Harlow's Birth Story

It seems like it was yesterday when I took a pregnancy test and found out that I was pregnant. The two red lines did not convinced me at all. After going to the lab and having my first appointment at OBGYN, a rush of excitement and love for my husband invaded me. It was not planned but just the thought of adding a tiny adorable member to our family of two was sweet.

The months passed by and every week I would read the baby's development info and fruit size comparison. It was cute, although up to this point I couldn't picture inside of my head a real baby, a real one here with us. I started gaining weight after my fourth month and my bump was visible until my last trimester. I loved my baby bump, somehow I felt proud and blessed to carry the miracle of life inside of me. I was always tired and my back hurt all the time, specially during the last weeks of my pregnancy but it was definitely a healthy one.

Every night my husband would talk to the baby and play a melody for her. I started to organize all her little clothes, blankets, diapers... Because I sensed that she'd have an early arrival.

On the 36th week -August 4th-, I was having regular contractions. We went to the hospital and they sent me back home because there was no cervical dilation progress and baby wasn't full term. I was so disappointed, I felt like I made a big deal out of nothing. I went home and rested for the next days. I told myself I was not gonna call Labor and Delivery unless the pain was unbearable or my waters broke. I was convinced that I still had 3 more weeks. Oh, we make plans and life is always surprising us...

On Saturday, August 8th I woke up feeling 'different'. I was uncomfortable and without appetite. I basically stayed in bed all day and I'm glad I did. At 10:45pm, while I was in bed watching Netflix, I heard a pop and suddenly needed to go the bathroom. As soon as I sat on the toilet, a big gush of water came out. 'Did I just pee myself?' I said to myself. Then, I called my husband and explained what happened. I don't know why it was so hard to believe that my waters broke. Now I feel stupid, it seems logic now, but at that moment, the emotions didn't allowed me to see it clearly. I took a shower, believing that I still had 24 hours before Harlow's arrival. My husband hurried me up. 'We have to go! You don't have much time!' he kept saying. And I'm glad I hurried up.

We arrived at the hospital at 11:30pm and I was feeling so good that I even questioned myself if this was the 'real thing'. Even the nurses seem to doubt about it. But yes, I WAS IN ACTIVE LABOR!

They admitted me immediately and sent us to a labor and delivery room. I was in shock to be honest, scared, not for myself but for Harlow's health.  By 1am, I was 5cm dilated and having regular contractions. It was after 2am that the pain started to get really bad. I cried and yelled several times (I know, I'm not proud of it). I was 8cm and requested an epidural. The anesthesiologist was on her way. It was hard to breath, difficult to talk or think, it felt like somebody was trying to cut me into pieces (sorry for the gory image). But inside my head, I was telling myself 'keep going, you can do it, Harlow and J need you', and I think that helped a little bit. It took some time for the epidural to kick in. Honestly, I was afraid of feeling the infamous 'ring of fire'. 

This girl was amazing. I was in lots of pain and she was super sweet and encouraging!

By 4am I had no pain, I could still feel the contractions but without the pain, just the pressure of the baby's head. I slept a little bit and by 6:30am I started to push. I pushed as hard as I could. I did it for 3 hours that felt like minutes. At some point I needed an oxygen mask because the baby's heart was dropping but the extra oxygen worked its magic. 

At 9:28am, on Sunday morning, Harlow Lee came into the world. They put her in my chest and I cried. Nothing else in the world mattered. I couldn't believe that  she was here and that she was ours. 

I do not know how to explain it but holding her in my arms made me feel strong and complete, as if I finally got to see that long waited loved one, like I have been missing her my whole life.

I'd do it a thousand times just to see her and hold her. I'm so thankful with God for the miracle of life and with my husband, the man the allowed me to be the mother of his child.

Welcome home, baby Harlow Lee!