silas' birth story

i am so happy with the events of silas' birth.  back in week 20 of pregnancy when we found out silas had the flipped organs (technical term is situs inversus), i was convinced that my dream of having a water birth at a birthing center was over.  i, of course, was ready to accept whatever was necessary for his safe delivery, but i had dreamed for many years of having another baby and doing it this way, something totally different than my experiences with burrito and noodle.

once we received the news at his 32 week ultrasound that he was okay and cleared for a birth outside of the hospital, i was so happy and relieved.  but then, this sweet guy made us wait extra long for his birth so once again i was wondering if my hopes and plans would need to be rewritten again.  thankfully, he finally came 12 days after my due date and we didn't have to cross that bridge.

his birth story starts thursday night, august 22.  it was parent's night at the boys' school and honestly, i was hoping to attend that and not be in labor.  and i did and learned a lot about 4th and 2nd grade! :)  as i was recounting some of the things discussed at the meeting with john when i returned home, i started having mild contractions.  we were watching the local news, and i told him that he better get some substitute teacher plans together because i was thinking that this was the real thing.  i started timing the contractions at 10:38 pm on my phone and they came consistently every 5-7 minutes.  we continued noting them on my phone and around midnight i decided it would be wise to call my mom and let her know that we needed her to come and stay at the house with burrito and noodle.

my midwife advised me to get in a warm bath at home and see how things progress.  i did that until around 3 am and i felt like things were progressing enough that i wanted to head to the birth center in case things went really fast.  my past labors with the boys moved very quickly at the end, and the last thing i wanted was to deliver in the car on the way to the birth center!  my midwife told us she would head that way and give us a call when things were ready for us.

we arrived at the birth center at 4 am and she checked me and i was dilated to a 4.  she then showed john and me ways to labor more productively by walking around and sitting on a birthing ball.  we did this for a bit and then decided to try and rest some in the bed as labor progressed.  around 5:45 am i started having really intense contractions and lots of pressure.  i remembered this from my previous two labors and knew that i was getting close.  we were going to walk around some more but my contractions became super intense and we decided it was time to check me again.  i was at a 10!  there was some major scrambling that took place to get the tub ready and get me in it before silas decided to pop out.  in between contractions, i knew i wanted to text two really close friends to PRAY for me as i went through this last part of labor.  i texted them at 6:21 am and silas was born at 6:38 am august 23, just 17 minutes later!

i was able to get in the jetted tub and with two pushes, he was born!  it was such a euphoric experience to have him naturally with no pain medication in the water and to finally see him!  he seemed so tiny and was so perfect.  when you look at him, you would never know that his organs are flipped or that he is any different than any other baby.  his birth was so calm and peaceful.  the room was dark (that's why the pictures are dark and grainy) and quiet and he came out so content.  he hardly made a sound and was immediately looking around and wanting to eat.  we stayed in the water for awhile to allow the umbilical cord to finish pulsing and then for me to deliver the placenta.  then it was out of the tub and into the bed to let him nurse.

this is my favorite picture

he seemed so tiny to me

john cutting the umbilical cord

my sweet husband had made a music playlist on my cell phone a few months ago knowing that i would like to listen to music during labor.  we had a good time choosing songs that were our favorites and would be a good distraction for me.  it really was nice to listen to songs that inclined our hearts to worship the Lord as i labored and as we both prepared to meet our third son, a true miracle and gift from Jesus.  the song that played as i held silas for the first time was Jesus Cast a Look on Me.  These are the lyrics:

Jesus cast a look on me,
Give me sweet simplicity
Make me poor and keep me low,
Seeking only Thee to know

All that feeds my busy pride,
Cast it evermore aside
Bid my will to Thine submit,
Lay me humbly at Thy feet

Make me like a little child,
Of my strength and wisdom spoiled
Seeing only in Thy light,
Walking only in Thy might

Leaning on Thy loving breast,
Where a weary soul can rest
Feeling well the peace of God,
Flowing from His precious blood

In this posture let me live,
And hosannas daily give
In this temper let me die,
And hosannas ever cry!

we thought this song was so timely and perfect, especially the line leaning on Thy loving breast as he was nursing for the first time.  it was such a super sweet moment that it brought us both to near tears.

while we snuggled in bed, the ladies prepared the one treatment i had been looking forward to the most: the herbal bath!  a warm, herbal bath in a claw foot tub with twinkling tea lights and a brand new baby...what is better than that!  another super sweet memory that i will always remember spending with john and silas.

the herbal bath

he was so calm and happy

after that, i was helped to get dressed and breakfast was served to both john and me in bed.  my mom brought burrito and noodle up to meet their new brother (they were so pumped when mimi woke them up that morning to tell them that silas was here and they did not have to go to school!).  they watched as he was weighed and measured and checked over.  then instructions were given about how best to care for me and silas over the next couple of days and then we were headed home to rest in our own bed! 

he weighed 6lbs, 10 oz

love these baby feet

he measured 19.5 inches long

so that's the story of how we met silas jack.  we love him so much and are so grateful for all the excellent care we received during my pregnancy and delivery.