Everly Rose Birth Video:
Deciding to get pregnant again after 3 pregnancies of non stop sickness and misery, (especially my last pregnancy) probably the most indecisive I've ever felt making a decision in my life. I felt like I had PTSD just thinking about going through it all again. But Preston and I (mostly Preston) knew there was another baby meant to join our family. I always say it truly is a testament to my all encompassing love for my babies that I choose to do it again each time knowing what I was in for.
This time was no different. I was sick everyday from week 5 on. Throwing up multiple times a day until the day she was born. Being pregnant definitely takes a toll on me, mentally, physically and spiritually. I feel like a shell of myself the majority of the 9 months. But at the same time I know I am uplifted and sustained by my Father in Heaven every time I think I can't make it another day.
The weeks leading up to Everly being born I was so unbearably uncomfortable. And still throwing up multiple times a day. I was sure she would come a little early like Emmy did so by 38 weeks I was completely ready for her, everything was set up and my house was spotless (no easy feat with 3 kids and a shedding dog!). I was having false labor contractions almost daily for hours the week before which was so frustrating. It was all really starting to get to me and I had a few breakdowns just wanting it all to be over. By the time her due date came I was convinced she was never going to come and tried to resign myself to the fact that she might be a week or more overdue.
I think that did the trick because the next morning I woke up to contractions at 7 am. Still tying not to get my hopes up, I went about my morning for a few hours, cleaning and getting ready for the day. By 9 o'clock they were getting stronger than any I had felt before so I gave my midwife a heads up I might be in labor and called my Mom to come over. I bounced on a yoga ball and hoped the contractions wouldn't stall out. They were coming every two minutes but I didn't think they were lasting very long. Around 11 my Mom and I decided to walk around my cul de sac to make sure they didn't stop. We walked for a good half hour until I could barely stand they were so strong - and that's when I realized I hadn't been timing them right. I was timing them at the peak instead of the start and they had definitely been over a minute and 2 minutes apart for probably an hour. 😅 after really not being able to stand without support through one I decided to go back inside.
Preston started getting the birth tub set up, my Mom called the midwife and luckily she was at another appointment only 10 minutes away. When she got there I was 9 cm dilated! I had been out walking through active and into transitional labor and didn't even realize it!
My sweet Mom was my literally my rock. She helped me focus on my breathing through each contraction and reminded me I was in control and capable. She kept me so grounded.
We got the tub filled up just in time. (with Preston having to get a bucket to help fill it up faster) I got in the water and Preston held my hand and stroked my arms through the worst of it. I reminded myself to surrender and that my body was made to do this and knew what it was doing.
I was only in the water for a few minutes when I started to feel like I needed to push, my little baby had a nuchal hand (her hand up by her face) so my midwife broke my water to help maneuver her head down more. She came out without me having to push much at all (our bodies really do know how to birth babies!), and I got to help lift her out of the water into the world.
The first time seeing and holding my babies are some of the most magical, sweetest, life changing memories I will ever have. I think Heaven truly touches earth when a baby is born, you can almost feel it in the room. Hearing her cry for the first time solidified the sweetness of the moment and I just couldn't believe I did it! She was here! All 8 pounds 7 ounces, 21 1/4 inches of her! (My biggest baby yet!)
Still so surreal how insanely fast it all went. I had my perfect little baby, 5 hours of labor total, completely naturally in my bedroom at home ❤
I would do it all again in a second for my sweet little Everly.
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