Dax's Birth Story

Dax was born at 3:39 AM 9/30/19. 40 weeks and 6 days. My second natural birth, first baby born in water. I woke up to a contraction at 1:32 AM. I had felt these same contractions for a few weeks and they had woken me up before so I didn't think much of it. I went to the bathroom to pee and had bloody show. Yes! Finally! I thought. Then another contraction. OK, this is it! These contractions felt completely different from my last labor and birth, they weren't nearly as painful. I went and laid back down. I had more contractions. They were coming every 4-5 minutes. I called Chase to let him know what was going on and that this might be it. (might, haha) He called Galyn and Vanessa. I got back up out of bed to go to the bathroom again. I should get ready for the birth center, I thought. Beau woke up so I went and nursed him back to sleep. It was 2:10 now. I woke my mom up and let her know it was time. I grabbed my pillows and bag for the birth center. I left the house at 2:22 and drove myself to the birth center which is only a mile and a half away. As I was pulling into the birth center drive way, I thought, I should have Galyn check me when she gets here, hopefully I'm not just at 4-5. Chase got to the birth center right after me. We went inside and got settled. Galyn and Vanessa arrived shortly after us. Galyn checked me, I was 9cm. Well, I guess its time to tell my mom and kids to come now if they want to make it to the birth! Galyn started the tub and I got in. My mom and kids got there around 3:10. During each contraction I kept repeating to myself in my head, "this will be over soon, they only last a minute. I can do this. I'm doing this. My baby will be here soon." My body started instinctively pushing at about 3:25. I pushed with everything I had. His head was out at 3:36. Still pushing with everything I had, I started to panic, thinking he's stuck and never coming out, something is wrong! Nothing was wrong. I screamed "get him out" and Galyn reached in to help a shoulder out. My nine and a half pound baby boy was here! The first thing I remember saying was "I did it, we did it!" Gat was so supportive and amazing. Colt asked me if he could play a game on my phone while I was still in the tub, about 8 minutes after his new baby brother was born LOL. So yes, birth is normal for them. I'm 5'0 and weighed around 130 lbs at the end of pregnancy. Tiny people CAN have big babies naturally. This is empowerment. This is strength. This is love. This is birth. Birth is normal. I am SO proud of my mind and body. First picture taken at 2:56 AM, last picture taken at 5:06 AM. Thank you to the best mom ever, Elizabeth Myers for everything you do. Thank you to my amazing midwives that took care of us during pregnancy and birth, Galyn Lacewell, Briana Stelzel, Stephanie Saunders Midwife, Doula Shelby Miller. And thank you to the ever so talented artist Vanessa Mendez for capturing these moments! I love y'all! ️