My valentine this year was 4 week old Atlas J Acevedo. Born on January 13 at 11:31 am at 6 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long this little man quickly stole my heart. He came into our world 10 days before his due date and when we announced his name in the delivery room I said, “Atlas: because you’re my world.”
His arrival started Tuesday at work. Around 2 pm I started feeling cramps / contractions and didn’t know if this was the “false labor” I had learned about. He felt very low and I started timing the contractions around 4pm. I could still walk, talk and breathe so I pushed through the rest of my work day. At home, a shower felt great even though the pain was intensifying. We recorded our scheduled podcast that night, had dinner and went to bed. My goal was to make it through the pain till the morning, when I had my 38 week appointment with my midwife. But a little after midnight I saw some spotting and quickly woke Jose to tell him it’s time. We through together an overnight bag and some snacks then drove to the hospital.
At 1:30 am I was in observation getting my vitals checked with a nurse. We thought I would be told it’s not time and be sent on our way, but instead I was 6 centimeters dilated and was being admitted to a delivery room.
The pain was real and by this time I was more than ready for my epidural. One of my fears of labor was receiving this because I am not a fan of needles and although I couldn’t see it the pain was felt and I screamed. Minutes later I could feel the coolness rushing through my spine and numbness to my legs. The next frightening thing for me was the urinary catheter. Mentally I was dreading this pain too, but I didn’t feel a thing. Suddenly the baby’s heart rate was dropping and we had to stop the contractions for his safety. A shot later we were back in a safe zone and ready to get the contractions started again. Now we play the waiting game.
My water never broke on it’s own and my midwife waited till I was 9 centimeters before breaking it. I never saw my mucus plug, but I was told there was quite a “bloody show” while I was dilating. At 10:30 am my midwife said she just finished a 3 hour delivery and it would soon be time for our birthday party.
I was determined to not make this a 3 hour push session. At 11:06 am I began my first one. Jose was right there counting and patting my head with a cool rag. I grabbed the back of my legs and with each contraction I pushed with all my might. Between the nurse, midwife, Jose and classical music I had the best support for delivery. Twenty five minutes later I gave my last push and out came our precious baby boy.
I was in tears- the baby wasn’t even crying. I was in love and when they placed him skin to skin and I looked into his big eyes I was flushed with a wave of new emotions. Jose cut his cord and after they weighed him he was back in my arms where I never wanted to let go.
We checked off all the boxes in the hospital to be able to go home and after another night stay we were on our way back home as a family of three - not 2.
The first month has been a challenge. You read all the books, watch all the videos and take all the advice to prepare for baby, but nothing but real world experience will teach us. We’re balancing breast feeding and bottle feeding and making sure little guy is getting enough to grow strong. We’re practicing sleeping in the crib alone, or in the bassinet in our room, or if it comes down to it, in mom or dads arms. We’re developing skills from tummy time, reading out loud and constant interaction. Every second we’re in love and can stare at him forever.
Our journey has just begun as parents and we are excited for every minute of it. Everyday is Valentine’s Day with Atlas.
XoXo
Britt.
