The Story of Chloe Elizabeth’s Birth

On Wednesday, July 2^nd , 2008 I awoke and began making breakfast for Carson (my son) and I.  As I was sitting writing an e-mail to Tammy (my sister-in-law) I experienced a “different” contraction. I told Tammy in the e-mail about the sensation and that I was probably reading into it as I have been lately, because of the fact that I was overdue. That morning I had five hours of contractions five minutes apart.  They were different than toning contractions and I thought sure it was the start of my labor. I guess I was just “warming up” for labor according to Shellie, the midwife on call that evening that I had consulted regarding this strange episode.  Needless to say I had these “different” sensations that came and went for the rest of that day.  I made bread and cookies to bring to the birth center and also made dinner when I got up from my nap. 

I was able to sleep fairly well that night.  At 4:30 am on Thursday the contractions came back in a similar fashion, only stronger. I went about my day.  Dave (my husband) stayed home from work. I prepared supper (spinach manicotti, which I later threw up during labor) and put it in the fridge to pop in the oven when I got up form my nap. I was able to nap intermittently for 1 ½  hours. When I got up, the contractions were stronger. I could still do a few things around the house to keep myself busy. When I had five contractions three minutes apart we decided to head for the birth center. I labored in the back of the van on the way to the birth center.  I had to lean over, bounce and/or squat through each contraction. I was a bit concerned that my travel to the birth center would slow my labor down but, thank God things progressed very efficiently and the contractions never slowed. I had labored on my feet all day so I was ready to get into the tub about an hour after we got there.  Ahhh!  It was so nice. I labored on my hands and knees for four more hours in the tub.  I was a very vocal laboring woman.  I used “n” noises like, neee, neigh and neeew.  The lower I made my voice the easier the contraction was to endure.  Toward the end of my labor I decided to squat.  I think I squatted for five contractions and Chloe was out.  “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord” where the first words she heard come out of her mommy’s voice.  When I was giving birth to Carson, his head crowned and I remember feeling his head with my hand at that time, so when Chloe got to that point, I was afraid and asked if she was going to come out.  I kept reaching down during the pushing stage to feel my progress.  That was really awesome.  Dave felt her head after it came out.  When I lifted her leg to see what sex she was the joy on my face was indescribable.  I had my little girl!  My VBAC baby was a great success and I have never felt so satisfied with any other accomplishment in my entire life.  I had 12 hours early labor, 12 hours 16 minutes of active labor and 1 hour 15 minutes of pushing.

When Chloe was first born into the water she was slippery and hard to see.  We were all trying to grasp her.  It was only seconds before she was in my arms.  She was pink and getting ready to breathe.  She turned blue and then white and wouldn’t breathe so Kip and Clarice had to give her mouth to mouth, oxygen and suction.  The paramedics were called but by the time they got there Chloe was 100%.  Chloe’s lungs cleared up quickly and she nursed within an hour of being born.

Chloe’s cord stayed attached for I think, 25 minutes.  Dave cut the cord and even got to hold her with the placenta sitting on his lap in a bowl.

Dave was great he did everything he was supposed to, which wasn’t much.  I basically wanted to be left alone the whole time.  Sometimes I needed a cold washcloth and he got that for me.  Otherwise he just prayed and kept near by.  It was nice to know he was close.

My mom woke up at 3:30 the morning of her birth and was praying.  She prayed herself back to sleep.  Chloe Elizabeth was born into our arms at 3:31 am weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long.  I couldn’t have chosen a better birth for my daughter. 

We stayed at the birth center for about 6 hours after Chloe was born.  They made me eggs and toast. I had an herbal bath and we all got dressed and left.  It was so nice to be home so soon after she was born for some anticipated rest.  I didn’t have to miss my Carson and he didn’t have to miss us.