
My crazy birth story and subsequent preemie extravaganza have kept me away from here, and just today, I missed you and wondered what you were up to. This is not exactly what I pictured. ; )
Congratulations to the whole family on the new girlie!
http://www.toulouseandtonic.com
I know, you’ve been busy too! Thanks for checking in! I must’ve sent out the baby signal to you!
Radio signals from the birth canal!
I wish I could like this 1000 times. What a wonderful post. Congratulations!!!
Aww, thanks! I really appreciate it!
What an amazing story. Thank you for taking time to get it all out before you forgot the little details. Best birth story ever. YOU ROCK and I’m proud to know you, even if it is just through the blog-o-verse.
I’m so glad I did because it already seems like a dream. And I’m glad to have you as a blog friend, too! You’re pretty swell yourself!
I think I will move to Austin and have Liane deliver me if I am ever preggo again. What an awesome thing to have such an amazing midwife! The cramps during nursing were horrible for me too the first week of C’s life. I really hope they abate for you soon.
So, so glad y’all are all doing well. You are amazing. So proud of you, my Intertron friend <3
She is beautiful and you are totally amazing. I feel like we are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to birthing babies – but that does not mean I cannot be in awe of you and wonder what it must be like, though I regret nothing of my own experience. Seriously. I’ll say it again. You are amazing and I have loved every moment of reading your journey!! Now, so you know, I am totally in tears and plotting a second baby, Thanks a lot.
I know, that’s what I said when I read your birth story! Still so fun to hear how different the experience can be for each mama. Happy to oblige, and even happier to know that even that quick after you giving birth you can be tempted for another!
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BABY!!! Oh, I am so happy for you & your family. Reading this makes me so happy!
Thanks babe! We did it!
Ok. Bawling. This–parts 1, 2, AND 3–was the most amazing, awesome, inspiring, well-written labor story ever. I popped over here from Emily’s blog. I think I was following you before and then somehow…wasn’t anymore? I don’t know. Anyway, I’m glad I made it back. So happy for you guys!
Well welcome back! I’m so glad you were moved by my story! That makes me extremely happy.
Reading backwards and forwards through your blog to get all caught up, Jell. Pterodactyl cries and slithering aliens in perfect combination
Glad you’re back! What a trip you had!
I wanted to leave reading your birth story untill I am on maternity leave which I am now and its beautiful to hear about your experience. A2 is gorgeous and You are amazing well done you. So pleased to hear this labour was better than you last! xxx
And I’m sure yours will be lovely and inspiring, too! Good luck!
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