You may have noticed that no updates have been posted lately and that is because we welcomed our little one into the world unexpectedly 3 weeks early on Thanksgiving. So much for my “feeling” that he would need to be induced because he was so comfortable in the womb. Ha! He is already proving me wrong!
Labor started gradually with the Braxton hicks contractions getting stronger, but still on irregular time intervals. At night, I experienced my first bout of back labor pains, but because I wasn’t contracting regularly, I still thought that maybe it was a new symptom and not a sign of labor.
The next day, at my doctor’s appointment, she checked for dilation and we were shocked to find that I was 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced. The news didn’t even register with me until she said: “It’s up to you, do you want to go home or check in at the hospital now?” That is when my jaw dropped. We would have a baby less than 24hrs later!
I was in complete shock and in a little bit of denial. Of course I knew I was pregnant and I could deliver any day, but I didn’t think it would be 3 weeks early. Everyone was telling me that first babies are born usually late and just a week before the doctor had told me that there were no signs of labor starting, so I felt smugly confident that I still had at least 2 more weeks before the big day. How wrong was I?
Anyway, watch our birth vlog if you want to know more about the birthing process. A word of warning, there is some graphic content, so if you are skirmish, fast forward through the actual birth.
The hubby and I are sleep deprived, but feel so blessed to have our little one in our arms now. We are deeply in love with this little guy!
Free time is hard to come by dealing with a newborn, but if I can finagle an hour or two, I might attempt to shoot a postpartum video and newborn update for YouTube.
xoxox
Jana
What an emotional and incredible day !!! Congrats my little girl..You did a good job …..now you are a Roark’s mom and I am so proud of you ! And I am the happiest grandma in this world! Roark is so adorable…God bless you !
Author
Thank you for all your help and love. I am so happy that you got to share his first month with me.
Hi, Jana! I loved this post! How emotional to see him being born. I am so happy for you guys. Roark is gorgeous, and you did really good!! And you were able to film and talk coherently prior to giving birth… I couldn’t have done that. So cool for you to share your experience that I am sure can be helpful to other women. You look awesome, btw. I hope you’re recuperating well, and you guys are in a routine that allows you to steal some sleep time 😉 Can’t wait to meet your baby when I return! All the best, XOXO, G.
Author
Thanks G! We are loving being parents. The epidural helped. Before that I was feral! lol Can’t wait to see you next month!
Wow, I just teared up. So happy for all three of you! Thank you for sharing your journey and Roark’s grand entrance into the world. Amazing! Can’t wait to meet the little boo boo.
Author
I do it every time I re-watch it. Thanks so much! It was a whirlwind, but it was worth it. You need to come visit again!
Oh my gosh! This was so beautiful. Since we couldn’t be there, watching this was the next best thing! We can’t wait to meet Roark!
Author
We can’t wait for you to meet him too!