Sawyer's Birth Story

I don't know how many times I have sat down to write about Sawyer's birth. Nothing seems to do the experience justice. It is times like this that I wish I was a poet. I wish I could mold words to express everything held inside. My words are not enough.

It may take a couple attempts to process through everything, but I think it is worth the effort. I will start with just the facts. The story can come later.

I was just succumbing to sleep when my phone rang at 10:40pm on Friday. I checked to see who was calling and didn't recognize the number so I almost didn't answer it. I was about to ignore it when I realized it was my girlfriend Mandi's phone number. Mandi, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was due on April 29, so this seemed a bit early to be calling. I assumed she was having some mild contractions and was calling to determine if they were "false" or "true" labor.

"Um. My water just broke."
"Huh?"
"Yup, can you meet us at the hospital?"
"I'm on my way."

I felt so disoriented when I got out of bed. I didn't have anything ready! I was supposed to read over all the important parts in my books tomorrow and get Mandi a little gift... After all, she was only at 38 weeks. I threw some things in a back-pack (change of clothes, toothbrush stuff, chapstick, lotion, water, book, knitting, journal, labor book, etc.) and headed out the door.

Of course my tank was empty.... and I had to drive to Vernon. And then the pump wouldn't take my credit card.

I was trying to control my excitement the entire drive to the hospital. My belly was shaking. Ever had that? So excited/nervous that your body kind of shakes uncontrollably? Only my belly was shaking. The rest of me felt under control.

I arrived at the hospital far quicker than I should have (thank you Mustang ahead of me). Took ten minutes for someone to come open the door at emergency and then another five to find someone who had change as I only had bills and could not pay for parking with those. I eventually made it up the rickety-old elevator to the Maternity ward.

I found Kevin and Mandi at the end of the hall in the assessment room. It was around 11:40 by this time. Mandi was having mild cramping at this time; she said there were no actual contractions yet. Her and Kev didn't bring anything with them to the hospital. The only thing they had was the car seat and the diaper bag, which were both in the car. Kev went and got the diaper bag when I got there so that Mandi wasn't left alone.

At around 12:30 the nurses moved us into a different room where they recommended that we get some rest. Kevin relaxed in a big comfy chair and I climbed in bed with Mandi. Just after 1:00am Mandi had her first contraction... and it was a doozy. She called Kevin over to breath with her and I took to rubbing her back. Her first contraction lasted a minute and they came every five. We got through each of them with Kevin holding Mandi's hand and breathing with her while I rubbed her back.

Mandi was incredible! Seriously. I was so amazed and proud of her! She kept in a rhythm and breathed through each contraction. As the intensity of the contractions increased, she would tell herself to relax and would remain controlled and determined.

Kevin did a fabulous job supporting her! He was so intuitive and constantly spoke in a quiet and calm voice to her. He told her she was doing an amazing job and that their little one would soon be joining them. He praised her efforts and kept breathing with her to keep her focused.

And I did as I was told. I ran for water, towels and anything else that may be needed. I too praised Mandi and I rubbed her back throughout each contraction.

Mandi did so well at communicating exactly what she needed. She would tell me when I needed to rub her back softer or harder and she told me when to use an open hand. She pointed to her hip during one contraction to inform me that she wanted me to rub her there. It was amazing to have her communicate so clearly. I felt it allowed us to support her exactly the way she needed it.

At around 1:30am Mandi decided to try going to the bathroom so we helped her sit up in bed. As she took her first step she said "Oh no, what have I done???" and went down to her knees at the foot of the bed. She started having contractions continuously at this point. She had no time to rest between them. Mandi was kneeling with her arms over the bed. I ran and got a sheet to put some padding under her knees and Kevin and I each took a side of her. We both rubbed her back in rhythm with Kevin's breathing and continued our whispering. Mandi was incredible! She maintained control and kept relaxed even through her contractions.

There was only one time that Mandi was having difficulty coping with a contraction. She started hyperventilating a little bit and moaning/wimpering. I encouraged her to continue breathing with Kevin and talked through the entire contraction. When the contraction was over I kept rubbing her back for a while after the contraction and asked her to focus on releasing the tension as I touched each part of her back with the next contraction. The next one came and she did beautifully. Kevin coached her through the relaxation and she did as she was asked. It was wonderful to see them work together!

At 1:40 Mandi said, "I need to push!" We had been talking a bit earlier about how you know when you are ready to have the baby. I told Mandi that she would just feel an overwhelming need to push. She thought she was maybe playing tricks on herself and she tried (and was able to) relax through the urge to push. I went and got a nurse to see if she could come assess Mandi.

It took a couple minutes but we got Mandi into the bed. When the nurse performed the internal exam she said that Mandi was fully dilated and ready to have this baby. AMAZING!

We had to walk across the hall with a sheet around Mandi so we could go to the birthing room. There was no doctor there yet so the nurse asked Mandi to give a couple grunts rather than a big push. We could already see the baby's head with each grunt. Mandi was asked to pant through two of the contractions so I came to her ear and chanted "pant, pant, pant, pant" to her.

Kevin and I continued to rub her. I rubbed her side, belly, neck, shoulder, arm and legs. And of course, we encouraged her constantly.

When it came time to push (at 1:55am), Mandi pushed like a pro. At one point she lifted her back off the bed, but the nurse asked her to put it down and she did instantly. Kevin remained at her head, he kissed her shoulders and continued his mantra. Mandi pushed with each contraction and her little girl was born at 2:13am on Saturday, April 17, 2010. The doctor walked into the room just in time to deliver the placenta.

I stayed in the room for about 10 minutes taking pictures and relishing the moment. I wanted to give the new family some space so I gave them all kisses and went to the waiting room with my journal. I didn't write anything - I just sat there beaming.The nurse came in and told me how amazed she was by Mandi. She did a phenomenal job and I was so so so proud of her.

Kevin came to get me at around 3:30 and asked if I wanted to hold his little girl. He told me they named her Sawyer Dawn and that she was perfect.

And she was.

Mandi was just starting to breastfeed when I came in so I sat on the bed and watched, completely fascinated.  I got to hold her a short while later... the very best! She was so little and so perfect. My heart was filled to the brim... it was bursting with love, joy, pride, fascination, amazement. What a wonderful feeling!

Mandi had a semi-private room so we helped her settle and then Kevin and I went to their house to get some rest ourselves.

This is getting excessively lengthy so I will write more another time. But I need to re-emphasize how amazing Mandi was! I was so very proud of her. Her first contraction was at 1:00am and she delivered her baby at 2:13am. Did I mention that this was her first? Amazing.

And here's the little munchkin.

Sawyer Dawn
Born April, 17, 2010 at 0213
Weight: 6lb 12oz
Height: 18.5 inches