Leighton Joy

On the morning of Thursday, September 16, 2021 I woke up eagerly to get ready for our co-op with Classical Conversations. However, I noticed I was having contractions that seemed to be rhythmic. I decided to download a timing app and noticed them coming every 5 minutes or so for the next hour. I began to wonder if I was going into labor. I was so excited I messaged my co-op director that we wouldn't be going to CC that day because I thought I might possibly be in labor. I didn't want to make the drive 25 minute drive and then have to immediately come home. I also messaged my friend who was planning to shoot the birth. I messaged her giving her the heads up that I thought I was in labor, but wasn't positive, and didn't want to declare anything quite yet. This is very normal for me. I am usually in denial about being in labor even when it is painfully obvious.

With the contractions so close together and for over an hour, I was convinced she would arrive sometime in the early afternoon on the due date my midwife had for me. I usually go into labor at night so to have it start first thing in the morning I assumed she would arrive shortly after if I was in fact in labor. However, the contractions continued on all throughout the day. I had contractions every 10 mins for 12 hours. TWELVE HOURS!!! This was very frustrating for me. My longest labor, was with my first, Haven, and was 12 hours or so in TOTAL! How could I be in early labor with my 5th for so long? I began to get concerned that something was wrong and stalling my labor. I laid in bed trying to rest and asked God if everything was okay. I also messaged my midwife, who was on vacation. She informed me my body knew what to do, and to just be patient with the process.

Thankfully, when hour 13 hit, the contractions started to get closer. They were back to being every 5 minutes again. This became consistent so shortly after 10pm, we decided to head to the hospital. I had my giant pregnancy pillow in the car and waslistening to my Christian Hypnobirthing app along with my worship playlist. I had some oils diffusing in the Suburban and was just trying to relax and rest while Aaron drove us to the U. The 35 minute drive went rather quickly and the next thing I know he is pulling up. I tell him to park and not valet. I didn't want someone else driving my new rig that I am overprotective of. I tell him we are going to sit for a bit in the car before going in. We hang out in the parking lot for around 30 mins or so. Aaron thinks we shouldn't wait much longer and asks if I really want my water to break in the said rig I'm over protective of. My water had never broken on it's own from what I could remember so that doesn't scare me too much, but enough to get me to start walking towards the hospital.

Around 11:30pm we get inside and are sent to triage. A little after midnight we are admitted, I'm checked at a 5, and waiting for a room. My blood pressure is a bit high and I let them know my normal white coat syndrome and thankfully they run some labs to be sure there's no preeclampsia. The nurse was so sweet reassuring me she was sure it was my nerves and that they would go off of any lab results. About 10 minutes later they are coming on hard and strong every 2 minutes or so. My photographer friend decides to jump in her car for her 30 minute drive to the hospital. At 12:30 I still don't have a room. Thankfully five minutes later we are walking to Room 2417 from triage. I'm having to stop and work through the contractions as I make my way there. At 12:48 I'm texting my friend that things are really starting to get intense. I'm now in the bed and waiting for the NST monitors to charge so I can hop in the tub that was ready for me. While waiting, I'm telling the midwife on call that I hate pushing. I'm asking about a squat rack to lean on so I could try squatting this time. The midwife reminds me my body will know what to do with pushing, and to just let it do its thing. I won't be able to control it. I could tell these contractions felt different, but no one else seemed aware. I had done some research on "breathing your baby down" and didn't even realize that's EXACTLY what I was doing. I was breathing through the more intense, uncomfortable contractions, but my breathing had to change from a relaxing breath to a more active breath. The next thing I know my body can't help but push her out. My body had finally broke my water on its own as she descended. One contraction and two pushes later and here she was. No one was ready. No one had gloves, no one had gowns or any of the special things they lay down when a baby is coming. I'm just talking with the midwife one moment and the next pushing and the nurse says, "Ohhhhh! We're having a baby!"

Looking back it was quite funny. I had my water bottle in one hand and my phone in the other texting my friend what was happening. The midwife is telling me to use the contraction and finish pushing her out and how Aaron can grab her. All while, Aaron is grabbing my water bottle from me so I can focus. I told him he had to finally "catch" one of our babies. The next thing I'm texting my friend, "You missed it" and she's texting me "here." Totally a 2021 birth with my phone in my hand lol. It was such a calm and easy birth I wasn't even bothered by having my hands full. This was night and day different from my last two previous births. I had prayed and prayed for a redemptive birth this time. No fear, in His presence, and just overall the most wonderful experience. I hoped her birth could be better than my best delivery yet (which was with Taytum), but I just didn't think it would be possible. God gave me my heart's desire and it was the best birth ever!

Leighton Joy was born on September 17, 2021 at 12:51 am after only two hours or so of active labor and came out wailing. I was afraid something was wrong because I hadn't had a baby cry so much. With my others I was afraid when they weren't crying. She came out sucking her hands and immediately grabbing the boob. She probably has the strongest suck of all of my girls. She must have been sucking those hands in utero too where she was practicing. She immediately went to nursing. We couldn't tell if she had some red in her hair or brown eyes. She has neither. When she was nursing we couldn't tell if she could open both of her eyes. She was covered in so much vernix. We got to enjoy our one hour of uninterrupted snuggles and skin to skin, and got so many wonderful photos .

She is just the sweetest little person. She has a wonderful temperament, and is such a delight. We feel so blessed to have her be a part of our family. Five girls is not something I had planned, but our family is such a dream! We are beyond grateful that God's plans are so much better than our own. More to come on this soon.