the birth of Miles

Well, almost a month ago our lives changed for the better. Our first child, Miles Wesley Mason was born on November 13. I thought I would start our new blog by giving you the story of Mile's birth. I love sharing it with people. It was the most amazing thing that I have ever done. So here goes... Early Monday morning, the 12th we packed up ( My mom, Corey and I) and headed to Boone where I had an appointment with my midwife. Miles was already 9 days late so that night she was planning to induce me. She was going to use cervidil, which is not as strong as Potossin (excuse the spelling). So when I arrived at the doctor in Boone she checked me and said hmmm, I want you to start walking today because I think you might be in labor. She wanted me to come back at around 4 o'clock so she could check me again and we could decide if they were going to induce still, or just let me go natural (which is what I had been praying and hoping for). So anyways, we left and headed to the mall in Boone where we ate at Panera Bread and then started walking around. After the mall we headed over to the Greenway trail where we walked even more. This was a really special time because Corey was there along with my aunt shaney, mom and dad. It was so neat, we just walked around the beautiful trail talking about Miles and just reflecting on life. At one point Corey and I spotted this small mountain like hill and we both wanted to hike it. I was determined to get Miles out! So Corey and I headed up the mountain. It was really special for me because hiking was my favorite past time when I was pregnant in Tahoe. So, 4 o'clock came and Corey and I headed over to meet with my midwife. I had dilated a little more by now. I was almost at 2 so she insisted that I head on down to Lenior to the hospital. Corey and I hoped in the car, got some Chick Fil A and then headed to the hospital. I forgot to mention above that all this time I was having contractions. They were small, but as it got later in the day they were stronger and more consistent. So Corey and I got to the hospital, we checked in and then the nurse put me on the monitor to monitor my contractions to determine, once again if I was in labor or if I would need to be induced. So, after sitting in a rocking chair for 1 hour (this was very uncomfortable because my contractions were getting stronger) they determined that I was indeed in labor and that I was going to have this baby tonight (or should I say tomorrow). So then the fun began. Corey and I were by ourselves at this point and we had no clue what to do! I had a doula however she was not at the hospital yet because she wanted to make sure I was in labor before she came. So as the pain got worse I looked at Corey and said I think you need to call Tasha. Tasha was my doula and should I say she was amazing. I could not have done this without her! She showed up a bit later with her birthing ball and I immediately got on it! I was in a lot of pain by now, mainly back labor. It was pretty bad! By now my mom, dad, and aunt were here so my mom came in my birthing room which was really neat. She was really helpful. We needed a team to get me through each contraction. I spent a lot of time on my hands and knees with the birthing ball. When I had dilated to 4 I was going to be able to get in the tub. So I continued on with the help of my crew. I soon learned that I had dilated to 4 and this was tremendous news because the bathtub was supposed to help tremendously with back labor. So I got in the tub and ended up staying in there for 2 hours. This was the best part. My contractions were extremely painful, but the tub helped my back. So when I got out of the tub I had dilated to 8 and now it was time for my midwife, Carrington to show up. She showed up and right away checked me. In the process of her doing this she was able to break my water which was so painful. It just made the contractions come quicker. After this she told me that she wanted me to sit on the toilet and try to get through 10 contractions. The pressure of sitting in this position would make him come down the birth canal quicker. This was the most painful part. He was coming face first so she wanted me to try this (sitting on the toilet) in hopes it would turn his position. By the time I had made it through 10 contractions it was definitely pushing time. Carrington got on her gloves and I got in my birthing bed. I had a whole entourage of people around me for support which was incredible. Pushing was the hardest part for me. I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it. It was so painful and I was so tired by this point. I kept asking everyone around me to do something, of course there was nothing they could do. Carrington was amazing... she kept telling me, Shelley this is between you and Miles, you've got to get him out of there. It took me about 45 minutes to push. I thought he would never come out, but when he did it was the most amazing experience that I have ever been apart of. I was just crying and all I could say was this is amazing, oh my gosh, this is amazing. He was so calm and beautiful. He was not crying, he was so alert. They handed him right to me to hold and cuddle. I was at peace. All the pain was gone and I had my beautiful baby boy in my arms. My dad and the rest of my family soon came in to check out little Miles. By now it was 3 o'clock in the morning and time for the family to go back to Boone to sleep. The hospital where I gave birth had the rooming in philosophy so Miles was with us most of the time. Soon after I gave birth (about 2 hours later) they took him to get a bath. By this time Corey was asleep and of course I was going on adrenaline. When they brought Miles back to me it was just me and him and I just stared at him and cried. This was such a special time of bonding for me. I just felt so many feelings, but most of all the feeling of protection. I wanted to protect him. Mile's birth was quite the adventure and I am so glad that everything worked out the way it did. God was in control of everything. It was such a blessing that I did not have to be induced, because during my entire pregnancy I was praying for a natural birth. God had ordained this day, and it was amazing. Thanks for letting me share this with you. I know there are a lot of details, but I love the progression and timing of everything. Miles, I love you buddy!