A Fresh Perspective — Jemma’s Beautiful Birth

2 years ago today I started my first birth. It was hard and wonderful. Empowering and scary. It was everything I imagined and full of unexpected twists. Over the years I’ve thought a lot about what I wanted to change, but in the end, I’m so happy it went exactly how it did. Healthy and happy mama and baby – that’s what always matters the most.
 
Today I’m sharing my rewritten birth story. The one I want Jemma to know and remember. It is different than the raw and emotional story I initially wrote, but simple and beautiful in it’s own rite. My rewritten story focuses on all the positives – everything I want to highlight, all the good and lovely, because truly, that is exactly what Jemma’s birth represents.

It was a warm day for September. The last day – the 30th. I had a relaxed day at work and ended things early after a meeting with my wonderful manager. She sent me home with well wishes and promises that I “looked lower” and she doubted I would return to work the following week. I shook my head and laughed as I walked out the door.

Daddy and I decided to go out for dinner. I had a coupon to Red Robin for my birthday burger and meat was one of my most favorite things to eat during pregnancy. We arrived at the restaurant and I gobbled down a HUGE plate of prime rib dip, fries, cantaloupe, and strawberry lemonade. Since I was celebrating with my birthday coupon I also got a free birthday sundae! Mam was full to the brim with yummy food!

We got home, changed clothes, and settled into the living room to watch Survivor. I was feeling awfully tired after my big meal and cuddled into the couch with drowsy eyes. Not many positions are comfortable for very long while super pregnant so I soon rolled onto the floor to do some of my pelvic rock pregnancy exercises.

Then I felt a trickle and a gush. I hopped up as quick as I could and raced to the bathroom. “What’s the matter?” called Daddy.

I yelled back to him, “I think my water broke!”

We called our midwife, Lucina, and she assured us that your birth journey had begun. We planned to stay at home for awhile before driving to the birthing center, but contractions were starting and I was already starting to feel uncomfortable. Lucina ok’d a warm bath to help me relax while Daddy packed the car with our birth bags.

Before getting into the bath I texted my manager to tell her she was right, I wouldn’t be back at work anytime soon. I was having my baby!!! We called both our families to share the big news too.

After my bath I tried to relax in bed. We watched a little bit of Grey’s Anatomy. I bounced on my blue birthing ball. I felt anxious about traveling in the car while enduring contractions. Another phone call to Lucina prompted us to get on our way to the birth center since it was nearing 11 pm.

We arrived at the birth center and made ourselves at home in the green room – my favorite. I was still in shock that my little baby was on his/her way! I felt tired since I hadn’t slept since Wednesday night and kept telling everyone I hadn’t slept in a long time. The birth center staff made me a yummy berry smoothie to give me a boost of energy – I had a long night ahead of me!

Throughout the night and into Friday I alternated between soaking in the bath, walking, squatting on the edge of the bed, and rocking on all fours. Anything to alleviate so of the strain and stress brought on by contractions. Daddy was such a trooper – by my side through it all! Lucina had two other mamas arrive at the birth center so our back-up midwife, Adele, stepped in as our primary care provider. She brought along her assistant, Serena, who was such a blessing to us. Serena was a source of verbal and physical encouragement and helped both Mama and Daddy through some rough moments.

At this point I had fully dilated, all except for a small cervix lip which Adele moved. Ouch! I was ready to start pushing and did so in the tub – you were going to be my water baby after all :) Pushing didn’t bring about much progress so we tried to help you move along by lunging up and down the stairs at the birth center. That’s tough work in the midst of contractions!

By Friday evening Adele determined that your little head was tipped in an asynclitic fashion. This explained why things were taking extra long – your head and my body were working hard to remold so you could drop further down and make your grand entrance. To help this process we had a acupuncturist and chiropractor visit our room. The acupuncturist helped relieve my nerves and the chiropractor adjusted me (and probably you!) to help us both continue to mold. I’m so grateful we were able to have this extra help during your journey into my arms.

Early Saturday morning my contractions had slowed to allow my body to rest. I had been awake for 42 hours, working very hard, and I was extremely tired. Adele advised us to pack up from the birth center and caravan with her to the hospital. At the hospital I would get an epidural so I could sleep, regain my energy, and successfully push you into the world. We agreed to this plan and loaded into two cars – me with Adele while Serena and Daddy followed with our bags.

By 3 am I was checked into the hospital and the anesthesiologist was prepping my epidural. I was in good spirits and ready for a power nap! Our families joined us for a quick visit to say hello and then we all closed our eyes for a few hours of sleep. Throughout it all you were happy and healthy and never gave us a worry. Apparently you were just content to stay connected to Mama for a little bit longer :)

Around 9:30 am on Saturday morning our whole birth team reconvened. It was time to begin pushing … again … and we knew this time would result in a little baby! YAY! I pushed hard for 2 1/2 hours and at 11:36 am, you were born! Daddy excitedly announced to the room, “IT’S A GIRL!” and I was so surprised! I snuggled you up to my chest and Daddy and I looked into your bright eyes and beautiful expression. You were the most beautiful baby we had ever seen! We had waited until you were born to decide on your name – it was between Tallulah, Elsa, and Jemma. After meeting you, there was no doubt you were our little Jemma.

Jemma Janell – our perfect 8 pound 10 ounce, 21 1/4 inch long baby girl! Daddy and Mama love you so much sweetheart! You are such a blessing to us and we can’t imagine our family without you!

(Visited 3,097 times, 1 visits today)

You May Also Like:

Comments

  1. says

    Love that you did this… Such a great story!

  2. says

    What a beautiful retelling! An arduous journey with a perfect finale. Happy birthday to Jemma.-Dana

  3. says

    What a beautiful story. And a beautiful baby. I never got around to writing the birth story for my son, and now I'm halfway through pregnancy for baby number 2, I really need to get a move on! :) Your beautiful story has inspired me to give it a go soon! :)

  4. ThatMamaGretchen says

    I totally understand how hard it is to fit in writing a birth story. Most of my writing is usually done in 5-10 minute snippets. You know, between loading laundry, filling sippies, and nursing. Ha!

  5. Anonymous says

    [/url] boots . It [url =http://www.cheapuggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]cheap ugg boots sale[/url] lacks the fancy bells and whistles of some of its competitor shoes, opting instead for a simple black and white block appearance . play a huge role wiattenuate our Existence . And now, the prevailing trend has begun to move throughout Asia concerning many countries like China, Japan [url =http://www.genuineuggbootsonlinesale.co.uk]cheap ugg boots online[/url] and so . Ugg boots are traditionally [url =http://www.cheapuggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]cheap ugg boots australia[/url] made from the australia finest twinface sheepskin . [url =http://www.uggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]ugg australia uk[/url] classiccardyuggs . For the newborn and old, [url =http://www.classicuggsbootssale.co.uk]classic ugg boots[/url] they are glad to enjoy the incomparable warmth on these shoes even in freezing days . Boot cuff can [url =http://www.australiauggsboot.co.uk]australia ugg boot sale[/url] be worn up or folded over in accordance with your style preference.[/p][p]The womens UGG Classic Short Sparkles is a stylish and glittery take on one of our most famous [url =http://www.uggbootsinaustralia.co.uk]cheap ugg australia

  6. Anonymous says

    Whаt's up, I check your blogs regularly. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep doing what you're dοing!Also see my page :: 12 month loans for bad credit

  7. Anonymous says

    I've learn several good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you set to make one of these magnificent informative website.Review my web siteloans for bad credit

  8. Anonymous says

    OzmIyd [url <a href="http://=http://onnrainnmcm.com/#43240%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://onnrainnmcm.com/#43240]MCM 店舗[/url] KxsTkb http://onnrainnmcm.com/ HxmBkq [url <a href="http://=http://mcmsenmon.com/#98336%5DMCM[/url]” target=”_blank”>=http://mcmsenmon.com/#98336]MCM[/url] BpwZjh http://mcmsenmon.com/ FroLrb [url <a href="http://=http://ninnkimcm.com/#98322%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://ninnkimcm.com/#98322]MCM バッグ[/url] PouFda http://ninnkimcm.com/ WkdAdk [url <a href="http://=http://kaidokumcm.com/#94952%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://kaidokumcm.com/#94952]MCM 店舗[/url] ItdImx http://kaidokumcm.com/ BnwFdv [url <a href="http://=http://manzokumcm.com/#78267%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://manzokumcm.com/#78267]MCM バッグ[/url] VsdAav http://manzokumcm.com/ PzyVsq http://chloenihon.com/ DiiPpz [url =http://chloenihon.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] XmiK http://toumikousin.com/ EpzHB [url =http://toumikousin.com/]TUMI 26108[/url] JkmKeT http://toumikakaku.com/ RpgOxJG [url =http://toumikakaku.com/]TUMI 96141[/url] AxeOmw [url =http://mcmhannbai.com/]MCM ショルダー[/url] UahIzl [url =http://mcmhannbai.com/]MCM 店舗[/url]

  9. Anonymous says

    GbeNks [url <a href="http://=http://onnrainnmcm.com/#47210%5DMCM[/url]” target=”_blank”>=http://onnrainnmcm.com/#47210]MCM[/url] YkzNxi http://onnrainnmcm.com/ VcfUki [url <a href="http://=http://mcmsenmon.com/#12899%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://mcmsenmon.com/#12899]MCM 長財布[/url] EhdQcp http://mcmsenmon.com/ IaoMpe [url <a href="http://=http://ninnkimcm.com/#50215%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://ninnkimcm.com/#50215]MCM バッグ[/url] TpjAib http://ninnkimcm.com/ PppKdw [url <a href="http://=http://kaidokumcm.com/#54112%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://kaidokumcm.com/#54112]MCM 長財布[/url] GryXma http://kaidokumcm.com/ XmjXnt [url <a href="http://=http://manzokumcm.com/#75886%5DMCM” target=”_blank”>=http://manzokumcm.com/#75886]MCM iphoneケース[/url] HbpRla http://manzokumcm.com/ SzzHel http://chloenihon.com/ RfrJmq [url =http://chloenihon.com/]クロエ 財布[/url] WvzIfm http://louboutindendou.com/ NkbGrl [url =http://louboutindendou.com/]クリスチャンルブタン メンズ[/url] AoeXuv http://guccisenmon.com/ WimLun [url =http://guccisenmon.com/]GUCCI ショルダーバッグ[/url] ZctDuj [url =http://mcmhannbai.com/]MCM 韓国[/url] OtmTep [url =http://mcmhannbai.com/]MCM 店舗[/url]

  10. Anonymous says

    Goοd site yоu have got hеre.. It's hard to find high quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!Stop by my web blog Eternity rings

  11. Anonymous says

    Greenway Solar presently sell a 250w "plug-n-play" kit for $US1893 Clarion Engineering are processing a classy sunshade copy that module be released in mid 2011. They've watched the news and they've seen that solar panels and windmills can power streetlights, but they're skeptical that they can meet their needs without industrial-sized equipment (which will require a whole lot of paperwork with your government, subdivision, etc. Here's a short list of approaches to remaining focused and staying far removed from problems.Also visit my weblog Solarenergie

  12. Anonymous says

    Wonderful beat ! I woulԁ liκe to apprentice even аѕ уou amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The acсount аided mе a apрlicable deal.I were tiny bit familiar of this уour broadcaѕt provided bгilliant сlear ideaFeel free tο suгf to my webpage … payday loansmy website > payday loans

  13. Anonymous says

    [p]For this reason, buying some vivienne westwood jewellery for your partner will always be the right thing to do . Some sociologists would avoid or attempt discounting that pivotal, authoritative and tacit but insidious and fully dichotomous aspect of that American period in men fashion, which quickly came to far exceed in importance mere fashion statement . regarding to [url =http://www.viviennejewelry.co.uk]vivienne westwood london[/url] brokers . Stella McCartney, the late Lee McQueen and Vivienne Westwood surely spring to the forefront of one茅聢楼忙陋職 mind when you think of London fashion . This is not just merely an observation, but it is something proven by statistics . During the Baroque period of the 16th century, no matter civilian or uniformed uniforms, people would put a long silk belt on their waist, the vibrant color and cold metal was in stark contrast to the shiny armor . You can use them so differently as office-wear, party-wear, daily wear, occasional-wear this and that . Be it your sister, mother, [url =http://www.viviennejewelry.co.uk]vivienne westwood accessories[/url] wife, lover or whatever, gifting a piece of jewellery means a lot to them.[/p][p]We were stuffed after lunch so we decided to walk it off at the Quan Yin temple where we found ourselves at a roadside assam laksa stall for more food,Is this a paid template or did you modify it yourself,the posts is really nice :-),This way you might meet at most five singles in a week . Those eking out a living on fixed incomes, especially retirees, [url =http://www.viviennejewelry.co.uk]vivienne westwood bags[/url] still lack the means to do otherwise . Both classy and alluring,it茅聢楼忙陋職 no surprisethat the pencil skirt is regularly spotted on the red carpet . Westwood said she was supporting the campaign and defending habeas corpus . The boots came into [url =http://www.viviennejewelry.co.uk]vivienne westwood jewelry[/url] existence over 30 years before its actual registration . The Classic English Madder Silk TieThe English Madder silk tie is recognised worldwide as an icon of British style . The vivienne westwood blog [url =http://www.viviennejewelry.co.uk]vivienne westwood bracelets[/url] is written by myself . Scientific Intervention The Progress Of Fashion Through The AgesCrown Prince Hirohito of Japan commissioned Henry Poole & Co, a respected Savile Row Tailor, to create Westernized suits for his state tour of Britain.[/p]

  14. Anonymous says

    [p]The unique packaging design, very cute: a small, heart-shaped box, a small bow and ribbon on the box, seems to tell people inside the jewelry is build with love and packaged with love, but also with love gained; most important to let people feel the deep love of wearing jewelry! . Spring is a season which is full of inspiration . There's always products description mention within the [url =http://www.thomassabojewellerysuk.co.uk]thomas sabo jewellery sale[/url] pandora console packaging, smart users really should read that also . You隆炉ll find enchantment drops relating to most jobs this includes alphabets, pets or animals, diet and even food and drink, holiday vacation bracelets [url =http://www.llinksoflondon.co.uk]wholesale links of london[/url] etc . The design is full of heart and mind, affecting a person隆炉s [url =http://www.thomassabojewellerysuk.co.uk]thomas sabo jewellery uk[/url] emotional and delicate flowers, beautiful bow and heart-shaped: the performance of a whole new way; Thomas Sabo classic design, such as wings, crosses and keys . At this time pandora charms online , a lot of on the [url =http://www.thomassabojewellerysuk.co.uk]thomas sabo jewellery[/url] web vendors offer you this sort of product Pandora jewellery andoptions Michigan men and women can be the leading piece of your entire human body . There are only few retailers who are authorized to deal with authentic Pandora Jewelry . All those [url =http://www.llinksoflondon.co.uk]links of london charms[/url] chains come ready-made with a clasp or clip, and may include a safety chain, or an extension chain.[/p][p]In Precedent days, the Kings and Queens normally utilised Thomas Sabo Charms to indicate their status . It is a wonderful season to [url =http://www.llinksoflondon.co.uk]links of london charms wholesale[/url] wear jewelries . The 2 a whole lot of classical alternation by Thomas Sabo; thomas sabo charm club and argent Accumulating had been designed and accompany in starting items of styles . They can easily be collected to represent special memories, be a unique [url =http://www.thomassabojewellerysuk.co.uk]cheap thomas sabo jewellery[/url] gift for someone you love or simply be an addition to your fashion status . Many women are a big fan of Pandora jewelry, and your girlfriend or wife is one of them in all probability . You might have already discovered the delights of collecting charm jewellery in bracelet or necklace [url =http://www.thomassabojewellerysuk.co.uk]thomas sabo sale[/url] form . What any brand managed was give sterling silver jewellery an innovative appearance, higher prestige in addition to a respected place that can be purchased.[/p]

  15. Anonymous says

    Hеllo there, There's no doubt that your site might be having web browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it's gοt some overlapping issues.I meгely wanted to give you a quick heads uр!Apart from that, fantastіc websіtе!Ηeгe is my ωebsite … New Bingo Sites

  16. Anonymous says

    I аm genuіnelу gгateful tо the owner of this ωеb site ωho haѕ shaгeԁ this enormous post аt аt thiѕ placе.Have a loοk at my ωeb site :: Lloyd Irvin

  17. Anonymous says

    Pretty nіcе post. I ϳust stumbleԁ upon your weblog and wanted to say that I've really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!My homepage – payday loans

  18. Anonymous says

    Most of them are available via the internet and can be downloaded instantly as an e-book or mp3 file. In fact, You will begin to enjoy socializing with others.When you totally accept yourself for who you are, others will too.Also visit my weblog … overcome shyness

  19. Anonymous says

    So, withοut а tгacе. If you ԁеcіԁе tо go to court to reclaim the mоney, ωhich camе ѕtаndard on the Ζ-3, aѕ well as hoгѕes.You can request this іnformаtiοn frοm anу auto lοans with bаd crеdіt computer for а smаll feω.Feel free to νiѕit my ωeb pаge … behappy

  20. says

    Lovely story. Thank you for sharing. If a may share a site that your readers may be interested in, it's at skin tightening.