Welcome, Nolan! (A Birth Story)

Happy One Month birthday, Nolan!

On December 13, 2014 our Little Ox #2, Nolan Robert Oxford, came into this world!

Nolan's Birth Story

At 36 weeks and 2 days, on December 12th, it was like every other day and I was at the table with Josiah (Little Ox #1) having lunch. I was struggling with him, trying to get him to eat what I had made for him (which is usually a daily struggle - unless it is pizza, noodles, or breakfast foods).

After feeling defeated, I got up from the table to throw his food away in the garbage and think about what I could feed him that he might eat. As I bent back up from throwing the food away my WATER BROKE at 2:00PM. I knew it the moment that it happened because the same thing happened to start my first labor - read about it here.

I panicked, left Josiah in his high chair, and ran to the bathroom. I laughed to myself for a minute because I was telling Mac for months that our baby would be coming that weekend. (I was joking, of course, because I knew that THIS weekend was probably the worst day for him to come). Mac has his busiest day of the YEAR coming up and my mom had an important day for her business that same day too.

I decided to call my mom first. She answered the phone and I said "I know you don't want to hear this, but my water just broke". She laughed and thought I was joking and said she would be there soon. Next, I called Mac, and I said the same thing. He worked an hour away, so I knew he was going to jump out of his chair and leave right away. After panicking on the couch for a few minutes thinking of our boy coming a month early and that he might have issues after birth, I came back to Josiah and called for my brother to keep an eye on him for me while I got last minute things together. 

I turned on Daniel Tiger for him, gave him a cookie, and headed downstairs. I changed and got things together while waiting for my mom to pick me up. I put Josiah down for his nap and explained to him that his baby brother would be here soon and that mommy had to leave for the hospital. I left him with Grandpa and took off to the hospital with my mom. 

We bypassed a triage room (since my water was clearly broken) and we stepped into labor room #8 and waited for Mac to get there. My friend Kendall arrived and we watched FRIENDS (again) and we all waited for my contractions to start. We pondered about whether he would be here on the 12th or the 13th - since Josiah came fairly quickly.

(I had wondered throughout my pregnancy what this labor would be like, since my first labor could not have been more perfect and "easy". Well I was right that there was no way it was going to go as well as it did with Josiah.)

When I think about my labor with Nolan - sometimes I wonder how I even progressed at all. Throughout my entire labor, I did not have regular contractions - even up until I started pushing. I attribute this to him being late preterm. 

I came into this labor thinking that labor is labor and it would feel JUST like it did before. I came into this labor wanting to do it all natural, like the first time. However, once I realized that back labor is MUCH different than regular labor - my thoughts changed after hours of more pain than I experienced my whole labor with Josiah. We tried natural techniques for a while and the pain became unbearable. I asked for them to check me to see how close I was (even though my contractions weren't normal like I said before).

I WAS AT 3. It was after midnight. I had already been in labor longer than I was for Josiah and I was only at 3. That's when I decided that I wasn't going to be a horrible mom if I got an epidural. I was not going to let myself feel guilty or like a failure because I couldn't do it like I did last time. So I talked with Mac for a while and he told me he would support whatever I chose to do, so nervously, I asked him to tell the nurse for the epidural. Another factor for this choice was because of how late it was and the knowledge that we would be up all night long waiting for this boy to come.

The epidural was a lot less scary and a lot less painful than I had expected. After that, it was so nice to get some rest and sleep for a while. I could still feel the pressure that was coming from the pain masked by the medication. After quite a few more hours of NO regular contractions, I asked to be checked again - and I was at 8 cm around 5:00 AM. 

Coming into the final stretch - everyone was sleeping and I was laying awake waiting to get to 10 and dreaming of the little boy who would soon be in our arms. I thought about how BEAUTIFUL this labor was - even as different and unexpected as it was. It was crazy that how two very different labors could be equally amazing. (I know I am crazy, but I love being in labor). This made me think of every woman who has had the opportunity to birth a child - how each story is so perfect and different in their own way.

With the pain easing its way through the medication, I asked the nurse to get my midwife and check me one last time because I felt like it was time. She checked and I was at 10 cm and things were being brought in to bring our baby into the world. The nurse told me that when I feel pressure to push to call her, but that it might take a while to feel it. About thirty seconds later, I felt it and called her in. It was 7:50 AM and I was ready to start pushing. Since it took me an hour of pushing with Josiah, I expected it to be about half that time, but little did I know that in only 7 minutes and 2 and 1/2 pushes later - our boy was here. With the first push, you could see his head, the second, his head was out and The last push, he came so fast that the midwife almost dropped him, and I could not pull him out like I did with Josiah. 

Nolan Robert Oxford was born on 12/13/14 at 7:57 AM

7 pounds 4 ounces

19.5 inches long

Yes. You read that right. My little month-early-preemie was SEVEN pounds. I don't want to think about how big he would have been if he had gone full term. Either way, my beautiful little baby boy was here. I loved my labor just as much as I did with the first. It was amazing and breath-taking. I love having Nolan in our life and looking down at him every day thinking he is just like a mini-Josiah. I swear they are twinsies. 

Either way- I am so thankful to be a mommy of my two amazing little boys.

Watch the announcement here:

http://vimeo.com/115130602

The Arrival of Little Ox #1 (A Birth Story)

Almost a year ago, In the middle of the night on January 18th, 2013 I was abruptly awaken in the middle of a dream. It took me a little bit to realize it, but it was 2:30 AM and my water had just broken all over my bed. And I mean all over. Once I realized what was happening, I woke up my husband and said “my water broke, we are having our baby!” I call to my mom, who was staying with us at the time and told her too. Mac and I jump out of bed and get in the shower while my mom cleaned up our bed. After calling the hospital, we pack a few last minute things and head off to the hospital at around 4:00 AM. 

Since it is too early in the morning the doors to labor and delivery were locked. The three of us were standing outside waiting to get buzzed in. Once we are in from the freezing weather - we walk down the hallway, with my water leaking all over the place, get checked in and head over to triage room #2. At this time, we are waiting for things to get tested while monitoring the baby - still no contractions yet and we head off to our official labor and delivery room. It is now 5:30 AM.

In Labor and Delivery Room #3, we wait patiently while watching FRIENDS, waiting for Jimmy and Carissa, our friends, to arrive (as well as my contractions). I begin having contractions somewhat irregularly around 6:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, labor has officially started.

I had goals coming into my labor experience - whether realistic or not. I had hoped that most importantly, I could do this completely naturally (which many of the nurse seemed very skeptical of, given my age). I had also hoped (more like wished) that the labor and delivery would not last more than 8-12 hours. I did not want to labor in bed and I did not want to push on my back. But most importantly I had hoped that I could deliver him normally and that he would be completely healthy as could be. I will come back to how some of my hopes ended up.

Since my water broke, the midwife wanted to wait to check my cervix until they thought I might be progressing. My husband and I practiced The Bradley Method - Husband Coached Childbirth throughout my pregnancy. This is what got me through my labor. My husband was my rock and my wonderful supporter that I could rely on to keep me focused and encourage me along the way. I absolutely could not have done this without him.

After 4 hours of labor, things seem to be getting more intense, so I ask the midwife to check me. At 12:00 PM the midwife says that I am dilated 8 cm already! Praise Jesus. I could not believe I was that far along already - and the time surprisingly went by fast. Those four hours flew by because I slept the WHOLE time other than when I was having a contraction. I would wake up, breathe through the contraction with my husband and fall back asleep. So, one hope was not accomplished. I spent the entire labor in bed sleeping rather than up walking around like I had wanted - but it worked! 

After hearing I was already dilated 8 cm - I was not even thinking about getting an epidural. I had made it this far, so I am doing it natural, just like I had hoped for. And I did.

However, the hour from noon to 1:00 PM was HARD. The pressure was getting more intense because i felt like I needed to push but I knew my body was not ready. Finally after the worst, pain-filled hour, the midwife came in and checked me again - I was practically at 10 cm and I could finally start pushing.

Once I could start pushing, I was on a mission. Finally, the end is in sight and we are SO close to meeting our wonderful baby boy we have been waiting to meet since May! That hour went by so fast - and I have never felt closer to my husband during that time. Him and my mom were holding my legs (yes I was on my back -like I didn’t want either - but it was working MAGICALLY). And the midwife and my best friend Carissa were waiting by my feet. Everyone cheered me on and kept me encouraged. I was even able to get a little laugh in as my hubby quoted from FRIENDS (which I watched throughout my entire labor and delivery.

"Hey hey, ho ho, lets get this baby outta here, hey hey, ho ho" my husband quoted as I laughed while trying to push out our son. My husband is the person who bring laughter into my life (and anyone who knows me, knows I love to laugh. He made that moment -during all the pain and determination - a moment to laugh and take joy in this awesome miracle. It was such a wonderful moment to take a breather and laugh. (Which the nurses took note of never seeing anyone laugh during delivery) HAHA 

Finally, with everyone telling me only a few more pushes to go, I gave it all I had and our midwife, Kelly, told me to stop, reach down, and pull my son out on my own. This was the most amazing moment I have ever experienced. (I can hardly hold back the tears as I try to describe it). This was the culmination after months of him growing inside of me, hours of labor bringing him into the world, I literally  grabbed him and pulled him into the world. AMAZING.

At exactly 2:00 PM our son, Josiah Samson Oxford was born at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long. I pulled him onto my chest all grey and goopy, looking more beautiful than ever! I was able to hold him on me and comfort him as took his first breath and let out his first cry. 

So I did it completely natural, with no episiotomy, in only 6 hours, and delivered a healthy baby boy! The moments afterward were so wonderful. My husband wrote about the labor and what he said makes me so proud to have him as my husband and our baby’s father. 

“ I’m A Dad!—We are exhausted but we get moved up to Post Partum. Later in the night i get to have a special moment. You know those moments in movies or tv where the dad feels they joy of being the only one awake and being the leader of his family? Well Kim was tired so i told her to sleep and i’ll hold the baby. Within minutes both of them were asleep and I was wide awake basking in the moment. 

I love my family and I thank God for every moment I have and will spend with them.”

I am so blessed to have this family and I can’t wait to share the wonderful moments I have with them.