Before Zolly
Waiting for a second baby is much easier than waiting for a first. Or at least, it was to us. The hardest part of the wait was remaining patient while taking doula training and learning more about pregnancy, birth, and babies. My cycle returned at 10 months postpartum and we got pregnant again at 18 months postpartum. We found out on Fathers Day and told the grandparents that afternoon as Millie played in the backyard swing. We were excited and a little uncertain, but trusted God with the tiny new life in me.
Pregnancy
Everything felt much more relaxed and peaceful. We were going to the birth center again from the start. I never felt like they had any unnecessary concern over me or the baby. With Millie, the ultrasound tech at the OB’s was talented at being able to tell the gender at the 12 week scan. Here, I only had a full scan at 7 and 20 weeks. The wait for the gender was so much harder! I waffled on what I thought we’d have. I was praying for another girl, but I also knew a boy is an honor and a great responsibility. There he was, plain as day. Solomon Oak! Little baby Zolly. I prayed he’d live up to his name, “peace” and “steady strength.” That I’d have a peaceful birth and get to raise a peaceful kid.
None of the births I went to pregnant as a doula went how I hoped my own would go. I was tempted to worry if my birth would be the same, but I trusted my God knew what was best for each mama and baby and He would know what would be best for Zolly and me.
The Big Day
After a great Valentine’s Day date, I woke up the next morning and thought I felt a contraction. We started the bedroom dance we had planned on with hopeful anticipation of seeing if this was the real deal. Sure enough, contractions skyrocketed to 5-7 minutes apart and required me to pause and intentionally relax through them. We called my mother-in-law to get Millie and my mom to be with me. We weren’t sure how fast this would go with such a skyrocketing start! For the next three hours, the spacing remained about the same. The intensity increased steadily. At lunchtime, I ate a little and then laid down to try to nap. My body rested, too, with contractions spacing out to about 10 minutes apart. An hour later, I knew I needed to get up and get things moving. The contractions didn’t kick back up again as much as we expected. If I didn’t change position after just two contractions, the third would be ten minutes away. I had to keep moving.we had a lovely little walk around our circle, stopping every few feet for a contraction and for remembering the character traits of Yahweh. At dinner time, we watched Psych and I ate a decent meal. I stayed still for another break with spaced out contractions. And then back to work! When I was moving, contractions were 3-5 minutes apart, but 5-7 when I was still. We called the birth center to ask about the plan. They thought I could go longer, but to try showering and see what would happen. I didn’t make it to the shower before we called them back. In the car, they became a steady 3 minutes apart. I prayed I’d be at least 5 cm this time.
I checked in, happy and talking between contractions and focused during them. I heard myself getting louder. I vocalize intensely when I’m in labor. To everyone’s surprise and delight, I was 8cm and beginning transition! They got me in the birth tub as soon as possible. My water broke right before I got in. The water was so helpful for keeping me focused. My husband was right in front of me as I roared with the intensity. 45 minutes of transition and then I felt a familiar sensation. My body was telling me to get this kid out. I felt Zolly move a little with each push, something I hadn’t felt with Millie’s long pushing stage. I felt like I was doing something! I knew right where he was. Right before the last push, I reached down and felt his soft little head, something I hadn’t done before and hoped to do this time. And out he came! My husband and mom weren’t ready for such a comparatively short pushing stage. The midwives put him on my chest for our first little snuggle. As peaceful as a birth can be, even with my loud vocalizations.
A few minutes later we were all on the bed together. Out came the placenta and then the check: no tear again! Yahweh was so kind. My bleeding was more than they wanted but slowed down quickly and they were satisfied. It was now the middle of the night. Do we take a little nap here and go home before sunrise or check out as soon as possible? Everyone agreed on the latter. We were asleep in our own beds by 2am. Happy. Content. Peaceful. Millie met Zolly the next morning.
Postpartum
Breastfeeding was okay on day 1, but day 2 began to hurt and hurt bad on the initial latch. By day 6, after two helpful visits with my lactation consultant Lin Cook, we were improving! But not soon enough. I quickly fell sick with a 103° fever and severe shaking. Mastitis. I got on antibiotics as soon as possible to clear it up. Nursing went better and better and was perfectly fine by the end of the second week.
Despite the nursing difficulties those first few days, Solomon has certainly lived up to his name! He’s the most peaceful baby I’ve ever met. God answers every prayer.