Davey’s Birth Story

This is my second child’s birth story.

Ever since the beginning she has been compared to her older sister. Before she was born, we already knew it was not going to be a natural birth, like her older sister, but a c-section. Davey was very comfortable in a (breached) seated position, so we scheduled a c-section five days before her due date.

It started happening the weekend before her scheduled delivery, but I lost the ability to lift my left leg. It seemed like she was sitting just right, on my nerves. Randy would help me walk around the house, up and down the stairs when needed, and when he wheeled me into the hospital in a wheelchair, the doctor said, “last time I saw you, you were walking.” 

Which was true. So as the nurses were hooking me up to IV’s and taking my vitals, the doctor explained how my nerves are a risk and we should not take the chance with an epidural c-section, where I would stay awake and Randy would be present. Instead, they will put me under general anesthesia and deliver the baby in a surgical room, where Randy will not be present.

Our so-called birth plan was turned upside down. I had no vision of what a delivery like that would be. I never thought that I would be “put under anesthesia” for a delivery. And, Randy cannot be there? He was so excited to be present, and see my intestines, but also be there for the birth of the baby, just like he was for her older sister.

I went through a wave of emotions and tears, all while they continued to prep me for surgery. I had to be alright with this new birth plan. I had to be ok that I was not getting an epidural, and I had to be understanding that Randy would not be there.

I remember saying goodbye to Randy in the hallway, and wheeling through surgery doors to a very cold, clean room. A nurse was hovering above my head and talking to me as she counted down to the time for anesthesia. Then…

Davey Juliette was born on January 16, 2019 at 11:49am, weighing 7lbs 12 oz and measuring 21 inches.

When I woke up, I heard crying and slowly thought, “that must be my baby.” I was handed Davey, and I held onto her tightly. The tense feeling of pain in my abdomen was constant. Every muscle connected to my core was tight. As they wheeled me out, Randy was in the hallway, and we returned back to our hospital room. The nurses were getting me set up and I kept trying to tell Randy, “I feel tense” but I couldn’t get words out. “This is intense?” he asked me.

Frustration and pain were starting to set in, until they got the pain medication started. Our parents and oldest daughter were all patiently in the waiting room, but we weren’t allowed to have visitors come in yet because they wouldn’t be able to hold the baby.  I was instructed to keep holding her.

I knew that my Dad was in the waiting room, and he had to get on the road for work. I felt very strongly about wanting to see him, so they allowed him in. Having his calming presence and beaming love right there with baby Davey and I was the reassurance I needed. Holding my Dad’s hand that day is one of my stronger memories, and even though he wasn’t able to hold his granddaughter, he truly held his daughter in that moment.

The pain medication carried me through the hospital stay, so I remember who visited me but I don’t remember much about the conversation. Pretty quickly after Davey was born, the nerve issues with my leg went away, so everything happened as it was meant to.

Davey’s birth story seemed to happen not according to plan, but it was all Davey’s plan. Today I can say it’s truly Davey’s way or no-way as she is about to turn two years old in a few days. 

I’ve put off writing her birth story because compared to her older sister, I didn’t think there was much to actually write about. But bringing the memories to life that I do have, is still just as important because this is only the beginning of baby Davey’s story.

Read her older sister’s birth story HERE.

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