Not my typical adventure story, but it does fit the topic. My son turns one this weekend, so I thought I’d share the adventure of his birth. Here is the birth story of my boy, Michael Richard.

January 13th was supposed to be the day of my scheduled C-section. I never expected to not make it to this date, as it was scheduled at 39 weeks and my first child was 5 days overdo. So when I went into labor early in the morning of the 7th it took me a while to be convinced it was the real thing. It was much different then my first labor, which was insanely intense immediately. This time it started like Braxton hicks, and they slowly got stronger and stronger. I was also throwing up a lot, but since I had been throwing up the entire pregnancy (nicknamed puke machine) this wasn’t a huge sign. My husband was working and I was home with my 2 year old. I was keeping my husband updated but kept telling him not to come home, because it probably wasn’t real.

Between 10 and 11, things quickly began to change. I was on my knees in pain, throwing up and basically dying.  My daughter had no idea what to think but sat and rubbed my back and brushed my hair away from my face. Dad got home from work in record time and we were off to the hospital with our 2 year old in the back seat! The 40 minute drive to the hospital was rough, my contractions were literally on top of each other when we walked in and the doctors checked me and informed me I was dilated to a 9!!!! Whoa! I was prepped for my surgery and said goodbye to daddy and daughter as they wheeled me to the operating room.

As they moved me onto the operating table my water broke, and in typical Lacey fashion I was puking off the side of the table. I could not wait for the surgery to start as I was in killer pain! Finally the drugs were all in me, I was still throwing up every 2 to 3 minutes but at least my pain was under control. They started the surgery and just as they pulled the baby from my stomach my husband entered the room, thankfully a nurse kept my daughter company so he could come in the room! I needed him because what happened next was scary. They told me the baby was out, and I heard nothing. No crying. The next things I heard were a blur. Doctors saying things like, start chest compressions, cord is wrapped around him, no heart rate, we need to intubate, page peds stat! Not the things you want to hear when you can’t see anything or do anything. I kept asking my husband (between throwing up) what was happening but of course he didn’t have answers, and while I cannot remember what he said to me, whatever it was, was perfect. Without him in that room I don’t know how I would have handled the those 8 chaotic minutes. My baby was born with no heart rate and was not breathing. They quickly resuscitated him and intubated him and within minutes he was fighting the breathing tube and wanted to breath on his own!!!!

Then we finally heard his beautiful cry! Thank goodness!!!! Longest 8 minutes of my life. My husband then left with the baby as they finished my surgery, never fun but obviously I had to just breath and be patient. I then had to wait about 1.5 hours in recovery before I could hold my little boy! That moment when he was in my arms was the greatest moment ever, they called him a tremendous fighter and said he made an amazing turn around!

He came within a breath of being flown to children’s hospital in Saint Paul (2.5 hour drive) but thankfully, they let him stay with his mama. After that scary moment following his birth everything went very smoothly! He is a happy healthy boy and mom is happy and healthy and so very thankful for the doctors and nurses and of course my husband, My everything.

One year later my boy is happy and healthy! He is walking, climbing, and laughing! Making everyday a lighter and brighter with his smiles. I still have moments where I just squeeze him tight and give thanks for him! Child birth, for sure is an adventure. In my experience, both times had many unexpected turns. Now, here I am, a mother of two beautiful, healthy kiddos! It is magical, and it is a huge blessing.

The biggest thing about birth is you can’t plan it. I am a planner, and letting that go is hard! Even with a planned c section this birth went completely against the plan!!!! So my advice, plan for EVERYTHING! ha! Or at least be prepared that anything can happen, and then just hope and pray that in the end everyone is happy and healthy!

Much Love & Happy Travels,

Lacey