The story of our son's birth

Let me start by saying that while I love having two babies under two, I am in no way encouraging you to get pregnant four months into your first child. Here’s why.

My body simply did not have time to recover, and it made for an awful third trimester. While I enjoy pregnancy, these last few months were filled with so much physical pain. From having to track my heart for arrhythmia, to a severe case of SPD that left me feeling paralyzed lying down, I was ready for the babe to come well before he was full-term.

At 34 weeks, with baby boy having dropped, I began dilating, causing both myself and my doctor to assume he will arrive early. By week 38, when he was still snug and cozy in utero, we completed an ultrasound that showed I had low amniotic fluid, making me eligible for an elective induction at 39 weeks.

I was scheduled to come in the evening on Tuesday, March 8th. Two hours prior, I got the call that they didn’t have any beds and have moved me to the following day at 9 p.m. You can imagine how frustrated I felt — I spent all day preparing myself mentality, as well as getting Leoni packed up, only to have to endure the physical pain I was in for one more day. I felt so discouraged.

I woke up on Wednesday at 7 a.m. to strong contractions, instantly feeling in my gut I was in deep stages of labor. Vince and I called my mom, who came to pick up Leoni. Of course, I had to curl my hair just in case, and as I was doing so, I got the call from the hospital saying they had an opening if I wanted to come early.

By the time we arrived around 8:45 a.m., my contractions have gotten stronger and were closer together, so I was immediately placed in a labor and delivery room. The anesthesiologist fellow came in, saying she was administering a CSE block for instant relief since the baby was coming.

Now, my birth plan both times always included minimal intervention. With Leoni, my water broke and I went into labor naturally, making for an awesome (and quick) birth experience. You can imagine that with how on edge I was about having to be induced, paired with the pain, I could barely think for myself. Vince was awesome in this moment, stepping in as he remembered my birth plan and asking me three times if this is what I wanted. Although I wish I had listened, the pain took over and I said, “sure, whatever, just give me relief.”

Because the CSE block slowed down my contractions and dilation, I labored for almost 12 hours (as opposed to the six my first time around). Around 5 p.m., I told the nurse that while I don’t want the pitocin to speed up the process, I refuse to labor for more than 12 hours as I need to consume energy to push, and need them to administer it, which they did around 6 p.m.

Forty-four minutes and five pushes later, Dante Sergio was born to “What A Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship — one of my favorite songs!

The team of people surrounding us were so encouraging. I tend to crack jokes in stressful moments to help those around me feel relaxed, and the environment reflected just that… Filled with lots of laughter, positive energy, and God’s presence. I remember closing my eyes before my last contraction, as I sang the lyrics, “Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the glory, Yours is the name above all names.” I pushed, thinking I was done until the next contraction, but when I opened my eyes, I saw Vince’s determined face with the words, “ONE MORE PUSH!” And out he came, our sweet little boy, our SON :)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9