My birth story is long overdue as my little man is now 24
weeks old. I wrote this as how I'll be sharing my birth story with him someday.
Better late than never right!
Angelo Christopher Martinez’s Birth Story –
Born May 27, 2013
My sweet Angelo, we
had anxiously been awaiting your arrival but did not want to rush you in any
way. There was talk of a full moon the Friday before you were born as it is
believed that many women go in to labor during full moons. I did not feel that
would be the case for you though, so I didn’t pay any attention to that.
Besides you had to wait for Maria to get back in town!!! We knew you'd come
when ready and were done cooking :-). You were due to arrive on 5/30/13 (right
before my birthday) but decided to grace us with your arrival a bit sooner. I'm
so glad you did!!!
Towards the end of my
pregnancy I continued to stay as active as possible. That included going to
Zumba regularly, taking many walks and keeping up with your two sisters. Dad
and I were quite busy getting our home ready for you and clearing out as much
clutter as possible. Here you are 39 weeks:
Our
midwife Maria was away at a retreat that weekend and so I prayed that you
wouldn’t come too early so that she’d be there for the birth. I remember saying
many times that you’d come that Monday as she’d be back in town by then. I
guess you were listening J. It was a normal busy weekend; the
Saturday before you arrived I went to a bridal shower. Sunday I volunteered at
a midwife class, where as many as 12 learning doulas felt you in my tummy. Now
in retrospect I wonder if that got things going for you. It was such a
beautiful day that we then headed over to the Palace of Fine Arts for a little
stroll with your sisters.
On Monday May 27,
2013 I woke up around 2 am with a sudden urge to pee. I went to the restroom
and nothing happened. Then again around 5:30 am. When I returned to bed, I felt
mild lower back pain. This feeling was familiar and I had a feeling that
perhaps it was early labor, I didn't want to get too excited just in case.
I figured I’d let your
dad sleep as he’d need the energy later. I laid back in bed, but began timing
the mild contractions in my head. They were irregular with some being about
15-20 minutes apart but very mild. My hands had been a bit swollen those last
few days prior to labor and I had a feeling I'd get to meet you soon as I
noticed some other changes in my body. That morning I went for a checkup with
Maria at 8 am and it went well. You measured correctly at 39 weeks and I
mentioned to Maria that I had been feeling the back pain and the contractions,
though at that point I was not sure if they were just Braxton Hicks
contractions or real contractions. Maria said everything looked good and that
she may or may not hear from me later that day.
After the appointment
I picked up some snacks and also picked up fresh bread and a pastry to share at
home. I felt full of energy and in a great mood.
Then headed home and
kept tracking the contractions. Your dad kept telling me to relax and rest but
I just couldn't sit through the contractions. I kept getting up each time one
came to breathe through them. Here you are that morning peeking through my
shirt while still in my tummy:
I had promised your
sisters that we'd have a family outing to Children's Fairyland that day since
it was a holiday and there was no school. As the contractions continued I just
knew there was no way I'd be able to spend the day laying around and siting
through contractions. So I made sandwiches and packed lots of snacks for us to
have at the park. Here they are. They were excited as they realized you’d come
soon.
We picked up grandma
on the way and off we went around noon to Fairyland (small theme park with lots
of walking). As the outing progressed I felt the contractions coming and going
and getting more intense and regular. Your dad called to check on me a couple
of times and I assured him that the contractions were regular but not painful
yet and that I may be in labor sometime that day. The contractions came and
went and I stopped many times throughout the park to get through them with deep
breathing. People would stop to ask if I was ok and I'd simply respond with:
Yes, thank you. I'm just in labor J.
We made our way out
of the park by 4 pm. Got through the bridge, dropped off grandma and made it
home by 5:30 pm.
I walked in to find dad
had set up the birth tub and it was ready to go (I got really excited; it began
to feel real). The contractions were still pretty consistent with no changes so
I began to clean house as I knew that we would be having company over soon.
Your dad drifted off to sleep for a bit, and then suddenly woke up to one of my
contractions as my breathing got louder and louder. I remember he asked at that
point if we should call Maria or Krissi (your auntie and doula) and I told him
it was not yet time.
6:30 pm came and your
sisters got hungry so I began to make dinner while cleaning up and having some
more contractions. I recall emailing myself at 7:47 pm as your sisters made me
so proud. They had been playing so nicely with each other while I endured
contractions all day.
Here is a picture of
them playing dress up while waiting for dinner:
The contractions
began to get closer together so I started tracking them with a phone app. They were
about 7 minutes apart but not always 1 minute long so we checked in with Maria
just in case. She said to call her back when they got to 4-1-1. This is what
they looked like when I began to track:
So I kept tracking
and trying to clean as I could not sit through the contractions. They were not
painful per say, but rather intense. I mostly labored leaning over the kitchen
counter, swaying my hips side to side and taking deep long breaths which really
helped. I recall your sisters would come by as well to pat my back and smother
me with kisses telling me I’d be ok. I managed to make dinner, but wasn’t hungry.
Instead I drank lots of water and snacked here and there. At just about 9 pm dad
went to drop off your sisters at tia Liana's house and pick up some last minute
things. Your sisters Lila and Sophia were so excited. They knew that you were
coming soon and couldn’t wait to meet you.
From that point on I
had about an hour and a half of laboring on my own which was nice. I paced
through our home, used the bathroom, tried different positions and took my
breathing to another level. I hummed and took deep long breaths through the
contractions (things I remembered from the breathing class Krissi and I took).
By then the contractions got pretty close together. They were at 5-1-1. Dad had
called a few times while out to see how I was doing. He later said that he could
tell by my breathing that the contractions were stronger even though I was
saying I was doing ok. So he called Krissi and asked her to make her way over
to check on me. I had also been messaging with Krissi during the contractions.
We thought it’d for sure be a long night and that I’d see her in the morning. I
recall telling her that all I wanted was water and dark chocolate which was
counterproductive to everyone’s advice to rest.
The contractions
progressed so fast. I didn't think I needed to rush dad home. But right before
he arrived I had a few contractions that were really close together. By now it
was around 10:30 pm. Even when the contractions got really intense though, not
for one second did I doubt my decision to birth you at home. It felt so right,
so natural that I did not fight the contractions and tense up like I recall
doing for your sisters’ births. Instead I consciously let my body do what it
was trying to do and focused on breathing deep and long.
Here is how my
contractions progressed:
So dad
rushed home and as I was having an intense contraction he walked through the door.
I could hear him reminding me to take deep breaths, that I was doing great and
that it was going to be ok. He squeezed my hips to help with the pressure
through a few contractions but still had to fill the birth tub. I had a few
more contractions and they were now about 4-1-1. I guess I was waiting for more
of a pattern before saying anything and within minutes as Chris was trying to
fill the tub, I had a really intense and long contraction and my water broke
right in our kitchen. Per the phone app this was at 11:10 pm. (good thing I was
tracking). I could not believe it!!! Finally you were coming!!!
I was
filled with joy as with each contraction I could feel you descending and making
your way down. I was able to experience what the miracle of natural birth is. I
remember thinking to myself: this is how it's supposed to happen. This is what
my body was meant to do and this is what happens when you TRUST!!!
That's when
we called Maria and Krissi to come on over. Maria had told me all along that
since it was our 3rd birth that it would happen fairly quickly. She was not
kidding!!!! From this point it all happened so fast.
I rushed
over to take a shower and the contractions got more and more intense. I could
barely move while in the shower and Chris reminded me (in a very sweet manner)
that he was trying to fill the tub but couldn't while I was in there. These
contractions were so intense that I could hardly move.
By the
time I was coming out of the shower Maria arrived. I heard her cheerful voice
and felt a sense of relief and excitement as she was there to guide us through.
I thought
that at this point I'd be dilated to 7 or 8 and would still have time for the
tub to get filled in time to give birth. Boy was I wrong!!! Maria made it here
in about 13 minutes (she happened to be at another birth for a first time
mama). By 11:30ish Maria checked me and said I was ready to push on the next
contraction. I was in disbelief, shock and sooo excited. Of course though this
meant no water birth since the tub was barely 1/4 of the way full. I recall
breathing through the next contraction shortly after still in disbelief and not
quite ready to push. We waited for the next contraction while I prepared myself
mentally to push and greet you.
On the
next contraction I could feel you descending and I reminded myself to let my
body open (I kept picturing a flower blooming) and help you come out. It felt
like I pushed with all my might yet it didn't feel like you had come out at
all. Maria and Chris assured me they could see your little head.
A few
minutes later another contraction came and I remember pushing, but it was
rather a gentle almost effortless push this time. I wanted to ensure your
transition from my womb in to the world would be as gentle as possible. Dad was
holding my hand and taking video all at the same time to try and capture this
special moment. I had closed my eyes and could feel the burning sensation and
knew that was your head coming out. I was so focused on feeling you descend,
pushing and my breathing that I didn't hear Maria the first time when she said
to reach down and catch you. I did hear her the second time though. I looked
down and I could see your head and shoulders. At that moment I reached down for
you and pulled the rest of you out. It was surreal. I held you in disbelief and
recall saying: my baby, my baby several times. I was now able to hold you in my
arms and couldn't stop smiling while I looked at your sweet face. You were
bright pink and just full of life.
Auntie Krissi heard me give birth to you right outside the front door.
With all the commotion we did not hear her knocking, but she was there, present
through it all and came in shortly after to meet you as well.
We named
you:
Angelo
Christopher Martinez
Born May
27th, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Weighed 7
lb. - 3 oz., 20 3/4 inches long
Words
could not describe what I felt at that moment. I recall smiling from the moment
I saw you for hours on end. I was on this amazing high knowing you were here as
healthy as could be. You cried immediately, were bright pink and had tons of
hair. I placed you on my chest where you calmed down. You looked beautiful, so
peaceful, and just full of life. You nursed shortly after like a champ. Guess
you were really hungry. We had wanted to keep your gender a surprise and it
sure was. Papa Chris had to take a double look and confirmed you were a boy.
Yes!!!!! We were so grateful for your arrival. Here is your proud papa:
One of my
wishes when planning our home birth was to not cut your umbilical cord
immediately and to have as long as possible to bond skin to skin with you. We
got just that! I think it was at least 30 minutes of just us three gazing at
each other. Papa was taking lots of pictures. We were in amazement of what had just
happened. I didn't know birth could be this way. Our experience was so joyous,
simple and natural. Shortly after, daddy cut your cord as it had stopped
pulsating. Then daddy held you while I delivered the placenta.
I felt
great and was ready to eat. Chris brought over some coconut water for me. It
was delicious and auntie Krissi made me some scrambled eggs which I had with
stewed meat and rice. Thank goodness for left overs. Chris spoon fed me while
we talked for a bit. I thought that was so sweet!
Then Maria
and Krissi stayed a bit longer to check on your vitals, observe you and ensure
we were ok. You were weighed, had a vitamin K shot and got checked thoroughly.
Having Maria and Krissi there before, during and after made a huge impact on
our successful home birth. We will be forever grateful.
We
eventually moved down to our bedroom and cuddled in our own bed with you and
dad. I was too excited to sleep. I kept staring at you while also talking to
Papa. The hour prior to your birth was so special for dad and I. We agreed to
have made the right decision to have you at home. Although dad was supportive
of any decision I would have made, he wasn't always on board with the idea of a
home birth. However, after having experienced your birth he was convinced. The
best part is that it was just us, no nurses or doctors in our room. No one was
pacing in the hallway and checking on us every hour. I felt in such peace and
quiet. It was pure bliss.
You slept
swaddled for about 3 hours and then woke up to eat and be changed. Here you are
just hours old unwrapped like the precious gift you are.
I would have liked
for your sisters to be at the birth or there right after as we had watched a
few home birth movies together to prepare them for it. However it was nice to
have these moments to ourselves and enjoy you just like this.
Your sisters did get
to meet you the next day once home from school. Here is the first time you all
met:
That
afternoon Maria came to check on you. Can you believe you were the 1110th
baby delivered by her? AMAZING!!! I wouldn't change a thing about our home
birth experience. It was wonderful to be surrounded by other mamas to be the
months before you arrived; and also having Maria so involved with us after your
birth as well. I wish I could do overs with your sisters and that I knew then
what I know now about home birth.
Here you
are with Maria at about 5 weeks old:
Angelo,
you are a blessing to our family and have thrived since birth. I couldn't be a
more proud mommy. So were and are so alert, aware and healthy. Here is the
progress days after birth:
·
At
birth 7lbs. 3oz.
·
The
next day 6lbs. 15oz.
·
At
3 days 6lbs. 12oz.
·
At
10 days 7lbs. 5oz.
In
retrospect, I recall being so much more present in this birth; being fully
aware of what you and my body were doing as you got in position to meet us earth
side.
I have
been asked if I felt afraid of how a home birth could go wrong and how I could
endure not taking any pain medication. I chose to have a home birth in my 7th
month of pregnancy so it’s not like I knew all along that I’d chose this path.
I did have a few moments where I did give in to the fear of what may go wrong.
However, it was because of the wonderful people I surrounded myself with that I
was able to push through and kept my birth choice. I knew it was the best for
my family, myself and you Angelo.
What I’ve
taken away the most from this experience is that breathing, tuning in to my
body, trusting myself & my instincts made a world of difference. I wanted
this home birth so badly for us that not once during labor did I consider going
to the hospital at all.
I wish all
moms to be were given the resources to learn as much as I did about home birth.
Like I said before, I didn't know home birth could be this wonderful or that it
is even an option. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Here is
Angelo today at 24 weeks old:
