Samuel

It has been a while but I finally have some time and would like to share my birth story with you. My sweet baby boy was born April 15 at 9:56 AM. He is now nearly five weeks old!

At 41 weeks pregnant it was recommended that I be induced. I was apprehensive to do this as I had been planning for a natural unmedicated birth and I really wanted to experience labor starting on its own. After talking to my doula, my best friend, and my husband I decided I was ready to meet little Samuel. So Wednesday evening at around 7:30 pm my husband and I checked into the hospital. By 9:30 they inserted cervidal a cervical softener to help with dilation. The plan was to start pitocin 12 hours later to start contractions. By 3 am my water broke! By 4 am I was in active labor. The nurse removed the cervidal and my body progressed on its own. I was so happy that I didn't need the pitocin.

When active labor kicked in, it felt as if my contractions were getting stronger and closer together. Thoughts of the epidural ran through my mind as I knew I was on some kind of ride that I couldn't get off. It's amazing how fast those fears and thoughts can creep in. That's why it is so important to have people at your birth to support you. I mean truly support you. People who know your birth wishes before you go into labor, who can remind you that you CAN do it! My husband told me to hold off on the epidural because my doula was on her way. As soon as my doula arrived she got me out of the hospital bed. This was the key to me being able to cope with the contractions. She was an awesome coach! With each contraction I would squat or sit on the birthing ball to bring the baby down. This was doable. I was able to relax and breath and think about how each contraction was bringing me closer to my baby. It is amazing what your body can do if you just surrender to it. I truly believe that all women can have natural births if that is what they wish for. I do think having a doula made the difference. If she had not been there I would have had the epidural.

I was dilating quickly and by 9 amit was time to push! This was the toughest and most amazing part I think. Your cannot not push, if that makes sense? Your whole body is this powerful machine (this is the best way I can describe it) that is working toward pushing this baby out whether your mind agrees to it or not! My mind could not comprehend how a baby was going to come out of me! But I knew that letting go of those doubts and believing in my body as well as those trying to help me was the key to bringing little Samuel into this world.

After about 40 minutes of pushing he arrived. Tears of amazement, joy, and relief came over me as they laid him on my chest. He had a head of curly hair and was perfectly perfect in every way. He weighed 7 lbs 6 oz. and was 21 inches long :)

Life and birth....what a miraculous process. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Here he is at 1 month old. So precious! He looks like his daddy.

I am thinking about starting a new blog. A family blog mixed in with my artwork. I need a good name for it. Any suggestions are welcome!