Eleanor's Birth Story

**I am jumping ahead in my blogging so I can post Eleanor's birth story (that I have had written for months already) in honor of her half birthday (December 2nd). I can't believe it's been 6 months already! I will eventually get all caught on my blogging. One day. ;) 

Wednesday, June 1st
Logan and I went in at 9:30am for an appointment with my midwife (Stephanie) at Baby & Co. I was just over 39 weeks along and I was curious about my progress. At this point, I was having inconsistent contractions and lots of uncomfortable pressure from the baby sitting so low in my pelvic area. I could tell I was already dilated (that's just what my body does - "silent laboring"). Stephanie checked my cervix (which was still posterior - again this is normal for my body) and I was 6cm dilated, 80% effaced, and -1 position. Holy cow! Stephanie reminded me to call as soon as I had any pain or regular contractions. Logan and I left the birth center on our toes because we knew that whenever this baby decided to come he/she was going to come quickly.

I dropped Logan off at work and went home. My parents were already in town to help with the kids which was so nice. My dad and Hudson took off to go fishing while my mom, Amelia, and I went to do some shopping. Later in the afternoon, Stephanie (my midwife) called because she wanted to discuss some options with me. (Note -- this is what I absolutely LOVE about my midwives - they are so personable and caring. I appreciated so much that Stephanie took the time to call and discuss some options with me). Stephanie and I chatted for a bit. She asked if I would like to get my water broken. I quickly told her I would really like that. I'm a big believer in babies come when they come and less intervention is better, but given my history -- I knew that breaking my water was a safe bet because my water doesn't break on it's own. Plus, at this point in pregnancy I was miserable. My feet had been swollen for a few weeks. I couldn't get any sleep at night. I was ready. She asked if I wanted to come in later that night to get my water broken since she was on-call. I told her we would be there around 9:30/10 and we would go from there.

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting my bags packed and everything ready to go. We ate pizza for dinner, put the kids to bed, stopped at Target to get some snacks, and headed to the birth center (10 minutes from our house). Prior to this, I had talked to Stephanie again. She told me there was another woman in labor, so I had a few options:

1) Get my water broken right when I got to the birth center and probably deliver before the other woman

or

2) Get some rest and wait until early morning to get my water broken

We arrived at the birth center a little after 10pm and got situated in our cozy room. Stephanie was there and so was Rebeca (nurse). Stephanie quickly checked my cervix. No real changes. Still sitting at 6-7cm dilated. We had to make a decision about when to break my water.

 Last belly shot. Don't mind the tired eyes and crazy hair. This was close to midnight.

After discussing it with Logan, we decided to get some sleep and wait until 5AM to get my water broken. I am so glad we did this, even though I didn't get any sleep because of the anticipation. It was nice to relax and really get my mind ready to birth a baby.

Fast forward to 5AM...


Thursday, June 2nd

Stephanie and Rebeca came into our room around 5 in the morning, and quickly got everything prepped for labor/delivery. I hardly slept through the night, due to nerves and excitement all in one. Stephanie broke my water around 5:30. This time it was a different experience because when getting my water broken with Hudson and Amelia it was a huge gush of water that came out and intense contractions started almost immediately. Not this time. It was a slow, trickle of water (sorry, TMI) and contractions didn't start right away. I was able to relax for a bit in the warm tub (my favorite), rocked on the exercise ball, walked around the room, and sat on the heated toilet. I loved being able to move around and do what I needed. For the next few hours, it was so peaceful and calm. I felt so comfortable and very much in control of my surroundings, a big difference from Hudson and Amelia's birth.

Relaxing in between contractions

Around 8am is when my contractions started to become more meaningful. They were coming at about 3-4 minutes apart and lasted 45 seconds, but they were not very intense or incredibly painful (more pressure than anything else). I remember Hudson and Amelia's births and how painful those contractions felt, but this birth felt different. I credit this to the way I was able to move around and really manage labor/my body on my own. A little after 8am was when there was a shift change in the midwives. Stephanie left and Alice Ann was on-call. Alice Ann was wonderful (I saw her for a majority of my prenatal care). She has a real calming presence and I was so grateful to have her attending Eleanor's birth (along with another midwife, Rebecca, and our nurse -- Rebeca).

Around 8:45 is when I started to feel a lot of pressure and the urge to push. I was kneeling on the floor next to the tub while using the exercise ball. This was a great position for a few minutes as I was able to push a little here and there, but I was kneeling so there was a lot of pressure and discomfort on my knees which didn't help with getting me to relax and push this baby out. Our nurse, Rebeca, suggested getting into the tub to push. In between contractions, I was able to change position and get into the warm tub. Instant relief. I had several long contractions in the tub. Logan, Alice Ann, Rebecca, and Rebeca were all so incredibly supportive and encouraging the entire time I was pushing. During labor, I typically tune everyone out and really focus on letting my body do what it needs to do, but I remember hearing so much encouragement: "you are almost there, sweetie" and "you are so strong" and "you can do this, Abby!" coming from my birth crew. I felt so safe and empowered in those tender moments leading up to meeting my baby.

Eleanor came into this world at 9:41am after several long pushes. I saw her little head come out in the tub as Alice Ann caught her and helped re-position her so the rest of her body could come out. I gave another push and there she was -- arriving gracefully after a short 4 hours of labor. A big, beautiful baby in my arms! I can't put it into adequate words. I was reminded once again just how sacred and miraculous bringing a baby into the world is.

Logan had a playlist of instrumental music going in the background and the song randomly playing as Eleanor entered this world was "Families can be together forever." I get goosebumps thinking about it all over again. It was a moment I won't ever forget!

First photo of my baby girl

Logan quickly said, "I think it's a girl!" Honestly, the gender of the baby was not the first thought in my mind. I was just happy to finally have a healthy baby in my arms. It was indeed a GIRL! She was a whopping 9lbs 1oz and 20 1/2 inches. No tearing, so no stitches. I was so relieved about that. Water births are magic! Also, Logan would like everyone to know he has guessed right on the gender of all our children and I have been wrong each time. :) We spent the next hour just snuggling and staring at this new baby girl, fresh from heaven! We were feeling so blessed in those moments for a healthy, beautiful baby in our arms.

Side story: Logan had me wear this 3x Tough Mudder headband. I'm a 3x "tough mother."

We had our photographer and friend, Allison, come in an hour after baby was born to take pictures. The kids and my parents arrived a few minutes after Allison. It was such a special time that I am so glad Allison was able to capture! The kids were a little unsure at first of the baby, but they warmed up quickly after a few minutes and now they cannot get enough of baby Eleanor. It took us a few hours to decide on her name, but I remember Logan saying "she's a big girl, she needs a big girl name like Eleanor." And that was that. The name Eleanor had been on my short list the whole pregnancy. I love how elegant and powerful it sounds. A little old-fashioned, but that is what I love about it. It's timeless. It also means "bright, shining one" and my favorite color since I was a little girl has been yellow. It just works. :) "Nan" is her middle name and also Logan's mom's middle name.

One of my favorites. Kind of sums up life with 3 kids. 

Amelia holding Eleanor for the first time. 

Hudson holding Eleanor for the first time. 

Her sweet face. Love. 

This picture. Swoon. 

 My amazing midwife, Alice Ann  

The happy grandparents meeting Eleanor for the first time.

I can't look at those pictures without getting tears in my eyes. We spent a few quiet hours at the birth center so the midwives could monitor baby and myself. The midwives and staff were so helpful and made every effort to make sure I was comfortable. I can't say enough good things about the birth center and the staff. It was wonderful being in their care.

going home outfit

June 2nd weather - it really was a beautiful day! 

Around 9pm that night, we arrived at home. My parents had already gotten the older kids to bed and we were left to just snuggle the baby in our room. What a day! We are so in love with our Eleanor. It was an incredibly beautiful, peaceful experience welcoming this baby into our lives! So happy, honored, and humbled to have Eleanor Nan as part of our forever family!