Birth Story

Thursday night (the night before Liam was born) was not really different than normal other than my desire to run a 5k. I kind of jogged around the house for 10 minutes because it felt good. Looking back, I think it was almost a prompting. The idea kept coming back into my head of moving around and so I eventually did at 10 pm. A little part of me kept feeling that it would happen soon and so I got prepared before I went to bed. I didn't warn Ben because I didn't feel like I actually knew what would happen.

I woke up at 2:45 with some cramp-like feelings but it didn't hurt at all. I honestly didn't think they were contractions because they felt different from what I had remembered. Silly me. Anyway, they got worse of course and I timed them at 1 minute apart. I woke up Ben shortly after 3 a.m. and we tried calling siblings to come stay with Troy. We got a hold of Tyler and Annie (blessing! Tyler's phone was on vibrate but Annie woke up to it) on our way to the hospital. I have no idea what took us so long between 3 and 4 but we got to the hospital at 4 a.m. and I felt like pushing on the freeway, so I knew that I was probably pretty far along. The nurses were kind of slow about getting me in and asked,"Just let us know when you're ready."

I changed in like 5 seconds and said READY! I was at a nine and then a ten within a couple of minutes. I think they expected me to be screaming or something but I tend to hold pain in and take it out on whatever I'm holding on to. My water had not broken yet and they kept calling it a "very bulgy bag." The nurse almost gave me an IV but I ended up not having one. (Awesome, because I wouldn't have needed one.) Probably because I was contracting close together and pushing. They kept telling me to try and not push because the doctor would be there soon. Can I just say that it is really hard to not push when the baby is coming. So, as I was "not pushing" the nurse decided to have the doctor who was already at the hospital come. He broke my bag and then my doctor showed up. They switched places.

I finally got to actually push and I was introduced to the ring of fire. I really dislike the ring of fire. I don't know why I didn't feel it with Troy. Maybe the medication they doubled took away the pain. Anyway, I pushed probably 6 or 7 sets and then Liam arrived. I was so much more aware this time. My eyes watered when I first saw Liam's beautiful, perfect little body for the first time. Ben commented later that it was amazing to see his lungs fill with air for the first time when he started to breathe, followed by angry crying.

Liam was breathing great but then started grunting and so the nurse was considering taking him away. Then he cried and the grunting went away, so they left Ben, Liam and I alone. Oh it was amazing being able to just be with Ben and Liam alone. It was such a perfect labor. Looking back, it's a good thing I was planning on natural because there probably wasn't time for an epidural anyway. Kind of depressing to think I may never get one, but I'm very grateful for a short labor.

The recovery was really hard that day. Every time I fed Liam the contractions were just as bad as they were before. On the bright side, my uterus shrunk super fast apparently and I bled WAY less then I did with Troy. Recovery was 1000% better the next day. Sleeping and showering did wonders. Ben and my mom have been so incredibly helpful. Troy has reacted so well. He gets a little jealous of Ben with Liam, but he has been SO accepting of Liam. He always tries to give him loves or give him his pacifier, burp rag, clothes (I have to stop him most of the time, but it's really sweet.)

Our little family is doing really well now and I am recovering quickly. Heavenly Father has been so good to me. I have felt strengthened to be a mom of two. It's a little scary but my fear is gone when I think of the help I receive from the Lord. Plus I have so many amazing friends and cousins I can get advice from :) I know I won't feel so strong all the time and I have felt less strong already, but I hope to remember to bounce back, learn, and enjoy the ride.