Birth Story

Our sweet baby boy Declan is here. And we are so in love!!!

I always thought it was cliche, but I have now experienced the feeling everyone has mentioned when you have a child. The love you feel is so strong, there are no words to describe. Many of you have been asking to hear his birth story and I want it documented to look back on in the future. Thought this was a great time while it is fresh in my mind. First of all, my husband and I are high school sweethearts. When we became “officially serious” having all discussions about the future and the possibility of having kids, we were not always on the same page. We went from me wanting kids when he didn’t, he wanted kids I didn’t, and then we both didn’t want kids. Then the question came did we want a small family or big family (still pending). And fast forward to May 3rd, 2019 I looked at that stick and saw two pink lines. We were having a baby. Pregnancy was amazing. We feel truly blessed I was healthy throughout the entire process and had minimal symptoms (I had a few, but nothing crazy). We did our best to document everything throughout the journey and focused on every bit of joy pregnancy had to offer in case it is our first and last child. We wanted to make sure we celebrated this special life God chose to give us as parents and I’d like to say I think we did a great job; and will continue to do so. We did all the things: sent our parents gifts to let them know they were becoming grandparents, baby announcement photographs (thank you Shayne Donovan Photography), gender reveal back in Texas with family, maternity photographs (again with Shayne Donovan photography), and we have a newborn photography session scheduled (Veronica Victoria Photography). Documenting this life changing event has been so special. Baby Declan had an estimated due date of 12/31/19. It came and went. He decided he wanted to incubate longer. We tried all the things: walking, spicy food, acupuncture, chiropractor, pedicure, hour long foot reflexology, curb/stair walking, primrose oil, raspberry tea and of course doing the deed. Nothing worked. Here we were at 41 weeks. Getting all kinds of texts...are you still pregnant. How are you feeling? Everyone was eager to meet our boy. The week of his birth was definitely what I’d call the big finale. Monday we went in for a membrane sweep. I had some “surges” (hypnotherapy language we used for our birthing), however it didn’t turn into any kind of pattern or escalation. Tuesday came...nada. Wednesday arrived and I was feeling so uncomfortable my midwives advised I should get a massage and chiropractic adjustment. I remember the hour prenatal massage was heavenly. Once my body was relaxed I moved to the chiropractic room for an adjustment. Then before I left, I asked if they could do another membrane sweep. They agreed and it was done. Wayne and I left the birthing center to grab dinner before we headed back to the clinic for a free class they were offering. We ate at one of our favorite Thai food places called “Rice N’ Spice”. As we sat there, I started to feel consistent surges. By the time we got back to the office for the class I caught the midwives as they were heading out the door to inform them of my surge patterns. I was using an app to track my surges and it advised me to notify my practitioner. The midwives said we should go home, rest and be expecting to call them in the middle of the night for active labor. We labored at home from 6p to 6am before we went to the birthing center. We got there and I was dilated to a 4 (enough to keep me there). We labored some more, I got to a 5. Then we started to stall. We tried all types of natural remedies and positions. Wayne and I got a good workout in with hundreds of squats (he helped lift me in the squats). I tried herbal tinctures mixed in with my gatorade. I even took a shower to relax my muscles (I never dilated big enough to get in the tub). We were willing to try anything to birth our baby at the birth center and so we could hold Declan in our arms sooner rather than later. As the day progressed I noticed I felt like I had been hydrating enough I should have urinated and I definitely felt the urge to use the restroom but was unable to...so we attempted to assist with catheterization. Nothing happened. I wasn’t able to empty my bladder. Here it was approaching 6pm and my body was starting to give out. The midwives suggested we could give it one more hour and then they said we needed to consider the option of being transferred to the hospital because my body was already in labor so long without any progress and I was having erratic contractions I remember looking at Wayne and crying. I was exhausted, sad we had to deviate from our birth plan (I was really looking forward to the water birth), and I felt like a failure. After I had a moment to release that emotion I gathered my composure and had a chat with myself. I knew we did everything we could. I put up a fight and powered through as much as my body would allow. It was time to let go and give it over to God.

The midwives called our preferred hospital and they were completely full. After this news we agreed to go to the closest one to the birth center. Everything was in place and we headed out to have our baby at the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital I was given an epidural so my body could take a break and Wayne and I could get some rest. They checked me every two hours from the time we arrived. Initially after the epidural I dilated to a 6...two hours later no change (I stalled again). Next up. They suggested I get the smallest dose of pitocin to assist my body. Two hours later I went from a 6 to a 9. Success, finally. Then another two hours later it was time to push (I breathed him down). I prayed it would be quick compared to the long labor. I’d say it was successful. We had Declan here within an hour. When they handed me Declan a rush of love and happiness took over. I was oblivious to everything else going on except holding my baby and looking at Wayne with tears in his eyes. I said to him, “I am so happy”. Nine months of waiting...everything was worth it. Dad stayed with Declan while mom was being attended to (I had to have some extra care for bleeding and clotting problems). Even though I didn’t get to hold him as long, it was so special to watch Wayne hold our child sealing the bond between dad and son. It was important to us to make sure we were the first people to hold him. Fast forward…the rest of the hospital stay went smoothly. We all received a clear bill of health and went home on Sunday.

Even though his birth didn’t happen the way we imagined; it happened the way God intended it to be. We were blessed with the amount of care we received from the midwives (they also stayed with us at the hospital until we were comfortable) and the labor team we had was amazing. Family and friends were with us for support and we received many calls/texts to check on us. We’d like to thank everyone involved in helping us get to where we are today. You helped us create a loving environment for our son to be welcomed into. We are excited to be parents and know this will be one of our greatest adventures. Declan was born Friday January 10th, 2020 at 6:15am. He was 9.87 lbs and 21 ½ inches long.