Newborn Photo Shoot + Birth Story
January 23, 2019, the hubby and I decided to go out for a Wednesday evening date.
At this point, I am 38 weeks and four days pregnant and more than ready for baby boy to make his appearance. We go to dinner where I struggle in and out of the booth and say out loud that I hope the spicy chips and salsa induce labor. Afterward, we walk around Target and head home. Two hours later my water breaks. Now, I would say the myth about spicy food and walking helped induce my labor, but I had been doing both things for a solid two weeks at this point, so who really knows.
Before my water breaks, I fall asleep on the couch with my dog, like I do so many other nights. If you find a comfortable spot at 38 weeks pregnant, you are likely not moving. Thus, I regularly found myself asleep on the couch with my dog. I woke up around 11:30 pm with the thought “oh great, I peed my pants”. I waddled to the bathroom and realized I may be mistaken. But I am not certain. Up until this point I have had to endure weeks of Braxton-Hicks contractions. “I think my water broke, but where are the contractions?”
I Think My Water Broke
At this point, my mind flips through all the movies and TV shows I’ve seen where women go into labor. It’s always the same thing: contractions, contractions, contractions, water breaks. I had been having contractions for weeks, so why would I not have them when I think labor is finally happening?
Since I wasn’t feeling any sorts of pain I casually tell my husband that I think my water broke, and take my time re-packing our bags and picking out a cozy outfit to wear to the hospital. I realized my toenails are not done, because at 38 weeks pregnant I can no longer bend over to paint them. Knowing they will be exposed for all to see in the hospital, I ask my husband to paint them and I stroll around the house waiting for them to dry.
We all have our priorities.
I never pictured such a nonchalant evening when I was mentally preparing myself for this moment. I visualized panic, not serenity.
Once at the hospital (for hours) I learned I was having a backwards pregnancy, which means your water breaks, then you have contractions, then you dilate. Well, that’s why I felt no pain at home.
Labor and Delivery
After two popsicles, a cup of ice, hours of The Game Show Network, an epidural that would not work, and a half hour of pushing, my baby boy arrived on January 24, 2019, at 1:56 pm.
From the very start of my pregnancy, I researched every little question I had and asked those who have had kids for advice and what to expect. I took in as much knowledge as I could to be totally and completely ready — physically and mentally. In the end, everything I thought would happen didn’t happen that way at all.
No matter how much you plan and prepare, in the end, your body may completely surprise you with what it does in the moment of labor and how much it can truly endure. I wouldn’t change a moment of this long day and even longer nights that came after.
Newborn Photoshoot
We had the pleasure of once again working with Morgan Elizabeth Photography for our newborn photo shoot (she was our wedding photographer as well!) and we are so in love with the results! Although we have plenty more pictures, below are a few of our favorites. Frames are purchased, photos are ordered — cannot wait to hang these beauties up on our wall to look at all day!
