Luke’s Birth Story From My Perspective.

I almost missed Luke’s birth. I got a text in the morning that Amanda was in labor. This was 10 DAYS AFTER HER DUE DATE. Which by the way is totally normal for first time mamas. But anyways, I got the text, and immediately drove to their apartment downtown. Things were progressing well for a few hours but I and everyone was starting to get hungry. So I decided to go out and get some lunch for everyone and then when I got back to the apartment we ate and decided it would be best for me to go home and wait until Amanda is ready to go to the hospital. They called me back at about 4 PM maybe a little later because they We’re at the hospital and checking in.

At that point Amanda was 4 cm and so I stayed for a little while but then decided to go back home and wait for them to call me when she was further dilated. I got a call in the very early morning maybe like 4:30 AM. The hospital is about 25 to 30 minutes from my house so I quickly shot out of bed and raced to the hospital. When I arrived Amanda was pushing and the baby was coming. I quickly got my settings ready and Luke was born not 15 minutes later after I arrived. I got there just in time for that big ol’ babe to be born and I’m so glad I didn’t miss it!

Have you always known you wanted to be a mom? 

Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a mom. And I wanted to be a younger mom – not like having kids when I’m 35-40 but more like 25-30. 

How did you find out your were pregnant and how did you tell Dan?

 We decided to start “trying” to get pregnant in May/June of 2018. Every month for 3 months I took a test and it was negative. And each month I was left sad and wondering if there was something wrong with me. September came and we were still trying so I took another test and it was negative. I went out to Jamul and bought myself a treat – a 5ft candlestick cactus.

We went out with friends to go dancing for Labor Day Weekend. Two days later I woke up with a UTI and was then 5 days late for my period. I said, wth, I’ll just take another test just to make sure because you can’t take antibiotics that early in pregnancy. I did and it was POSITIVE!! I told dan right away because I was so excited and plus he knew I was taking the test. We both just jumped and hugged and kissed because we were so excited!! Finally it happened! 

What was the hardest part of being pregnant?

 Lots – I didn’t love being pregnant. The body changes, emotional changes, hormonal changes, difficulties with eating and moving and especially just growing and getting bigger.

What was the best part of being pregnant?

Having the baby kick and know that there is life inside me. It was super cool just knowing that my body was literally doing a miracle everyday – growing a whole other body! 

How did you feel(emotionally) during your last weeks of pregnancy?

 Heavy, done, anxious, excited, very emotional, impatient, annoyed. I felt all the things.

When and how did labor start? 

Labor started on a Sunday night (delivered Tuesday morning) and the contractions just started. You never know what a contraction feels like even though people try to explain them to you. But once you have one you KNOW. They were slow to start all the through Sunday night and then Monday all day until 5:30am Tuesday morning I gradually got worse and more intense.

Was the pain what you expected? 

Definitely not. It was harder than I thought. Birthing is no freakin joke and its a hard job. Miraculous and so amazing, but hard.

Who was there to support you? 

My amazing husband, Dan, my doula Paige, my patient and wonderful Frankie ;), and my sister Kim.

What was the best part of having a Doula? 

Having someone there to constantly and consistently care for you and to take care of your physical needs throughout the process. Also, just having someone there that KNOWS exactly what you’re going through and knows how to make you feel better. 

Question for Dan: How did you feel watching Amanda go through labor?Were you scared? or anxious? Did you feel prepared? How did you feel once Luke was born?

While I was watching Amanda labor, I felt the need to step up for her. I saw what she was going through and I felt so much gratitude and respect for her. She was going this for us and carrying the burden for me. I didn’t feel anxious or nervous because i was so focused on her and what she needed. After Luke was born, I was kind of in shock.

I just saw a human come out of my wife. I didn’t feel any immediate connection or attachment to him as I feared but other guys I talked to felt the same. After seeing him everyday and watching him grow, now I love him so much. 

Amanda: Once Luke was born describe how you felt? 

Relieved. Oh my gosh, so relieved that it was over and done with! I couldn’t wait to just be done with pushing and be done with contractions. It hurt so much and I can’t tell you, I was so happy to be done with them. Seeing your baby for the first time is just incredible. It’s like such a miracle to know what just happened. Like, you GREW and BIRTHED this baby… like what?! How freakin incredible is that! It was amazing being able to just hold that little screaming bundle. Also seeing dan with Luke was so amazing too. It was sweet and no words describe the feeling you get when you see your husband and lover holding that miracle you two created. 

How do you feel now looking back on the whole experience? 

Like sometimes it was all such a crazy experience and I don’t exactly want to do it again. I wouldn’t congregate myself as one of those people that “enjoyed pregnancy” and was glowing the whole time. I couldn’t wait to be done being pregnant by like month 7 or 8. And looking back, I still take a minute when I see pictures of the birthing process.

Not that they’re bad or anything, but the feelings and memories that come with birthing and how hard it was, just rushes over me and it’s overwhelming. As much as I’m incredibly blessed to have a healthy child and safe delivery, it was hard, and Im in no rush to do it again soon! Haha!