My Birth Story - Part 1

How it all started...

4/6/23: I had breakfast with the littles and went to my 39-week apt. I was still at 2cm dilated and honestly expected I would make it to my due date, if not later. As a tradition with all our previous babies, my husband and I would always go out on a date night, and something in me told me to suggest it tonight.

So we did, and thanks to Nana for watching the kids! We decided to go to a steakhouse, the Whisky Rebellion. As we walked from the car to the doors, I got a contraction that made me slow down to a waddle and breathe through it. In and out. My husband asked if I wanted to go home, but there was no way I would miss an opportunity to go out with my handsome hubby.

At dinner, I kept contracting and breathing through the harder ones. In and out. It was a great evening with scrumptious steak and potatoes, laughter, and one-on-one time. It was time to scoop up the kids and head home.

4/7/23 @ 1:35 am I woke up with a contraction. So I started timing them. They were inconsistent, but it felt different. In my gut, I knew that I was in labor, and yet I still didn't believe it, so I waited, timed, and breathed. Part of the inconsistency was the intensity of the contractions. Some were there but no discomfort. Some were mild, and some were hard, breathe-through-it type. Breathing in and out with each wave of the contractions. It reached the point that lying down became uncomfortable, and I had to get out of bed.

(Remember, the nurses will always tell you to change positions when you think you are experiencing contractions and might be in labor. If the contractions stay the same or worsen, you're in labor!)

5:15 am I got up, got dressed, and went downstairs to clean up, just in case it was the big day. While I was cleaning up, my contractions continued to come and get stronger! They got more consistent and started to get a rhythm. Now I knew without a doubt these were true contractions. I was also starting to experience looser stools and then I lost my mucus plug. I've lost it before with a few of my other children and knew what it looked like. That's when I knew this was about to happen. No doubt about it!

6:00 am I alerted everyone.

My Husband.

My midwife.

My Mom.

My birth photographer @ashley_k_photography_

Everyone was notified, and it was time to organize the troops (aka kids) to prepare to leave.

8:00 am We loaded the truck with bags and kids and headed to Nanas.

8:30 am

My husband asks, " Do we have time to stop for coffee and a bagel?" I replied, "Yes, we have time. Just hurry."

He does this with every labor lol. With our first, he was scarfing down KFC while I was working through the contractions on the floor of our living room. He always says, this is his last meal and he doesn't know when he will eat again. (If you can see my eye roll and hear my laughter right now. Ha!)

9:00 am

We arrived, and it was just in time. Contractions were now stronger. I couldn't walk or talk through them.

It was time...

Stay tuned for part 2.

How was your early labor experience? Share with me below