My Birthing Story
Thursday night, October 25, began the journey that would bring my beautiful baby boy to me. Earlier that evening, I felt like I could suddenly run a marathon or something, as I rushed around Wal-mart doing some food shopping with the fam. Later that night (about 11pm), after eating my nightly bowl of cereal, I felt Ethan starting to poke around and mentioned to Brett that it felt like he was trying to feel his way out of there, first poking at my bladder, then at my cervix. As I stood up I suddenly felt something pop. After I rushed to the bathroom, I discovered a bloody show. Feeling a bit excited, I knew this baby was coming in the next 24 hours. Little did I know that when my regular birthing waves (labor contractions) began at 1 pm, the baby would make his grand entrance only 4 hours later. When I arrived at the birthing center at about 3:30am, I felt like the baby was about ready to come out. Upon examination, we discovered I had dilated to 6cm. I knew from my birthing class that once you hit 7cm, "transformation" takes place, where usually the baby comes within 10-20 minutes. Thank goodness I got there in time!
The student midwife, Harmoney (who delivered my baby), started up the water tub soon after arriving. It sounded really soothing to hear the water running. I also had my husband get my MP3 player out to play some relaxing music (by William Joseph). Originally I had intended to use my Hypnobabies CD's and techniques, but everything happened so fast I didn't have time to listen to them. At this point my birthing waves were every minute and very strong and discomforting. My Hypnobabies training however did help me to stay calm and relaxed. I'm supposing that's why everything went so fast.
Once I got into the hot tub, the jetted warm water felt really nice. For the next 10 or 15 minutes I relaxed in the tub, but soon, the pressure waves were so strong that I had to turn the jets off because they caused more discomfort. Then I started to feel really hot, so my student midwife cooled the water a little. It didn't take long before I hit my transformation stage and felt like pushing. A bit of nausea and a feeling of being sick started to creep in. I felt like I couldn't breath very well, so every time I had a strong pressure wave, I had to hold on tight to my husband and my mom. Finally, I started to feel a more especially strong urge to push, so I finally started pushing with all my might. It made me tear a bit and was the most ouchy feeling I've ever felt in my life, but it was over within a minute. Baby Ethan's head popped out and my midwife said if I pushed one more time he'd be out of there. So when I felt like pushing, I gave it my all. It was a most interesting experience feeling his body shape slip out, but immediately after that crazy pain, I had my baby on my chest. I was sooo happy to be done. As you can tell from the pictures, I felt some mixed emotions at that point. I didn't know what to think about what I had just experienced, but seeing my baby boy on my chest for the first time and cuddling him in my arms was a pretty amazing feeling. I got to just sit there and hold him for as long as I wanted. What an amazing moment! Truly a special birth and experience. The coolest thing is with my music playing, I had just listened to "Jesus Once of Humble Birth" and "Silent Night," so it was awesome to bring a bit of heaven into the whole process and to think of Jesus being born to Mary and what she must have felt. I never thought I would have a natural birth. It's amazing to think I actually did it without any medication. Just some water and Hypnobabies training, which definitely was a lifesaver in the experience. It will always be a beautiful experience to look back upon and I'm grateful Heavenly Father allowed me to have it. Who knew not having insurance could bring me such a beautiful option with my birth. :b
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| Mixed emotions -Pain.. |
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| ..And then Joy |
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| Introducing Ethan Michael Hymas | | |
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Born October 26, 2012
5:03 am
7lbs 6oz
21 1/2 in
Boy do I look.. like I just gave birth or something. :b
Holding my little bundle of joy.
Side shot
Cuddling with Daddy
Cuddling with Mommy
The first couple hours.
After arriving home around 9:30am, we all had a nap.
Too cute! Daddy and son..
The day he was born was a bit chilly, but nice and sunny.
The girls enjoyed playing in the leaves.
With Grandma Peel
Staring at faces around him
Wondering what this camera contraption is
Brother checking him out
There's some wide eyes.
The next day -All gathered around..
Cute boy
There's some more eyes.
Sister, Ashlyn, loving her brother.
Some more bright eyes.
He has been such a wonderful addition to our family. Every time the kids see Ethan when I get him out of his bed, they come running over very excited and shout, "It's Baby Ethan!!" They constantly gather around his little face, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. He likes attention. :) "Ethan- gift from God" "Michael- Who is like God" He truly is a little surprise gift from God. A heaven-sent angel.