To everyone who has been asking about Teddy’s birth story, thanks for your patience. I like to let those things simmer a little while before I write about them (Clara’s took me almost a year thanks to all of the mixed emotions I had going on) but Teddy’s birth was a lot less scary and a lot more straightforward. Thank goodness! After going through such a traumatic first birth, nothing sounded better to me than a completely routine, scheduled, no-surprises-at-all delivery this time around – which it mostly was, for which I’m SO GRATEFUL. There were still a few surprises, but the primary challenge of this birth (and the whole pregnancy process) was fending off the worries, fear, and worst-case scenarios that my last experience had cemented so vividly in my head. In some ways, Teddy’s birthday was like the culmination of four years worth of emotions.
I had a scheduled C-section this time around, just due to the dangers of going into labor for myself and Teddy (that’s what triggered my placental abruption with Clara) so while it felt sort of weird to know his birthday ahead of time, it was the kind of information my brain embraced. I felt so out of control with Clara’s birth that I was happy to cling to any and all “constants” this time around.
April 16th was the day, and it came without any false (or real) labor scares beforehand. That alone was a huge blessing. We had to be at the hospital around 6:30 am, so we left Clara at home with the grandparents and off we went. It definitely felt weird to drive to the hospital without any contractions (on my way there with Clara I had been in a lot of pain). In some ways the calmness was nice (no pain is a good thing! who complains about no pain?!) but in other ways it gave space for the worries to start creeping in. The last time I was in the hospital having a baby, everything was fine… until it wasn’t. So that whole it-came-out-of-nowhere thing was lurking in my head.
When we got there, they were quick to get me into a gown and then came the IV. I joked with the lady that I have the worst veins ever and it usually takes a few tries. She smiled and gave it a go. Yup, that vein of mine wouldn’t cooperate. So it took three tries by three different people – the last one being an anesthesiologist who had to numb my hand before digging around to find the right spot. Apparently since I had been banned from eating or drinking that morning I was especially dehydrated, which made my usually-stubborn veins even harder to hit.
But the little IV challenge was good. It kept my mind busy so I wasn’t just laying there freaking out. There was a monitor on my belly the whole time, which was reassuring, and the anesthesiologist was hilarious so we were all just chatting and having a good time. We learned his daughter had just slept through the night for the first time, so he said he was in a great mood and it was a going to be a great day. Before long it was time for the epidural, which meant that I would be wheeled alone into the operating room and John could join me after it was in.
I know it sounds completely crazy, but John and I were separated during my emergency c-section for a little while (he was right outside the OR and I was inside) so as they wheeled me down the halls I had a nice little panic attack. It felt like my chest caved in and I couldn’t breathe. After I realized I actually could breathe I was mostly just embarrassed. “Get it together, this is an awesome day” I repeated in my head.
Once inside the operating room, they had me sit up and curl my back so they could get the epidural in. This is when the mood got a little lighter again, because just like my stubborn veins, apparently my spine was being stubborn, so it took a bunch of attempts to get it in correctly (at one point I felt something dripping down my back and asked if it was blood – turns out it was spinal fluid). That might sound gross to you, but I LOVE that stuff, so it once again kept my mind nice and busy (no way! spinal fluid?!). Soon enough the epidural was in, and I was laid down and lifted to the operating table. And then I looked up.
SAME ROOM. I was in the same room that I had been in when Clara came into the world not making a sound. I’d recognize that ceiling anywhere. I had stared at it for what felt like forever while willing Clara to cry. It hit me so hard. I later learned that John was outside making the same realization. Same hallway. Same door. Just standing there again, nervously wondering what was going on inside.
But as soon as they got me laid down on the table, John was allowed in. He grabbed my hand and everything was ok. Suddenly I felt a rush of excitement. We were going to meet our little boy! I might have squeezed John’s hand too hard, but he didn’t complain. I didn’t even know he took this picture (my eyes were squeezed shut a lot of the time) but I loved discovering it on his phone a few days later. He said we missed so many photos during the frenzy of Clara’s birth (we hardly have any at all) that he wanted to make up for it this time.
Maybe ten or fifteen minutes passed and the doctor said “he has so much hair!” and “he’s so big!” and “oh my gosh, his kicks are so strong!” I remember saying something like “why isn’t he crying?!” because that is literally all I wanted to hear, and she laughed and said “he’s still inside, I’m getting him out right now” and then he started wailing. It was amazing. I’m welling up just thinking about it. It was the greatest release. He was out! He was crying!
They brought him over to me to do skin to skin a few seconds later, which felt so good. He was just laying there breathing, occasionally opening his eyes just a sliver to peek at me.
John and I blinked back tears and studied him. He was so close to my face I could see every little hair and freckle. We had a good laugh over the tiny baby hairs on his shoulder. Our little werewolf, we joked. They took him over to get cleaned up, weighed, and measured and he started crying again. John and I were both still just laughing and crying. It was one of the best feelings ever.
There was some excessive bleeding on my end (apparently my uterus wouldn’t clamp down, so they had to give me a shot of pitocin to get it under control), but thankfully that worked and I didn’t need any blood transfusions or anything. After I was all stitched up, I got to nurse Teddy. I just laid there, soaking up every detail of his tiny face. I looked up and saw John’s eyes getting teary again. I know healthy babies come into the world every day, but it felt like a gigantic miracle to us.
After we were settled in our permanent room, we got to introduce him to John’s parents, my mom, and Clara. And just when I thought my heart couldn’t burst any more, seeing Clara gently pet his head and asking to climb into bed with me and Teddy – well, I almost can’t explain the euphoria. I am so grateful to the amazing people who helped us get both of our kids safely into the world and cared for me throughout this pregnancy.
As for my second c-section recovery, it seemed a lot easier this time. I had a lot more trauma/blood loss the first time, and even my incision was smaller this time around, so I was up moving around in the hospital by the next day (I even got a morning shower!) and was off pain pills by the time I was back at home. One tip to other c-section mommas out there is that I LOVED the abdominal binder the hospital provided after I had Clara (I brought it with me and used it again after Teddy). It’s this wide white band that you velcro around your waist and it just seems to hold everything together.
You know how it hurts to laugh or sneeze after a c-section, so you brace yourself against a pillow? Well, the abdominal binder is like constantly being braced, so those things don’t hurt as much. And instead of walking around all hunched over, it helped me stand up straight and move around with less pain (I wore mine until about four weeks postpartum). I assumed everyone got one, but when I mentioned it randomly on an instagram comment about a week after Teddy’s birth, I heard from so many moms who hadn’t heard of them so I wanted to pass that tip along in case it helps. I’m sure most hospitals have them if you ask, and it made such a difference for me both times.
Weird abdominal binder sidebar aside, I wanted to thank you guys so much for the love and support you shared throughout this pregnancy and during the birth.
I can’t explain how comforting it was to have your well wishes and support during such an emotion-filled time. Big wet kisses to all of you. Also, I think Teddy has a present in his diaper for you. Oh wait, that’s for John ;)
One more thing. How is my baby boy this big already?! INSANITY!
Kim R says
Thanks for sharing with us Internet strangers. (Gotta be kind of strange sharing such intimate moments at times.) I’ve never been a part of a C-section. I didn’t realize that you were awake the whole time and could talk to the doc while you’re cut open. Kinda freaky! Was it like the dentist where you can kind of feel what’s going on even though you’re numb? Or did you really feel nothing?
Freaky that it all happened in the same room, but also, good that it takes away the fear. A place is just a place and you’re being watched and cared for (by God) wherever you are. *my unasked for religious comment of the day*
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kim! It’s kind of like the dentist – very occasionally I’d feel pressure, but no pain.
xo
s
Lou says
Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.
marianne says
So glad it was such an uneventful deivery this time! Beautiful story. Congrats to you all!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Aww! So glad everything went smoothly for you this time and I can’t believe how big he is now. Look at those beautiful eyes!
Brad says
Sweet… I may have gotten baby fever reading this. Men get that, too, right? Don’t tell my wife. I’m glad it was smooth sailing the second time around; you have a beautiful family.
Michelle says
So, is Teddy a miniature John or what?!
Also, so happy for you and your family! :) Many years of happiness and health to you all!
Maggie S says
It IS a gigantic miracle every time!!
Congrats again!!!
Arashi says
Wow, that sounds way calmer than Clara’s story… good for you! I totally understand the comfort of being in control this time, I imagine I’d be the same.
Laura says
Thank you for sharing this! I, too, suffer from small veins and dread every time I need an IV, so I feel ya sister. Glad to hear everything went swimmingly, and it’s so hard to believe that Teddy’s already so big!! Where did the time go?!
Minna says
Such a beautifully written, beautiful story. I’m so happy that this time around was so much easier. Healthy babies ARE born every day – but every happy birth is a miracle.
Also – you totally just made me cry at my computer. At work. Hope I don’t look pathetic for my first patient :)
Tara says
I am so happy for you! I had a traumatic birth with my daughter, and it is such a relief to hear your second go went so smoothly. I am a blink away from tears of happiness streaming down my face reading this!
Jocelyn says
So happy for you guys. He is adorable!
Brenda says
Aw, I’ve got the warm fuzzies over here. Thank you so much for sharing, and I’m so glad it was such a different experience for you!
Diana says
So happy for your beautiful family!! Congratulations!!
TaraH says
Congratulations! Amazing post had my crying over here. He IS sooo big!! (-:
Samantha says
Thank you so much for sharing, Sherry! I’m so happy this time around was much less traumatic! And I love the photos! The one with Clara in the bed with you is priceless! It’s wonderful to see such big smiles all around. ^_^
Alissa says
I can only imagine how scary it must have been for you guys after what happened with Clara – especially the very same operating room!! So happy that both stories had happy endings. Were some of the same people involved with Teddy’s birth as with Clara’s? Wondering if she got to meet some of these incredible folks that helped bring her safely into this world and what they thought of your awesome little lady.
YoungHouseLove says
It was a different rotation this time so there was just one nurse who was the same, but it was so great to see her! Clara still talks about how much fun it was to visit the hospital!
xo
s
Dayna says
My daughter also talks about going to the hospital like it’s a fun place (bc that’s where she met her little brother and little friends when they were born), so I have a hard time convincing her that she really doesn’t want a trip to the hospital when she’s trying daredevil moves on the playground!
Carrie K says
Maybe God just wanted to heal you of the first experience by giving you the exact same room and creating happier memories there. Sometimes, Immersion Therapy works wonders…Glad the panic attack subsided!!!
Ashley says
We are crappy vein and multiple spinal block attempt buddies!!! I so wish I had known about the belt! My dad kept making me laugh and it was misery!!!
Mary Beth says
So happy all went well and that he arrived safe and sound.
Great pics!!
MB
Lindsey says
This made me so happy to read! So happy you had such a good experience this time around. Your kids are darling. :)
Michelle says
thank you for sharing teddy’s birth story – i teared up reading it. i am a fellow csection momma!
Mammaw says
There is nothing like the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth. So glad everything went well this time (spinal fluid aside). Reading this post brought tears to my eyes remembering some of the things you had to go through before and I did as well. My son is 40 now and I still marvel at the miracle. Congratulations to you both.
Sara says
So glad it went well! Yay for Teddy! My baby is 15 months! How is that possible? I held my cousin’s 10 week old and he made my son feel like a elementary school kid! Then I realized just how FAST Luke has grown up and it made me so sad! But I’m not quite ready for a second. I’ll just soak up my toddler :-) (I held him in my arms like a newborn yesterday until he squirmed away, haha!)
Jessica Green says
This is an amazing post. I found my eyes filling up with happy tears of joy while reading it towards the end. So scary to have the previous delivery in mind but you two were so strong and inspiring. I’m am so ecstatic for your beautiful little family and I pray that you all have an abundance of love and happiness throughout your entire lives together :)
Theresa says
The pic of you, teddy, and Clara in the hospital bed….sooo precious! Blessings to you all and so happy you are all doing great.
Janel says
Excuse me as I sob over here. So happy for you both. Every birth, every life, is a gigantic miracle :)
Lindsay S says
I was due two months after you and I can’t tell you how nice it was to see your happy family photos, etc. after hearing horror story after horror story of “up all night,” “mom and dad fighting all the time,” “it’s not the fun time you expect it to be” from other people. So glad Teddy’s birth was much more uneventful and that the OR you were in got to become a happier place for you!
emma @ {from my little pink couch} says
so sweet!!!!!
Katy says
Thanks for sharing this, Sheri. I too had a traumatic first birth (my now two-year-old son was born two months early due to preeclampsia); and that “will it happen again if we try for number two?” is always in the back of my head. So nice to hear how others deal with that anxiety and come out the other side so well.
Katy says
Oops and didn’t meant to spell your name wrong!!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries, I don’t even notice! It happens all the time :)
xo
s
Jessica says
Thank you so much for sharing! What a touching and emotional story. You guys are an adorable family!
Kate says
So sweet! I’m so glad things went better this time!
Isn’t it weird driving to the hospital and knowing you’re going to have a baby when you’re not in labor? I was induced with my daughter, and it was kind of odd.
It’s so hard wondering and comparing to a previous pregnancy. I just found out (yesterday!) that I’m pregnant again with my second one (after an early miscarriage last month). I’m really hoping it will go as smoothly this time as last, but I’m worried that this one will be completely different.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so exciting Kate! Congrats! And best of luck with everything!
xo
s
Charity says
Tears streaming down my face for you and John to have received the healing birth you both deserved. Birth trauama is as real for fathers as it is for mamas. Well done. So happy for you – thanks for letting us peak into your lives. Xoxo
Kim S says
So happy for you guys! And not crazy at all that you had a panic attack when you had to leave John. That was always the part that stuck with me from Clara’s birth story…you getting whisked away while John was left behind. I had an unplanned (although not emergency) C-section for my first, and I think I’ll feel the same way about being glad to be more in control when it’s time for my second. But you better believe I’ll be asking for that compression belt!
theresa says
thanks for sharing this beautiful story!!! so happy for your family and that it went so smoothly this time around. i just went through my own first birth – also a c-section – so i’m definitely feeling all the feelings and loved reading this! you’re making me want to write out my own birth story, even though I don’t have a blog. just to have it down somewhere! :) babies are such a wonderful blessing.
ps- the support belt IS amazing. so glad to have that thing, i’m definitely still wearing it 2.5 weeks postpartum!
Heather says
Aw, thanks for sharing your story. I love birth stories… and this made me teary thinking about my last baby’s birth. Babies are such wonderful miracles.
Tiffany says
Definitely tearing up over here! We had a traumatic birth with our first and she ended up in the NICU for 9 days after that so I completely understand how it feels like such a huge gift to have a healthy baby (and Mama!). With our second, I was so blissfully happy to be able to just snuggle our little one and enjoy the time with her.
He is just the CUTEST! Love the pic of him and Clara at the end!
rachel laree says
I knew you could buy a belt, but didn’t know the hospital would give you one. I never bought one bc they were a little pricey for wearing them such a short time. I always just saran wrapped my belly with firming lotion for several weeks (no c-section). So glad everyone is healthy. There dolls!! I believe it’s spelled pitocin.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Rachel Laree, all fixed!
xo
s
Amy says
There dolls or they’re dolls?
Leigh says
I remember reading Clara’s birth story right before I had my first baby. Now I am reading Teddy’s having also just had my second baby. I am so glad Teddy’s birth was uneventful in the very best way.
My first was a scheduled c-section (he was breech) and it was so easy. I was nervous and scared of course, but I like a schedule so knowing when he would arrive was odd but comforting. My second ended being an emergency c-section due to my blood pressure. Emergency c-section was crazy! There was just a lot of rushing. I will never forget them throwing scrubs at my husband as they were pushing me out the door to go to the OR. I too had the same OR both times. I had a different doctor with my second and she was exactly what I needed. She was super calm and even sang Happy Birthday as she was taking my son out. I had an easier recovery with my first. I wasn’t allowed to get up after having my second because of my blood pressure. That whole walking thing is super important to a speedy recovery!
Angie says
Thanks for sharing your story Sherry. I had a scheduled C-section with my second son after a not-so-pleasant delivery with my first son. Reading your story brings back all of my emotions from that day. You have a beautiful family, thank you for sharing!!
Diane Taylor says
These are my favorite posts, Sherry – I am so happy for you and your sweet family. Teddy is H-U-G-E!!!! And adorbs.
Shell says
Congrats! My sweet girl is 5 months today and enjoying seeing your posts! Was thinking how sweet it was when my big kids crawled into bed with the baby and me and this brought back the memory! :)
Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife says
I love reading birth stories and I’m so happy it was much more “textbook” than the last time. Coming from someone who experienced a full term stillbirth, every healthy baby is a miracle! :-) And I love the plastic mug you got from the hospital – I have 2 of them and we are expecting to get another one in October! I love HDH! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sarah.
xo
s
Kate says
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, Sarah. I hope things are 100% perfect with this new little one!
My husband has recently become obsessed with our plastic mug. I’ve been joking with him that he’ll have to “earn” a second one. If all goes well, he will in May!
Carrie says
Thank you for sharing your story Sherry–I’m literally in tears. And I’m so, so glad you had a less traumatic experience this time around. My first was a an emergency c-section and was absolutely scary. My 2nd was a scheduled c-section and it went off without a hitch, thankfully but I too remember the mini panic attack when they wouldn’t let my husband come into the OR room right away. Congrats again to you and your lovely family!-Carrie
alison says
I can’t help but tear up when I read this. I know exactly the kind of relief you felt when you first held Teddy, heard him cry, and were able to nurse him. My first pregnancy ended with the stillbirth of my daughter at 40 weeks gestation. My second pregnancy was filled with worries of a repeat experience. My son was induced at 37 weeks to avoid that possibility. But he had some troubles during delivery and was immediately whisked away by a team of doctors and nurses, helping him to breath. I didn’t get to hold him for hours and didn’t get to nurse him until the next day. While pregnant with my second son, I dreamt of being able to hold him right away and bring him home without a trip to the neonatal intensive care. And my dream came true! Being skin to skin with my wriggly, loud, pink little boy was heaven and the relief was immense!
Congratulations on your beautiful family and being one brave, strong mama!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Alison, I’m so sorry for your loss.
xo
s
Whitney says
Beautiful post and pics, Sherry. Thanks for sharing!
My son was born a couple of weeks before Teddy and I keep asking myself the same thing. How is he so big already?! I swear time goes by faster with each kid (he’s my third and final).
Angela says
What a beautiful story…I teared up right along with you! I love the picture of Clara in the bed with you and Teddy. So happy you are all doing so well. xo
Lindsey Q says
Crying at my desk! What a beautiful story.
Krista says
So sweet!! Congrats! I know that feeling of the laugh and cry at the same time. I will never forget that when our son was handed over to me after delivery I laughed and cried at the same time b/c I was in such amazement that he was here and he was mine!
Lina says
This story made me tear up – I’m just so happy for you guys! I come from a family of difficult pregnancies and sometimes scary birth experiences so I know a little bit of what you went through, but the end result was a gorgeous little boy (who, by the way, is Clara’s twin!)