Birth Story

I cannot believe it has been three weeks since Giuliana was born - time is flying by and we are exhausted and cherishing this newborn phase! As I sit here writing this, I keep looking down at her in my arms (girl loves being held!) and I cannot imagine life without her! Many of you (okay a few) have asked about our birth story and I am happy to share our experience! 

Let me backtrack a bit first to the week leading up to her birth. At my regularly scheduled 38 week OB appointment, they did a physical exam to check to see if I was dilated. At this point, I was getting more uncomfortable and not sleeping well, so I was hoping to hear that I was dilated. And I was getting anxious for baby girl to make her arrival! But, my doctor told me that my cervix was not effaced or dilated at all. I remember starting to feel really crampy after that appointment and baby girl was moving around more than usual. On Saturday, January 2nd, I was 39 weeks exactly. I woke up early that morning because I couldn’t sleep, went to the bathroom, then headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. When I sat down to eat, I felt a gush of liquid / wetness. I called the on-call OB and she told me it sounded like my water may have broken and to come in to the hospital to get checked, but that I could take my time and shower, as long as I continued to feel baby moving. We arrived at the hospital around 8:30am and they performed a physical exam. To my surprise, my cervix was still fully closed and no dilation. False Alarm! Turns out, I lost my mucous plug. How embarrassing! The nurses and doctors were so sweet and reassured me that this happens frequently, especially with first time moms. At this point, I accepted the fact that she may not be arriving anytime soon despite my desire to meet her and get her out of me lol!

Tuesday January 5, 2021

I continued to have more frequent contractions (Braxton Hicks) and felt crampy as the next few days went on. Tuesday, January 5th started out as a normal workday. I worked a full day and remember having horrible cramps all day long. After work, I went to do my workout, but had to stop as I was working up on squats because I was so uncomfortable. This felt different than any other time. I took a hot shower and decided to rest on the couch for the rest of the night. Except this time, resting didn’t make the contractions or cramps subside. Little did I know, that this was the start of early labor. My contractions got more frequent and the pain got more intense as the night went on. After a false alarm the previous weekend and not wanting to get turned away again, I tried to get some rest (and failed!) at the suggestion from my husband, but could not get comfortable. I also had my 39 week OB appointment the following morning, so we considered waiting until then if I could. Finally around 1:30am, I told Justin that we needed to go to the hospital because this seemed like it had to be the real thing and I couldn’t wait until my doctor’s appointment to get checked. I was having regular contractions every 4-6 minutes lasting 30 seconds to a minute for just over two hours at this point. We got to the hospital at 2:30am and sent to triage. At 3am, the doctor did a cervix exam and I was 3 - 4 (stretched) cm dilated and fully effaced. They then did an ultrasound and confirmed baby was head down (but facing up). OMG! It was finally time! We were having a baby! 

Wednesday January 6, 2021 

0300 - After my exam and ultrasound, they moved us to a labor room. They placed an IV for fluids and hooked me up to monitor baby’s heart rate and my contractions. I was having regular contractions every 3-4 minutes now and they were getting more intense. They asked me if I wanted an epidural and I asked to wait because I knew that first time labor could be long and I wanted to be free to move around and use the bathroom as long as possible. I asked for a stability ball and alternated between bouncing on the ball and walking around the room. Because of COVID-19 protocols, I was not allowed to walk outside my room. 

0600 - By now, I was in more pain, and still having frequent contractions. I hadn’t slept at all. When they checked me, I had not progressed any further. Since I was already fully effaced, they did not need to do anything to ripen the cervix. The next step was to start me on pitocin, which would increase contractions and help my body progress to get my cervix to 10 cm dilation. At this point, I decided to get the epidural. 

0700 - They administered the epidural and started a small level of pitocin. I felt relief quickly and shortly after my legs felt like they had fallen asleep and like cement blocks. I could feel pressure from waist down but no pain. I tried to get a short nap in. The nurse moved me around frequently, in different positions using a peanut ball from now up until it was time to push. 

0845 - I was at 6 cm! The epidural helped me relax enough for my  body and pitocin to work. Then they ruptured my membranes (broke my water) 

1045  - I rested again and dozed in and out between 9 and 1030 am. I started feeling a lot of pressure, so they checked me and I was 10 cm, fully dilated. It was time! 

1109 - I started pushing. The epidural allowed me to still feel the contractions and know when to push but without pain.

33 minutes later, at 11:42 am on Wednesday, January 6th, Giuliana was born! 9 lbs 3oz and 20 1/4 inches long at 39 weeks and 4 days. They placed her on my chest, and there was my sweet baby girl with a full head of dark black hair, crying loudly. I was crying too. She was here and she was perfect, and I delivered her! And now I’m crying again haha! I was so happy in that moment and will always remember that feeling before they whisked her away to get checked.

I was devastated and heartbroken when they had to take her away to the NICU for further evaluation because she had fluid in her lungs and one of her shoulders was briefly stuck on the way out. Thank the Lord she was perfectly healthy. I never understood the helplessness and guilt you feel in that situation. The next 36 hours were the hardest in my life and affected me greatly in the postpartum period. I am happy to share more about this experience if anyone is curious, but will save it for another post because this is getting long. Thank you for those who are still here! 

Wrapping this up, I am incredibly grateful to have had such a great delivery. I did not have a written out birth plan. I trusted my doctors and was open to whatever was necessary for a healthy baby and mom. We discussed it ahead of time at my doctor appointments and again at each step of the delivery. I felt supported and in control. This was just my experience and it’s important for me to say that everyone experiences childbirth differently. Everyone’s story is unique and beautiful. We also all experience postpartum differently. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this newborn phase as a new mom. And remember, that you are the BEST MOM for your child. 

I hope this post was helpful and you were able to learn a little more about our experience. We are so thrilled to have this sweet girl in our lives! 

Thank you for reading! -xoxo, Nichole