Laney Belle
10.1.2025
11:29 pm
7 lbs 13.5 oz.
20 in.
At 37.5 weeks I started having strong regular contractions. I went in to the birth center and we stayed for 10 hours before realizing it was just prodromal labor. Over the next week and a half I’d have hours each day when the contractions would come frequently but wouldn’t pick up in intensity. It was driving me crazy. At 38 weeks and 6 days we noticed decreased fetal movement, it had me absolutely terrified. We went in for a non-stress test (which thankfully are back normal) I got a membrane sweep at that appt as well. We discussed that if the baby didn’t come in the next 2 days then we would opt to get an induction at the hospital. I was really bummed by this possibility because I had done so much preparation and studying to have a natural labor and it was my sincere hope to do it naturally. I spent 2 days just being as active as I could walking and cleaning and staying upright and busy. Sure enough the day after the membrane sweep around noon back labor started. Again, like it had most days prior I didn’t think much of it. As the hours passed everything got more intense and closer together. I had an appt to get an oil change at 4 so I packed up the three girls and went to get it. During the hour we spent there I realized I was in full blown labor. I called Mike and my MIL to come ASAP. I had to tell the oil change service people that I was in labor and I needed my car. Luckily they said it was done and got it to me really quickly. I zipped home and met Mike and my MIL and off we went. It was 5:00 so rush hour and it was going to take us over an hour to get to the birth center with the traffic. Right as we turned onto the highway we heard loud thumping under the car. We thought it was a flat tire but it was the undercarriage not fastened properly by the oil change people. Mike hopped out and ripped it right off so we could continue on our way. It was wild. We finally made it in to the birth center at 6:30.
I was dilated to a 3/4 and 70% effaced. I felt pretty bummed because my contractions were 4 minutes apart and feeling pretty intense. Within 10 minutes of being there my contractions increased to every 2 minutes. I needed 2 rounds of antibiotics so they needed me to be in labor for at least 4 hours to complete those. The midwife said she thought I was progressing quickly and was a bit worried we wouldn't have enough time for the antibiotics. They told me to do my best to relax and hold still and not do anything to progress my labor. I spent the next three hours in my happy oxytocin zone just breathing and relaxing and laughing with Mike and the midwife team when I was out of a contraction. We were eating, chatting, & listening to music. It was such a peaceful happy few hours. At 10 I asked to get into the tub as things were really getting increasingly more uncomfortable as I was in transition. I got out at 10:15 so they could check me again and then we could start round 2 of the antibiotic (yay we made it! barley!). I was dilated to a 7/8 and 90% effaced. I asked if they would break my water and they agreed. It took a minute because her head was so low and well applied they had to massage the amniotic sac down enough to break open a piece of it. I sat for 20 minutes as contractions really amped up to get my antibiotic in me as soon as the last drop fell I headed straight back to the tub for some relief. It was 11 pm when I got back into the tub.
In the tub things moved very quickly. I sat through 3 contractions then opted to get on my knees and it was 2 contractions until our perfect girl was in my arms! Those last 2 contractions felt like they would break me. But honestly every other contraction during delivery I felt fully present and in control and relaxed. My umbilical cord for the 4th time was very short so I held baby Laney low while I waited for my placenta to deliver. It came out all on its own within just a few more contractions. For the next 2 hours I just held our sweet Laney enjoying the most incredible high I’ve ever had. We left for home before 7 am the next morning. We were at the birth center just 12 hours between labor and recovery. It was such a breeze and everything I hoped it would be.
We saw so many miracles for this delivery. I couldn’t help but keep thinking the phrase, “But God” He was so intertwined and present all along. 1 the timing of it all felt like a Hail Mary. 2 that my undercarriage of the car didn’t fall off until Mike was with me. 3 our midwife team was perfect and incredible to us. 4 that everything went smoothly and our healthy girl is here. 5 that we even conceived this miracle surprise baby. God is so so good. We are so very humbled and grateful to have Laney join our family and that the delivery went so smoothly.
A natural delivery was a bit daunting, but I knew at the end of the day it was exactly what I wanted. I truly spent 8 months studying, reading, listening, and applying every resource I could. I learned breathing techniques, positions, massage, so many coping tools- my favorite things ended up being counter pressure, the tens machine for back labor, my playlist, and the tub. My recovery from this delivery has been such a breeze. My milk came in 3 times faster than with my other babies, and Laney has been so much more alert than my other babies. This may also have to do with the fact that she was born 2 weeks later than my other 3, but I also think that it has to do with the fact that she wasn't numbed from medication and had the all oxytocin and hormones doing what God intended them to do.
