Sloane Dray Frandrup
2.5.13
5:47pm
7lbs 12oz
21"
You share a birthday with William Burroughs, Laura Linney, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Bobby Brown.
Wow... another amazing birth. Although, this one stands far apart from my last for several reasons. Firstly, Jeremy and I decided to have you at home, so you are a home birth tale (right in our dining room... yummy)!
Secondly, I had several "false calls" in this pregnancy. I thought I was going into labor in early January and again mid-January... with Adrayn everything was more cookie cutter... with him labor was five minutes apart and that was that. This was much more sporadic.
During the night of 2/5 I awoke with some harmless cramps, but nothing horribly painful. That morning these "harmless" cramps/contractions started gaining speed and intensity so we decided to call our home birth midwife team (Trillium Midwifery). One of our midwives offered to stop by on her way to a couple appointments to check things out. Upon her arrival at 11am we found that I was dilated to 3cm, and my cervix was like butter, which I guess is a great thing! She offered to stay, but I told her that this could be awhile and we'd call her. Later that day, Jeremy called the midwives and they arrived to a bit more action at 3pm. At this point I was still in disbelief that you were actually on your way... two false calls will change a person, but I would state that actual "active labor" started around 3-3:30pm.
After the Trillium Midwife team arrived, contractions progressed VERY quickly, and by 4:15pm I was in the home birth tub that was in our dining room... at 5:40 my contractions turned to pushes... at 5:43 your little head was out and filled with the thickest black hair... then I stopped. I was never too great at the "transition" period and started to freak out internally... I tried not to show it, but I was losing it... I felt that I couldn't go any further. Then one of the midwives came up to the tub and in a quiet, calm voice said "breathe... you were made to do this"... that is all I needed. After a short pause I was back, and more importantly I was centered and ready to meet you. This is it... my last baby, my last "first vision" of the beauty that Jeremy and I create.
Here it goes.... 5:47pm, Sloane Dray Frandrup is born.
My beloved Jeremy was the "catcher" and boy did he do any amazing job! He was there when the contractions were few but I had gotten no sleep. He rubbed my heels for hours so that I could sleep before things kicked in. He rubbed my back when the contractions were so intense that I felt so alone until his large warm hands put pressure on my lower back. He had that pressure spot-on as well... it was magical how it took some of the pain away. Then, you... he saw you first. He touched you first... his daughter, his joy... his last baby. Once your head appeared Papa stated that it is the oddest sensation to just watch and wait... looking down at your progeny underwater staring back at you... your first reaction is to SAVE YOUR CHILD FROM DROWNING!! Well, no need... she was safely breathing through the umbilical cord still. So he patiently waited for her full body to slide through the birth canal with his guidance, then proceeded to pass her under the water towards my loving, yet exhausted embrace.
Wow... this was too smooth... were my thoughts... Wow... she is amazing, she is so beautiful... she isn't breathing?!
After a short period of confusion to Sloane's quiet state we decided to blow her a breath... she was more than fine I realize now. She just likes to hold her breath rather than cry we are seeing (something Jeremy also did as a newborn, and infant... odd?!). What a little heart stopper!
Since this is a home birth story I notice it is much more calm than my story with Adrayn at the hospital. No rushing us in any way... no constant interruptions... no "doing without explanation"... Everything was constant and calm this day.
After about 5 minutes of bonding in the birth tub we decided to head over to the couch (which was fully prepared with sheets and pads) to deliver the placenta. This process was also easier than with Adrayn. The whole time I am holding you, Sloane. Your eyes are open and you were quietly aware.
After the placenta delivery the midwives noticed that I was bleeding a tad too heavily for their liking (I lost two times the average blood loss with Adrayn, so we were all prepared for a hemorrhage). One midwife then decided to give me a shot of pitocin in order to contract the uterus quickly.
All in all I ended up losing the same amount of blood 750-800ml, BUT I did not feel the same exhaustion and pain that I did with Adrayn. I have also had a faster recovery... except for these darn cramps... those are worse round two, but I hear that is common.
After your placenta was delivered Jeremy and I were given a very informational "Placenta tour" and options of what to do with the placenta. I chose to have it encapsulated as it is supposed to assist with recovery and emotions.
You are such a great baby! So quiet and curious... you immediately latched on and we had no issues with feeding, so after a good meal we decided to tuck us into bed. This took approx one hour with the addition of a physical for baby & Mama, and then the midwives were out the door by 8pm!
What a perfect birth.. 3pm-5:47pm, then clean-up and physicals until 8pm... then we get to sleep in our OWN bed without being pestered all night?! We are SOLD on home birth for life!!!
The midwives came back immediately the next morning, and again day 3 and 7 to check on us... it was and literally is the best birth and post-birth story I could envision. I am so grateful to have had this as an option. Financially we would have paid the same for a hospital birth. I am so glad that I overlooked my initial fears with the hemorrhage and did a home birth... now I have had this amazing experience and Sloane has had the most calm birth.
I am smitten... we all are. Adrayn met you when you were 3 days old and he has already been such a great big brother stating "Mama. I want pick it up". You will soon meet your brother Parker and sister Presley, and Presley won the guess on your due date, so she gets to choose the take out for the night... Chinese it is! Ironically, we received a Chinese Food flyer in the mail the day you were born... meant to be, and what a sisterly bond already! :)
Well... I am sleepy. As quiet and calm as you are (unlike Adrayn's newborn colic self) I still find myself in need of sleep at night.
I love you my little girl. My love only grows daily every time I look into your eyes. You look just like your Papa. I am so blessed to have the amazing family that I do.
Life is good.
Mucho Love!
