Hazel’s Birth Story
On May 19, 2016 (two days before Hazel was due) I had an appointment with my midwife to check me and strip my membranes. We wanted to do this before it got close to me being 41 weeks because I really didn’t want to be induced. Going natural has been my delivery dream and I really didn’t want to try it while on Pitocin. So she checked me and I was dilated to a two. This was good news to me seeing as I started my delivery with Aspen dilated at 0 and a broken water (This usually results in a long and C-section prone delivery). So with some progress and stripped membranes I looked out at the next week as a good chance that my baby would come.
The next morning (20th) I started to feel contractions at 1am. I knew they were different than the Braxton hicks that I had been feeling for months because they felt more intense and were a bit more consistent. I started timing them at 2:00 am and they were five to ten minutes apart and were for three hours straight. I thought that I was on my way to having our baby! That is until about 7:00 am when they started to slow down and almost stop. I went on my usual morning walk to see how that affected my contractions. They became more regular during my walk but when I got home they stopped for about a half hour and came on here and there throughout the whole day. Feeling a bit disappointed and confused I called my midwife to just let her know what was up. She likes to be updated on our progress. I am glad I called because she informed me that I was experiencing early labor and I had a great chance of having this baby on my own with no medical assistance! Perfect. I feel like I had learned about early labor and should have known this, but my past labors had all been with induction. I really had no idea what it felt like to start into labor on my own.
Anyway, a full 24 hours later of early labor contractions here and there had past and at 1am on the 21st the contractions started picking up in regularity and intensity. I didn’t want to get excited if this wasn’t the real thing so I just kept trying to sleep. After about an hour of this the contractions got painful enough I couldn’t manage them lying down and there was no way I was going to sleep anymore. Now I knew I was having this baby.
I got up and went to the bathroom and realized that the contractions felt less intense when I was on the toilet. I had heard about this and am now a witness to its truth. My plan was to labor at home as long as I could (this was advice I received from my midwife). The longer you are at the hospital, the more likely you are going to have intervention. I decided to labor on my own and let Nate (husband and dula;) haha) sleep a little. I wanted him to be rested for when things really picked up. So I set up a labor station. I got a little desk, put it in front of the toilet and placed a pillow on top. I would have a contraction and when it was over I would lean forward and relax on my pillow. I also started timing the contractions and they were about 2-4 minutes apart. I had practiced breathing techniques before in hopes to be able to “breathe through” the contractions. I had no idea what that actually meant until the real deal came along. I think this was key to a quick natural delivery. What would happen is that when a contraction would come on, I would welcome it (sounds cheesy I know… but it worked) with a deep long breath. Then I would imagine in my mind what the contraction was doing to my body. With each breath I relaxed my cervix and everything else down there. The more I relaxed, the more I felt pressure of the baby coming down. I could feel myself open with each contraction. So I used this as motivation to just relax and welcome the contraction. To let it do what it was supposed to do. I almost anticipated the contraction because I knew it was one step closer to meeting my baby….. almost. haha After doing this for an hour my body started to get a little shaky. I wanted to labor at home as long as I could, but I sure didn’t want to deliver at home! So around 3 am I woke up Nate and told him what was happening. Then I called my midwife. She told me that I could come to the hospital now, or I could get in the tub and see if that affects the contractions. I decided to get in the tub and would call her to let her know how it went. In the tub I went and oh how wonderful it felt. So I labored in the tub while Nate started getting the last minute things ready to take the hospital. He also made sure I stayed hydrated. I couldn’t believe how thirsty I felt through the entire labor process.
About 45 minutes of laboring, breathing, and contracting in the tub my contractions only picked up. It was time to start getting ready to go to the hospital! This is when my concentration through the contractions was a little lost. We had a little delay in getting our friends to pick up Aspen and I started to panic a little inside. I felt like things were getting close and I wanted to be at the hospital! We eventually got out and were on our way! Nate called our midwife and let her know that we were heading to the hospital. I had heard stories of women saying that having contractions in the car was very uncomfortable but I didn’t experience that at all. Maybe because I could relax again knowing that we were on our way! On the drive over to the hospital and in between contractions I remember Nate and I having a conversation about the moon. It was huge and pretty. And then it hit me, I was having my baby!! I almost cried (which is saying something for me). I was so excited to meet Hazel.
We parked and I had a contraction on our way to the entrance. I remember shouting to Nate (who was carrying all of our stuff) that I needed him. He quickly dropped our bags and let me lean on him. I could no longer make it through a contraction without something supporting me. It was about 5:30 am when we got to the hospital. I had to get checked to make sure I was dilated enough and if I should stay at the hospital or not. I remember laughing inside. I knew I was going to stay. I knew I was far enough along that the delivery of my baby was not far off. That is something I loved about a natural delivery, I knew where my body was every step of the way. I could feel it. The nurse checked me. I was dilated to a 6/7. YES! I kept telling myself that I would be dilated to a 3 so I wouldn’t be disappointed. I had a feeling I was further along than a 3, but not anywhere near 7! At this point I hit a second wind. I could do this.
MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital has two natural birthing suites that are designed for low intervention birthing mothers. They have these really big wonderful tubs among other birthing tools. The nurse assumed I would want to get in the tub right away and I thought why not? I labored for a bit while the tub filled with water and then got in. I floated on my left side and let my head rest on the side of the tub. Either I was tired enough from the lack of sleep or the water helped me relax enough that I almost fell asleep. I remember feeling the contractions, but I was so relaxed that they didn’t seem to hurt as bad. My midwife was glad I was relaxed but wanted me to change my position. Changing positions, especially if you are in a position where gravity helps you out, is a quick way to get baby down. I was reluctant to move but I wanted this baby out so I got on all fours in the tub while Nate sprayed hot water on my back. I could feel this position really help my contractions out. They started to intensify at this time but I still focused on letting them open me up and move the baby down. I was surprised at how calm I was able to stay throughout all this. I just got in my zone. It took me a while to figure it out, but I didn’t want Nate to talk to me or touch me. It was like I didn’t want any distractions keeping me from breathing through the contractions.
At this point I felt a contraction that made me want to start pushing. It is a strange feeling. I didn’t tell my midwife yet. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself if my body wasn’t really ready. I told myself that if this happened for the next two contractions I would say something. The urge was there for both contractions. I told Nate and he mentioned it to my midwife. She came over to check me and make sure I was ready to push. I was a 10! What???. I couldn’t believe I was already fully dilated. It was time to get out of the tub. I moved in between contractions and sat at the edge of the bed. It felt good to have pressure on my tailbone when I went through a contraction. I remember looking out the window and the day was sunny and bright. I don’t know why this stuck out to me but the image is still in my mind. A beautiful day to have a baby. I labored this way for several more contractions. I soon became unable to just “breath through” the contractions. I had to moan. I was told low moaning would help me keep my energy and that it was good. So as funny as it sounds, I moaned through each contraction. haha I didn’t push, though my body was pushing. Not sure if that makes sense, but my body was starting to bear down on its own. Then a contraction got me really going and my midwife told me to get on all fours on the bed. Change positions. ouch. Moving hurt at this point. I had several more contractions in this position. Holy cow things were really heating up. I still focused on letting the baby down but at this point I was not calm. I was yelling through every contraction. I could feel my hips starting to separate to make room for a baby I was starting to think wasn’t going to fit through me. It was after a several contractions in this position that my water broke. That made some of the pressure go away… for a small moment.
It was time to move again. I lay to my side and it was time to push. It was at this point that I was in so much pain that I considered the Epidural.. but not really because I was so close. I was in so much pain, but because I was right there, I could keep going. This part made me think of running a race. Especially when I have a runner’s high. For most of the race I feel good and am pushing myself further than I ever have until the last lap. My body hurts so bad, I’m pushing it harder than it has ever been pushed and that is when giving up, stepping off the track comes to mind. It would be so easy, but the thought of it being the last lap, gives my body hope. My mind can make my body keep going. That is how this felt times 100. And I didn’t have the option to step off the track haha this baby was coming whether I was ready or not!
Pushing. It was time for me to work with my contractions and push. Nurses were suddenly all around me. I don’t remember this part a whole lot. I just remember my midwife telling me to keep my voice low. At this point I was yelling. Loud. My voice was a bit hoarse after the delivery haha. I remember wondering if Hazel was crowning yet. I felt like I was stretched out to the MAX. But no one said anything about that so I guessed not. Just keep pushing. Then with the next contraction I felt myself stretch till it burned. Baby was crowning. I reached down and touched her head. Another dark haired baby! Oh man, talk about motivation. With the next contraction I pushed with everything I had. Out came the head. With the next contraction I pushed out the rest of the body. No tearing. Baby came to my chest and the pain was gone. It was 6 minutes of active pushing and at 7:35am another wiggling baby was born. I cried. I touched her little hand and she grabbed my finger. She was real. Nate was lying next to me with his arm around me. He was crying too. It felt so good. My baby was here. I remember Nate looking at me and saying “You did it! You gave birth naturally!” I did it. Nine months of carrying this baby with several hours of labor and she was finally here. It felt amazing. I must give credit to God for this wonderful experience. I had prayed many times for his help before and during this delivery. I know he blessed me with strength to do this. Heavenly Father blessed us with another healthy daughter. He blessed us with a perfect little spirit and I am so grateful to be her mother. Now when I hold her to my chest I relive that moment of when she was first put there. Such a wonderful feeling.
A few words from Daddy of baby Hazel!
Hi, this is Nate. I just wanted to write how I felt during the birth of little Hazel. Seeing my wife in pain was not the most fun thing I’ve ever experienced, but honestly she’s tougher than I am and we’re both glad that it’s her that has to give birth and not me, we’ve discussed this. I felt very happy and excited and grateful when Hazel finally came out after all that was described in full detail by Danielle. It was just pure joy knowing that after Danielle bore this baby for 9 months, experienced discomfort, pain, and labored for hours, Hazel made it safely into our arms. What a sacrifice by a mother. No wonder mothers are able to love their children so much and so unconditionally. The Father’s contribution to all this up to this point in a child’s life is so minimal. It makes me want to be a really good Dad to my children so that they love me too.
Our sweet Hazel:) she was having a little trouble breathing with a lot of mucous and congestion. The doctors ended up taking her into the NICU for a little bit to make sure she was okay. Because they gave her an antibiotic we had to stay at the hospital for a few days.
Holding Hazel at the NICU. She was a little hard to hold with all the tubes in her. This was hard for Mom because she really wanted just to keep Hazel in her room.
We did it!
7lbs 14oz
20 1/4 inches
Nana and Papa gave Aspen a big sister gift. Her very own baby doll she could take care of. Aunt Gracie crocheted a small blanket for the baby.
Aspen meeting Hazel for the first time. She was a little nervous at first. But loved finding Hazels hands, belly, and feet.
Breathing tubes off and nursing. She recovered really quick and was able to come back to Mom's room after one day.
Aspen holding Hazel for the first time. She thought it was so fun. She kept trying to pick Hazel's nose.
binky first responder
Aspen and Dad played for a while at the park located behind the hospital while baby and Mom rested. Then they came back and rested with us. It was a long day for big sister. Mom and Hazel had to stay at the hospital for one more day so Dad and Aspen went home for dinner and slept there.
It was weird for Mom to be at the hospital alone with baby Hazel, but such a cherished bonding time.
Home at last and reunited as a family.
Exploring new baby a little bit more.
Playing outside.
Sister kisses
more smoothie faces. This girl kills me.
Hazel has such a great Dad
Grandma West and Great Grandma Kling came to visit. They brought bearing gifts from the Kling family.
Beautiful quilt from Great Grandma Kling
Grandma West planting flours with Aspen. She loved it and loved being in charge of watering them weekly.
Aspen in bed, and Mom, Dad, and Hazel enjoying the nice evening weather on the back patio. Dad's school semester was over and he hadn't started his job yet so he was around a lot after Hazel was born. It was so nice to spend so much time together as a famliy
Aspen was a little aggressive with baby Hazel. It took a long while for her to adjust to little sister being around for good.
Family outing to Stephens lake park.
Free fishing day at Bass Pro Shop
Dad post run on a hot day calls for some pool time.
Trying to figure out shopping with two littles.
We find Aspen's doll in Hazels car seat every now and then.
Making banana bread!
Aspen's hair is getting pretty long! Mom is having some fun.
Camp out in the back yard. We watched tangled with popcorn then Mom and Hazel went inside to sleep while Dad and Aspen slept in the tent. Aspen woke up at 3 am so Dad took her out to look at the stars for a little bit. It was a special moment for them to share. Then they went back into the tent to finish out the night.
Our little chunk
Aspen puts on her baseball cap backwards every time.
Becoming quite the little helper! Her way of setting the table.
Craft time.
Mormon night at Cardinals vs. Royals baseball game. We sat with our good friend Savanah Kitchen
Little Mates swimming pool. Such a fun place. The water stays shallow and has a fun slide. Aspen loved refueling on some good watermelon.
Aspen pushing her stroller out in the rain.
4th of July! Mom and Dad ran the Parley P. Pratt 4 mile run. Dad won first and got a good lookin' watermelon.
We invited the Duval family over for a BBQ, swimming, chalk, 4th of July crowns, and fireworks.
Read this book Hazel!
This sweet face brightened Mom's day when things got rough.
So chubby
Mom running with the girls. Two running buddies now!
More Little Mates fun.
Hazel got a Tiger Tot onsie at the hospital.
With little sister running the show most of the time, Mom decided to take Aspen out on a date. It was much needed!
Aspen got an infection on the bottom of her foot. It was causing her a lot of pain. We went to the doctor and he popped it and gave her some medicine. She wouldn't walk on it for a day.
Blowing dandelion fuzz.
Noodles and Company. Mom and Dad got a free dinner coupon. This began their love for this restaurant.
A growing baby!
On our drive over to the Kansas City Airport to fly out to Utah we stopped at this farmstead and the Temple.
Isaac and Aspen hanging out.
Car show with Gma and Gpa West
Hazel's Baby Blessing! Mom made her dress. She was blessed in Utah so that family could attend.
Spending time at the Knudsen Cabin! Aspen loved being the center of attention and Hazel loved napping in everyone's arms.
The Foxes made it into town. Aspen and Neilson getting some Nana time.
Uncle Taylor and Aunt Karlie's Wedding! It was in Aspen and Hazel were flower girls while Mom and Dad were bridesmaid and groomsmen respectively.
The girls were pretty tired after the long night.
Back in Columbia and getting ready to go to a Mizzou Volleyball game.
Family tummy time.
Mom has a similar picture of Aspen with this same outfit and similar look.
Mom trying to cook dinner and getting creative.
This cute patient girl. Mom was potty training Aspen and so she had to do a lot of waiting for Aspen to be done with the bathroom. Such a great sport.
A sucker for going potty at the store!
