Annabell- A birth story

Jessica is a happy mother of three little girls. She is married to the man of her dreams- Arnel. Jessica has five siblings and has always aspired to have a big family of her own. Her family is her greatest joy. Her oldest daughter is Harmony. Her second daughter is Brielle. This is the birth story of her third baby girl ~Annabell~.

Jessica had a mildly complicated pregnancy. As with her previous baby, Jessica had gestational diabetes. This sweet mother endured a specialized diet and endless pokes to make sure her baby girl would be healthy. When her pregnancy was drawing to a close, she began to have a lot of false labor contractions. She lost many a night’s sleep before her baby girl even arrived.

When baby day came, Jessica began having contractions in the morning as usual, and thought it was just another day. By lunchtime, she knew today was different. She called her doula and decided to spend some time working through contractions with just her sweet hubby. During this early active labor, they made ready for the hospital. Jessica knew she wanted to try to have a natural birth. She also wanted to spend all the time she could laboring in the comfort of her own home. By 4:00 pm, her doula arrived to offer loving support. The babysitter (grandma) arrived to help shortly thereafter. Jessica was dilated to 4 cm prior to the onset of labor, so active labor progressed smoothly.

Jessica decided to take a walk during her labor to help things continue to progress. Her sweet girls wanted to walk too. The entire party- Grandma, doula, husband, both little girls, and an actively laboring momma set out on a trek through the neighborhood. Jessica swung her hips and slow danced through contractions with her dear hubby. He held her up with strong comforting arms as she worked to bring their baby into the world. There has never been a better team.

After the family walk, it was time to get even further into the business of bringing this baby along. Jessica sat peacefully in the bathroom quietly singing labor sounds through contractions. A birth goddess at her finest. She spent some time in the shower. Hot water rolled over her back as her baby moved down.

It was time to move to the hospital. Jessica dressed between contractions while Arnel loaded the car. Off drove the labor brigade at about 6:00 pm. Jessica managed to stay calm despite laboring through a 40 minute drive. By the time they got close to the hospital, Jessica was beginning to feel the first tremors of her labor transitional phase. Upon arrival to the hospital, Jessica was wheeled to the ward. Nurses fluttered around in a flurry of preparation for the imminent birth. On admission, Jessica was dilated to 9 cm. She labored on her knees leaning over a ball in bed. After arriving, her doctor broke her water. Only minutes later, Jessica’s body told her it was time to push.

Jessica’s powerful efforts were tangible by everyone in the room. They were stunned by her composure. Her nurses couldn’t believe her labor was so advanced. Remarks of her strength, power and beauty filled the room. Even in the throws of the second stage, Jessica conquered every contraction. With no IV, drugs, and only intermittent monitoring, this mamma accomplished the near impossible. After only 25 minutes, Jessica brought her baby straight down into Arnel’s arms at 7:25 PM. With the help of a fabulous doctor, her Daddy handed her up to her mother who already loved her so much. From one breath to the next, a beautiful little family got a little fuller. Welcome to the world baby Annabell.

P.S. Nothing ever tasted as good as this GD mamma’s first Postpartum bacon cheeseburger.