Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Fast and Furious

Little Elias was born on Monday, September 14th 2009 at 6:14 pm.


Birth Story:

My labor started sometime in the the night of the 13th. I tried to ignore it the best I could, thinking it was probably false labor like I had with Maja (4 nights!). At around 5:30 am in the morning of the 14th I got up and decided to take a walk and see if the contractions would keep going. At this point they were about 10 minutes apart and lasted about 30 seconds, just strong enough that I couldn't sleep through them.


The contractions continued through the morning, easing up a bit around 10-noon. Around that time we went to Target to get diapers for Maja, and my contractions came back to the same as they were in the morning, though perhaps a little stronger. I remember having to think to myself, "Just keep walking, just keep walking" through the contractions.


When we got home Maja and I went swimming in our little pool, feeling to uncomfortable to play with Maja, I had Clemens put her down for a nap. Then I got in the shower. I felt badly using so much water, since my contractions were still 10 min apart. I got out and the contractions got random. 10 minutes, 4 minutes, 7 minutes, 10 minutes, 3 minutes. The length varied also from 40 seconds to 15 seconds. When I layed down to take a nap they seemed to regulate a little. At 4 pm Royce, Clemens and I sat down to watch The Best of Chris Farley. (I wanted to watch a comedy, Clemens convinced me to watch some of this before putting in Nacho Libre). My first contraction into it (they had gotten quite uncomfortable now), I heard a pop and my water broke. Luckily it wasn't a gush since I was on the bed! Clemens got me a towel and it was fine.


After my water broke we called the Midwives. I made Clemens call (which signaled my midwife to send someone immediately), and immediately my contractions were much stronger.


By the time my midwife got to our house I was in full active labor, and progressing really fast. Before I knew it I was transitioning (i.e. praying that my contractions wouldn't stay as strong as they were and get closer together, and swearing that for the next child I would be in a hospital with an epidural.) Luckily my contractions stayed about 3-4 min apart and were about 40-45 seconds long. They did get much stronger though. In an hour and 45 min I dialated from 6 cm and 80 % effaced to having a baby in my arms. Super fast and hard!

He came out healthy and strong, surprising everyone with how quickly it happened. I was happy to be more awake and alert than after the 26 hours of Maja's labor. We were all able to bond and be together all evening.


Elias is a little dear, and very much a little boy. He has the face of a Haltern, dark hair and with what I think are very brown eyes. He even smells like a boy. Maja loves him very much and is very sweet and soft with him. She does notice the change however and needs lots of love too.



12 comments:

Bethany said...

So happy it happened so quickly and you were able to bond immediately! Enjoy all that a new baby brings :)

Erin said...

i've been checking on your blog like crazy!!! i'm so glad things went so well & that you are both healthy & happy! CONGRATULATIONS on your sweet boy! lots of love to you & your sweet family:).

Stacy Hart said...

congratulations! he is so adorable and tiny and perfect! i'm so glad everything went well, you are amazing!

Molly said...

Congratulations. He is beautiful and I love his name. Give hugs to Maja and Elias.

Orange Juice said...

wow! Suz. I am so happy for you. I got emotional for you at what a sweet birth story that was. I am glad it was somewhat easier than the first labor. I am so proud of you. I have been thinking of you lately and wondering how things were going. I am so glad that all is well and that you have a precious new baby BOY! in your life! Elias is so handsome! What a sweetie and he is so small compared to Maja! How do kids just grow so fast. We love you and are thinking of you!!

ALexis

Anna said...

Wow, what a fast labor! He looks so alert for a newborn.

Unknown said...

Congratulations again to you all! Little Elias is a really beautiful baby. We hope you all continue to enjoy each other and that Maja likes being a big sister! Love from Auntie Julia

Ariane said...

Congrats! He looks great.

Johnson Family said...

Congrats, again. Thanks for sharing your birth story! I totally hear you about the stage when you're thinking, "I am crazy to do this, next time I will have an epidural..what was I thinking?" And I am sure you will agree, it is amazing how fast you forget that when the time comes again and you want it to go just the same. Lots of love and admiration!
Kendra

Melanie said...

HOoray and congrats! Having two kids isn't has hard as everyone made it out to be, so good luck! He's a cutie!

jo said...

Wow you are amazing! Well done mama! Reading your story gave me some hope that the hard labor might be shorter this time around. It is my only hope of going natural again I think:) I am so impressed with your strength and calmness through a whole day of contraction, I am amazed with how occupied you kept yourself. Good Good Job! Elias is just as handsome as can be.

Jasmine said...

congratulations, halterns!! great job suzanna! keep posting. can't wait to see more pictures (i finally got your blog from christensens!).
p.s. great job, clemens, on your book! that is so awesome. can't wait to get ourselves a copy.