For the first five: Levi's birth story, Owen's birth story, Silas's birth story, Toby's birth story, Calvin's birth story
This sixth birth story feels almost anticlimactic compared to the other five. My water didn't break during a thunderstorm (Levi and Calvin), she wasn't posterior (Owen), there were no paramedics or ambulances involved (Silas and Toby), my labor wasn't precipitous or with worries of a breech baby (Calvin). Nevertheless, every birth has a story, and this is Tessa's:
Contractions began at 8:20am, one week after her due date. I had enough of them to call my midwife around 10am, which is about the same time they slowed down to every 10-15 minutes for the next FIVE HOURS. I've never been in labor for more than eight hours, so by the time that seventh hour hit with no progression, I was pretty discouraged. We shipped the boys off to my parents' house around 3pm and went for a walk, which helped a little with intensity but not frequency.
Maureen, my midwife, has been telling me for two weeks, though, that intensity was more important than frequency. Around 5pm, even though I still thought she should wait a bit longer, she acted on intuition and started the hour-long drive here. And thank God for that. :) The next two hours were a whirlwind:
5:30: contractions take a huge jump in intensity
6:01: my water breaks
6:15: Maureen arrives
6:30: the back-up midwife, Robin, arrives
6:30-6:45: vitals are taken, my blood pressure is high (first time all pregnancy), I'm only 3cm, change positions, now I'm 9cm, no wait only 6cm, better get on hands and knees, yep now I'm 9cm again (please just tell me whether I can push!)
6:45-7: I experience the complete despair common to all transitioning women. Later, I will ask Maureen, "WHY do women insist that they cannot do this when we all know we can and we will?"
7:01pm: I've had enough. She hasn't crowned, I have no idea if I'm at 10cm, but with one massive, primal push, Tessa makes her entrance into the world. From my perspective, it was long enough for me to think, isn't somebody going to say "there's her head" and tell me to slow down?. From their perspective, they went from "no visible baby" to girl on the bed in a split second. They all laughed in wonder; I collapsed in exhaustion for a few moments.
And so she's here. She's super chill so far, spending a lot of time just looking around. I'm feeling every one of my 38 years, sore in places I've not been sore in before. Mostly we just stare at each other in wonder, because who would have guessed that after five* robust boys I'd have this petite little lady in my arms? Not me, that's for sure.
This sixth birth story feels almost anticlimactic compared to the other five. My water didn't break during a thunderstorm (Levi and Calvin), she wasn't posterior (Owen), there were no paramedics or ambulances involved (Silas and Toby), my labor wasn't precipitous or with worries of a breech baby (Calvin). Nevertheless, every birth has a story, and this is Tessa's:
Contractions began at 8:20am, one week after her due date. I had enough of them to call my midwife around 10am, which is about the same time they slowed down to every 10-15 minutes for the next FIVE HOURS. I've never been in labor for more than eight hours, so by the time that seventh hour hit with no progression, I was pretty discouraged. We shipped the boys off to my parents' house around 3pm and went for a walk, which helped a little with intensity but not frequency.
Maureen, my midwife, has been telling me for two weeks, though, that intensity was more important than frequency. Around 5pm, even though I still thought she should wait a bit longer, she acted on intuition and started the hour-long drive here. And thank God for that. :) The next two hours were a whirlwind:
5:30: contractions take a huge jump in intensity
6:01: my water breaks
6:15: Maureen arrives
6:30: the back-up midwife, Robin, arrives
6:30-6:45: vitals are taken, my blood pressure is high (first time all pregnancy), I'm only 3cm, change positions, now I'm 9cm, no wait only 6cm, better get on hands and knees, yep now I'm 9cm again (please just tell me whether I can push!)
6:45-7: I experience the complete despair common to all transitioning women. Later, I will ask Maureen, "WHY do women insist that they cannot do this when we all know we can and we will?"
7:01pm: I've had enough. She hasn't crowned, I have no idea if I'm at 10cm, but with one massive, primal push, Tessa makes her entrance into the world. From my perspective, it was long enough for me to think, isn't somebody going to say "there's her head" and tell me to slow down?. From their perspective, they went from "no visible baby" to girl on the bed in a split second. They all laughed in wonder; I collapsed in exhaustion for a few moments.
Getting weighed.
Getting to know Daddy, who was a rock star during labor as usual.
And so she's here. She's super chill so far, spending a lot of time just looking around. I'm feeling every one of my 38 years, sore in places I've not been sore in before. Mostly we just stare at each other in wonder, because who would have guessed that after five* robust boys I'd have this petite little lady in my arms? Not me, that's for sure.
Teresa Jayne
August 21, 2019, 7:01pm
7 lbs, 8 oz -- 21 inches
*Technically, I've only had four robust boys. Owen was a tiny peanut. But that was almost 9 years ago and his personality is plenty robust now!
i love your writing style, your birth stories, and the life you're living for Jesus, Christy! :-)
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