Harlo's Birth Story

Around 9 PM on May 4th I started feeling as if my period was about to start. It was a feeling I hadn't felt in 10 months. Cramps. "OOH... uh... hmm?? Could this be it?"

Around 1 AM the cramps turned into something more than a menstrual reminder. At 20 minutes apart I could no longer stay in bed, so I started cleaning our house. Skylar followed me around the house all night and into the morning. Poor little doggie... I think she was concerned!

I woke Jacob up at 3:30 AM and we started timing our contractions (**I say OUR because from this point on he went through every contraction with me**). Each contraction was getting stronger and stronger, but still 10-15 minutes apart and too early to go to the hospital. We went for a walk, Jacob massaged my lower back, we took a shower, and by 8 AM it was time to go!

We made the short drive up the hill and arrived at Feather River Hospital (The Best place to have a baby-- great nursing staff, wonderful midwives, and caring doctors!!) around 9 AM. For the next 12 hours I endured a crazy test of my sanity, strength, and womanhood.

Once I was 10 CM dilated I got into the birthing tub. For the next two hours-- nothing happened. I pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed and did a whole lot of OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHH's and UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH's and deep, low sounding primal noises (I wish I would have recored myself). Once the nurse realized Harlo's head was not moving she called in the midwife (who was assisting another birth). They thought his little body was turned (in the wrong position). The had to call in bigger guns.

The doctor came in about 20 minutes after being called (amazing). He took a look inside and said, "the baby's not turned-- he's stuck". At this point I looked at my midwife and asked her if I could have something for the pain (and for my mind). She looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, but you need all your strength right now and if I give you something you won't be able to push your baby out". I took this as, YOU'RE VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A C-SECTION.

One episiotomy, a vacuum assist, and 6 pushes later: Harlo was born at 9:54 PM on El Cinco De Mayo. He was placed on my chest and bliss poured out of me. He looked at me, I talked to him, we both cried, and I apologized for his cone head. My pelvic bone was in the way, and my tailbone is tilted-- makes for a small vajayjay opening. The doctor had to assist Harlo down, over, and out! BUT we escaped C-Section land.