Henry's birth story and pics!

[L J]

I wanted to take the time to go ahead and write this down so I wouldn't forget anything. I had a minute, so I figured I'd go ahead and post it here, too:

I was getting ready to go to bed around 1:30am on the morning of January 28th and when I went to use the bathroom for the final time, there was blood on the toilet paper. I felt fine, no cramps or contractions, but something told me I needed to hurry up and wake Derek up.

I woke him up and fixed coffee and told him he needed to start filling the pool. I puttered around for a few minutes, getting the crock-pot ready with olive oil and wash cloths and making sure we had lots of towels on hand. At 2:15, my first contraction hit. They were non-stop for the next five hours.

The contractions were very intense and I spent the first couple of hours laboring on the toilet or in the shower. The toilet was great – but the shower was better. Derek got in with me and I would wrap my arms around his neck and let the water beat down on my lower back during the contractions.

I checked myself in the shower and couldn’t even find my cervix, so I figured it would be afternoon before Henry made his appearance. After being in the shower for about an hour and a half, I started feeling a little bit shaky and knew I needed to do something different. My legs just weren’t going to hold me up much longer.

So, we got out and Derek added the final bit of hot water to the pool and I climbed in. I was beginning a contraction when I climbed in and OH the RELIEF! It was amazing! I was floating on my belly with my arms draped over the side of the pool. The contractions never intensified, but I guess they really couldn’t since they were one on top of another from the moment they started. I really got into verbalizing through them, keeping my moans really low. Derek says at one point I “moooooed” like a cow.

By 6am I was beginning to get exhausted. I would have sold my soul to the devil himself for a three minute break from labor. I checked myself again, and I could feel Henry’s head. My water was still intact, and my sack was bulging. Around 6:30, the contractions changed. Instead of verbalizing through them, I feel like I needed to just focus on breathing and “step-out” in a sense and let my body do the work. My body began to push! It felt great! I wasn’t doing anything but breathing and my body was pushing my baby out!

I reached down between contractions and I felt my water. It was like a huge water balloon was hanging out of me. I took my fingernails and burst it, and it relieved a lot of pressure when I did. Two more contractions later (and I’m still not doing the pushing) and Henry’s head is crowning. This is when I momentarily lost control. I jumped up out of the pool and (he says) I looked at Derek with pure terror in my eyes and told him in no uncertain terms I couldn’t do this anymore! I wasn’t thinking “hospital” I was just not thinking at all. As soon as I got the words out of my mouth, Henry’s head popped out! That felt so good!!! I sat back down in the water and I was on my knees hanging off the side of the pool. About ten minutes went by, and it didn’t seem like I was going to have another contraction, and I was really ready to be done, so I pushed twice and Henry’s shoulder’s and body slid right on out. That was the only time I pushed – the rest my body did of its own accord.

Derek said that when I pushed his chest out all of the fluid came out, so as soon as he was out he was crying loud and strong! I picked my leg up over the cord and turned over and Derek placed Henry on my belly. The cord was really short so we couldn’t put him to my breast. He was pink from the moment I saw him, and breathing just perfectly! He is definitely a post term baby, because there wasn’t a single bit of vernix to be found!

It was, truly, love at first sight. I had never seen a more beautiful sight that my child. I was in awe. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move – I just sat there staring at him.

The water was getting cold and we really wanted to see if the placenta would come out so we could try and nurse, so we stood up, and as soon as I did the placenta splashed into the pool. Derek picked it up and we inspected it, and were happy to see that it was whole and healthy.

The next hour or two went by in a blur, and I really don’t remember too much. I got really shaky as soon as I was out of the pool and I was losing quite a bit of blood. As soon as Derek got me and Henry cleaned up, we spent the morning laying in bed dozing and marveling over him.

I’m still a little bit out of it, but I am so happy. I am physically in pretty good shape. I didn’t tear at all, and that was a relief, but I’m still very sore down there. I dread peeing. Henry is great – he is very, very alert and already had a million different expressions. I am just so in love with him! Nursing is going great so far – he has a strong latch and loves to eat!

Oh- here are the rest of his stats:
Henry Cooper D., born 7:25am January 28, 2007
Weight: 7lbs, 13ozs
Length 18.5 inches
Head circumference: 13.5inches

And without further ado, here he is!

Immediately after birth (just minutes):



A couple hours after birth:

[moonphishers]

That is fabulous - you and the baby look great!!!! I am in awe that you and DH did it alone! Wow!!! Thank you for sharing!

[ocean_o_curls]

oh he is gorgeous Laura. What an awesome birth story. You did great!!! Congrats again. I talked to Tara the other day and she told me to tell her as soon as you had him. She says congrats too!!!

[Sweet_Fantasy_Fox]

Congrats!! i LOVE your birthstory, i am so happy everything went so well for you he is so handsome!! Baby Henry!!

[autumnlily]

Wow! Your story and child are took my breath away! Congratulations!

[mrsjune]

Oh my Laura!! He is beautiful. Your one STRONG women to do that all on your own. Im so glad everything turned out great!

[OnlyaMommy]

Oh mama! I know that love feeling so well! There is not way to describe it at all! Its a deliciuos warm, all over feeling! YOu look wonderful and that is a big beautiful baby you have there!!!!!!!! Dosent it feel great to be a mother!

I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Baby!

[urchin_grey]

Well I already posted on the other board but I wanted to post here too.

What an awesome birth story!!! And you made it sound so easy. He sooo beautiful!!!! I remember that new-mommy feeling, its awesome!!!!

[LittleHobbitsMomma]

You both are beautiful!! Congratulations!!!

[momx2]

oh wow. I am just speechless. What a GREAT birth story!! .. .and I give you and your dh soooo much kudos for doing it alone. I'm a chicken at heart and wouldn't be able to do it by myself. You go!!!! ... Women like you gives strength to the rest of us who are afraid to do it without intervention!