Lea was born Thursday, November 16th at 7:21pm, weighing 4230grams ( 9lbs 5oz ), 55cm long ( 21.6 inches ) and 37cm head circumfrence (14.6 inches ).
Our beautiful home birth turned into another emergency cesarean section. I labored 16 hours at home, with the love and support of DH, my midwives, and a dear friend. Unfortunately, like Kristoffer, Lea was mal-positioned (star gazing) and a large cervical lip formed and swelled, which I could not push her past, despite five hours of press contractions.
Although I have some tears because her birth did not finish at home, I will never wonder "what if I had only tried this or that", because with the strong support of those around me, together we tried everything that could have been done to birth her naturally. At the end it was MY decision to transfer, knowing there were no other options left. I have limits which I respected. I feel empowered and healed by the process.
Lea was born in perfect health. She was put to my breast shortly afterwards, where she fed vigorously for three hours straight. I experienced some of the joyous birthing hormones, despite the cesarean. My overall recovery is positive. However, I suffer from infrequent, yet extreme pain from nerve damage from the surgery, which I hope will dissipate in the next two weeks. DH is doing more than his share and is the most tender, loving father a little girl could ever have.
Kristoffer is gentle and kind with his little sister, though I am sure it is a shock. It may be a while before I write our whole birth story. Right now DH and I are getting to know Lea and I am concentrating on establishing breast feeding.
Our beautiful home birth turned into another emergency cesarean section. I labored 16 hours at home, with the love and support of DH, my midwives, and a dear friend. Unfortunately, like Kristoffer, Lea was mal-positioned (star gazing) and a large cervical lip formed and swelled, which I could not push her past, despite five hours of press contractions.
Although I have some tears because her birth did not finish at home, I will never wonder "what if I had only tried this or that", because with the strong support of those around me, together we tried everything that could have been done to birth her naturally. At the end it was MY decision to transfer, knowing there were no other options left. I have limits which I respected. I feel empowered and healed by the process.
Lea was born in perfect health. She was put to my breast shortly afterwards, where she fed vigorously for three hours straight. I experienced some of the joyous birthing hormones, despite the cesarean. My overall recovery is positive. However, I suffer from infrequent, yet extreme pain from nerve damage from the surgery, which I hope will dissipate in the next two weeks. DH is doing more than his share and is the most tender, loving father a little girl could ever have.
Kristoffer is gentle and kind with his little sister, though I am sure it is a shock. It may be a while before I write our whole birth story. Right now DH and I are getting to know Lea and I am concentrating on establishing breast feeding.