My Labor Day Story

In honor of Labor Day, I thought I would finally share Owen's birth story primarily so I don't forget any details. It was nothing that I had planned or expected, but aren't those the best types of stories? 

Throughout my last weeks of pregnancy, the nurse at my checkups would always ask if I had had any contractions or Braxton Hicks. I had no idea what either of those were supposed to feel like, so I said no every single time. I had a fairly easy pregnancy, so I knew that I would probably go past 40 weeks, and that was completely fine with me. I still had quilts to make and things to do in the shop before I was on maternity leave. 

At my 39 week appointment to my surprise I was dilated to 1.5 centimeters and 90% effaced. My midwife wanted to know if I wanted her to strip my membranes, and I said no because I had things that I needed to do and get done. So, slightly in a panic, I went home finished packing my hospital bag and hoped for the best. I had an appointment in Franklin on Monday to get my oil changed. Just to be safe, I didn't work out that morning because I didn't want to put myself into labor and be 45 minutes away from our hospital. 

The next morning, I started to feel a little off really just like I was about to start my period. So, I texted my midwife and doula and let them know how I was feeling, and they said I probably was in the early stages of labor and contractions. I continued to do the things I normally do on my days when I'm not working in the shop. I had an appointment to meet with our pediatrician at 4:00pm that afternoon, so I went to meet with her. I was still feeling like I might be having contractions, but it wasn't too intense. I said at the end of the visit, "I think I might be having contractions." And she replied, "Well, maybe you'll have a baby soon!" 

I planned to go get my toes done with a friend, so I went home to grab some flip flops. I met her at the nail salon around 5:30. I told her, "I think I'm having contractions, but I'm still good with getting this done if you are." So, everything was fine until my pedicure was almost finished. I felt my first real intense contraction, so I knew I needed to get home soon. I really wanted some mac and cheese, and I debated whether or not to drive to Chick-Fil-A to get some, but I was afraid to do that since I was feeling stronger and stronger contractions. 

When I got home, Bryson was on the phone with his dad talking about taxes, and I told him he was going to have to call him back. So, I started breathing through all of my strong contractions. I tried sitting on a yoga ball, but really the only thing that helped me was swaying side to side while leaning on our bed. We were in contact with our doula, and in hindsight, I wish we would have called her sooner. I really wanted mac and cheese still, so Bryson went and made some. The few bites I ate were REALLY good. 

My contractions were minutes apart, but I still didn't want to go to the hospital because I didn't want to be there for forever. So, Bryson finally got our doula to come over (after I gave up my stubbornness) around 10:30. By the time she got to our house, I felt like I needed to push, she looked at me after a while, and said, "I think we need to go." The bad thing about laboring upstairs in our house was coming down the stairs while being in intense pain (LOL). We left for the hospital around 11:15. 

We got to the hospital around 11:20, and we had to go into the ER. The sweet girl working the desk wanted to know why I was there....well, I'm moaning and in a wheelchair...you tell me. A sweet guy walked upstairs to the labor and delivery floor. There were a million detours at the hospital for some reason but we finally got there. The sweet nurse laid out a gown for me to change into, and I didn't even get a chance to do that. 

All the nurses and doctors came in quickly after the nurse checked me, and I was worried my amazing midwife wasn't going to make it. She wasn't on call that evening, but she had told Bryson she was on her way. A little later, she was there, and we were ready for baby to come! After some pushing and intense pain, Owen Thomas Leach was born at 11:54 March 19, 2019. It was 6 minutes before Bryson's mom's birthday, but it was my aunt's birthday. It was such a sweet moment for Bryson to announce that he was a boy for the first time, and I will always treasure those moments. 

My birth experience was a crazy fast 12 hours (all in all). I only labored for about 5 hours which is similar to my mom's experience. I had prayed that it would be similar to my mom, and I definitely got what I asked for! We had an amazing experience at Maury Regional Hospital, and I recommend it to all of my friends. They took amazing care of us, and I felt loved the whole time we were there.