welcome to the world, jackson.

photo by my talented sis 💕

One year ago today – October 14 – we transferred the embryo that would become Jackson. It’s been the longest fastest year, and I still can barely wrap my head around he was once a tiny embryo and that he’s really here! So here’s a snapshot of how he came into the world nearly four months ago 🤍

Jackson’s arrival on June 29, 2021 was nothing short of miraculous. Because aren’t all births miraculous?! He didn’t arrive on his own, but rather I was induced via dilapan on June 27, which meant I got to be at home – and do a quick maternity photo shoot with my sister! – until we checked in at the Mother Baby Center at 7a the next morning.

Things progressed at steadily after that. I was 4cm and after starting pitocin, contractions were mild and manageable until about 2p when they ratcheted up about 10 notches omg. The thought of food sounded terrible – my stomach kinda felt like mile 20 of an ironman marathon – so opted for a bag of Lay’s potato chips instead of the WSK tofu Bangkok burrito we’d ordered for lunch. And then I happily got an epidural. What a game changer! I was so much more comfortable and relaxed – exactly how I wanted labor to go (my “birth plan,” in quotes because I really didn’t have one other than to breathe, keep my jaw relaxed, stay present, and not have a c-section).

By 8p I was ready to push. Nothing could have prepared me for this, as it was by far the hardest, most physically taxing thing I’ve ever done (harder than any ironman!). But it was easier with my amazing husband coaching me through it (seriously, I couldn’t ask for a better partner, and I’m so grateful for him). After three hours, little babe hadn’t descended as much as we’d liked – and had some decels – so my doctor floated the possibility of a c-section, to prepare me just in case. And when three vacuum-assisted pushes didn’t work, that’s exactly what happened: a c-section.

As soon as we made the decision, my medical team kicked it into high gear, and within 15 minutes I was in the OR. Fifteen minutes after that – with a slight delay because I may have touched the sterile field on my hip when I was talking about compression boots 😆 – Jackson was born at 12:03a 🤍

There were some slight complications, as he inhaled meconium and had to have his lungs cleared and be on a c-pap for a bit, but after about 30 minutes, they gave him the all clear and shortly after in recovery I held him for the first time. It was the most bizarre and helpless feeling to be awake on the table, not feeling anything and my doctors stitching me up (which is bizarre in and of itself), and be watching the NICU and neonatal teams working on him 10 feet away. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone at Mother Baby for taking amazing care of both me and Jackson during delivery and during our five days there.

Was I thrilled to have a c-section? Nope. But that’s what was best for both me and Jackson, and I’m totally at peace with it so I’m embracing the beautiful scar that brought him into this world 🤍