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I am sooo happy to introduce you guys to our new son today! Emmett Obadiah Allen was born just over a week ago (April 2nd at 11:01 pm). The past week has been a haze of newborn snuggles and lots of family time...in other words, pure joy. I spent the first 37 weeks of this pregnancy nervous that Emmett would be born before reaching full term. Then I spent the last four weeks anxiously waiting for labor to start and nervous that he wouldn't come on his own. Since I had a c-section with Ian, I had been told that a VBAC induction was not recommended as it would increase the risk of the scar on my uterus rupturing. So either labor would start on it own and I could try for a VBAC, or I would need to schedule a repeat c-section for 41 weeks. At the time when we decided on that plan, I really thought that Emmett would be born on time or a little early, and I did not expect to still be pregnant at 41 weeks.
Lo and behold, at my 40 week appointment I still had not felt any contractions, and I was barely dilated at all. Sooo we scheduled a c-section appointment for the next week and I looked up every idea I could find for getting labor going naturally in the meantime (including all the normal suggestions plus some kooky ones, like facing the full moon and rubbing my belly clockwise three times, ha!). Hey, I was willing to try almost anything. I was still really hopeful that I'd go into labor on my own that last week, all the way up til the Sunday night before our appointment. But...nothing. So Sunday night I resigned myself to another c-section, somewhat disappointed but excited to meet our baby the next morning!
Monday morning, we went in for the appointment and they started prepping us (putting in my IV, having us sign papers, giving Ben scrubs to wear, etc.). The surgery was scheduled for 9:45, and around 9 the doctor came by. She checked my cervix and asked if we were still interested in trying for a VBAC. My first thought, honestly, was no. I was hungry and thirsty from fasting for the surgery (I'd had no food or drink, including water, since the night before), and I'd mentally prepared myself for a c-section and meeting our baby in about an hour. I was ready to be done! But there was still part of me that had been hoping for the chance to give birth vaginally this time, hoping that I'd go into labor naturally even up til that moment, and dreading the recovery from another c-section. So I asked what had changed from the previous recommendation. She explained that even though I wasn't feeling contractions, my body had already started the process of getting ready for labor. My cervix was super soft, and I was 80% effaced. Evidently the drug that's dangerous to use in VBAC inductions is called Misoprostol, which is used to soften the cervix. But since I was already soft, they could induce me with Pitocin, which can be started with a small, gentle dose and gradually turned up (or down) as needed. So it's not as risky. They said they'd also use a Foley bulb, which is a catheter inserted in your cervix that they inflate with saline. It manually dilates your cervix to about a 3, and falls out on it's own when you hit around 4 or 5.
Ben left it up to me, and I decided to go for it. Might as well try, I thought, instead of wondering "what if" in the future. So with less than a half hour before our scheduled section, we switched plans (and rooms). At this point, I was really wishing I had eaten more the night before--or had breakfast that morning! I was starving, and after asking about it multiple times they let me have two pieces of toast, some Saltines, and some juice. Then we got the process started.
The beginning part was slow and easy. I knew I wanted an epidural, so I got one before the Foley bulb was inserted. They put it in, and started the Pitocin. I started feeling contractions, but they weren't painful at all. We were basically just hanging out in the room, watching HGTV and waiting for the bulb to fall out. After a few hours, the doctor came back to check on it and surprise, it was already out--I just hadn't felt it! So I was already at a five, then they broke my water, turned up the Pitocin, and we did some more waiting. After several hours of watching TV, chatting, and getting turned from side to side, my contractions suddenly started feeling much more intense and painful. I was able to tough it out for awhile, but then I started worrying that the epidural had stopped working or something. So I called the nurse, and we had the anesthesiologist come back to redose it. As we were waiting to see if that kicked in, I started getting super shaky and I asked the nurse if that was normal. She said yes, especially during transition, and checked my cervix. I think I was already a 9 by then...so things had really progressed! It wasn't too much longer til they had the doctor come in and said I could start pushing. I was so excited to be near the end and couldn't wait to meet our son. I thought I had an hour left at the most...but pushing took way longer and was WAY harder than I expected. Holy cow. I must be a wimp when it comes to pain, because even with an epidural that was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. After two and a half hours (!!!) of pushing, FINALLY Emmett made his way into the world and it felt sooo good. I was super proud of myself, relieved to be done, and most of all, so happy to meet the little guy who had been in my belly for the last ten months.
It was such a different experience being able to hold him right away, and having Ben by my side the whole time. And recovery has been so much easier this time around! I did tear a little, which was my biggest fear with a vaginal delivery. But honestly it's not even that painful compared to how my abs felt after my c-section (like I couldn't even stand up straight or sit up on my own). So yeah, I'm glad we went for it!
Emmett was 7 lb 3 oz at birth, and 20 inches long. He has a little bit of brown hair and dark slate eyes that are a tiny bit blue around the edges (I'm curious to see what color they'll turn into!). He's super sweet and adorable and just so much fun to hold and look at. It's been absolutely amazing this time around, being able to take our baby home from the hospital within two days and have all this precious newborn time at home.
One of the best parts for me has been watching Ian become a big brother. He was unsure what to think when he first met Emmett at the hospital, but he has warmed up to him now and he definitely LOVES Emmett. He wants to hug him and kiss him all day long! I also feel like Ian has grown up a lot in the last week, or maybe that's just my perception because I suddenly realize that he's definitely not a baby anymore. He's been really helpful, bringing me water to drink or diapers for Emmett, and I think he's acting a little older too. And it's been soooo nice having Ben home. He's taken Ian on lots of adventures to give me time to rest and recover with Emmett, which has been great for all of us. And it's only the first week! Ben's taking a month off total and I am just pinching myself with how amazing it is to all be together as a family of four. Life is real good right now.
Welcome, darling Emmett! We love you so so much, and we're so happy you're here. <3
P.S. Huge thanks to Corlana of Lana Jenae Photography, who came to visit us at the hospital after Emmett was born and sent me a bunch of the photos above. It was kind of a spontaneous photo shoot (as in, I still hadn't showered from the night before so I have greasy hair and no makeup on), but I love that even more because these photos capture this precious time as it really was, waking up the next morning with our brand new son.
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Congrats and good work, mama! He is beautiful- such a great birth story. Enjoy the hazy newborn love bubble!
Thank you so much Susan!!! I definitely will. :)
Oh what a beautiful baby. Love the picture of Emmett wearing jeans and a white sweater.
I love the natural pictures of you two as new parents.... so many times I see pics of mamas all made-up and hair styled perfectly. That’s not real-life. You’re living the life.... in real life natural beauty. Enjoy your first month as a family of four.
Thanks Christine! I love that photo too. It's crazy how much more alert he already is, at just one week old. I love it when he looks at me! xo