Tate's Birth Story

Believe it or not, I have a quiet few minutes at hand while the rest of the family naps. (Don't worry, I'm getting naps, too!)

I've had many people ask me about the labor/delivery experience this time. If that isn't your cup o' tea, just skip this post and come back next time around, when there are sure to be other lighter topics to discuss.

Sunday was the day we thought Tate would come, since I had hours of contractions that were about 4-5 minutes apart. At last check on Sunday (Aug. 19) I was at least 6 cm dilated. Things just slowed down until I felt great, so that was the end of that day's drama. Monday I felt great all day, no consistent contractions to note. Tuesday morning the kids and I walked to my appointment with the midwife. This was a 40 minute walk each way- though probably only 2 miles. I pushed the stroller and the boys took turns on the scooter. At one point I was pushing Liv AND Rhyle in the stroller. . . but if you know those two, you know that couldn't last long. At my appointment we discussed the questionable due date (again!) and I reassured the midwife that I felt fine, didn't feel worried that I was 'overdue,' and that I was content to wait awhile longer (without feeling compelled to take any other action.) We walked home. That night I walked a couple of blocks with Owen to a Birth Matters meeting. I was hoping that the chiropractor who was speaking that night would be able to show some kind of demo on me, but it wasn't to be. I was singled out because I had to get up midway through the presentation to use the restroom. Overall, Owen and I were hot and uncomfortable, and I noticed my contractions picking up again.

Tuesday night after the meeting I said good night to Braden, but couldn't really get comfortable. I had a sense that this was not going to just go away, but after Sunday I couldn't be sure. I slept fitfully through the night, with contractions probably every 4-5 minutes again. Most noticeably, my back was really hurting. I kept telling myself that I was going to wait until 5 am to call the midwife- because some people actually get up at 5 and so it didn't seem too early to me. Braden woke up sometime around 4:30 and was keeping close watch on me. Before 5, though, I decided I wanted to try to rest again. After a good 30 or 40 minutes of sleep, we called the midwife. (This is about 6 am) She arrived by 6:30. We had told her that it wasn't a rush and she didn't need to call the other assistant and midwife, we just thought it would be good to have her come see what she thought first.

At this point, contractions were every 2-3 minutes apart. I said to the midwife, "See? I feel great for two minutes. . . and then really, really bad for one!" We had been wondering if Braden should get ready to go to school. . . but the midwife calmly said, "I don't think you're getting out of it this time." She decided to make some phone calls a little before 7am. The kids also started waking up about this time and came into our room and sat on the bed. Well. . . things never slowed down. Sometime in these few minutes I managed to say to the midwife, "HOW did I ever do this before?!" The kids left for a few minutes to get dressed and Braden and the midwife caught the baby at 7:16. "It's a BOY!" Braden got to say. Then the kids came back in to meet their brother, and shortly after that the other midwife and the assistant arrived. (Just in time to help clean up, do laundry, check Tate, and make breakfast!)

Tate, by the way, shares his name with his uncle Zachary Tate Lamoreux. Tate means cheerful one, or giving joy. It is pure joy to have another son, and my prayer has been that his personality would bring happiness to our home. Beck is a Curtis family name, being Grandpa John Curtis' mother's maiden name. (whew!) Livia has already taken to calling her brother Baby Tatey. Owen and Rhyle have discovered that "Seven, Eight, Tate is Great!" is pretty amusing to say (as well as all the other things that rhyme with Tate!).

What a blessing and privilege! Our midwife was fantastic. Her presence was calming and reassuring. The children went out for breakfast with Mrs T (praise for Mrs T!), and Braden and I were able to have time together with Tate. The little man is perfectly healthy in every way, beautiful and amazing. He slept the first 8 hours after he was born, and has amicably put up with being passed from sibling to sibling. They love him. He is nursing well, sleeping decently, and is just so sweet to kiss on. Praise to God, who does all things well! We are blessed, again, beyond measure.