Tyler’s Birth Story

Tyler’s birth was drastically different than Kendall’s.

I remember, vaguely, writing Kendall’s birth story and not remembering many little details. And as time passes, more and more of those details are forgotten. Tyler’s on the other hand, I believe I will remember every little detail. Not only because his birth was so different, but comical (in hindsight).

With Kendall, I had every intention of having a natural birth. I was partnered with midwives and read a few books. I took the classes at the hospital that were given to me in a pamphlet and said, OK I can do this! I have a high threshold for pain. Well, a 24 hour labor with every intervention I tried to avoid was done only to end with a c-section, I realize now that sure, I had it in my mind to have a natural birth but didn’t work for it. I honestly thought just because nature designed us women to give birth, it would just happen. Well what they didn’t expect was the influx of interventions and doctor’s schedules you needed to adhere to. So with this pregnancy I worked really hard to set myself up to have the birth I wanted. I switched practices and hospitals, hired a doula and attended a VBAC class to learn all that I could.

Hard work pays off when you set yourself up for success.

At 9:30pm on Friday evening, May 4th I was putting Kendall to bed when I noticed something a bit different. I went to the bathroom and noticed a crampy-like sensation that I’ve been getting for the past week or so about 1-2 times per day. So I thought it was the same thing but soon they became timeable. I drew a bath hoping to labor as long as I could at home and hopped it. At 9:39pm I started noticing they were 3-5 minutes apart. I got out of the tub and found Wayne who took over putting Kendall to bed and asked that he call our doula. Instantly he turned into superdad/husband and took control. He prepped Kendall to go to her God parents house, called our doula who we agreed to call back in half an hour with a progress update.

A little after 10pm the tub wasn’t so comfortable anymore so I started to get dressed since our midwife said to start making our way in. Normally they would let us stay at home longer but our new hospital was about 30-35 minutes away and since I was attempting a VBAC, Tyler and I would have to be monitored a little bit more than a typical birth.

At this point, I lost track of the time but finally made it to the garage. I attempted to get in the car but then another contraction came (they were now more like 2-3 minutes apart). I stepped out and my water broke. Not the little faucet-like trickle, but the “as seen only in movies” gush. That was the first time I became scared because the contractions were really picking up. This is what they called the transition period. Probably what you see in the movies with irate women yelling at their husbands. I was bordering that line. I was sweating profusely and Wayne talking to me did irritated me, nor did I want to be touched.

Wayne insisted that I get into the car but sitting down was not an option at this point. I could hear the fear in his voice. The midwife and our doula were persistant in getting me into the car but I refused. Every time I tried a strong contraction took over my body. Finally I climbed in on my knees hugging the back of the front seat. Take note, we didn’t have time to get me re-dressed from my water breaking so genius Wayne grabbed a towel so I wouldn’t moon everyone as we drove to the hospital. Heck, it was already a full super moon out! Thank goodness it was in the middle of the night!

So with the towel draped over me and our doula on speaker phone we ventured to the hospital. Little did I know at the time that between Wayne, my midwife and our doula they were prepping to call 911 and meet us on the side of the road. Thank God I didn’t hear that! I just kept listening to our doula on the phone telling me to blow out 100 birthday candles during the contractions to counterbalance the urge to push. I also saw Tyler’s car seat in the back and focusing on those 2 things got me to the hospital.

We pull up and the poor poor lady who wheeled me to the labor & delivery room! I step out pretty much in my birthday suit, kneeled in the wheelchair in a similar fashion as riding in the car. All I could remember was she had a star tattoo on her wrist that I focused on passing a waiting room FULL of people I was rushed to our room.

Later I learned we arrived around 11:45pm and they had everything ready to catch the baby. Our midwife said hi to me in the most comforting voice as did my doula…and I said to them “This sucks.” At least I still had a sense of humor. No time for a heplock they started to monitor Tyler with an intravenous catheter and noticed as he was coming down the birth canal his heart rate was dropping so they insisted I get on the bed to deliver. I really didn’t want to move from the only position that provided relief, standing bent over the bed, but could feel the sense of urgency. There was a lot of noise and talking and after only 15 minutes of pushing Tyler was out.

I was in complete disbelief. I dreamed of that moment and how I would react when they put him on my chest. I thought I would cry but I think I froze and just couldn’t believe it. They took him away momentarily because he came out with the cord wrapped around his neck twice which was the cause of the decelerated heart rate. But he was fine, a quiet cry was all this mother needed to hear.

A perfect 7lb. 12oz. 21 inch long bundle of perfection was born at 12:23am on May 5th.

We stayed in the room for about an hour while they sewed me up from a small episiotomy and then we were wheeled to our room where we only spent 2 days. I was floored at how good I felt afterwards. Just the act of getting up and walking around hours after giving birth was a new concept to me as with the c-section I do not remember being wheeled to the room and walking was excruciating.

No one was prepared for my 3 hour fast and furious labor but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My practice is made up of 3 very strong women who all believed in me that I could have a VBAC. Each of them personally called or stopped by to say congratulations. I was so impressed with how personable they are and supportive of my decision of having a VBAC. Even Wayne commented on how different our experience with these women were and if they weren’t my midwives I would be friends with them. That says A LOT about their character. My doula was also AMAZING! She was with me every step of the way and knew just what to say. I couldn’t have asked for a better team on my side.

<------My wonderful midwife who delivered Tyler.

Now I get to kiss these chubby cheeks every day and watch Kendall swoon over her little brother. Life as a family of four is beyond perfect.