Benjamin Ian Isackson was born on January 6, 2015 at 11:24 pm weighing 7lbs 6 oz and 20 inches long (my heaviest and shortest baby of the three).
We adore him!
Some of you have already heard about the crazy whirlwind of that Tuesday night almost 2 weeks ago...
I had been having a ridiculous amount of braxton hicks since I was 22 weeks along in this pregnancy. I knew this baby would be early, just like my last..... to all you doubters who kept telling me he was going to be way overdue... I hated you and I am glad you were WRONG ;) I had however been hoping for just a few days earlier than it did happen, simply for convenience as Ian and Hailey needed to go back to Lloydminster for work and school on January 5th.
My first two babies were born at the Lloydminster Hospital in Saskatchewan. Neither were great experiences and I vowed I wouldn't deliver there again. This time around I was blessed to find a midwife in Edmonton who was willing to take me on long distance (there are no midwives who serve the Lloydminster area and I had been rejected by 4 other midwifery companies due to distance from Edmonton). I had to travel into the city for all appointments and had to deliver in Edmonton. We planned to visit my parents for the Christmas holidays and just stay there until baby came. Most of my family was also visiting for the holidays and also 'waiting' for baby to come before they went home to Vancouver.
I had an appointment with my midwife the morning of January 6th but felt like baby had indeed decided to stay in there forever ;) There were no other signs that delivery was very shortly to occur. That night at 7pm the contractions changed and I remembered instantly what the 'real thing' felt like. I Skype'd with Ian right away and told him these were different and that I thought it was maybe 'time'. I told him I would lie down and time the contractions for an hour then let him know if he should travel to Edmonton with Hailey. The entire hour the contractions were 7 min apart. I called Ian and told him to come and spoke with my midwife who suggested having a bath to see if things slowed down.
I got in the tub at my parents house and the contractions quickly became 5 min apart. I was in the tub for maybe 45 min and had already reached the crying stage. They were 3 min apart and I couldn't cope on my own anymore. My sisters and parents helped me get ready and in the van to head to the birth center. Ian was still driving and I think at Vegreville at this point. My Dad and Mom drove me to the birth center where my midwife was already filling the tub. My Mom stayed in for support and Dad went to the waiting room.
I climbed in the tub and must admit I was a little disappointed that I felt no relief in the warm water... I think I was too far along already.
Right away I felt like I needed to push. Ian had still not arrived..... I couldn't hold off though.... it hurt SO BAD!!!!! I totally forgot.... curse that forgetfulness. I must remember this time how bad it hurt..... JENNIFER DON'T FORGET HOW INCREDIBLE PAINFUL CHILDBIRTH IS ;)
I pushed and baby's head was out. I hear my Dad in the hallway saying 'JUST GO IN' as Ian had FINALLY arrived at the birth center in Edmonton with Hailey at 11:21pm. Grandpa took Hailey to the waiting room and Grandma left Ian and I alone. I waited for the next contraction and little Benjamin was caught by my midwife and handed to me underwater. I pulled him up to my chest and sat back in the tub with my sweet, sweet boy to love. Tears come to my eyes as I remember that special moment... with no Dr, telling me what I had to do... no nurses massaging my uterus, no feet up in stirups for the world to see with an iv in my arm and monitors on my stomach. It was exactly how babies were meant to enter the world... in a calm, peaceful and encouraging environment. Quiet with the lights dim. It was truly a beautiful thing. I hope that is something I never forget!
I was able to relax in the water.... Ian cut the cord after it stopped pulsing and held his son on his bare chest as I delivered the placenta and recovered. Benjamin was perfect. He didn't even cry, just lay on my chest in the warm water.
It was a beautiful thing.... we feel so blessed and grateful for a healthy son, for loving family who took over when Ian was unable to be there.... for the blessing that he did indeed see the birth of his son. Our hearts are full and Ben has filled a space in our family that feels like he was always meant to be there...
We stayed at the birth center a few hours. Hailey was able to hold her baby brother before Grandma and Grandpa took her home. We had a wonderful meal brought for us of waffles, bacon, eggs and fruit. We arrived back at my parents house at 2:30 am the same night. My sisters were able to see their new nephew before returning to Vancouver the next morning.
What an adventure :) Just the beginning of many more to come!
