Hunter’s Birth Story

I know this post is a month late but it’s hard for me to sit down and write a blog post. Hunter is a cuddle bug and loves to be held! But I guess better late than never right? I’m so excited to finally be sharing Hunter’s birth story with you guys. I actually had a scheduled induction which I mentioned before. We scheduled an induction with my doctor the Monday of the week Hunter was born. I liked knowing when I would be going to the hospital to have her. I know she could have potentially come earlier but she didn’t. My doctor and I decided to schedule an induction because I was dilated to 1-2 centimeters for weeks and not progressing. Hunter was super low though and my OB thought I was perfect for an induction and I know that’s not for everyone but I was happy to be induced.

We didn’t sleep very well the night before because we were both so excited and I was of course nervous. We woke up at 4AM which was a struggle!! I tried to eat a little before going to the hospital since I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat once they started to induce me. I was only able to eat a little because my tummy was so nervous. Mason and I got to the hospital at 5AM on February 1st. The hospital I delivered at is only a few minutes from our house so that was amazing. It didn’t take very long before we were settled into our labor and delivery room. They started me on pitocin as soon as we were in the room and my nurse prepared me that I could be in this room for the long haul.

Imediately after starting the pitocin, I began to have contractions 4 minutes apart. Mason let our moms know because they were up and on stand by waiting for the call to come to the hospital. We decided to have our moms in the room with us but gave very strict instructions to only look at my face, the wall, or anywhere but down there. My contractions weren’t too painful at first but they were consistent. I did experience back labor so I felt every contraction in my lower back. During pregnancy, my bladder was about to size of a pea and that is probably not an exaggeration. Mason had to help me walk to the bathroom with my IV pole about once every 15 minutes. I would get settled back in bed and immediately have to go to the bathroom again.

The next 8 hours were extremely uneventful, I was 100% effaced and had progressed to only 3 cm dilated. The contractions in my back were getting much more painful so I decided to go ahead and get my epidural. I knew coming into this that I would definitely be getting one, I wasn’t trying to tough it out. I don’t know how anyone can do that without getting an epidural. At 3PM, I got my epidural and I was so nervous. My anesthesiologist was amazing and was cracking jokes to me the whole time which definitely helped. I definitely didn’t look at the needle because I know that would have freaked me out. I wish that Mason could have been in the room with me but luckily my nurse was so amazing and talked me through the epidural. I think I worked myself up so much and once I had the epidural, I was like that was it?? It took about 30 minutes for the epidural to start working. At first I was only numb on my right side which worried me a little, I was still experiencing painful contractions in my back on my left side. My nurse had me use a peanut ball to lay on my side. If you’ve never seen a peanut ball, please google it and look at them. They’re so funny looking and it was so big. I looked ridiculous on my side with one leg on either side of this huge ball. However, it did get the epidural to work on my left side as well, so then I was completely numb. Mason and my nurse did have to flip me from one side to the other a few times because Hunter wouldn’t like the position I was in. I had no control of my lower body and was just dead weight. I could still feel the pressure of contractions but thankfully I wasn’t in pain any longer.

At 3PM my OB came to check on me and she decided to break my water. She didn’t want the hospitalist to break my water because she kept telling the nurses that my labor would go fast after that. She was definitely right!! My labor and delivery nurse, who was amazing by the way, checked me around 3:30 and I was still just between 3 and 4 cm dilated. Around 45 minutes later, I was between 6 and 7 centimeters. Then she checked me again about 30 minutes later and I was just about 10 cm. She had me do a couple practice pushes and next thing I know, my OB rushed in with the rest of the birthing team and within minutes I was in full blown labor. I had no time to even really think about what was happening but that’s probably for the best!

I didn’t really know what to expect before going into labor because this is my first baby. There were so many nurses and doctors in my room while I was pushing but of course it didn’t bother me at this point. My nurse was so amazing and coached me through the entire thing. Pushing is no easy task, especially while holding your breath. Mason was so perfect during the process and was right by my side through the entire thing. I think he was scared to say anything to me lol Surprisingly, I did not scream at all and I would like to think I handled one of the hardest things I’ll ever do pretty dang well. I could not keep my eyes open, I guess I was working so hard that my eyes would just close. Pushing is like nothing that I can describe or even compare it to. It is such hard work and is absolutely exhausting. I pushed for thirty minutes and then our beautiful baby girl was born. Hunter was born on February 1st at 5:42PM. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. Right after she was born, they put her on my chest for skin to skin and that was the most amazing feeling. Feeling this sweet little girl that I had grown in my belly for 9 months is truly amazing. My heart grew a million times bigger from the love that I felt for Hunter. My heart feels so happy just thinking about how amazing this was. We did skin to skin for about an hour and attempted to nurse which did not go very well. Breastfeeding has been challenging but is getting better everyday with the help of a lactation consultant. I will never forget the feeling of holding Hunter for the first time.

My OB asked Mason if he wanted to cut the umbilical cord and his exact words were, “uhhh I don’t know.. no” and the nurses put scissors in his hands. They literally gave him no choice haha. It was amazing to watch Mason cut the umbilical cord. Mason was truly exactly what I needed throughout my labor. I was so thirsty the entire time and of course could only have ice chips. Every time, he would go and get them for me. Anything I needed, Mason would happily do. He held my hand and talked to me between pushes. I’m so blessed that Mason is who God chose for me to bring a baby into this world with. Watching his eyes when he saw Hunter for the first time made me love him even more. Seeing Mason become a Daddy has been such a blessing. Hunter and I are both such lucky girls!

After we did skin to skin, Mason got to hold Hunter for the first time. The love in his eyes was so sweet. I only let Mason finally hold her because my food came.. kinda kidding. I was seriously starving!!! I drank and ate so much because I couldn’t all day! After an hour or so, we finally got settled into our postpartum room. It was just Mason and I for the rest of the night. Our lives changed for the better on February 1st. I don’t even know what life was like before we had Hunter. She is the most amazing blessing. We feel so lucky to her parents and I’m so glad I get to do this whole parenthood thing with Mason. I know this post was lengthy but I wanted to share! Thanks so much for all your support throughout my entire pregnancy and thanks for reading!

Photography by: Gizeh Romero Photography

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Robe: Pink Blush // Personalized Swaddle: Etsy // Hat: Etsy