Sutton

Birth story told by the mom Brittany!

On Saturday May 14th, 2022, we spent what would be our last day as a family of three. We went to the lake, the library, and had pizza for dinner. My husband was also demoing our kitchen, because we were doing a full-blown kitchen remodel. 39-weeks pregnant is the best time to do that, right? All day my stomach hurt. It was hard to do much without having to sit down. I went to sleep that night and had period-like cramping all night long.

I text Hanna the next morning (May 15th) at 6AM and let her know what was going on and she told me to stay hydrated, eat a light breakfast, and eased my fears. I started to time my contractions and she called me and told me to call up to L&D and see which doctor was on call. I found out it was Dr. Merritt, who I had never heard of before. Hanna was able to talk to some of her nurse friends and get the details.

It was clearly our 2nd pregnancy because I curled my hair while my husband, Jake, mowed the lawn. I ended up losing my mucus plug at 0830. I called my aunt to come stay with our daughter while my husband and I went up to L&D to get checked. We went in at 11AM. I was only 1 cm, 80% effaced, and -1 station. I was not happy with the doctor that had to do my cervical check, as

I had him in the past and did not have a good experience with him. He told me to go home and rest and go for a walk. We went back home and I was feeling discouraged. I laid down and before I knew it, I felt a small pop and felt fluid leaking. The contractions started coming faster and felt more intense. I called Hanna and let her know we were on our way back to the hospital.

We arrived to the hospital at 2:15PM. The contractions were strong and I only had enough energy to text Hanna, “come please.” When I arrived in triage and they checked me again, they said I was only 2 cm dilated. I thought there was no freaking way! I was in so much pain. They decided to admit me. I walked from triage to the delivery room. I was going to try to not get the epidural. They had me go to the bathroom and I told the nurse I had changed my mind and wanted the epidural ASAP.

My nurse checked me prior to calling for the epidural. I had progressed to 7 cm within one hour. I could tell in Hanna and my nurse’s voice that I was progressing quickly. My nurse tried to encourage me and asked again if I was sure I wanted the epidural. I was in excruciating pain at that point and said, “YES!” The anesthesiologist came and quickly put in my epidural. I felt so much relief and was able to catch my breath. My husband and I were even able to Facetime our 2-year-old. A little time went by and my nurse asked me if I wanted to try pushing as she could see hair during my check. I told her I didn’t feel any pressure or the urge to push, but I would give it a shot. She called the doctor in and the rest of the team. They knew there was meconium after checking me. Everyone was so laid back and we were cracking jokes in between pushes.

We didn’t know the gender of our baby and my husband had joked when we were deciding on names that if the baby was a boy, his name would be Gottlieb Leopold, after a family name on his side. Jake and Hanna helped me through the pushes and reminded me when to breathe.

After about 20 minutes of pushing, our sweet team green baby came out and my husband announced, “It’s a BOY!” We were both in complete shock as we both were certain it was a girl!

We named our 6 lb 14 oz, 19.5-inch perfect baby boy Sutton Michael. He arrived at 6:09 PM…just in time to order dinner! I felt so much better about this delivery than I did with my first. We wanted to delay cord clamping, but there was no time as Sutton had aspirated some meconium. My husband cut the cord quickly and they took him over to the bassinet to assess him. Everything turned out okay and I was able to immediately start breastfeeding.

I’m so thankful for Hanna for being one of my coaches, taking pictures and videos of our birth, for encapsulating my placenta, for being on standby with all of my questions, and easing my fears. I didn’t have a doula with my first, but I am SO glad I had her for my second pregnancy! I’m also so thankful for such a loving and supportive husband who never left my side, told me I could do this…even when I wanted to give up, and held my hand through it all. It was a beautiful birth experience!