Thursday, February 26, 2009

Announcing....

Carter Miller Steffen

February 24, 2009
8:58am
8lb 4oz
20.5in


The much anticipated birth story:

Since Thurday, February 18th I have been having contractions. They had been very spaced out and ranged in intensity. I knew for sure this baby would be early.

Monday night, I watched the Bachelor and went to bed around 10:30pm. At 2am Tuesday morning, I awoke with a very painful contraction. I got up, walked around, drank some water, and the contractions kept coming. I was afraid to time them because I didn't want to jinx it. So, I ran a hot bath and stayed in for a while. Around 3am I timed one contraction. It lasted over a minute and the next one was less then 3 minutes later. Woah! So, I woke up Brian and asked him to call the Dr for me. He called, and the midwife on duty called me back and told me to head into the hospital.

We got to the hospital a little after 4am. I went to triage and was checked. I was mentally prepared to be 1 or 2cm and was hoping I could stay there at least and not be sent home!! I was checked and I was 4cm, 70% effaced! I was on my way to my attempted VBAC! We called our friends the Ashtons to see if they could take Parker until my parents got there. Brian ran Parker down and I went to my labor and delivery room (I was in there around 5am). Not long after I got in the room my doula, Chris (short for Christine), arrived, and it was her birthday!!

The on-call midwife (i don't know her name =[) was amazing. She kept telling me to visualize the baby moving behind my pubic bone while I was standing and swaying. When I had a contractions she would tell me to 'breathe my cervix open'. She was a very sweet lady.

I was hooked up to the fetal monitors and they ran an iv just for a bit. Then Chris and I walked around while Brian went to the car to get the bags.

Soon after, I asked if I could go in the tub. I went into the jetted tub at 6:15a. No iv! No monitors! =] I was 6cm dialated, 90% effaced. I stayed in the tub for about an hr.

I started feeling lots of pressure and pain and so I got out of the tub and went to the room to be checked. I was 9cm dialated, almost 100% effaced.

At this point the contractions seemed to never stop and so, I got in some different positions to help. While I was leaning on the bed at 8:23a my water broke! All of a sudden the room got really bright and I had a burst of energy. Contractions became even more tough. My cervix was almost all the way effaced- there was a tiny little lip left. I asked just to make sure I could not get medicine at this point. Chris said "Holly, you are almost there. You've done all the hard stuff!" That was what I needed to hear. My doctor, one of the midwives, Chris, Brian, and a couple nurses all witnessed what you are about to read:


I laid on my side for about 2 contractions and I said "oh my gosh, I gotta push! I can't stop it". So, they hurried to check me. I was ready to push!!!! At 8:40am I started to push.
After 18min, Carter arrived!!

I did it!! I really did it!! I can birth babies as God intended!!
Tears started coming, I had done it.

My dream came true.

I AM A SUPERWOMAN.

ICAN and IDID VBAC Med Free!

No words can describe the feeling I felt as I felt his little body coming out of mine. This is what it was supposed to be like. This is how it was supposed to feel. My body knew what to do, and did it! Incredible.

They placed him on me, and then took him away to complete all of his vitals. He wasn't breathing and was a little blue. (later I found out the cord was around his neck) I wasn't worried then or when I found out (they would monitor his heartbeat often with the portable monitor or they'd place the other monitor on me to hear/see the heartbeat)..... They got him breathing and gave him a little oxygen. Brian cut the cord. He was weighed, wrapped and we got him back! No wisking him off to the nursery! I saw my baby!!!

I could not have done it without my amazing support team!!! Chris (below) and Dr Berry were lifesavers.

Brian and I are so blessed to have experienced this.
Our first family photo: I know, I look amazing.Brotherly Love:Carter is all ready to go home!
(Random side note: There was a woman due 1 day before me and she was a VBAC too. She had her baby Monday- the day before me- and she was also successful.... we also gave birth in the same room!.... room 16 is a lucky one, I tell ya!)

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS, SUPPORT, AND LOVE!!!

Oh, and for the guessing:
Britta was closest to the date guessing Feb 23rd and he was born the 24th!
& Racheal had the weight spot on: 8lbs 4oz!
Thanks for playing!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!! HE IS PRECIOUS HOLLY!!!!!!!!! I think he looks like Heather when she was a baby!!!! So sweet. I am so proud of you and happy for you for being superwoman!!! It is so empowering!! And you DO look amazing!!! Love you!!!!

♥The Drake Family♥ said...

he is soooooo adorable! i think he looks like parker....and you! congrats! i am soo glad everything went so well, isnt it such an awesome feeling when that baby finally arrives! it is def. empowering as a woman to be able to experience that....there's nothing like it! looking at your pics and seeing a familiar place makes me sad that mine is all over again. i hate it. ironically, i think i was in room 16 too! i am so happy for you guys! you look great!

Shelby and Brian said...

He's adorable and already looks so much different than in the pictures you sent me before!! It's crazy how they change so quickly. I am so proud of you and really happy that you got to have the birth that you wanted. When Owen was born I remember telling Brian that it was really amazing to feel Owen coming out of me and just feeling every little thing. It's incredible. Congrats again and I can't wait to see all of you.

Ashley said...

HOLLY!!! YOU are amazing! He is gorgeous! I'm so happy for you, I can't stop the tears! I'm so glad you were blessed with exactly what you wanted with this labor & delivery. Superwoman!!!

Lani said...

I've been on pins and needles checking your blog all day... YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't keep the tears from coming. There's nothing like hearing a BEAUTIFUL, HAPPY birth story!! Congratulations, Holly!! I knew you could do it!

Now I'm totally linking to your post! :-) Hope you don't mind!

The Kent Family said...

Awhh..I almost cried reading your story...I'm SO happy for you!!! What a great experience...and YOU looked GREAT!!!! ;)....Can't wait for our little ones to meet in person lol...they are only 4 days apart haha..now that's close...

Our Ohana said...

YAY!! How exciting! This post made me cry because I KNOW how badly you wanted the VBAC and you DID it!!! You ARE Superwoman. I'm so proud of you and he is such a handsome little man!! I love the name to! This is so so exciting!! Can't wait to see more pics of him and Parker. Those are just so precious!

congratulations you guys!

Anonymous said...

Conrats- I LOVE THE NAME!!!!!!!!

That is the best birth story ever! So glad you did it without meds like you wanted...

Chesney said...

hes beautiful. congratulations!!!

Anonymous said...

congrats!! I love the name!! I'm so happy that you had the delivery that you wanted.

Megan said...

Oh my gosh Holly you made me cry! I am so happy for you and SSSOOOO proud of you! The hormones you got from that birth will keep you going for a long time and will hopefully keep you from ever feeling the blues or getting depressed. You ARE a superwoman. I thought I was awesome for going med free but look at you!! You had a successful VBAC! Your baby is beautiful and the birth will be something to NEVER forget. I loved it so much we've decided to start trying again. Congrats to your beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What a beautiful baby. What a beautiful family & mom. Your birth story made me tear up. :)

Brooke Brooks said...

I"m so happy for you! Way to go on going with a VBAC AND no meds. Thats awesome! He is gorgeous!

Beverly B. said...

Yeah! Congratulations! I'm so proud of you SUPERWOMAN! I'm glad you went with Carter. That was one of my favorites. I'm excited to see him.

Lori said...

Congrats!!!! I am glad everything worked out the way you intended and that you went early, always a plus. I love that name but again i cant use it with my last name.

Holly said...

How exciting Holly!!! I'm so glad everything went so well for you! He's beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Holly! You should be very proud of yourself; you did it! Now you can relax and enjoy that beautiful little boy! What a perfect birth story!

Erika said...

Congratulations! It sounds like such an amazing experience and I am so SO thrilled for you! He is SUCH a beautiful baby, and I was secretly hoping you would name him that ;) I can't wait to see more pictures of him and Parker! Oh, and you do look amazing in that picture! You have such a beautiful family and you are a beautiful, strong woman! Congrats again!

<3Erika

evelonies said...

hooray, i'm glad you got the birthing experience you wanted! it's an amazing thing, and while i'm nervous to do it again, i'm excited too. carter is super cute, but i'm sure you knew that already! :) enjoy him and good luck w/ 2!

nancy said...

I LOVE IT. YAY congrats. I am so excited for you.. I knew you were going to be going into labor when I last talked to you.. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.. let me know when I can edit some of those photos for ya

Jenny and James said...

I'm so glad you were able to do a VBAC! He's adorable!

Anonymous said...

Hello,
He is so ,so,so cute. I am so proud of you ,you are a superwoman to go through that. You looked greatnot like you just gave birth. I love the name. Hope things are going well and talk to you soon on facebook. Take care and love you guys.
Sheryl

Lisa said...

Congrats! He's adorable. You did a great job! Wow, I'm amazed! I hope your family is adjusting well. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

The Fifes said...

i love love love your story. Thank you for sharing it-- you're an inspiration to many!