3rd Natural Birth Story... I pushed for 5 min🤯

This is baby #3. I’ve got two girls — 4 and 2 — and now… a baby BOY. Can you believe it?! Because I couldn’t. When I found out I was having a boy I was like, “Excuse me, what?” I have sisters. I have girls. What do I even do with a boy??

But then I started talking to boy moms, and they were like, “Girl, it’s the best relationship you’ll ever have.” And now? I’m SO excited. I’m going to have a grown son one day and wow… my heart.

Anyways, this labor was fast, fierce, and beautiful. Let's get into it…

Pregnancy #3 Was No Joke

This was my hardest pregnancy yet — probably because I was chasing two toddlers the whole time. Oh, and did I mention my sister was due 10 days before me?! I ended up having my baby 24 hours before her. She went over and I went a bit early. Wild.

I don’t really get Braxton Hicks much — just like one here and there. So when real labor started, I was kinda doubting it the whole time…

Labor Started at 2:00 am

I was laying with my girls (exactly how I’d hoped labor would start) and boom, contraction. I downloaded a tracking app and started timing them. Every 10 minutes. Then 8. Then 6. You know the game….

At 3:30am, I woke Seth up.

“Hey babe… contractions.”

“Did you lose your mucus plug?”

“…Yeah. I think I did.”

How freaking cute is it that he knew to ask that?!

I showered, packed, tidied the house (because, guests), and at 4:30 we called Auntie Megan to come hang with the girls.

5:30 am – Hospital

Contractions were consistent, but I was still unsure if this was “it.” My sister was also about to pop so I debated texting her, but figured I’d wait until we knew for sure.

Now here’s where things were a little different than my other labors: I had switched hospitals. My last hospital was magical!!! They had dim lights, essential oils, fake candles… it was peaceful AF. This time? Not so much.

6:37 am – Got to My Labor Room

I was at a 5cm when we arrived (classic me). The nurse was like “do you want a wheelchair?” and I was like “No ma’am, I’m walking this baby out” and literally waddled down the hall mid-contraction.

I asked, “Is my midwife here yet?” (Because I adore her). Thankfully, she was!

I laid on my side with a peanut ball (which I also did with my second) while they prepped the tub. But I wasn’t chillin’. I was pacing, going to the toilet (aka the dilation station), talking to my cervix, etc. Yes, I literally was telling my cervix “open up like a flower girl, we got this.”

HypnoBirthing

This was my third unmedicated/natural birth and I swear by a few things:

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
HypnoBabies (labor tracks + affirmations = gold)
Expecting & Empowered (workout program for pregnancy/postpartum that is a total game changer)

I was listening to HypnoBabies the whole time (my AirPods were in, don’t disturb mode was activated). And, I was visualizing my cervix blooming open like a flower.

The Tub

The tub finally filled and I was READY. But it was 110 degrees. Way too hot. Even the rubber ducky was like, “nah.”

(By the way, I love a tub for natural birth and highlyyy recommend some form of water, even if it's just a shower, for paint management).

I was feeling “pushy” but didn’t want to say anything (lol @ me thinking no one could hear my grunty “I’m about to push” sounds). Apparently, Seth went into the hallway and told the nurse, “It’s go time.”

At 7:25 am, my water broke explosively… all over Seth. He’s such a champ though. Only thing he said was “didn’t get my shoes!” (He’s a shoe guy). Love him.

7:30 am – HE’S HERE!

My midwife was like “Alright, we’re getting on the table.” No questions asked, I just went hands and knees. Seth set up the camera (love that man), and I said out loud, “I’m nervous.” And that was the release I needed.

This labor was FAST! My water broke at 7:25 and baby boy was out at 7:30. That’s 5 minutes. Five.

And Then… the Poop

I smelled it. I was like, “I pooped didn’t I?” And Seth goes, “If you did, it just means you were pushing right.” Husband of the year!!!!

Placenta, Stitches & Snuggles

Delivered the placenta (not fun), got a couple of stitches (midwife said my bottom looked great..thank God), and started nursing and soaking it all in.

He had a full head of hair. Which is curly when its wet. Freaking adorable. I hope that stays!

Naming Our Baby Boy

This was tough. We didn’t name him until an hour before we left the hospital. It was between Colford (a family name) and Von. I was crying over it, honestly. But in the end, Colford felt right.