I’m typing up Chase’s birth story to share with you guys today in between feedings, diaper changes, tons of baby cuddles and intermittent naps, so I apologize in advance for any typos and exhaustion-induced rambling. I have never really been short with my words and since I am also documenting Chase’s birth story for my own memories, this is going to be a long one!
I am planning to break it up into two parts to capture the details for myself, but if you’re looking for a quick summary, here it is: My labor and delivery were unbelievable. I tried my best to be honest in my pregnancy recaps and think I conveyed to you guys just how terrified I was of actually giving birth. I feel like as an expectant mom, I heard a lot of labor stories that scared me (I truly could not make my way through 90 percent of the birth stories I read online), but when Chase decided it was his time to come, my mind went to another place and I felt so ready to meet my baby. I feel incredibly fortunate that my labor was a fast one and a little more than 6 hours after we checked into the hospital, Ryan and I were holding our baby boy in our arms.
Now for the Iong version…
Chase’s Birth Story: Part One
On Tuesday evening, Ryan and I got into bed around 10 p.m. and I felt a little restless as I tried to get comfortable and drift off to sleep. I was wide awake and antsy, but restlessness during my final trimester was pretty much a nightly occurrence at this point, so I didn’t think too much of it. Around 11 p.m., I felt some light cramping in my lower abdomen. The cramps reminded me a lot of menstrual cramps and I found myself tossing and turning for an hour or so as I tried to get into a comfortable position that would make them go away.
The cramps then started to make me feel like I really had to go to the bathroom, but every time I went, nothing would happen and I returned to bed with the cramps and urge to go to the bathroom progressing. A little after midnight, I grabbed my phone and Googled “What do contractions feel like?” because I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me something was up. I read countless answers from women that made me realize what I was feeling was likely the first signs of labor. Ryan noticed me getting in and out of bed a lot and when he asked me what was going on around 1 a.m., I told him I wasn’t sure, but I thought something might be happening. I didn’t want to say I thought I was in labor because I also read a lot about people who had light contractions weeks before they actually went into labor and didn’t want to get either of us too excited about something that might end up being nothing, especially since I truly believed I had a solid two weeks to go!
I told Ryan I couldn’t fall back asleep and headed downstairs to distract myself by working on the computer, cleaning and walking around. In my head, I continued the internal debate as to whether or not this was the real deal. About 30 minutes later, Ryan came downstairs saying that now he could not sleep and sat with me as we both chatted about whether or not this might really be the real thing! I was still unconvinced because my contractions weren’t incredibly intense and were so irregular. I was confused by the irregularity, especially since my OB/GYN previously instructed me to call when I experienced contractions that came every five minutes and lasted for a minute for more than an hour. I never had that kind of consistency but at around 3:30 a.m., the pain had intensified to the point that I was pretty darn positive I was experiencing real contractions and they were coming fast… Every two to five minutes or so and lasting 25 to 60 seconds (still very inconsistent).
(The above pic is a screenshot of the app I used to track my contractions right before we left for the hospital! The big rest between them was when we were driving to the hospital and I missed tracking a few.)
I called my OB/GYN’s office and spoke with a triage nurse who asked me a bunch of questions before she called my doctor and told me to go ahead and make my way to Labor and Delivery. From everything I read, I knew I didn’t want to get to the hospital too early and get sent home, especially since the pain I was experiencing wasn’t unbearable at this point.
I told Ryan I really wanted to shower before we left which gave him time to pack the car and a hospital bag. A warm shower felt good, but by the time I got out and started to get dressed, my contractions significantly intensified. I found myself folding over and holding onto the countertops in our house as I tried to deal with the pain. A little before 4:30 a.m., we gave Sadie hugs and headed out the door to the hospital.
Here are the final belly pictures we took in the minutes before we left to have our baby!
Part two coming soon…
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Ok, I have tears in my eyes reading this. So happy for you guys & excited to hear the rest!
Ahhh leaving us hanging!!!! 😀 😀 😀
Chase is napping on my lap and I’m working on part two right now! Hope to have it up soon!
So exciting! I was the same way when I started having contractions…I thought it was a stomach bug! I was in so much denial (also only 33 weeks so that’s why haha). Can’t wait to hear the rest and congratulations on your baby. He is so adorable!
Exactly! I think being 2 weeks early really made me doubt what I was feeling. And thank you for your sweet words!
I loved reading this!! Can’t wait for part two!
CONGRATULATIONS!! He is beautiful, God Bless you all!
Funny because when pregnant women tell me they are worried about labor, I want to tell them that the ONLY time you will not actually be worried, is when you are in labor! As you said, your mind goes to another place.
Also, you look beautiful for someone going in active labor! lol
Congratulations again! He’s perfect. It’s kicking my baby hormones into over drive. Ahh, but I know this isn’t the right time.
Ahhhh I’m ready for part two!!! You’re in labor and look absolutely beautiful!
I still cannot believe he is here already! I am so, so happy for you guys and reading this makes me teary. Congratulations momma, what a beautiful little boy! xo
He looks SO MUCH like you, Julie!!! What a beautiful experience – I can’t wait to read part 2. 🙂 I love that you were able to take a shower before heading into the hospital (I would probably want to do the same) and what you had to say about your mind going to another place. I am just a few weeks behind you, so reading this is comforting and makes me excited!!!
I had one friend tell me to shower if I could before labor and I am SO glad I did (especially since my next shower didn’t happen for a few days)! My mom actually said she did the same thing before she went to the hospital.
Ahhh! Such a cliffhanger! Looking forward to part two. 🙂
Loved reading this. As an expectant first time mama, I’ve loved reading your posts and following along.
Oh my goodness this is amazing! I’m so excited for part 2. Thanks for letting us peek into this life-changing time for you guys 🙂
love, love ,love this blog post! as someone who doesn’t have kids and who has best friend ( also named Julie) who is pregnant with her first child your blog has been amazingly informative and exciting to read. Can’t wait to hear part 2 and am excited to see all the new topics that unfold here.
Early but not too early! I think that is just about the perfect birth scenario! My daughter came a week late and I thought I was gonna die waiting. It’s so awesome that you got to just skip straight to the good part before those last couple weeks that just drag on and on! What a handsome little guy, and I gotta say although I’m sure you weren’t feeling too great during labor you looked fantastic in these pictures! Can’t wait to read the rest of your story!
Ahhhhh so excited to read the next part!!!
Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story! What an exciting time!
I have goosebumps reading this! My twins birth was pretty anti climatic (scheduled C-section) and I always wondered if I would know what a contraction was if I had one. My doctor said “you’ll know!” but I wasn’t so sure. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story. Enjoy these early days…they go by so quickly!!
So exciting! I’ve been waiting for this, and can’t wait to read part 2! I’m also anxious to hear about how Sadie is dealing, as we also have a vizsla and will probably start thinking about babies in the next year or two. 🙂
Oh my gosh Sadie is a hoot. I’ll definitely share more about her reaction to Chase soon! She is pretty apprehensive around him right now!
This is so incredible to read. So many congrats to all three (four? Sadie? of you). I sent this to my BFF – she’s at 28 weeks and her little guy is due in October but both of us just have a feeling he might make his arrival a few weeks early. She’s way too up to date on Internet stories and needs a fresh perspective on the fact that yes, some babies decide to arrive early and smiling and quickly!
I think that hearing that most first time moms go PAST 40 weeks is one of the reasons I just didn’t believe that the crampy feelings I had were, in fact, contractions! I was shocked!
As someone who is terrified of giving birth I am loving your real and honest recaps! Little Chase is the cutest boy, congratulations!
Chase is seriously the cutest baby EVER. Congrats!
Yay!! So excited to read part 2.
Congrats again! Chase is soooo cute!
Enjoy this time. I won’t say to enjoy *every* minute (let’s be real, as much as I love my boy with my whole heart, PP hormones made me question the whole thing lol), but cuddle that sweet baby and try to take it all in.
Glad you seem to be recovering well. I’m slightly envious of your quick labor…and I totally would’ve been in denial at 38 weeks, too! 🙂
Sounds good so far! I’m so happy everyone is doing well–how exciting!!! I’m curious as to how Sadie will react! I bet she will be so sweet towards him
My friend was due at the same time as you, and she gave birth two days after you (Friday)! She was also expecting to deliver in two weeks, not on Friday. lol She’s a first time mom and I shared your blog with her when I found out she was expecting and she has loved reading along ever since. When you posted Chase’s birth announcement, I was so shocked (congrats again!) and so was she. Little did she know…..two days later she welcomed her son (Harrison). 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your birth story, I look forward to reading part 2. 🙂
Loved reading this and can’t wait for part 2! I am due Wednesday and really just feel ready now!!! (Although I too am super nervous about labor/delivery. So I can’t wait to read more about what it was like at the hospital for you) Chase is adorable….congrats to you!
I’m so happy and excited for you guys! I want to labor at home as long as I can too, and take my time with a shower and such. You look amazing for how you must have been feeling! Can’t wait to hear the rest 🙂
congrats he is sooo adorable!!! can’t wait to see more pictures!
Congrats, Julie! Chase is beautiful and you look AMAZING! I’m due in 5 weeks, so not too far behind you. I wouldn’t mind going a week or two early (just need to get the laundry done!), but we’ll see. Did you have time to eat something before labor to give you energy?
Oh I am excited to hear the rest!! 🙂 I’m 34 weeks and 2 days along now. Not too much longer to go. This is my 3rd baby, but I’m still a nervous, yet excited, mess. Its been over 5 years since my last was born.
Ah 34 weeks! So excited for you!
Thank you so much for sharing your birth story! I’m so excited for little Chase to be in the world and for you to begin your adventure as his mommy!
Congratulations! Even in labor you look fabulous! Glad you and your family are doing well. Reading your story reminds me a lot of my own labor experience. Can’t wait for part two!
What a cliff hanger!! Can’t wait to read the rest of the story. Chase is so precious and I’m glad to hear you made it through without the fear you had anticipated originally. I have a serious case of baby fever right and this isn’t helping! LOL! 🙂
Eeek can’t wait to hear the rest!!!
Awww. Soak up this time!! It is too precious and goes by really fast! We had our first in May and I am a bit jealous of your 6-hour labor. Mine was 31 hours, 10 days past our due date. A healthy, beautiful boy, though, is the best thing this mom could have asked for.
Congratulations to you and your hubby. 🙂 I hope you love motherhood as much as I do!!
Julie, That face – I can’t even!!!! Chase is beautiful!!!! Beautiful color, beautiful features, just beautiful!!!! Congratulations to you and Ryan and Sadie. Sadie – she will adjust. When my daughter was born we had a black lab, Benson. He became her protector and furry friend. Good times ahead. I bet your parents and sister/brother-in-law were ecstatic. Maybe your sister won’t be far behind and Chase will have a cousin close in age. Rest when Chase does. Have fun. Can’t wait to read Part Two. Thanks for sharing. All my best, Robyn
Thank you so much, Robin!! Your comments always make me smile. 🙂 And I’m so happy to hear your lab became buddies with your daughter — I’m hoping Sadie will slowly begin to embrace Chase! Right now she’s keeping her distance!
ahhhh I was so excited when I saw the pictures the past few days – I love hearing this story and you look FANTASTIC in those last baby bump pictures. You would never know you were in labor 🙂
Huge congrats to you and your family. He looks just like you!
What a beautiful name! I love the name Chase. He is so cute and looks exactly like you.
Congratulations, Julie, Ryan, and Sadie! I’m so excited for you!
Congrats. I can’t wait for part 2. Love your writing and letting us in 🙂
Sadie will adjust and soon will be playing with Chase. I had two four-legged children before my son (now 6) was born. They adjusted so well! Sadie will too. In a year, Sadie will be sitting on Chase’s lap with no regard to his toys!
It’s crazy how much my son Chase (born last June) looks so much like your Chase as a baby. 3 cheers for blonde haired, blue eyed babies named Chase!
Aw, I love that you have a little Chase, too! And I still cannot get over his blonde hair! I feel like I rarely see blonde newborns and I just can’t keep stroking his soft hair!
My contractions were all over the places for a couple DAYS before I had my son. They started on a Thurs night and I didn’t go to the hospital until Sat night. I called the doc a few times and they keep telling me to wait until they were 5 mins apart for an hour but that never happened. I went to the hospital Sat night to get some help sleeping (since I couldn’t because of the contractions) and Caden came into the world at 5am on Sun! That was a 13 months ago. It goes by soooo fast! Enjoy him! Congrats again and I can’t wait to read more!!! 🙂
Ahhh I’ve been looking forward to reading this! Can’t wait to read more. 🙂
OMG Julie, he is soooo adorable!!! One of the cutest babies I’ve seen! 😀 Congrats to you and Ryan, you two will be wonderful parents! <3
Knowing how terrified you were, yet made it through, gives me hope. I’m due in 3 weeks (although I’ve been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions for WEEKS, which makes the anticipation worse, I think) and despite all of the classes I took and research I’ve done, I’m terrified of giving birth. I just keep praying that my body and mind go to a place where I feel peaceful and ready to do it!
Congratulations Julie and Ryan! Your baby boy is so beautiful! What an unexpected surprise that he arrived two weeks early! Especially since your bump growth was showing as behind schedule for a few weeks! I’m sure you must be overwhelmed with love and joy! I hope you both get plenty of rest and lots of cuddle time with your new little one!
Oh my goodness! Can’t wait for part two! Glad things went well from the short version! 🙂
No surprise Julie, Chase is absolutely beautiful!! Congrats to you and Ryan, you’re going to be awesome parents!! 🙂
I’m so glad I get to read this! 🙂 I can’t believe he is here!
What a handsome little boy. You look so small! I can’t believe these were your last belly photos!