Tayla Esther-Rene’ DeYoung
EDD August 8, 2013
Born August 8, 2013
9 pounds 4 ounces


We waited about 15 months before becoming pregnant with our third.  We were so excited to find out after 2 boys that we were having a girl!
This pregnancy, like Carter’s, was very hot because it was during the summer.  Tayla’s EDD was 4 days after Carter’s birthday!  We were doing another natural homebirth and decided to go through a refresher course of Bradley.  So we went through another 12 weeks and I am so glad I did!

Since both boys were born 10 days before their due date I was totally expecting Tayla to follow suit.  At 5 days before I was having crazy contractions and at first I thought they were Braxton Hicks but I couldn’t get them to stop.  This was at night after everyone had gone to bed.  I didn’t want to wake up Jeremy because he had a big day at work the next day, so I called my Mom and she came over.  After she arrived we started tracking the contractions but they were still pretty far apart.  We called Susie to tell her anyway.  She suggested walking to see if that did anything.  We also used Clary Sage essential oils to help bring on more contractions.  After several hours of contractions, nothing getting closer and then gradually almost coming to a halt, we called Susie to tell her we didn’t think it was going to happen that night.  After talking with her we came to the conclusion that it had been prodromal labor….or real-fake labor.  waaah!

Since I had in my head that she would be born around 7-28, I felt like I was already past due.  I tried walking, walking, and more walking, essential oils, “magic” eggplant parmesan, sex, evening primrose oil, nipple stimulation, pedicures, and accupressure.  I wanted to try prenatal massage to induce labor but my massage therapist doesn’t do it until you are much closer to your EDD.  So I waited…..
On Wednesday the 7th, the day before my EDD, I went in for a 1 hour massage.  Oh my, it was so nice!  That night I went for another walk….and still nothing.  
S
o Thursday the 8th, my EDD I decided to forget trying to induce and just wait it out.  I took the boys to BounceU so that they can run and jump off their energy and have a great time with just them before we were 3a family of 5.
We were having a wonderful time but I had been having BH all morning.  I got in and sat in a bouncy house with Carter.  When he was ready to get out I slid down the slide part and felt like I peed myself….or was it my water breaking?!  Goodness gracious!  I went to the bathroom and checked.  I put some toilet paper in my underwear in case it was my water and then called my midwife, Susie.  She suggested I get home to check it with the litmus paper that was in my birth kit.  I let the boys finish playing for a few minutes and then we left.  On the way home I stopped at Publix for a few groceries.  When I got out of the car to get the boys out I had a strong contraction.  I stopped outside of the car and just rocked back and forth to get through it.  Got the kids out after it had passed and as fast as a very pregnant lady could waddle, got my groceries and got out...having contractions all the while.  

I returned home and used the litmus paper but it was inconclusive as to if what leaked at BounceU was amniotic fluid.  But by this time my contractions were getting stronger and closer together and I was on the phone with my “people to call” list.  This was it!

Jeremy was already at home, the photographer was on the other side of town and had to leave work early, Holly would be watching the kiddos again, my Mom was only across town at her house, my best friend Jacque was on right around the corner and Susie and CIndy were stuck in Nashville traffic.

As soon as my Mom got there she started setting up and Noah got to help.  I stayed focused and continued to track the contractions.  This labor was going much faster than my other two...which I had expected since it was my 3rd baby.
My Mom called Susie to see how far away she was since I was progressing quickly.  
After my Mom got off the phone I asked her and Jeremy if they thought it was a good idea to get in the birth pool or if they thought it would stall my labor.  We all decided since I was struggling to relax that it was a great idea.  Again, the water was amazing!  I was not having back labor this time and I was thankful.  I had more smiles during this labor and that was so refreshing.
Susie arrived just before I got out of the pool to go to the bathroom.  She was then able to check me.  I was 6 cm dilated.  I wanted to just sit on the side of the bed and be still.  I was so proud of myself, handling these contractions.  I was silent so there was no extra energy being wasted on sounds.  I was feeling more pressure so I went to the bathroom again and after Susie checked me again.  I was about 8 cm dilated and my waters were bulging.  My contractions were very close together and I decided that I wanted her to break my water so that I could continue to progress.  Wow!  There was so much extra amniotic fluid that it went all the way up to my shoulders and over both sides of the bed.  Jeremy on one side and my Mom and Jacque on the other all had to jump back.  Craziness!
I felt the urge to push very shortly after.  It was, again, great to hold my own legs during the pushing stage.  I was pushing so well, strong and direct but it felt different and Tayla wasn’t moving down like we expected.  I was getting extremely hot and then cold.  My body was confused.
Finally her head was delivered. Immediately Susie started talking very strongly and directly to me. She told me stop pushing and turn on my left side.  I was not sure what was going on but I listened. to her. She then pushed on my belly and it was very painful.  Susie turned me back over and told me to push.  It seemed like she was fully delivered quickly and she cried right away.  
I put her skin to skin and then asked, “Is it really a girl?!” I had to check and be sure.  
As I was laying there Susie started telling me what happened during the end of delivery.  
Somehow Tayla turned a bit and when her head was delivered her shoulder got stuck and she was being strangled.  It’s called shoulder dystocia.  Turning my hips and pushing on my belly turned her so that her shoulders would pass through my pelvis.  Tayla’s face was dark purple/blue and for about a week after she was born she had bruising and petechia on her face.  I am so blessed that Susie knew what she was doing and took charge.  God was with us in that room and took care of me and Tayla.  

The boys loved meeting their new sister and were confused as to why she didn’t have a penis.  

Since we had just celebrated Carter’s birthday he knew the words and started singing Happy Birthday to Tayla.  It was a priceless experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!