Charlie's Birth Story

To preface my story i have to say, this was so difficult to write! I started writing it with just the events and facts. I got bored reading it and knew i needed to start over. With the help of my husband and sister i figured out how to write it with my feelings instead. I can't even give this experience justice! It was incredible preparing and having this baby...all natural! I feel like i am a wimpy type of person but after this experience i know i can do anything! So here is what happened on the day of Charles Kinji's birth. 

Friday night I started feeling contractions. It felt exciting to know that Charlie was getting close to coming. I sat in my chair at the dinner table, pausing, as another contraction came and went. I whispered to Andy, “I think I am having a contraction.” He didn’t overreact or even get excited. From our birthing class we were taught that you can feel contractions weeks before your delivery. And still being two weeks away from my due date, Andy knew chances were this was just some pre-labor contractions. He put his hand on my knee to show his support. 

The conversation we had that night has been stripped from my memory. We probably took a link off of our countdown chain and talked about the reality of being parents. I awoke a few times in the night feeling contractions. With each contraction it led me to wonder, could this be it? From everything I had learned I knew it could still be weeks. As I awoke Saturday morning, I wasn’t feeling fabulous. We had planned to go to the temple on Friday but with my discomforts we decided against it. This morning I was determined to go. Who knows when we would get the chance again?

We dressed and took the short drive to the temple. The air was cool and the fall colors were vibrant. As we entered the temple my thoughts were weighed down with the idea of having this baby.  I prayed throughout our visit that Heavenly Father would help me. I felt his support and peace enter inside of me. While we were there contractions came and went, not consistently, or so I thought. Leaving the temple I felt that I should start timing the contractions, just out of curiosity, no other reason. My eyes grew bigger and bigger as I realized my contractions were exactly 5 minutes apart. My sweet husband was calm. He didn’t feed into any of my excitement.

Hours went by with the consistency. I knew my mom would need to be informed, whether this was real or not. I explained to her, very simply and calmly, what was happening. I could hear the disbelief but excitement in her voice. She grabbed her bags and was immediately on her way down to Salt Lake. I was second guessing all of this. I started planning an evening of games and food with my parents and Andy, if my contractions progressed great, and if not, we would have a fun evening together.

As we waited for my parents, I started putting curlers in my hair. If this was real, I wanted my hair to look nice. I have been told stories by my dad that my mom would go to the hospital in curlers and makeup. I guess I wanted to live up to her legacy. I was putting in the last curler and my phone rang. It was my mom. I could tell she was concerned. She wanted to head straight to the birthing center. I didn’t feel ready but she talked me into it. Good thing too because with my next contraction I dropped to my knees to get some relief.

Once the contraction was over Andy and I started gathering our bags. I needed a blessing from Andy. It was the sweetest blessing and I know it came from my Heavenly Father. He said I was prepared and very capable of having this baby natural. He also said that when I got to the point where I couldn’t bear it he would help me. I felt so much love and strength to go forward. As we left, I took my last look at our room. Chances were we would be bringing a baby into it next time we were there. I couldn’t imagine what it truly would be like.

We hurried to the car before my next contraction came. I felt one coming so i got myself into a comfortable position. I slightly reclined my seat and turned on my seat heater. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. I would feel the contraction peek and as it was on the downward end I would relax and feel relief. I looked over to Andy and smiled. This time between contractions was exciting. I was in a funny mood. For instance, when Andy said, “I wonder what baby Heavenly Father will send us?”  I responded, “The one in my belly of course!” We had a quick laugh and the next contraction came. Andy held my hand and I squeezed it tight.

We pulled into the parking lot of the birthing center. As I exited the car I took in a big breath and smelled the crisp fall air. I looked up into the sky; it was black with a beautiful big moon! I didn’t want to forget this evening. It was perfect, a perfect night for Charlie to be born. I rang the door to the birthing suite, as Rebecca opened the door I had a contraction just about to peek. I rushed past her without even saying hello and knelt down putting my elbows on the bench that sat next to the door. This didn’t bother Rebecca in the slightest. She started talking to Andy and made a joke how I just needed to say a little prayer before beginning. I love how Rebecca is able to keep the mood light and fun.

From this point on things started to blur for me but I did feel so much love and support from my husband, mother, and midwife. Their loving hands caressed my arms and shoulders. Their lips spoke soft and encouraging words. Their eyes were focused on me and my needs. I passed through the valley of death to get Charlie here and I don’t regret any of it! As I left the fog of the contractions and intense labor I finally held my baby boy, Charlie, in my arms.

He was perfect. His big eyes gazed at me intently. He was quiet, his body was purple. This didn’t scare me at all like I originally thought it would. He soon gained his pinkish color. All I could hear was the gurgling of fluid in his lungs. We all waited patiently for him to breath and start moving around. He was so limp in my arms. It was as if time stood still. My brain shut off as well and I just drank in this one moment. It is one I will never forget. Bringing a child into this world is a miraculous event and I have learned that it only gets better every day! 

First arriving at the birthing center. At this point i was really enjoying labor, thinking "this isn't so bad"

Andy was such a great support. I couldn't have gone through this without his help.

My mom knew exactly how to help. She was a great doula! I tell her she should go into the profession. The reason i am smiling is because whenever a contraction ended i felt so much relief which = JOY! 

Holding him in my arms the first time.

Andy cut's the (very short) cord. That is why i am holding him down so low, the cord was too short  to bring Charlie to my chest.

 My beautiful baby boy!

Andy is now a DAD! 

Do you see the stream of pee? It gave my midwife, Rebecca, quite a scare.

The next morning before leaving the birthing center.

Couldn't have done this without Rebecca! She is an amazing woman and midwife.