A tale of prayer, infertility, waiting, gratitude, miracles, spirituality, and an amazing, precious gift all in one story.
I don’t know why I waited so long to write Lydia’s birth story, but I remember it like it was yesterday. So no worries, all the details will be recorded here.
Lydia Mae Gough was born on October 4th, 2011 at 10:12pm. She weighed 8 lbs and 12 oz, and was 21 inches long. Her birth was such a spiritual experience, and everything leading up to my pregnancy and birth was amazing and memorable in every way. Lydia is a gift to us who came to us at just the precise time she was supposed to.
We waited a long time for Lydia, in every way. So even though it took us 3 years of trying to get pregnant, and Lydia was born 2 weeks past her due date, I know that she was born on precisely the day and time that she was supposed to come.
I had been using Doterra’s multivitamin supplements as well as essential oils for four months before I got pregnant. I think it was one of the number one things to help me get pregnant. I also continued the use of essential oils and supplements during my pregnancy, and I seriously had the best pregnancy ever!! I felt so great, even in the last month of pregnancy. So it really surprised me that I was pretty cool and collected even when my “due” date came and went… I was just like, “She comes when she comes! I feel great!”
And of course, since this was my third Hypnobabies birth, practicing my hypnosis CD’s and such contributed to feeling so great, but to be honest I wasn’t very good or consistent at doing my Hypnobabies practice this pregnancy.
Well, two weeks after my “due” date, my midwife and I decided to induce my birthing time with a tincture of black and blue cohosh. Honestly, I didn’t want to wait one more day because I would’ve had to pay extra money to go get a doctor’s opinion and get an official non-stress test.
I think my appointment was at about 3 or 4:00 pm, and that’s when I got my herbs, and my midwife checked to see that everything was alright. My husband was out of town (an hour away) for school (he’s a teacher) but he’d be back around 6, so I knew from experience that I’d be fine.
So even before I left my midwife’s office, contractions were coming, but no biggie. I took my two kids home, and let them watch an hour of TV while I lay down and listened to a CD. Contractions were coming at least 5 min apart or less, but painless. When I finished the CD, I could feel them in my back, but not bad at all. So I got up and made dinner for my kids around 5:30- 6:30. Contractions were still coming, but it felt good to move around in the kitchen.
Travis called about 6:00 to tell me that he was on his way back, and that he was going to visit his dying Grandpa. I had visited him in the hospital earlier that day, but Travis couldn’t, since he was gone. So I’m glad that Travis got to visit his Grandpa even though I wanted him home.
Between 6:30 and 7:00 I wanted to just lie down and focus in, and I wanted my husband home NOW! He finally came home about 7:00 and I said to him, “You get the kids in bed, and I’m listening to a CD” He said, ok.
So I listened to the Birth Guide CD, and it felt wonderful! Contractions were stronger but painless during the CD. Things did start getting more intense during the CD though. Afterwards, I got up, and went out to see Travis. He had just barely got the kids in bed, and said that his Grandpa passed away at 7:30. Yep, about the same time that things started getting more intense. I started feeling it more in my back, but pretty comfortable, especially when using my light-switch. I would get on my birth ball and lean over my bed and turn my “light-switch” off to relax during each contraction, but would try and get up and get things ready in between, although there wasn’t much time in between. I told Travis that he should probably get the birth pool ready. (inflate and fill with water)
A little after 8:00, I called my photographer about this time, and said… “yeah, I *think* things are moving a long… you *might* want to come… I don’t know…” (I really wasn’t sure… I thought I had a ways to go still…) Then at about 8:30, Travis called our midwife… we probably should’ve called her before the photographer… haha. I REALLY wanted to get in the water at this time, but it wasn’t ready yet. So I kept sitting on the birth-ball and leaning on my bed. I could really feel them in my back now, and it was a little uncomfortable. And then when the tub was finally ready, Travis made the water way too hot! So we put some cool water in, and I finally got in at about 9:00pm, right before our photographer showed up. I would just lean over the side of the birth pool during the contractions, the water felt so good!
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[/caption]Then my midwife came about a little after 9:00pm, and things really started getting intense. I could really feel it in my back, even though the baby was not posterior. I was getting restless, and had to keep changing positions… It was really comfortable kneeling or on hands and knees, but not so comfortable during a contraction. I had to have my husband push on just the right spot as hard as he could on my lower back, that felt great! During this time, I could really feel the presence of Travis’s Grandpa and his wife in heaven, and my baby’s spirit all together with maybe a few other angels. It was a very spiritual experience.
It was probably between 9:30 and 9:45 where I started moaning and making more sounds, just felt natural. Travis started setting up the video camera, which wasn’t working because the battery needed to be charged, but we knew we were getting closer! And I needed him to stop fiddling with the camera and come push on my back or let me lean in his shoulders. About 9:50 I started shaking, and then I had to go to the bathroom! But contractions were back to back, so I had to be quick after the contraction and get up, get towels, and go! So while I did that, Travis plugged in the camera to charge it. Rebecca, the midwife, came and helped me in the bathroom and let me lean on her while sitting, and she pushed into my knees. I stayed there for a few contractions, then quickly got back into the water.
I knew she was coming, she was right there, just not crowning yet. Travis finally unplugged the camera and got it set up so he could come push with all his might on my back. Then came the easy part, it was only uncomfortable for a few seconds. Then it just happened so fast, it was unbelievable! She was crowning and I could feel her head. Then I supported my own perineum while giving a few pushes and then she was out! I was half kneeling, half squatting, and I pretty much caught her, then Rebecca helped and pulled the cord over her head and we brought her out of the water! She was born at 10:12pm. Phew!! What a feeling! I had a baby in my arms, it’s always so shocking and exhilarating! She felt small to me. And it took her what seemed forever to start breathing and crying, but her cord was pulsating and her heart beating just fine. But it was only a few seconds, and then we heard her cry. What a sweet, sweet precious little girl! Our Lydia, who we had been dreaming about for almost 4 years! Travis and I just enjoyed the moment with his arms wrapped around me and Lydia, while Rebecca did her thing.
After the cord stopped pulsating, and it was cut, Travis finally took Lydia in his arms, skin to skin. While I delivered the placenta on the couch, and got all cleaned up. We had to get Lydia sucking so I could activate the natural oxytocin so the bleeding I had would go down. But that wasn’t working good enough, so I did have to get a shot of Pitocin. Ouch! The bleeding finally went down, all was well, and they weighed and measured Lydia Mae. She was 8 lbs, 12 oz and 21 inches long. Yes, my smallest baby, but my hardest birth. (My others were over 10 lbs) I got Lydia back and tried feeding her again. She was very good, a very strong and determined suck. While I sat there, I think I had to get a stitch for the same skid mark I had last time too, but that was it.
Then we texted everyone the news, and just enjoyed our newborn! I transferred to my own bed (SOO nice to be at home!!!) Rebecca did a few other things, checked Lydia, etc, cleaned up, and went home about a few hours later. Then we had a very peaceful lovely night with Lydia sleeping in our bed and we got to surprise our kids the next morning when they woke up and came into our room. It was wonderful!
The whole experience was amazing at home. And although my 6 hour birth was harder than my previous 2 births, it was still pretty manageable. I think if I would’ve practiced my Hypnobabies more consistently, and if I would’ve focused more and relaxed more at the start of my birthing time instead of having to take care of my kids, it would’ve been more comfortable and easier. But I wouldn’t change this experience for anything, it was amazing, and I can’t wait until I have my next birth! It’s such a HIGH!
Thank you Rebecca! You are the most caring, wonderful, amazing midwife ever! I never want to give birth without you there. I miss you and can't wait until next time!
I’m grateful to Travis. He was so much more involved with this birth, and I SO needed him! I couldn’t have done it without him. This brought us closer together in such a way that nothing else could. I’m so grateful for this whole experience and for my wondrous miraculous body that can bring life to this world in such a way. I’m so thankful for my Lydia who has taught me sooo much this past year. She has really been one to bring me such joy and happiness and peace. Because of her, I’ve really learned how to LIVE in the present and ENJOY every moment. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything!
And thank you Katrina of Red Bean Photography. The photos are more than I ever dreamed. You are amazing!
