Ezra's Birth Story

Ezra John Saunders was born Thursday, December 1st, 2016 at 9:04 pm at Castle Medical Center in Kailua, Hawaii. He weighed 6 lbs and 14 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. I was able to give birth to him naturally thanks to the help of my wonderful doula Melani Sunia (with Birthright Babies). My doctor was the very friendly and supportive Susan Vicenti. This is my son's birth story:

Wednesday, November 30th

In the morning I went walking on the bike path with my good friends Bree Hanks and Lezlie Lee with their sweet babies. During that walk I stopped at the bathroom at Ehukai Beach Park to pee when I realized my mucus plug had made its debut. I was pretty excited and told my girlfriends but knew it wasn't necessarily a sign that things would start anytime soon. 

Later in the day I had this strong desire to clean so I scrubbed the kitchen counters, bathroom, and sink really well. I texted Randy at work to let him know about my mucus plug and he immediately called to ask me how I was doing. He was wondering if he should come home from work. I assured him I was fine and he should stay since I wasn't feeling any signs of labor. I told him that if the baby did end up coming today that this would be a good day to have a baby---on saying this to him I realized I wasn't nervous or anxious in the least bit. I felt at peace with the idea of going into labor and excited to get to meet our baby. I took it easy the rest of the day and went to bed around 11:00 pm. 

After my walk and before cleaning

39 Week Belly Shot

Thursday, December 1st

Around midnight I woke up to what felt like intense menstrual pains. They were frequent and powerful enough to keep me up the rest of the night, but also sporadic, which I knew meant labor was not really kicking in yet. I decided not to call and wake up Randy at work but rather wait until his shift at the station ended in the morning. Since it was too uncomfortable to remain lying down through these early contractions, I would get out of bed every time and sway my hips back and forth during each one as I had learned in my classes. 

I texted Randy around 7:00 am (he gets off of work at 8:00 am) to let him know I was having contractions. He was very excited! Randy showed up around 8:30 am with some yummy goodies he had grabbed on the way home for me. For some reason none of them sounded good at the moment. I asked him to make me some toast with peanut butter and jam instead and we started watching one of my all-time favorite movies, Dan In Real Life. Randy texted our doula, Melani Sunia, who said to keep her updated on my progress as she prepared to make the drive from her place in Kaneohe to ours in Sunset Beach. 

Laboring at home

Our plan was for me to stay at home as long as possible and then head to Castle only during the later stages of labor, so as not to have to spend too much time laboring at the hospital (where I knew the temptation to accept any unnecessary medications and/or interventions might be too much to resist). As the contractions increased in intensity and frequency however, Melani made a great suggestion that ended up entirely changing our original birth plan. She offered to let us labor at a home in Kaneohe so we would be much closer to the hospital. To me that was way more appealing than the thought of making the hour and a half drive to the hospital from Sunset! This home Melani mentioned belonged to her "boss", Mari Stewart. Mari was the instructor of the Birthright Babies birthing classes we had attended a few months before and she was also the one who had introduced us to Melani in the first place. We felt very fortunate that Mari had extended to us this generous invitation to labor in her home.

So around 1:00 pm we packed up everything into our little Ford Fiesta and drove to Mari's home in Kaneohe. We arrived around 1:45 pm. Melani was already there and showed us into a studio unit separate from the main house. Randy and I were shocked at how new and nicely furnished the apartment was. The studio was fully equipped with your standard birthing equipment: rocking chair, bed, yoga ball, grab bars in the shower and around the toilet, birthing stool, as well as a hot tub in the backyard.

As soon as we brought our stuff inside, Melani ordered Randy to take a nap so he would have energy for later. Then she turned to me and said she and I were going for a walk to help my labor progress. To be honest, I was a little surprised by this. I showed up just wearing my comfy (and very short) nightie and sandals assuming I would be staying indoors and out of public view. I had no idea my doula was going to be parading me up and down the sidewalk! We walked around the neighborhood for almost 2 hours (until about 4:00). We only returned to the house once for a potty break, at which time she told Randy to go back to taking a nap! While leading me up and down the hilly streets of Kaneohe, Melani had me sway my hips and take big steps. I am sure I looked like a crazy person, holding my belly with eyes closed and marching around with my doula. I would have to stop and sway my hips in a very exaggerated way during contractions. I mentioned to Melani that I didn't know I had signed up for labor boot camp! In spite of feeling a little silly the walk worked like magic! My contractions started coming much more frequently and we returned to the cottage. 

Back inside, I used a variety of labor techniques over the next few hours---sitting on the birthing (yoga) ball, hanging onto Randy, bending over the bed, having Randy and Melani take turns applying counter pressure to my hips, standing/semi-squatting and swaying my hips (probably what I did the most). Sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 pm I took a nice, long, hot shower. The water felt SOOO good! I noticed that in this relaxed state my contractions began to really intensify and get closer together. A reminder that labor is just as much mental as it is physical.

By the time I finished my shower I felt exhausted. I decided to try laboring on the bed but that didn't last long because it just wasn't comfortable (6:20-6:30ish). During this short time, Mari asked if I would like to have the baby and myself checked out. I said yes and she checked baby's heart rate, my temperature and my blood pressure and said everything was good. Right after this I got the urge to puke and they handed me a pot lined with a grocery bag right away and to my surprise it felt very relieving! They were so on top of it they even had mouth wash for me!

Then came jacuzzi time (approximately 6:45-7:30 pm) and I cannot express how soothing this was for my tired body! I remember also being very thirsty through my labor and drinking quite a bit of water while I was in the hot tub. Randy got in and held me up while I floated. Taking away gravity was such a huge help. I really couldn't control it at this point and moaned like crazy through the contractions---it felt relieving! I don't think I opened my eyes through most of my labor and tried to go to that "other place" and concentrate on what I was doing. 

At 7:30 pm they asked if I wanted to get out of the jacuzzi and pee. Once I got on the toilet I just wanted to stay there and moan. Randy was so sweet and tried to put on a birth playlist I had created months ago and for some reason it seemed to make everything I was feeling worse. So I asked him to turn it off. Every time a contraction came I would clench the grab bar and my whole body would begin to tense up; Melani would have to remind me to try and relax. She told me to dig deep. To try and take my mind off the discomfort I repeated the words dissipation, dissipation, dissipation. I would remind myself the intensity had to eventually dissipate and then stop and I would get my next tiny break. During this time I also felt a renewed determination to finish this labor out naturally. I remember thinking, "I have not come this far to give up---I am getting close to the end!" Although I knew the end had to be somewhat close I also felt nervous because I didn't have the "bloody show" and my water hadn't broken so I just tried to focus on one contraction at a time. 

About as real and raw as it gets!

Finally, I remember feeling this small sensation to push. At first, I doubted it and even ignored a few of the urges but finally it hit me so strong and I exclaimed, "I have to push!" It all seemed a little startling because the plan was to go to the hospital around the pushing phase and looking back I shouldn't have waited for such a strong urge to push before I notified everyone. Mari came and checked me and looked at Randy and said, "If you leave right now you can probably make it to the hospital." This time frame was approximately 7:30-8:15ish pm)

We didn't prepare very well for this part because in the midst of trying to get me to the hospital before I pushed the baby out we left all our bags and paperwork (our wallets, IDs, insurance cards, birth plan, etc.) at the house. For some reason we thought we had a lot more time before needing to pack everything up. On the way to the hospital Randy drove while Melani coached me through the contractions so I wouldn't have baby in the car. She had me do fast, short breaths and it helped sooo much---by this point I could tell my water had broken. Melani called the hospital to let them know we were on our way and to have a room and my doctor ready because I was already beginning to push. We didn't even have shoes when we arrived at the birth center! We got there around 8:35ish pm and I had Ezra at 9:04 pm.

When we arrived at the hospital Randy simply pulled straight in front of the birth center and they both pretty much dragged me into my room. They set up the squat bar and I remember feeling utterly exhausted at this point and not wanting to really squat because I was so tired. Kneeling on the bed I looked over at my doula and said "Is this position okay?" She smiled and was kind but hinted that my best outcome would be through squatting (helps open pelvis) so I mustered the last bit of energy I had and pulled my legs into the squatting position and with a few pushes he came out!! I actually liked this part---there was a huge level of relief and control when I was able to push! Dr. Vicenti made it in the nick of time and had Randy catch Ezra and clamp and cut the cord and all I can remember saying amid the tears when they put him on my chest was how precious he was (I probably said this like 20 times)!  

Randy told me later that one of the nurses seemed really surprised while I was pushing and said, "She has excellent control!" They were very also surprised with how little blood I lost. The placenta came out in less than 20 minutes and it felt easy to push it out compared to Ezra! I remember the shakiness of my legs directly after birth but it seemed to go away pretty quick. I had one minor tear but Dr. Vicenti said it required no stitches. Soon after Ezra's birth they moved us upstairs (from room #108 to 264) because the staff said they were incredibly busy and tons of women were giving birth! I didn't mind being moved because there were 2 beds so Randy had a comfortable place to sleep too. 

Placenta Capsules

I decided to keep my placenta (yes---I am one of those crazy crunchies) and Mari made placenta capsules. She took the placenta home that night and returned it the next day in capsule form (she dehydrated it) and I have loved them! My moods have been excellent and my milk has come in really well!

Placenta and Umbilical Cord

Friday, December 2nd

We thought about leaving as soon as Ezra's 24-hour tests were done but since it was already 9:00 pm when this happened they gave us the option to stay so we did. Plus they didn't do the circumcision yet so we had to wait anyways. Our friends (Randy's captain) Kalu and Oresa and their sweet daughter, Tevāea, came to visit that night and brought us some yummy food. They were the ones who had suggested we speak to Mari and take the Birthright Babies class in the first place. I am so grateful for them! This whole experience was by far one of the hardest things I have ever done but also one of the most rewarding and fulfilling. I would do it again in a heart beat---just not immediately. Ha!     

Saturday, December 3rd

Ezra had his circumcision done in the early afternoon. Once it was checked and monitored for a time we were given the green light to go home.  We were discharged from the hospital around 2:00 pm. I remember when we put him in the car seat for the first time we felt like it was too big for him! Driving home together as our little family for the first time felt wonderful!  

Sweet Baby Ezra

 I can't believe how much you can love another person you have just barely met! This kid makes our hearts feel so full and I just love kissing his cheeks! Everyone has remarked on how big his feet are and how much hair he has. He loves sleeping on daddy's chest and nursing is his happy place. Many people have also remarked on how mellow he seems too. Don't get me wrong this kid cries but he does seem to be pretty peaceful---maybe that's just the newborn phase? Overall, I am so happy he came into this world healthy! He truly is our little miracle baby :)

REALLY tired and couldn't be happier with our new little family :)

Mahalo
I can't thank everyone enough for all of their love and support. Randy, Ezra, and I were able to have the perfect birthing experience and it was because SO many people provided help and encouragement. I could not have done this without my amazing husband. He supported me the whole way through and helped me remain calm and focused during my pregnancy and birth. I also need to give a huge shout out to Birthright Babies. Mari Stewart and Melani Sunia are truly amazing women with big hearts and so much knowledge and wisdom! The birthing classes they offered were not only free but one of the absolute best I've taken! Hawaii mamas or mamas-to-be I would HIGHLY recommend checking out their site!

November 2016

Pregnancy Update

The switch to Dr. Vicenti was perfect for me! This lady fits my style and I LOVE that she is the only one delivering my baby! Obviously she has a backup but I was having a hard time with Pali Women's Health Center because the rotation of all the various doctors. I liked most of them but it did make me nervous about how you got whatever doctor was on the schedule for that day. Dr. Vicenti is a one doctor/woman show and that is very appealing to me. I know I can't control everything but I will defintely do my part with what I can control! For me this meant finding a doc I could trust and felt comfortable around and that I have a relationship with. Also, she is a little more hands off and old school (this lady doesn't even have a cell phone--she uses a pager and her landline ha) in her approaches and that jives well with how I like to do things.

 In the end, I know the doctor is really only there at the end of labor and mainly there for the birth of the baby but I feel so good about her being a part of my birth team. She mentioned how if things go smoothly she can have Randy catch the baby and I thought that was pretty cool. I showed her my birth plan--in fact she asked me for it (more cool points for Dr. Vicenti) and she was on board! I met with her for the first time on November 2nd (week 35) and started going every week after that for quick checkups.

My doula (Melani) even came to one of my appointments with me when Randy had to work. She was the one who suggested switching to Dr. Vicenti and I am so glad I took her advice! After the appointment, Melani talked with me for over an hour about birth and it made me feel confident in my abilities to do this. I know my body was designed for birth and that this is a natural function of my body! I also feel very blessed because Pastor Mari is letting us use her house to labor right before we go into the hospital--she lives about 15 minutes from the hospital compared to our hour plus of driving from Sunset. I am also planning to do the placenta encapsulation after birth (Mari does this). After reading a bunch, listening to podcasts, and speaking with a ton of friends (crunchy and not so crunchy) Randy and I decided to give it a try from all the positive experiences we heard about.

I am continuing to gain small bits of weight but nothing too crazy--at my last appointment on November 23rd (week 38) I weighed 183 lbs so about 41 lbs gained total. He is in perfect position (head down and face down) and he seems to be measuring well and has a good heartbeat. He is continuing to move and I am beginning to feel the ligaments and muscles in my groin area change--they feel achy/sore at times. I also wonder if my cervix is softening as I feel slight twinges of sharp pain from time to time in that area (I have had it described to me as a feeling like a bee sting or rubber band being pulled on the skin). I also started taking evening primrose oil to help with the softening as of week 38.

I am also happy because I did my GBS (Group B Strep) test and the results were negative so no antibiotics for me!! I tried pretty hard to avoid a lot of refined sugary treats till I cleared this test and then had some yummy dark chocolate sea salt cashews to celebrate.

Nesting is definitely a real thing and it finally kicked into gear this month. I found myself wanting to have everything ready to go for this birth. I even made some padsicles in preparation for the after-birth so we'll see how they work! I also wheeled and dealed and was able to get a brand-new Ergo 360 carrier $60 off from Phoenix thanks to Craigslist and my sweet brother-in-law who happened to be in the area and picked it up for me and then had my mom bring it over when she came to visit me! We also found a nice rocking chair off Craigslist!

Randy and I have cleaned like crazy (I just discovered the pure mind-boggling power of magic erasers--where have these been all my life?!) and tried to make things more organized. Having my mom come was a huge motivator. I went to town with my friend Breann and was able to get some homey items. I also had weird urges to make salves, a sugar scrub, and a homemade hair mist--so random! I also ordered our splurge item--the BOB stroller thanks to the generosity of friends and family. That was my big-ticket item--pretty much everything else I didn't care if it was nice or new (besides the car seat) and tried to find it for free or at a bargain. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of others--I seriously only bought a single onesie from a yard sale for like $.50 because I thought it was cute and all his other clothes have been given to me for his first year of life!

Last Hurrah with my Mama

Okay, this was pretty epic! My mom came to party with me before I have this sweet baby! Think about it--this will be the ONLY time in my life ever where I don't have a job or kids the rest of my life! So we took advantage of this and planned a little girls trip. It was simple but amazing! My mom and I both love health, food, and gabbing away so that is exactly what we did. We went on a million walks, her and Randy came to my yoga class with me, we went to a free musical concert at BYU because my mom really digs that stuff, and we did foot zoning together and she loved it! We ate at home for the most part but splurged on a few special places like 'Ai Love Nalo, Beet Box Cafe, Kahuku Farms, Greens and Vines, Fijian Market, and CPK. I just really love food--maybe even too much--but at least most of it is pretty healthy. One of my favorite memories was talking and laughing while we ate our chocolate walnut brownie vegan ice cream on a picnic table in Haleiwa--I think my version of heaven involves something along those lines.

Blurry but proof Randy came to yoga with me :)

I love this lady--this is Julie my yoga teacher

Proud of my mama coming to yoga with me twice during her trip!

We also hiked the Makapu'u lighthouse together after one of my appointments. It was a cool feeling to have my mom present and see our sweet baby before he arrives. After we finished our hike we went to 'Ai Love Nalo (I have been wanting to go there forever--it was a first for all of us) and the KauKau Luau plate was divine!! This place definitely makes my top 3.

Makapu'u Lighthouse 

Gotta love No-Shave November ;)

At Backyards checking out the sunset

37 Weeks

One of the days we went shopping together in town and I helped her find a dress for her piano choir concert from Ross of all places--the very last store we went to! Afterwards, we went to Greens and Vines which is pretty nice and our food was sooo good. I got the pad thai and mom got the living lasagna. We shared some of their desserts (the wicked chocolate tart was the best) and then headed home. I actually got pulled over in town for making an illegal U-turn but was grateful to get off with a warning!

This place was pricey but fun to experience with mom visiting

We also went boogie boarding at Castles and she rocked it! It was also nice to have her come to church with me too. She arrived November 11th and left on the 20th so it was a good solid 9 days of fun with the mama I will never forget :)

Our last day together

Randy trying to hide the 'stache

 

Leftovers at 39 Weeks

I've been enjoying this slower pace. Towards the end of this month I began to feel pretty ready for this baby (or at least as ready as one can feel without fully knowing what to expect). My nesting period has calmed down since most errands/cleaning were done before my mom came and the vast majority of baby items have been procured. When Randy has had days off we enjoy just doing simple things together like going to the beach--this particular day Randy surfed while I read birthing books on the beach and took naps--it was glorious. After Randy finished he took some photos of me--I keep wondering if this will be the last time I will have my preggy belly. I've enjoyed being pregnant but I am definitely excited for the next stage--whenever that may start. I don't feel rushed or hurried and want this sweet babe to come on his own time. Prepare for photo overload. 

No--I did not go surfing on a shortboard at 39 weeks. Randy just found this highly amusing!

Thanksgiving

I kind of had Thanksgiving dinner in reverse. I made pumpkin crunch the day before and ate that in the morning. I made this for someone very kind who did me a huge favor and saved a few pieces for Randy and I. Also, I had a doc appointment the day before Thanksgiving so I decided to grab some lunch at Whole Foods. I was pleasantly surprised to find tons of vegan and vegetarian Thanksgiving goodies to try (stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.) so I got my fill. Randy worked part of Thanksgiving Day so he had some goodies at the station. With our baby on the way we decided to keep the actual holiday VERY simple aka do almost nothing and relax and that's exactly what we did. We made summer rolls and chilled. I went to my yoga class and had such a good Thanksgiving sesh. Afterwards, an older couple from class handed out ginormous avocados (the buttery kind). Randy also got the chance to go surfing with his bud Jeremy so it was a pretty relaxing day for us. 

Other Happenings

My girlfriend, Alex, had her baby shower on the 27th! We have been preggy yoga buddies and it was fun to see her, socialize, and eat yummy food together at Ali'i Beach Park!

Randy and I also got the chance to babysit Nadia and Holden. These kids are so easy--we seriously drew almost the entire time until they had to go to bed.

Since I was released from my young women's calling last month us old leaders got together at Lei Leis. It was fun to reminisce and talk about all the changes that are happening in everyone's lives--babies coming, moving, new jobs, etc.