Birth Story

The last 2 months have been a total whirlwind. I still look at Max and can't believe he's mine. I can't believe I have 3 kids! Anyway, I still haven't posted Maxwell's birth story. I love birth stories and I want his documented. It won't be a long post because labor was quick and uncomplicated, just the way I like it!

About a week before I went into labor, I was starting to get very anxious for his arrival. I had a lot of fear that he would be late and I would have to be induced since we were leaving for WA 2.5 weeks after his due date. Thankfully, just like Mia, he was born on his due date, November 18th.

On Sunday night, I had some mild contractions but they didn't last long. Monday morning I woke up with cramps, which had me felling a little off. I canceled a play-date with my friend, Hillary, because I was moving super slow and just felt like I needed to stay home. I spent the day cleaning and getting laundry done while the girls played. Joe and I went to bed around 9pm but I woke up about an hour later with painful contractions. I let Joe sleep since I knew it would be awhile before we would need to go to the hospital. I started timing contractions, put together the final things in my hospital bag, and took a shower. Joe woke up and I updated him and he started helping me breathe through the contractions, which were getting more intense. At 11:45pm, contractions were less than 5 min apart.  I wasn't ready to go to the hospital yet because I didn't think I was far enough but Joe felt otherwise, so he called the hospital and they said I needed to come in.

Hillary, arrived at our house at 1:10am to watch the girls and we left for the hospital. At this point my contractions were happening every 3 minutes. They were painful but not unbearable.

Once we got to the hospital around 1:30am, the nurse checked my cervix and I was 6-7 cm and 90% effaced. I wanted to have another unmedicated birth and Joe did great helping me breathe through contractions. I ended up staying in the bed because it was the most comfortable and the nurse thought I was progressing too quickly to go in the bathtub.

I don't remember the exact times at this point, but around 3am, I was about 9cm. The nurse said the only thing stopping me from being 10cm was my water breaking. I wanted it to break on it's own so we waited. Shortly after, I felt this huge urge to push and my water broke. Now, it was getting close to go time. Joe kept reminding the nurse that I pushed my last baby (Naomi) out in one push and the doctor wasn't even in the room yet. The nurses got the room prepped for delivery and the doctor was called.  I started to feel the need to push but of course, the doctor wasn't there yet. I started pushing and the doctor arrived.  Everyone seemed to be buzzing around the room in a hurry yet time seemed to be standing still. There's nothing quite like the painful contractions that happen as the baby makes it way down the birth canal. It took about 3 long pushes and my little guy made his appearance at 3:47am. This was probably my easiest labor but the pain I felt during delivery was more intense than with the other two.

There aren't many moments in life that are more amazing than holding your baby for the first time and it's amazing how that moment is equally as joyful with each child.

Maxwell came out crying loudly for the world to hear.  His cries were music to my ears; he was and is absolutely perfect at 7 pounds, 12 oz and 19 inches long.

*The pictures were taken 3 days after Maxwell was born