Megan + Bryce’s Birth Story
I loved every minute being pregnant. I cherished each kick after a cold sip of water, every hiccup in the evening. Our little one loved to kick and squirm their little limbs against my left ribcage, and when Bryce tickled their little body parts, they kicked back. I was extremely prepared and hopeful for a vaginal delivery; I read over 1000 pages, we took Bradley classes, I did all the yoga, we did all the things. After a perfectly healthy and completely uneventful pregnancy, we were shocked to find out at 36w that our rainbow babe was breech. I immediately lost my mind, called our doula crying my eyes out. This was NOT in the plan. But, within moments, she calmed me down and assured us; she had a plan, we could get through this. Bryce was pretty calm throughout that extravaganza, reassuring me that it would be okay. Babies don’t always go by what the plans are. Joy came to our house the next day and worked through some spinning babies exercises with us and talked options for a beautiful belly birth, just in case. She continued to reassure us that this change of plans could still be perfect. We tried everything to flip this baby (daily chiropractic, incense on my toes, hours of lying upside down, flashlights on my belly, ECV, you name it). This babe was more stubborn than mama!
So, just two weeks later, we were told our little one needed to be evicted at 37w5d due to low fluid. During the scans, they continued to tell me I was having a ton of contractions (nothing bothersome). Again, I was a wreck. Absolutely not, this baby is not coming before 38w… In my brain, 38 weeks = a fully cooked baby. 37w5d = not done cooking! Also, I needed a wax and to get my hair done! We called our team for backup. We convinced the doctors to let us go home and try to up my fluids in order to up baby’s fluids and give us more time. We were told we had 48 hours to chug gallons of water, and to come back for testing in two days. We went home, rearranged our appointments, painted a rainbow on my belly, saw my horse Rusty. On Friday, February 21… we came back prepared - freshly waxed, hair done, hospital bags packed. Sure enough, the ultrasound tech confirmed this baby was coming. “Congratulations, you’re having a baby… TODAY!” Bryce and I facetimed our families, this was really happening!
We tried to stay busy in triage, played Bananagram, danced to T-Swift and walked the hallways. Joy and Bryce were both allowed in the OR with me, but I had to be alone to get the spinal block. The OR was freezing and I remember shaking sitting there as they tried to get the spinal in. The moments before our little was born were a blur, I remember it being cold, I remember the smells, T Swift playing in the background as the Dr Swore (my favorite resident during our stay) and our anesthesiologist sang with us. I remember someone asking “are you ready to meet your baby?!” as they pulled down the curtain and pressed our naked little baby against the plastic… and there you were; our perfect, crazy legged little BOY! Love at first sight, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on you!! Bryce went to the warmer with our babe, and Joy stayed right with me. I’ll never forget hearing him scream and cry (over all the beeps) and thanking God he was here and healthy. Born at 16:09, 7 lbs, 14 oz and 19.5” of heaven. Apgars of 8 and 8, froggy legs and all - you were perfect. You had bright blue eyes and a dark brown mohawk. You. Were. Perfect.
Joy helped to initiate skin to skin, and even helped our baby latch in the OR. She comforted me and made me feel safe, reminded me to "listen to my baby cry" over the sounds of hospital machines, she reminded me to breathe, to trust my body and the process. She comforted my husband and encouraged him to be with our baby. I trusted her 100% and felt so much safer that she was there (which says a lot from two nurses, also our planned 45m surgery ended up taking nearly 3h). In recovery, she taught us how to breastfeed, ensured we had a good latch, and even taught my husband to "babywear" with our wrap. I also have to point out, I was a champ, rolling and lifting my hips in the recovery room. We made it up to our room around 9pm and our little one was able to meet his grandparents. Within a few hours, Bryce helped me walk to the bathroom to get cleaned up and ready for bed. Beau slept most of the first night, except when I woke him up to eat. I hardly slept, I couldn’t stop staring at our perfect little one. Bryce helped with every diaper change, and was up with me every time I was awake feeding.
The next couple of days were a blur. We spent our time watching our sleepy little angel babe, making the most of our stay at Hotel Jaocbs (AKA UCSD). We ordered room service, had a constant blend of orange or geranium essential oils going and music in the background. We were discharged home less than 48h after surgery, and then readmitted 36 hours later with severe postpartum pre eclampsia (my kidneys, liver, cardiovascular, and neuro system were all affected). Again - both Joy and Dara came to the rescue. Dara facetimed for lactation support through a scary medication process (mag is tough!) and encouraged us that the three of us were strong and capable and could get through anything. And, we did. Again proving that both our little one and his mama are very, very stubborn.
Our little one is nearly five months old now, and thriving. Beau is our biggest blessing… our milk monster who loves open mouthed kisses and giggles when he wakes up in the morning. He’s recently found his toes and enjoys doing the splits.
Whenever his little brother or sister decides to come around, we know who we’ll be calling! Joy and Dara, you’re part of our family, now and for forever. t