Baby Blaize's Birth Story

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SOME INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER "TMI" PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.  

I am sharing this personal story because I believe we need to hear more of these wonderful calm birth stories instead of your common horror/pain stories.  Birth is beautiful and natural and if we let it "do it's thing" it can be strong, sweet and miraculous. 

My due date was April 22nd... that day came and went which we were kind of expecting because I usually go over.  We were all excited and waiting for our little guy to make his appearance. I'd been having contractions off and on for a few weeks just waiting for things to pick up. 

Then... on Saturday April 30th around 9 pm I started to have some more regular contractions that were stronger.  They started out about 5 to 7 minutes apart, we were watching a movie with the kids so I let Andrew know things were picking up.  He got the kids in bed while I timed contractions, by the time they were in bed things had picked up a bit more and he started filling up the birthing pool. 

 

(this is the birthing pool... soft and squishy and comfortable)

By about 10 pm they had gotten longer and were now 2 to 3 minutes apart.  I decided it was time to get into the birthing pool.  Contractions continued to gain intensity and I knew our little guy would make his appearance soon.  After 4 to 5 really strong contractions I felt like it was time to start pushing.

 

(These pictures were during the contractions) 

There were a few contractions that I tried to just push with a few times and I could feel things moving down.  I had another strong contraction and I reached down and could feel my water sack bulging (my water had not broken yet).  At this point I had the option to break my water or wait for it to go on it's own.  I decided I'd wait for a few more contractions and see how things went.  It was definitely a very cool feeling... like a water balloon.  I even remember saying out loud how cool it felt and how crazy it seemed.  I had another strong contraction after that and knew that we were almost there.  Andrew got into the tub with me and prepared to catch the baby. 

(About to make the last push)

One more strong contraction and a push from me... all in one the water broke and Blaize's head slipped right on out and then the rest of him followed quickly.  Andrew actually got to feel the water break in his hand before he caught Blaize.  He was born at 10:43 pm... only about 1 hour and 43 min from when the contractions started. 

Blaize had a nice covering of vernix and let out a loud cry.  He was beautiful and long and lean with a full head of hair.  We snuggled in the water for a few minutes.   This would be the first birth that I've had that I didn't feel shaky or exhausted right after the delivery.  I think this would be due to all the Crossfit training.  I also noticed during the contractions and pushing I was really able to use my own muscle and strength to work with them instead of straining to keep up.  It was amazing at how quickly it progressed and I was happy to add another chapter to my birth stories. 

 

(The paintings you see behind me were ones I painted for my wedding... these pictures weren't planned but I was so happy to have them be the backdrop for another new beginning.)

(I want you to notice the clarity of the water... people always comment about birth being messy but this shows a new perspective.) 

 I'd like to thank my midwife's assistant Dy for taking all of these great pictures with my challenging camera that was only focusing every 1 out of 3 pictures... thanks for sticking with it and helping capture some magical moments. 

Thank you to my midwife Laura for being an encouragement and support throughout this beautiful process. 

Thanks to my incredible husband who has always made it a priority to be fully engaged in the amazing moments of our life... I love that you've been the first one to touch our babies as they made their entrance into this world.  You're a good daddy.

 First pic with the whole family

 

Blaize Jeremiah Coffelt

4-30-11

8 lbs 8 oz

20 inches

*this pic at 4 days old... you can get your own hat here*

Perception of Pregnancy

Every time that I have been pregnant I am intriged to see how people perceive pregnant woman and pregnancy in general.  At the beginning of your pregnancy you often get people commenting on your cute belly and how you are glowing. Then, somehow 9 months later they are asking if you are still alive? If you can handle one more day of it? When you are gonna go? Saying that you look like you are going to pop.  When did pregnancy become a disease or a possible risk of death?  Women have been having babies for hundreds of years and continue to do so with little death and disease.  How has the beautiful process of creating a baby inside of your body become such a horrible thing? Something that is often associated with pain, suffering, trama, emergency, and possible death.  Where have all the strong, beautiful pregnant women gone? Have they been sucked into our societies perception that birth is dangerous and it requires doctors and ambulances and high dosages of medication? 

I understand that there are some situations that requires emergency help, but as a whole women are strong and their bodies have been made to deliver a child.  We have been given the gift of being the first place our kids grow, where they are created.  Our bodies protect and nourish them for 9 months and then deliver them into this world.  How can we believe that we are in a risky dangerous state as a pregnant mother?  I will be honest, when I am pregnant their are days that I feel tired and worn out.  But there are many other days that I am filled with honor for the gift I've been given to carry my children, I feel strong and confident.   

This particular pregnancy I've had the opportunity to challenge myself with what many would call an extreme workout program called Crossfit.  I have scaled workouts along the way to fit my changing body.  But I have been able to see how strong my body really is and even though some workouts seemed like they might not be possible I've completed everyone that I've gone up against.  I've continued to keep in my mind, "just keep moving and finish".  No matter how slow I might be going or how long it might take me, and in the end I felt amazing for completing something that seemed impossible. Isn't that life as a wife, parent, etc. ??  Facing seemingly impossible situations and pressing on and finding all the strength and courage was right there inside of you and you make it through.  

The fear that often holds us back from even starting or challenging ourselves in the things that seem so difficult.  Delivering a baby, the physical process of it may seem daunting but women have accomplished it beautifully for hundreds of years.  Why allow the fear that resonates from hospitals and pregnancy horror stories effect our experience?  Why crumble and believe that once we hit 37+ weeks we are miserable and uncomfortable and in pain constantly?  If we are constantly looking for the pain and irritation isn't that exactly what we will find?  But what if we began to look at the beauty and fascination of how our bodies have molded to this life inside of us? A life that responds to our voice and our environment.  A life that moves and dances inside of us.  Admiring the strength that has brought us to an amazing moment of birth.  Birth is a process, your body working with your baby to help bring him into this world.  Allowing the strength that has sustained you throughout the pregnancy to finish the work, to "just keep moving and finish". 

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that applies to so many areas of our lives... 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."  

-Marianne Williamson