Mama’s birth story

Birth of Quillan Max Lamoni Siever 23 April 2012
6 lbs 9 oz, 18.5 inches long

Quillan has been an active boy right from the start. I felt him earlier than any of the others and he literally hasn’t stopped since. Most especially around 11pm every night. Yes, every night. Let’s see how his first time out of the womb proceeds in that regard!

I really wanted our baby to be born as close to May as possible. Preferably in May. But this little guy had a different plan. First, on Saturday, we were at the temple and I have to wonder if this pushed him to come sooner rather than later. I know, not necessarily so, but with Aoibheann, it was similar. I went into labour with her the night after we were at the temple. I don’t know if it is wise for me to go to the temple so close to my due date! These babies get excited about coming asap, or something!

Sunday was a long day. I am in the stake primary and we had a ward conference. So I was there for the first three hours and then went to our ward. It was fine. I was a bit tired, but no more than usual. About an hour after church ended, I felt my first sensation. I wondered if I might be mistaken, but I know what it feels like and that gave me the first indication things might happen that night. I did have a prayer asking Heavenly Father to please hold it off for another few days or more, but no, baby wasn’t listening to any of that and as we know, babies are the ones who decide when to be born. I think he has a very determined little mind and knows what he wants. It’s just a feeling I get from him.

The next several hours I had intermittent sensations, nothing very strong, but I had an urgency to get some last minute things done, even though it was Sunday. We put the children to work, making sure things were cleaned and tidied and laundry was switched. Kim made supper, and for dessert they had ice cream with whipping cream and pineapple and I purloined a few of those pineapple slices. Pineapple is great for labour. Or can be!

I ran myself a bath and relaxed in the tub, ate some food Kim made for me. He was getting excited, me, I was just resigned, at first. Yes, I do know about going with the flow, even with timing!

Labour was honestly not hard at all, although I could feel things happening, baby was moving down. Although I had to breathe slowly as time progressed, it wasn’t so intense that I could figure out how close birth was.

Either way, we got the kitchen cleaned up (well, they did, not me) and I got out birth supplies, and the car seat (yet to be taken out of the box). Kim waited to install it after the children were in bed.

I quietly told Sinéad that I was in labour, just to kind of prepare her. I wasn’t telling the others though because they wouldn’t be able to sleep. Into bed they went and I continued doing things to get ready. Yes, that included email and facebook.

It was still pretty intermittent as midnight came close. Thinking about Aoibheann’s labour, I wondered if this baby would arrive before midnight. That would have been special since yesterday was Earth Day. The sensations did start to increase and I didn’t even attempt to sleep. Kim had a lesson to prepare and I expected, or rather, told him, to get some rest, but he didn’t want to, since last time I was not sure I would be able to rouse him since Sinéad had been upstairs sleeping on the couch and I didn’t want to holler for him. So he wanted to stay up.

I spent most of the time in the bathroom, once more. Sitting on the toilet really helped and well, as many mothers can attest too, sometimes it’s just handy. I had had bloody show earlier, and that was continuing. Along with other things happening! At one point (and I know I was in transition), I felt the need to get in the shower. I was wishing I had been more proactive in getting birthing pool. Next time, for sure. The shower really helped. I breathed through the sensations, and as they got stronger, I could feel myself shaking, knowing I was in transition. Kim gave me a shoulder massage and let me lean on him. I got out and laboured on the toilet some more and then towards the end, felt the need to get back into the shower. This was well after midnight at this point. Kim came in with me, since I did promise him he could catch this time. Last time I got to, even though he did catch the first three! However, he came into the shower, I leaned on him, as the sensations started increasing, one barely finished before the next one started. I had earlier taken some extra calcium and more Polly Block formula (didn’t see the need to stint on it since I was about to birth this baby!).

It was after 1 am on Monday morning and though the head was getting much lower, it hadn’t crowned quite yet. A few more intense sensations, that I moaned and breathed through, then I had a strong urge to push. Initially I felt I should hold back, but I really felt the need to birth this baby, and with a strong but careful push, he was born quite quickly. Kim was sitting cross-legged in the tub and he caught him as he came out. The cord was around his next, but looped easily and we had to just flip him around (gently, of course) especially since it was again, another short cord! He cried right away; I don’t think he liked that turn of events! Kim saw that we had our Quillan! I took a few moments and  got out of the tub to sit on the toilet. I was feeling quite good, not weak at all, in spite of the blood. Floradix is awesome.

I sat on the toilet, Kim handed me a towel to cover Quillan with (Good thing. He doesn’t like being uncovered). Kim woke up the children and let them know they had a new baby brother. All were extremely thrilled with that, mostly Regan, who has been wanting a brother for awhile. Quillan nursed within a few minutes and was very alert. All my others went to sleep right after birth.

Another 45 minutes or so and the placenta was born with the cord still attached. About 50 minutes after the birth, Kim tied and cut the cord, although I was fine with waiting longer. He took Quillan to weigh and measure him and take some pictures and I cleaned myself up a bit. The children phoned their grandparents to let them know. I took some shepherd’s purse in tincture form with water, to help with the bleeding while I was awaiting the birth of the placenta. It’s certainly helped.

Now, this is our fifth planned unassisted birth and I am 41 years old. I know that many would put me as ‘high risk’ because of my age. This birth was easier than any of the others, although it was still hard work and there was intensity. I did exercise and ate pretty well, taking care of my health. However, I want to emphasise that age doesn’t have to be a deterrent to a beautiful, intervention-free birth. I am so blessed and my experience was made more enjoyable because of the wonderful support of my amazing husband. He gave me a blessing early in labour and promised me an enjoyable labour and birth. Or rather, the Lord did. It was pretty enjoyable. I can’t complain. Using the hypnobirthing techniques I have learned (to a degree), working with the process and taking the needed supplements during pregnancy also contributed to a good experience.

Read Kim’s version.