Letter to Lacey: Your Birth Day.

I wrote this for Lacey the week that she was born. I wanted for her to have her birth story to keep when she’s old enough to care. I’m glad I wrote it because reading back over it now I realise there are a few things that I wouldn’t have remembered.

It starts on April 2nd, 2008 when I was 6 days overdue. It’s an epic tale, I warn you now.

Wednesday April 2nd, 2008
The day began just like any of the other days in my pregnancy. I felt good. Dadda and I were keener than ever to meet you, but knew that you were a contented little munchkin within me. We headed off to see our midwife, Heidi, who told us that not much had changed and we’d have to book into have you induced with a special gel that makes you leave your comfy little home. That was booked for Monday and they thought you’d be in our arms by Tuesday.

We were happy that we had a date to look forward to, and that we’d definitely be a real Mumma and Dadda within a week. We also wanted to do what we could to get you here earlier so head off after work to one of our favourite restaurants for a spicy meal. Funnily enough, nothing tasted spicy enough. We wanted to meet you and nothing was cutting it.

Thursday April 3rd, 2008
Another normal day. Work. Dreaming about you. Wishing you’d come and play with us. Excited that you’d be in our arms within days. I drank some more Raspberry Leaf Tea and then decided that Dadda and I should give some lovin’ a go. Perhaps it was just what needed to happen.

Friday April 4th, 2008
After having some serious pains throughout the night I woke at 1am to contractions. They were regular, coming every 20 minutes. I was so excited that you might be coming earlier than we expected. I told Dadda that something was happening, but I wanted him to sleep. So that he did.

I went upstairs and chilled out. I was filled with much excitement, joy and anticipation. The pain was a little ouchy so I decided to have a nice hot shower. Sadly, the nice hot shower washed away all my contractions. Dadda woke, showered and even shaved ready for a big day ahead. He thought we were still going to meet you. I broke the news to him and we were a little sad that today might not be the day.

I’d already called work and told them I wouldn’t be making it in so we decided to make the most of it. We took a long walk down at the beach, even throwing some hills in for good measure. Dadda dropped me off for some acupuncture. The lady was also a Doula so she taught me some really good breathing techniques and empowered me with some great words of advice on what to do in labour. I felt even more excited and ready. She told me that she felt labour was a long way off for me yet. I just had to be patient.

The contractions returned after lunch time. They were ouchy but not unbearable. I was welcoming the pain and hoping they would continue.

Aunty Jenna dropped by to see us and witnessed Mumma experiencing a contraction. Dadda and Aunty Jenna felt helpless but laughed at how I would be writhing in pain for one minute and then talking so normally and candidly once it was over.

The big football game was on at night. Dadda had requested (jokingly) that I not go into real labour until the game was over. There was a lot of hype about the game and we were both keen to watch it. Our beloved Roosters kicked some major butt and Dadda was a tad distracted by the game. My contractions intensified. I asked Dadda to time the contractions. Let’s just say I don’t think they were that accurate.

We were both so excited that this might be it, but still in a little bit of denial that it might all stop like it did earlier in the day. At about 9:30pm the contractions were definitely intensifying and I thought it best that I call the hospital and tell them to expect us. I still wanted to stay at home and keep on labouring with Dadda by my side.

I lay on our nice white couch when all of a sudden I felt a ‘pop’. I told Dadda that things were about to get messy. Luckily the couch survived.

It kicked in for me then that this was it. Off to the hospital we went. It was really happening. The next time I would be home, I would be a Mumma and I would be bringing you home with me. I looked back and knew our lives were about to change, and I couldn’t wait for it all to happen.

We got to the hospital and Rebecca was assigned as our midwife. She had a Student Doctor sidekick, Jeremy. If anyone had asked before the day if I’d like some young student watching me labour, I would have said a very firm no, but on that night I could have cared less. Little did I know that the birth of you was going to be an enlightening, beautiful experience for not just us, but for him as well.

Rebecca told us that I was 4cm dilated and would be staying in the delivery suite and meeting you within hours. The contractions were coming along quickly, intensely and taking us along this a beautiful journey of your arrival. Dadda says that he’s never seen anything so peaceful as me in labour. All I wanted to do was take a big deep breathe in for four seconds and then out slowly for six seconds. I imagined I was blowing a ping pong ball along a serene lake. It really worked for me.

I sat backwards on a chair and lent my head on a pillow. The smell of the laundry powder the hospital uses will stay with me forever. It was making me want to vomit, and was a little distracting. I can still smell it now.

The labour was progressing really quickly and the pain was becoming unbearable. I really didn’t want to have any drugs, but wasn’t sure how much longer I could go on. I was lacking in sleep and would have loved to have a little rest. I tried some gas but it was too distracting and put me off my breathing pattern. Dadda and I had a plan. I’d ask once for an epidural and he’d suggest a hot shower. I’d ask a second time and he’d tell me to take some more gas. If I asked a third time he’d tell me to go ahead and get it.

I only asked once and the epidural was on its way. I was 8cm dilated by this stage, and knew you’d be here very, very soon. The epidural was pure bliss.

Dadda and I hung out together in the delivery suite laughing, and talking about you. Would you have Dadda’s red hair or my blonde hair? Our lives were about to change. I had a twenty minute nap whilst Dadda watched on.

Rebecca came in and said we were ready to push you out, and she’d be back in half an hour to start helping me do so. Those minutes passed by slowly. We were so eager, and I wasn’t the slightest bit afraid. I felt empowered, capable and ready. My body was doing what it was made to do. I was doing a great job and was quite proud of what I had achieved so far.

I started to push and you made your way down. You were a little cheeky though. You really did like it in my tummy. I’m sure it was nice and warm and comfortable, but we wanted to meet you. You’d come down so that Rebecca could see your head but unfortunately were in the wrong position. Your little heart rate was slowing down and speeding up, but it wasn’t too much to worry about.

After three hours of trying to push you out we decided that we needed help. Dr Adam came and helped you into the world with some forceps and big push on my part. Dadda saw your head and broke into tears. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. You were here.

It was 6:02am on Saturday 5th April, 2008. You were lifted onto my chest. That there was the most beautiful moment in my life. Holding your warm body on mine was surreal and beautiful.

This was you. Here in my arms. Finally.

The day had arrived. The day I had been waiting my whole life for. I loved you before I met you, and I loved you with all that I was in that moment and still do. Dadda and I just sobbed happy tears of pure bliss. Our love was so present in the room.

Dadda cut the cord and then took you away for a big snuggle. You had a beautiful set of lungs on you. You made sure your presence into this big world was known.

A doctor was stitching me up and making every better when I started to feel dizzy, sick and was losing vision. I started to tell the doctor when I couldn’t see anything at all. Dadda buzzed for more help and begged me to stay with him. Next thing there were nurses all around, drips being put in, oxygen on my mouth and a whole lot of fuss going on. My blood pressure had dropped to 40/50 and I had lost almost 3 litres of blood.

Within minutes I was starting to feel better. The whole experience was very overwhelming and frightening. Once everything was safe and the doctors had left we embraced as a family and were glad to be together.

We spent the day in the delivery suite. Grandma, Aunty Jenna, Uncle Tim and Aunty Sarah spent hours cuddling you and letting you know that they loved you.
Boy, do they love you!

Later in the afternoon we were moved up to Intensive Care. It’s a special place where people who need extra special care go.

I was upset that I wouldn’t be in a room with other Mummas but instead would be surrounded with really ill women. Dadda and I begged to be allowed to stay with all the other Mummas and Bubbas but they were concerned that I’d need a blood transfusion. Dadda asked to stay the night with me, but that wasn’t allowed either. I knew it would be a long night of getting to know you and trying to keep upbeat.

The nurses wanted me to rest so took you away for two hours. I couldn’t rest without you by my side. I must have been a sight for sore eyes.

I was determined to have you with me so climbed over the side safety rail on the bed, catheter urine thing in my arms searching for you… sobbing. We both didn’t have much sleep that night, but lots of cuddles were had. It was just what we needed.

Sunday April 6th, 2008
We were finally moved to Post Natal. It felt right and wonderful.

Dadda booked in to stay with us. It was like our own little holiday.

We laughed, loved and lived in a state of pure bliss. This was our new life, as a family.

Wednesday April 9th, 2008
Dadda and I were keen to get you home. My milk was delayed in coming in because of the blood loss. You weren’t putting on as much weight as they like and were experiencing jaundice due to the bruising from the forceps. We promised to return the next day for more blood tests and a weigh in if they let us go home. Luckily they agreed.

Driving home was one of the most beautiful experiences. I’ve never seen Dadda drive so slowly or cautiously. He had precious luggage in the back. You.

We got home and just cried. Happy, happy tears. This was so real now. We had a big group hug and just soaked up the moment. Our lives had changed, they would never be the same again, and that’s just the way we wanted it.

Welcome to the world little Lacey Mae.

Life is beautiful.

Date of birth: Saturday April 5th, 2008
Weight: 3.47kg
Length: 49cm
Head Circumference: 36cm

18 thoughts on “Letter to Lacey: Your Birth Day.”

  4. That was absolutely beautiful! 🙂

    I wrote my daughter a letter just before she was born as well. And another when she turned 18, just last summer. How bittersweet. It's on my blog, pop over if you get time & thanks so much for sharing that with us!

  5. Wow – what a story, I’m sure Lacey will love to read it again and again when she is older. The love is absolutely palpable….I got goosebumps.

  11. wow… thats such a beautiful thing to do for your daughter, thank you for sharing that with us, i read it with bated breath. BTW little Lacey looked super cute on her big day.. bless her. xox

  14. Hello! Came via Tracey's blog.

    We're expecting our first anytime soon and this entry has inspired to maybe do something similar… if I can remember what happens 🙂

    tomi

  15. I don't know if you will see this comment as it's obviously been quite some time since you made this post. However, I've only just discovered your blog and wanted to say that your birth story had me in tears, happy tears. It also brought back memories of the birth of each of my daughters. It's such an amazing experience and I think it's fantastic to record the story for your little girl. Funnily enough, just yesterday after 18 months, I finally wrote my oldest daughters birth story. Now I just need to write my 4 month old's birth story for her, it's amazing how emotional writing it all down is.

    I also love the way that you've written the letters to your gorgeous daughter every month. She is lucky to have them and i'm sure they will be her most treasured items as she grows up.

  18. thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story. i think i would have liked to write to my unborn boy. xxx

Comments are closed.

Photo a day Privacy Policy Work with me

Copyright © 2023 Fat Mum Slim