Mason Arthur Saunders decided to join us September 10th, 2019 at 12:50 pm in our home. He weighed 7.6 lbs, 19.5" long and was a day early from his due date. His cord was 28" long with 3 cord vessels and his shoulders and head were 14" each.
I made sure to list all the things I didn't want to forget about his birth very soon after. My contractions started around 3:30 am in the middle of the night of September 10th. I didn't think much of it because I thought the contractions were false labor from making love that night. I fell asleep but when I woke up that morning around 6:45 am the contractions were still going although not very strong. I was hesitant to contact my doula but Randy said he thought it was the real deal and to text Mari.
Since Ezra's birth felt so long we thought we'd have a long time before this baby arrived. Randy took Ezra that morning and went to get some snacks for me and run a few errands. Little did we know how fast things would progress!
At 7:45 am I spoke with my midwife, Mari and I was chatty and moving around freely. But around 10:30 the contractions started to pick up and I would have to quit talking and focus on my breathing as the contraction passed. As I was talking to Mari on the phone while sitting on the toilet because let's be real...my bowels were clearing stuff out. Right then she asked, "Have you lost your mucus plug yet?" I was wiping and as I did I said "No...oh wait here it is! Yes it came right now!" That was at 10:40 am and by 11:00 another big shift came with the contractions and my midwife and doulas started to make the drive to our home. At this point Randy was still out running errands and since I could barely talk I simply texted him at 11:20 am:
Things are picking up
Need you home
He tried to call me but I literally couldn't talk because of the contractions increasing in frequency and intensity. So he texted back :
Coming!
I can remember things felt very peaceful and I could hear the baby chickens tweeting in our yard as I labored in my tub. It wasn't long before everyone started to arrive all at once. Melani was first. The front door was open and she came in and said hello and although I could hear her I couldn't get myself to answer. I knew she would see me and understand. Melani was my doula with Ezra and I remember back then that she really understood what I needed and when I needed it without having to ask. This birth was no exception. She poured warm water on my body and it helped ease the pain! Then Mari and Sara arrived with Randy and Ezra trailing right behind them.
I did get a little nervous that Randy wasn't going to make it but luckily he arrived within the hour Mason was to be born. When he came in I remember they were asking if I wanted Randy in the tub with me multiple times and then Randy asked me the same thing and all I could say was, "I don't know!" ha That is how little I could process. I was grateful Randy got in the tub anyways and helped me change positions so he could hold and support me from behind. This was probably around 12:30. Up until this point I was side-lying in the tub immersed in the water putting my face in the water to blow out. I also tried being on my knees in the tub and with my arms clutching the sides I would raise myself up off the bath floor just enough for my knees to no longer touch.
When Ezra was coming in and out of watching us in the tub he continued to be his care-free little self and started jumping up and down on the floor (or at least it felt and sounded like jumping to me...maybe he was simply walking?) and for whatever reason it drove me absolutely crazy and I started shouting "STOP!" Every time he jumped on the floor it made my contractions hurt more. He stopped pretty quick and one of the doulas helped him put on a show.
At the end they tried to offer me a towel for my head but I said no and that I just wanted to hold the towel. Everyone thought this was hilarious. I would put my face in the towel and bite on it during the peak of the contractions and it felt so relieving!
I started pushing around 12:40 and although many women associate this part of labor with a lot of pain it is actually one of my favorite parts. Obviously it is a sign that you are almost done but I mainly love this stage because when I push there is a huge sense of relief that accompanies it. I also feel more in control again because up until this point I have had to surrender to each of the surges as they come but I now get to have a more active role with pushing. Also it didn't last long...Mason was born at 12:50 pm. He came out so fast I thought for sure I had torn and I remember asking what he was because we had waited to find out and Mari put him on my chest and said to lift him up and we could both find out together since Randy was behind me. So I did just that and yelled out "He's a boy!!" We were over the moon and I could tell Randy was a proud papa. He said I could have all the girls I want now :) Mason had the cord wrapped around his neck twice but when he came shooting out it unraveled and when he rose from the water he began to let out a big lusty cry and pinked up with a little massage from the midwife. Randy was able to cut the cord soon after my placenta came out with ease.
Healing and Recovery
I healed up pretty fast. After a few weeks my bleeding stopped and although I thought I tore because he came out so fast I didn't tear at all!! So no stitches needed and faster healing :) I attribute my positive birthing experience to my amazing team of midwife and doulas.
Baby yawns and smiles 😍
Placenta/Cord
Other Happenings
We have had so many tender mercies poured over us this month. From meals being brought from friends and my church family to my sister-in-law taking Ezra to the water park and letting him have a cousin sleep over so we could have some 1:1 time with Mason.
Having fun at Aunty Wendy's house with Angus
It's hard to quantify all the love and support we've been given but my midwife also arranged for some of the men from her church in Kaneohe to help us with our yard. When she called to tell me this I just cried tears of gratitude. Many friends came to visit us too and to be honest I LOVED it! I know many people don't want to be bothered a lot that first month but the visits were mentally nourishing for me.
I also decided to really pull back on tv use with Ezra and he began acting so much better. I know it's been hard on him as well to be home so much as I recover and take care of this new baby but overall he seemed pretty apathetic about Mason. I think Ezra found Mason a little boring...just a cute lil blob that can't move too much. As time has passed Ezra is starting to take more interest in him and I think he's beginning to realize he is a permanent addition to our family and isn't going anywhere.
Ezra has become very curious about Mason nursing and recently yelled, "Milk is coming out of baby Mason!" He even asked if he could nurse and I let him. To his disappointment it wasn't as good as he remembered it and told me the milk was yucky. It was funny because at first he kept calling Mason baby Kade (his cousin in Utah) but is starting to get the hang of his real name and even give kisses and hugs ;)
I am grateful for Ezra because he helps me throw away the poopy diapers even when he thinks they are gross. Randy built a bunk bed for Ezra and he did fall off once so now it has been reinforced. The weather has thankfully been cooling off and the rain and waves have begun to roll in. Randy also went surfing for the first time in months!!
A queen bed will go under for guests and siblings 😉
House Updates
Besides the amazing bunk bed Randy built he also made/stained some temporary counter tops out of plywood and put in the sink and faucet (I have gone through 4 sinks before finally finding the one I liked).
Climbing at the park
Nursery Friends
When I tell Ezra he can't eat in his room
Testing out his new mattress
Taking things to the next level
