Smooth Grooves: Jacek

39.1

Thats when it was finally over. 39 weeks and (barely)1 day. September 4th, 2010 at 2:34am my little boy was born in the most amazing way.

Jacek Tomaz

It was so hard being Pregnant, taking care of two toddlers with Evan working out of town and us also being pretty much 'homeless'. I was more than done when I hit the 37 week mark. For me I knew it was only a matter of days before the baby came. But before baby could come I needed to relax. Yah right. Finding a calm amoungst our kaos felt like an impossible task. Stresses and emotions were strung high and not having our 'place' was a tease on comfort.

Finally I found some days to relax. Thanks to a few illnesses. Flu, followed by cold followed by flu found myself exhausted but also rested. I was finally able to come to terms with "baby will come when its ready".

September 3rd. By 8pm my body was screaming at me to go to bed. I obeyed. And at 10:30pm it starts. Evan came and sat with me in the basement while I bounced around on an excercise ball and texted my Doula friend, Melanie. 45 second long contractions, 3 minutes apart? Yup, time to call the midwife.

We all met at the Arbour Birth Center in Calgary at 11:30pm. I was told I was in Active Labor. I didnt mind. 8cm and still giggling? Ill take it! (No! I was NOT on drugs!). Melanie seemed to be in shock. "I cant believe youre 8cm and still laughing!". I assured her it would change quickly.

Time to get in the tub-

I opted for a water birth this time. I wouldnt have changed a thing. I only wish I would have had a chance to do this with all of my children. What an amazing experience. So calming. With the warm water I was able to relax to the point I really could have fallen asleep! If it weren't for those darn contractions! Despite the pain that every minute or two it was totally peaceful. I got to roll around a nice warm tub while my Husband and good Friend kept me company. I couldnt help but smerk at times a contraction would start and Evan would start asking me questions and I would quickly hear Melanie whisper "not now Evan!". (Yes Melanie I DO agree, Every man needs a Doula!) My midwives would occationally pop in the room to see how I was doing and check on babies heart rate. Everything was going perfectly.

2:30am, its go time. Baby demanded an appearance and I wasnt going to argue. 4.5 minutes later there he was. Now this is where it got amazing. You know how all your life youre led to believe that babies cry when they are born? In fact, the anticipation in the delivery room is always highest right at the time of birth just waiting for that little, yet huge, wail of a cry from Baby. And everyone else shouts 'Horray!'. Believe me, my mind is changed on the subject. What a terrible welcome. I lay there flashing back between my first 2 birth experiences and this one, I was in awe with what was happening. No one clamped the cord the moment baby was out. No one took Baby away before I even got the chance to touch them. No one rushing around the room acting as though some sort of terrible medical emergency was going on. There was no screaming baby! The only anticipation after my baby was born was....Boy? or Girl?. It was calm, quiet, peaceful and absolutely amazing.

It was HIM that chose how he was going to come into the world. And I pretty sure -- I like his version much better.