the spotz life. : Zander Caleb Spotz' Natrual Birth Story

I'll start out by saying I was SO ready to have him. I felt like my body was ready and that i would have him early, like mid-January. I tried everything to help me start labor naturally. Besides drinking castor oil, which is gross and I will never do. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what you do or how ready YOU feel, the baby will come when THEY are ready! Which I knew in the first place, but I still had to give it a try.

Every night for the last couple of weeks I would hope that would be the night I went into labor, and every morning I would wake up still pregnant and get a little bummed. Haha! But then I would remind myself that he WILL come out and soon, and too enjoy my time left with only Emery. The anticipation is killer, but once they decide to come it happens all SO fast and the wait really is all worth it.

SO... the birth story.
January 22nd
At 4:37am I woke up to feeling a gush of liquid. I froze for a sec and felt another one. I immediately woke Caleb up and told him that my water just broke. (Or so I thought). The first thing he said was "Oh, do you want me to turn the light on?" hahaha I went into the bathroom and there was definitely a good amount of liquid and mucus. YAY, I was thrilled to finally have it be baby day. Even thought I was a little nervous. Emery's labor and birth was a bit difficult and I wanted things to go differently this time but they seemed to be starting out the same.

I text my midwife and doula and told them that my water broke but contractions hadnt started yet so I was going to try and get more sleep. I woke back up around 7 am, I wasnt getting much sleep and the contractions had started but werent very regular yet. I was anxious and decided to get up and moving to see if I could get them regular. It helped being up. I took a shower and started cleaning. Caleb took Emery over to his parents house once she woke up. I laid down to take a break from cleaning and things seemed to slow down. I was still having mild irregular contractions and had a few other big gushes of fluid and tons of mucus when I went to the bathroom so I was getting a little worried that things werent progressing fast enough. My body just wanted to rest and relax. I wish I would've listened to my body and done just that! Instead I finished cleaning the place up, did all the laundry and got ready. When there was nothing left to do I decided to go for a walk. So Caleb and I went for an hour long walk. When we got back it was close to 4 pm. I relaxed some but then decided to head in and get things checked out and find out why I wasnt really progressing. I was starting to get stressed and worried.

We arrived at the birthing center around 5:30pm. My midwife (Chris) asked how I was and what was going on. I told her I wasnt really progressing like I thought I should be. She asked if my water had actually broke or not but I honestly thought it had so I said yes, it had to of.
She took me back and checked me. I was dilated to about a 4 and she could feel my bag of fluids and it felt good and definitely had not broke. so the gushes I had felt earlier were maybe from a high leak or something but I wasnt actually in active labor yet, just early labor.

I was actually SO happy to hear that, 1) because I was REALLY missing Emery and this way we were able to go home and see her and put her to bed ourselves and 2) I was glad to finally know why I wasnt progressing and it took a huge weight off my shoulders.

Chris told me I would probably end up having him by the weekend, so I knew he was coming soon. We went home and were able to be with Emery and relax. My contractions were still about every 15-20 min. but were manageable. I ended up going to bed a little after 8pm to see if I could get some good rest. Which I should've been doing all day! I was able to rest between contractions but noticed they seemed to be getting closer together. They began to get stronger as well but I was so tired and knew that I needed to continue to rest as much as I could.

January 23rd
At around 1am things were getting intense so I decided to start timing my contractions. They were coming about every 5-6 min. and were a min. long. I timed them for an hour until they were about every 4-5 min then decided I should probably let Chris and my doula (Kandise) know what was going on. I labored at home for another hour then told my mom it was time and we headed to the birthing center and got there shortly after 3 am.

Chris had someone waiting there for us. She checked me and I was at a 6 and fully effaced. She let Chris know and I had Caleb call Kandise and have her come too. Things werent too bad yet but they were definitely getting more intense. I decided to hop in the shower to be more comfortable. I labored in there for awhile, it was so relaxing and nice! Chris and two of her students, Christina and Tabatha, and Kandise had all arrived. I was thrilled to have them there. They were all SOOOO great and helped me out so so so much. They would help me through the contractions, relax me and give me positions to try. I am so grateful for all of their help. I lose track of time but they checked me at 6:30am and I was at an 8. They continued to help me labor. They had me on a ball leaning on to the bed. I had someone in front of me and someone behind me doing counter pressure and just helping me relax during contractions. I labored on the ball for quite awhile. During one contraction I felt a really big POP. It startled me and mid contraction I yelled "WHOA, did you guys feel that?!" At least thats what Caleb said I said. I thought I said hear that, because seriously it was such a big pop!! They all thought I was crazy Im sure but it felt SO weird! It didnt hurt at all and it wasnt my water breaking. They said it was probably his head turning and going down like they wanted because it was a little turned. Thats why they had me on the ball. Shortly after that though during another contraction my water finally broke and HOLY CRAP! There was TONS of liquid just gushing out. And I mean TONS. It kept coming. It felt so crazy and cool, as weird as it sounds I was literally in awe over it. HAHA! It was just so much. During a couple more contractions it started gushing some more. I finally stood up to get out of my soaking pants and more came out... and then I started peeing and couldnt stop! I was so embarrased! I just peed on the floor! And a ton too! But they were all nice about it and said it was okay and normal to do... Normal or not I still feel bad I peed all over the floor and they had to clean it up. But I guess you can get away with anything when you're in labor! :)

They were going to check me again at 8:30am but seeing as it was almost that time and the progress I was making they just had me continue to labor. Things were picking up and getting more and more intense! They finally had me hop in the bed and lay on my side. HOLY HELL. SO intense. I labored for a little bit like that then they had me go on to my back. I labored for about 20 min. like that, then I started feeling like pushing with the contractions. So I did. Those contractions were no joke. I remember with Emery that pushing was my favorite part. They werent painful with her. Pushing was the part I was looking forward to this time. But boy was I in for a treat. They were SO intense and I was so worn out. I was starting to get discouraged. I wouldnt have been about to do it without Chris and Kandise and everyone else. Chris was telling me to push past the pain and everyone was cheering me on, telling me what to do and that I was doing a good job.

Once I finally got his head partially out I knew things were coming to an end and that I was almost done, just had to push a little longer. I got his head all the way out then his shoulders got stuck. That did not feel the best. haha I yelled "Just get him out!" and Chris took over and pulled him out. (Christina had been doing the delivery part) I pushed for a total of 20 min and he was born! They took great care of me and I'm surprised I didnt even tear! Right after they pulled him out I laid back to rest and they threw him right up on my chest and it literally surprised me! With Emery since they had to revive her she wasnt placed immediately on me so i guess I was expecting the same thing, that I wouldnt get to hold him right away, because it took me by surprise! I was so happy though that I got to hold him right away. I thought he was just the cutest ever and fell instantly in love with my first son. I made them hurry and help me rip off my shirt so I could do skin to skin and snuggle my little man. Oh I was so happy to see his face and hold him! He was definitely worth the wait and all the labor pains haha! He came out weighing 8lbs 13oz and was 21 inches long. I sure felt the 13oz difference between him and Emery!

I am so happy with how his labor and delivery went. (Besides the day of early labor contractions crap) It went so smoothly and I am so blessed to have had such amazing women (and Caleb) help me out. BIRTH IS SO BEAUTIFUL!! I feel so empowered after delivery. Our bodies are so amazing and I am so grateful that I am able to carry and have children. There is just something about birth that is truly so amazing. I feel inspired and would love to become a doula, and possibly eventually a midwife, and help women have amazing birth experiences!

Picture time!
Dont judge.
:)

While in labor at the birthing center. Had to capture the belly for the last time!

The very first picture of him. Still all squish faced :)

SO happy to finally have him here on the outside! Also, I wish I was one of those who looks great after giving birth... but hey after over 24 hours of early labor and the real deal I could care less what I looked like.