Baby Cooper

Thalema’s Birth Story in her own words!!

My husband and I decided from the beginning of the pregnancy to not find out if it’s a boy or girl till the birth. We wanted to wait till birth to find out with everyone else. We took classes and looked up videos to prepare us for the home birth. Never thinking we won’t get that. I definitely didn’t want to be at the hospital it made me uncomfortable. My water however broke at 35 weeks. I had risked out of a homebirth. I had to throw items in a suitcase as my birth bag wasn’t ready. I had nothing set yet but had to just wing it. Giving my husband a hug and kiss hoping to have him there after I checked in. Midwife picked me up and drove over an hour to the hospital. A couple hours later my doula joined us. When we settled in the hospital because Husband - Mark was not feeling well he couldn’t come to the hospital at the time. I was emotional and sad about that. We had been together every step of the way. Also realizing all the plans and hopes weren’t going to happen my way. I had wanted a water birth which I though I could get but I was 2-3 days shy of 36 week it was not an option. I had a really hard time with the nurses trying to get an IV port in my hand. I wouldn’t have had needles at a home birth and I was so worried that they’ll make it so I have to take and do all these things.

The room I stayed in was nice and they were preparing for early labor. I was keeping husband and family in the know and always up to date. Many doctors and nurses came in every hour. Hooking up to machines and needles in me, wearing clothes that I don’t want to wear was not what I envisioned. I offered to try pumping to start contractions it was working but not to the level needed to get labor started. I waited some hours and tried Pitocin which gradually worked after a few hours at 10 it started to kick in. Immediately there was no question I was in labor. At around 2am I felt it so much I rushed to the bathroom at first. I had to wait for the staff to prep and check me. Around 3:30am I started calling my family on video chat. Active labor was around 4am I didn’t have my husband there like we planned he was going to be my main support system. Hanna took over doing a family video chat along with photos and videos. I tried the normal” lay on your back and push but that wasn’t a great position for me to be in. 4:40am I tried side laying too but finale decided on my knees and leaning forward was the best and most comfortable. At first I felt my pushing wasn’t correct I didn’t get to practice as much as I wanted. Active labor happened fast.

With the pain at first I was pushing a bit when contractions were not there then a few minutes it clicked and I realized that I need to do what my body is telling me. Breathe through, take my time, relaxing my body, fix my mindset and wait for the contractions to push. Hospital midwife said I can start to push more. I was like 8 centimeters. The pressure started to get intense and I was grabbing the bed and pillow. My husband, mother brothers, sisters and a few more family and friends were on a group chat encouraging me through zoom. My thoughts and what I wanted for birth were out the window but a full natural birth is what I could get. As I was going the natural routine the pain got so intense, I knew I had to get over two dynamic and painful parts in labor (head and shoulders). Yanking down more I keep feeling the baby’s head coming out but once contractions stopped baby would feel like moving back again and again I tried. I would push till those contractions stop. The staff of hospital midwife, nurses was staying in almost there. My family and friends were my cheer team. Hanna holding my hand throughout the birth and talking me through it all. As I pushed I felt Baby Cooper’s head exiting and I went back for a few more deep breathes. I then waiting for the contractions to push baby’s shoulders out I gave a scream like I never did before. 

With all my might Baby Cooper slide out and the staff helped me grab baby then moved baby to my chess. With baby born my family and friends were screaming on zoom “what is it? Boy or girl?” I’m crying, breathing hard, and so emotional. I didn’t hear them for a few seconds. They keep repeating is it a Boy or Girl? Finally while holding Baby Cooper i looked down, took a deep breath then said “It’s a Boy”. My heart was so filled.  I reached down and lifted him to my chest. He was crying away and clearly didn’t need any help with breathing, his lungs worked just fine!!! My husband was crying and other family in tears of joy. Baby Cooper was now officially Mark David Cooper III, he was breathing on his own. No NICU. I ended up having to stay for a few additional days. Hanna stayed with me for a while sleeping on the couch and even joining me in eating hospital food. It was a blessing to have her by my side keeping me calm through it all and being a support system. That is what I needed and wanted. I got that some of what I wanted in a birth as far as natural, family and friends, doula, midwife & surprise gender Reveal. 

Then I was all alone without family or friends in the hospital. I was with Mark III, hubby couldn’t come in it was such a hard time having to be there alone. I didn’t like all the back and forth harassing and unnecessary paperwork. All the test they did and poking to Markie so I questioned they were more demanding. I definitely advocate for my son and made what was done was in his best interest. For days, I ate hospital food sometimes cold when it should be hot. I stay in a four-wall space never leaving that room. Covid and other things may have stopped me from going out plus all the people coming in I wanted to keep Markie away from as many people as possible as he is prone to getting sick.

They did two Covid tests as apparently the first test they done wasn’t in the correct time frame. That made me sad that I had to put Markie through testing again because of their error. I cried when they did the tests or gave him shots. Thank God No Covid in his system. At the end it was all about Markie and his well-being. We were finally about to go home on the Monday after snow fell. My husband drove over an hour to the hospital. He was able to pick us up and we go home. Markie weighting 5 lbs 14oz and is 18 inches he is the most perfect boy. In his car seat, we were all together and made the journey home. We love Markie with all our hearts and he is the best additional and blessing to our family.