Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Josiah James: Birth Story

{fresh out of the oven}


First, can we talk about what a rockstar Baby Bean is?
5 minutes old and with a faux hawk.
heart.breaker.

Now, moving on to the good stuff.
Labor.
and
Delivery.



Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I knew that (ideally) I wanted a few things in the birth experience:

1. A midwife

2. Natural delivery {no drugs}
3. and the baby. of course. regardless.

The midwife: no problem.
The no drugs thing...I think I can. I think I can.
I read "Spiritual Midwifery" and "Hypnobirthing" cover to cover.
We practiced breathing/massage/relaxation techniques.
I made Daniel uncover his eyes and watch a birth video.
Above all, we prayed and prayed and prayed.
Especially after that birth video.

Fast forward to Monday, November 28th.
I woke up around 6AM, made Daniel his lunch, kissed him goodbye and went back to sleep.
About an hour later, real authentic-none-of-this-Braxton-Hicks-nonsense-contractions kicked in.
They were coming consistently about 7-8 minutes apart.
Nothing too painful, just apparent.
I kept Daniel updated all day long, as I ate my Thanksgiving leftovers and checked my iPhone contraction timer app.

Finally, they were about 4-5 minutes apart around 4PM.
Daniel decided to head home.
And then we waited for a few hours more as I paced around, wondering if this was real life and worth calling my midwife about.

{Note: I have a high tolerance for pain. Case in point. Broke my pinkie finger in the 3rd grade while playing leap frog. Didn't complain at all, until I went home and my Dad noticed my crooked purple appendage}

More out of curiosity, we decided to go for it.
Grabbed our stuff and headed to the birthing center around 10PM.
Upon arrival, I was about 2cm and 70% effaced.
Steady contractions, but nothing progressing.
We decided to go back home and wait it out.
For the next hours? Days? Weeks? You never know.

It was midnight, we were tired. Daniel fell asleep.
I was so sleepy. heartburn. the works.
And then...

Really really real contractions started.
Like, the ones that take your breath away and leave you wishing you were a boy.
For the next 6 hours, I stumbled around. laid down. soaked in the bathtub. bounced on the birthing ball. glared at Daniel as he peacefully slumbered.

7AM rolled around.
As I'm panting through a big contraction,
I realize this can't be what 2cm feels like.
It.can't.be.
God isn't that big of a meanie pants.

So, I attack Daniel.
Literally.
Fling myself on top of him.
Grab his nose.
I grabbed onto that nose and held on for those darn 60 seconds.

So.
He calls my midwife this time.
I don't think moaning and groaning translates too well over the phone.
10AM, and we're back in the car. Back to the birthing center.

And I find out that all those contractions were worth it.
8cm. 100% effaced.

The next four hours are a blur.
Phone calls to family and friends.
The arrivals of my mom, mother-in-law, and my aunt into the room.
Moving around to different positions, trying to get comfortable.
And the pushing.
oh the glorious pushing.
Seriously, pushing is the best feeling in the world.
Like the greatest poop you've ever had.

I basically closed my eyes, didn't talk, zoned out, and focused for the last 2 hours.
No "ring of fire."
No tearing.
No real pooping. {not that I would've cared at that point in time}

Just dreaming of my baby boy and cheeseburgers.

Dare I say it,
I enjoyed giving birth.
gasp.


2:05 PM. November 29th.
We became a little family.
and life will never be the same again.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}



63 comments:

Rachel said...

i saw him and melted. i showed my husband; he shrugged but he gave that little smile.

this little lad is bad birth control. i want my own now. love this little one <3

so many kisses to those perfect cheeks from me!

Emily said...

Holy Cow girl you are intense!! I seriously hope i can manage through birth like you did!!

nancy said...

that was incredibly touching! congratulations on your healthy baby boy :)

Laura Nelson said...

He is so beautifully handsome! I love this birth story, im going to email it to my friend who is due in a month! :) congrats bon bon :)

Young and Fabulous said...

omg bonnie. so sweet. how precious is your lil boy! this story was so great and im happy to hear you didnt poop! (my biggest fear)

seriously girl, so amazing congrats!! you and baby bean are the cutest ever!

xoxxo

lauren jean allece said...

Seriously the coolest baby I've ever seen (that hair will do him proud here in PDX!) and sooo. dang. cute!

Love this story, can't wait to see more pictures of the rad little dude!

Congratulations!!!

jackie said...

let's talk about what a rockstar you are! giving birth with no drugs and thinking it was easy peasy?! look at you go :) i'm proud of you, girl. and you got the best ending out of it you could ask for. so happy for you guys :)

Unknown said...

It's birth stories like this that make me excited to one day experience it on my own.

Thank you for making me believe that a natural birth with a midwife is possible! You're amazing :)

xoxo,
Joelle

Marli said...

awww! what a sweet post! congrats...he is a keeper. ;D

Lauren @The Little Things We Do.... said...

loved reading your birth story. thanks for sharing a positive story...there are so many that focus on the negative...obviously it's a lot of work, but come on people! if you have any suggestions that worked for you to help you get focused or helped with pain, i'd love any advice....since your an old pro now :). glad everything went well and you have your beautiful little man now :).

Jessica Holly said...

you give me hope. lol.

Gail@Sophisticated Steps said...

Entertaining and beautiful...I didn't expect anything less. ;) I'm glad your birth story was uncomplicated. I cannot say the same...for all three. You'd think I would've stopped after the 1st one! Lol.

Many blessings to your sweet little bambino. I mean "bam-bean-o". ;)

Holly said...

So cute! I love his little rockstar fauxhawk! Congratulations! :)

Megan said...

He is a rockstar because his momma is a rockstar!!! Look at you just birthing that baby with no problem!! You're amazing and I love him and his hair!!

rae ann said...

GOOOOO, mama! this is a lovely birth story! congrats on the drug free route and welcome to the club! he's so, so beautiful! xoxo

Allie said...

Oh wow this is beautiful. I hope my future birthing goes as smoothly as yours did.

Emma Frances said...

You are amazing! I love hearing natural birth stories an yours is one of the best ones I've ever read!! :) Congratulations on your adorable baby bean! I love his faux-hawk!!

Kira said...

Great work, there is no way I would have let Jeremy sleep through those contractions! How is everything going with the babe?

Stephanie said...

dude, you're my hero. i hope i can be as cool as you when i birth a babe someday.

kyna... said...

So so glad you had such a great birth experience! You're amazing! I definitely needed drugs! I have such a LOW tolerance to pain! I envy you girl!
♥ Kyna

Shannon said...

perfect story :)

Cate said...

Way to trust in your body! It new exactly how to create that perfect little boy of yours and it sounded like it new exactly what to do when it was time for him to come out! I am sincerely happy for your little family! And that you had the birth you had hoped for!! All the preparation paid off!

<3 cate

Becca said...

Such a great story! I'm with Kira though...I don't think Chris could have even attempted to sleep during those contractions! Contractions suck...but the end product doesn't! :) Glad you guys are doing well!

Melu103 said...

i love your birth story
so funny and cute at the same time
you are so unique =D

i am so happy for you
and that everything was so
natural and perfect <3

i found it funny how you
were thinking about hamburgers haha

you rock!


xoxo
♥ melina
www.onlyaflightaway.blogspot.com

Kae said...

greatest birth story eva.

... said...

Josiah is a cutie!! Love his hair! You are freaking dynamite in a delivery room! Hot dang girl! Enjoyed reading this and I am so happy for you and Daniel!

Unknown said...

this was one of the greatest birth stories I ever read. I am serious, I was hanging onto every word and I just loved it. You are so real and so cute! Way to go girl :)

Unknown said...

Lovely... I'm so glad your birth story went the way you hoped.

Chrissy said...

Congratulations - he is perfect! xxx

Mandy Koster said...

Thanks for sharing your story!! So fascinating!

X Mandy

http://mandykoster.blogspot.com

Annaliese said...

He is so adorable! Love the faux hawk ;-)

xoxo Miss ALK

Megan said...

this story gave my vagina hope.

Michelle (michabella) said...

Okay, rockstar. I sure hope I handle giving birth this well...if I am blessed. Your birth story is prob the best I've read. Lol, love ya girl :)

Kate said...

WOW! You are a birthing rockstar.

Bridget said...

glaring at daniel... so funny. i can imagine it!

no tear?! GO YOU AND YOUR VAG.

good story. i liked it.

Mish Lovin' Life said...

If giving birth is really as easy as you made it sound..well, shoot. I think I just may be able to do it (naturally) too.
BUT...when you read someone's birth story like Sydney's over @ The Daybook...yikes. That one was not as pleasant as yours sounded..
Congrats again, girlfriend!
You did great!

Ashley said...

Oh what a doll! {you & that precious baby boy!} So happy for you guys, & so excited for what the future holds!

-Many Smiles!!

Kristen said...

oh my goodness, you are my hero. seriously! i am praying for my labor to go so smoothly! what a precious little boy!

Libby said...

ugg just thinking about the pain makes my stomach churn..I cant believe you did it naturally!! what to you were the benefits of having a midwife? it's always been something i've considered!

Anonymous said...

You crack me up...daydreaming of baby boys and cheeseburgers. I hope to have a similar experience as you. Way to go on laboring at home!!

Anonymous said...

Love.Love.Love this story. CONGRATS!! He is sooo cute!!

Lindsay said...

You are a rockstar! I pray for a birth story like that of my own one day! Congrats again, he's adorable.

Raquel said...

omg this is so sweet! He is precious! Congrats :)

Breakfast at the Zemke's said...

Congrats! Such an awesome story. I wish I had a high pain tolerance. At this point I'm thinking an epideral is gonna be the way to go.

Rock'n'Roll Betty said...

what a handsome little man! and dare i say that your story gave me a little courage for when it's my time too? thanks for sharing!

-renee
www.bettycrockettrocknroll.blogspot.com

April Rowell said...

congratulations! so amazing. i can't wait to have my own little life changer. but, i think i will take the drugs. you are strong :)

Leigh said...

He is absolutely perfect!
Your story was priceless.
Love, Leigh

Ahn said...

can you give birth for me?

Desert Dweller said...

You brought tears to my eyes.

Rachael said...

Yup! That's my favorite birth story ever read. Soo... um.. good job!

Abby said...

oh wow - amazo!
best story ever. xox

Amanda said...

Best ever birth story, Bon! So impressed that you went au natural. I don't think I can do it...I know I can't actually (when that day comes).

chanel said...

best. birth story. ever! seriously amazing and, you already know this but, seriously precious!

xo chanel
http://bywayofney.blogspot.com

jessica said...

This is so beautiful!

I really hope to give birth this way. No hospitals. No drugs. Natural.

Thanks for sharing!

Bailey
http://lostandfound-bailee.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Rod said...

you brave girl!! you did it. and he is such a cutie!!

Jenni@Story of My Life said...

This made me laugh out loud, then gave me goosebumps, then brought tears to my eyes. You, and this birth story, are amazing.

(case in point: "Seriously, pushing is the best feeling in the world. Like the greatest poop you've ever had.")

Courtney B said...

Where have I been?!?
BON BON! I am soooo happy for you and Daniel! Josiah is so perfect and precious! Seriously, I could not imagine a cuter baby boy. Ever.
SO happy for you!

Andrea {kerubo mama} said...

Oh my goodness, you made me want to cry. It brought back all the memories of the birth of my son (he's 6 months old now, yay :). I just love hearing a miraculous birth story! Mine wasn't as wonderful (after 2 days of labour, ended up in a c-section. so sad. but the end result kind of made everything else fade away, and I would do it again and again.) Anyway, all this to say I loved reading this. You're inspiring!
(and interesting, your baby has the same name as my little brother, Josiah James :)

Andrea (a new follower)

www.afamilyofwolfes.blogspot.com

Griffin and Gretchen said...

Favorite birth story ever! You're a rockstar! Congrats!

Nikki said...

What a rockstar! Both of you. I still want a c-section :)

Danie at Pasadya said...

This gave me goosebumps! Bravo for you!! You are SO STRONG! :)

Dutch Delaney said...

can you give birth for me?

Jameswwvb said...

omg this is so sweet! He is precious! Congrats :)

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