Taylor's Birth

Well, I've made it to my last blog post!! I've been wanting to turn my blog into a book but was waiting until I had Taylor so I could post his birth story. I'm so happy I wrote all of these stories down for each of my babies. After this my blog will rest in peace while Chatbooks saves the day for my journaling. It's been fun Blogger!!

Here's my story, written after having him but just now getting around to posting:

Taylor Robert Lyman, 8 lbs 13 oz and 22 inches born July 28, 2019

I had an awesome labor and delivery with Taylor. Since this was my fourth time around, I knew what to expect and what I wanted. I don’t really like delivering in the hospital and was considering a birth center. But we decided to go with the hospital again because of my risk for preeclampsia and because they have a NICU. I also love my OB and wanted to keep seeing her for my prenatal visits.

Sunday morning the 28th I woke up at 5am to go pee and noticed I had a contraction that was a little painful. More than a Braxton Hick. Then again at 5:15 and 5:30. I started getting really shaky - looking back I think it’s because I was nervous and knew this was it. But at the time was still kind of in denial because really, what are the chances I’d go into labor on the 28th of the month for the fourth time?!! And they weren’t hurting much yet. But I woke Tom up anyways and told him this might be it. He packed his bag while I waited for another contraction. When it came we decided to head out and got to the hospital at 6:30. There was no traffic!! Which was a blessing because one of my biggest worries was getting caught in 635 bumper to bumper traffic.

They took me right to a room, checked me and I was at a 6. They got an IV and antibiotics done all in the next hour and a half or so. I was having pretty steady contractions but luckily they weren’t too bad yet and I felt ok sitting in the bed while they did everything. Everything looked good with the baby so they let me take the monitors off and brought me a labor ball. Then it was pretty much just Tom and I while I labored the rest of the time. I was surprised how calm I felt and how we talked between contractions like we were just hanging out. Kinda funny and nothing like what you see on the movies. I mostly sat on the ball and stood and kind of rocked around during contractions.

When the contractions became more intense and back-to-back I asked for the doctor. She was with other patients and would be there “soon”. I knew it was getting close because my legs were getting shaky and the only way I could make it through the contractions were by squatting. I was feeling lots of pressure down there - it was time. I finally had the nurse check me and she was like yep let’s get the doctor!

As soon as the doctor came in I sat right down on the bed, she broke my water and I pushed him out during the next contraction! It was hard but it couldn’t have gone more smoothly.

He screamed and screamed even while doing skin to skin. It took us a little while to decide on a name, and I think it fits him perfectly. We love our Taylor so much!!

Only seconds old here

He was our screamiest baby haha 

Tom holding him for the first time.

My favorite part of giving birth. Let's be honest, pushing a baby out sucks, but those first moments are pretty amazing.

Now time for Taylor to meet his future best friends.

First picture of our family of six.

He was our first baby that didn't have to do the bili lights! He ended up having breastmilk jaundice, but it went away on its own.

Time to head home.

Looking back it was such a beautiful birth experience. I feel gratitude for Tom, my mom at home watching the other kids, the nurses, the doctor, my freakin awesome body and most of all for my sweet little guy.