Baby #1 birth

Vanessa • 💙

COVID-19... what a crazy time to live in. I wasn’t able to go to any birth classes, get one on one support from a lactation consultant other than in the hospital. I read books and articles to try to prepare but honestly, not having a birth plan and only knowing the basics actually helped me. I just went with it.

Not being able to have family in the room with me was actually kind of devastating though. I was only allowed one person. And that person couldn’t leave to have someone else come in to see me.

8:00am April 23rd 2020... I was rolling around in bed, still tired because I was 34w6d pregnant and sleeping is hard. Around 10:00am, I rolled onto my right side to cuddle up with my body pillow and bam, I felt like I was one of those women you see in the movies when her water breaks. I felt a pop, which made me go on all fours on the bed and scoot out. As soon as I stood up, fluid every where. I knew I didn’t pee that much!! I immediately called the dr. My doctors office is only a mile or two away. But the hospital I had to deliver at is an hour away. There was no doctor in the office that Thursday. They wanted me to go to labor and delivery. My boyfriend and father of the baby was working 400 miles away (this is common as he travels for work all the time). I called him. He calmed me down enough to start packing my bags. I had the diaper bag packed, but mine... I was procrastinating lol. Then, I had to interrupt my moms zoom meeting for her students. She had to take me. So her and my dad head to my house a few miles away and we leave for the hour drive. My boyfriend was packing his tools, then heading to the hotel to get his things. We were definitely having a baby. At around noon I checked into my room. 3cm dilated. He has a 6 hour drive. I’m going to slowly progress naturally. All the while, my mom and dad are waiting in the parking lot, for him for 6 hours just to give him the car seat. They couldn’t come in. I was heartbroken. I wanted them there but the universe had other plans. Just after 6 pm, him and I are reunited. It felt good. By this time contractions got more powerful and painful. I opted for the epidural. The nurses had to snag an anesthesiologist between c-sections for me. After the epidural, life was great! No pain, just pressure and numbness. Around midnight or just shortly after, baby technically made it to 35 weeks. This is good they wanted me to wait to ensure less time in the NICU. Along comes 1:00am April 24th. We decide it’s time to “practice” pushing. Yeah right. If they tell you this,.... your ready to have that baby! I pushed for four contractions, three pushes each time. Our baby boy (we did not know the gender) was born at 1:29am. I got to hold him for a brief moment and they took him to the NICU. He had 9 toes which we did not know about from anatomy scans. But he is the most perfect little boy ever. He stayed in the NICU for 3 full days and had to be sent home on a biliblanket for his jaundice levels. Ended up being taken off of that three days later. For being 5 weeks early, he was so healthy. The only trouble we are having is latching for breastfeeding. But I’m pumping to give him the good stuff along with higher calorie formula. He was 5lbs 7oz. And by a weeks and a half he was 5lbs 10oz. I’ve never felt a love like this and I am super happy with my birth experience.

That’s my little 3 weeks old!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

5.8k views • 255 upvotes • 32 comments

COMMENT (32)

As

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Congratulations!! Here’s my little one-handed beauty! She was born 3 weeks early, weighing 5#8oz and is also a NICU graduate! 💖 Born 4/9 Congrats, mama!

Va

Vanessa • May 28, 2020
Congrats!! 4/9 is my birthday!!

As

As • May 27, 2020
Thanks love! ❤️

DM

DM • May 27, 2020
Omg 😍😍 she is beautiful!!! Congrats momma

Em

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I’m 33 weeks with my first and I’ve been soooo terrified of going into pre-term labor. (I don’t have a reason — just scared). This makes me relax so much more. Glad everything was okay and he sure is cute!!

Va

Vanessa • May 24, 2020
All the nurses and doctors kept asking if I had a high risk pregnancy for having my water break early but I didn’t. I had a hunch most of my pregnancy that I would go somewhat early. I’m just super thankful that he was healthy and ready to go. But honestly for being my first I was not terrified to deliver like I thought I was going to be. And with this virus going on in the world, having just me and my support person in the room was quite relaxing. No one to bother me...except for the nurses every hour lol. My advice, just go with the flow, stay calm and relaxed and do what you think is best for you and baby. No one will judge you.

DM

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Love love LOVE the flannel shirt 😍❤

DM

DM • May 29, 2020
They grow up too fast

Va

Vanessa • May 28, 2020
At the rate he is growing maybe only another week or two in newborn clothes lol

DM

DM • May 26, 2020
It looks like you could get a few uses out of it for sure!

Ch

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What hospital did you deliver at? I’m in Pa and I heard Lehigh Valley is letting people switch out they just don’t want 2 at the same time

Lo

Lorraine • May 23, 2020
What’s his name?

Ch

Christiii • May 18, 2020
I was at Geisinger but switched to Pennstate

Va

Vanessa • May 18, 2020
It was geisinger, things are getting a little relaxed now. Glad to hear you can switch a person now

Br

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This outfit is beyond adorable

Na

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Congratulations!!!

Kr

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Congratulations!

As

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Mo

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Congratulations to you and your beautiful NICU grad!!!! Such a crazy time for us mommy’s. We are all such warriors! And our littles!!

Ni

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His cutie little outfit!!!!

Va

Vanessa • May 19, 2020
Onesie is from amazon and the flannel and jeans are from carters!