Part Four (AKA A Happy Ending).

Part One. 

Part Two. 

Part Three. 
At 5:45 pm, I saw the doctor hold up a purple thing that looked a little bit like an octopus who was missing a few limbs. It took me a minute to realize that 1) it was not an octopus… it was my baby! And 2) the surgeon had literally just barely taken her out of my stomach – she was real. Mike jumped up out of his seat and ran to be with the baby while they did her APGAR scores. All I could do was lay there and wait for them to stitch me up and wheel me to recovery so that I could finally hold my little girl. As I was waiting, though, I had tears running down my face. 
Just watching Mike “become” a daddy was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. The pure joy on his face as he took it all in was simply surreal. 
I probably looked like a wreck as I was laying there, tears running down my face, shouting out, “She’s so beautiful, my baby, my baby! That’s my beautiful little girl,” but I just didn’t care. I couldn’t wait for them to put me back on the bed and transfer me to recovery so that I could finally have some skin to skin time with our baby. As soon as I was on the bed, Carol brought Elsie to me and laid her on my chest. It was only then, as I watched my little girl begin to breast feed, that I could comprehend the miracle that had been occurring in my body for the past 41 weeks and four days. All I could do was look at my little girl and whisper, “I would do it all again for you. Every second of labor, every ounce of pain, every moment where I wanted to give up – I would do it all again in a heartbeat.” And that, my friends, is how I learned what a mother’s love is.
Did my birth go “according to plan?” Absolutely not. You know what, though? My midwife told me that I had just had one of the most positive births she had gotten to witness. I am absolutely convinced that it is because of the amount of time I had spent preparing my mind for the possibility of something other than a natural labor. I did everything I could to maintain a positive outlook on birth, making sure to remember that my health and my baby’s health were the two most important things. If I had had this labor and delivery in a third world country or another time, I may not have made it. Elsie may not have made it. There is a time and a place for medical intervention, and I am so, so happy that we live in a world where those options are available. I’m thankful for a midwife and a nurse who stood by my side and supported me in every decision I made. Above all, though, I am thankful for my family. I’m thankful for Mike, who has been there for me every second since this journey began and I am thankful for Elsie, who, within seconds, completely changed the way I look at the world.
It truly is a miracle.

39 comments:

Unknown said...

I hate you for making me cry like a small child! She's beautiful and I love you guys and I'm crying from pure joy seeing you guys become parents ;)

Anonymous said...

You are the best. Do you know that!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh love. So much love. That picture of you? Wow.

Well done, Alyx. You are amazing. Congratulations - she's absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this story. :)

Greta said...

Totally crying. So amazing that first moment you hold your baby. I think I was saying all the same things you were...you are just so overcome with emotion. Congrats again!

Mia @ The Chronicles of Chaos said...

This post is beautiful. Simply beautiful, just like you, and your family. Elsie is blessed to have you and Mike as parents. So so so happy for you!

Whitney H said...

My husband came behind me as I was reading this post and said, "Stop reading that now." (He was kidding of course.) This was so sweet and I'm so proud of you! Congrats to your little family!

Laura Railing said...

What an AMAZING birth story Alyx!!! I LOVE her name! She is beautiful (just like her mama). That picture of you seeing her for the first time is so incredibly priceless! Ahh I am so glad you blogged this!! You did awesome! Going "all natural" doesn't make you any more or less of a hero. You lasted that long! And that is incredible!!

Brittany SSP said...

<3

meet.make.laugh. said...

I totally teared up... you really captured the moment. Congratulations on your growing family - enjoy every minute :) ~Stephanie

Deidre said...

Aw this is so sweet! And I'm just so happy for you that you had a healthy sweet girl (PS love the name Elsie :)).

Anonymous said...

This is the sweetest birth story I have ever had the pleasure of reading! :) You are wonderful! Congratulations, she is an absolute beauty :')

T&S said...

AMAZING! I am so excited for you. I cannot wait until I can experience that moment. You know, the moment you described. The moment where you realize a mother's love.

XO Lourdes

lori said...

absolutely beautifully written, alyx! so happy for you and your precious little family :)

Becky said...

Oh my God...it was so amazing of you to share these wonderful, beautiful pictures and this truly touching story. Yeah, I cried a little. Well done. Congratulations to your whole little family! :)

Sarah said...

Amazing! What a beautiful picture of your new family! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

You made me cry! And that never happens! I'm so happy for you and Mike...and baby Elsie! She's very beautiful!

Sue // As It Seems said...

I loved watching my husband become a dad too. It will forever be burned into my memory. I'm so glad you had a positive experience and your darling girl made it to you safe! xo

Courtney B said...

Oh my gosh, I'm in tears now! Even though our birth stories are completely different, it still brought back so many memories reading this! I am so happy for you and Mike! And Elsie, she is PERFECT! I'm so glad she's finally here! Keep posting pictures on instagram.... I'm in love with all of them!

Kelly said...

What a beautiful story, Alyx. She is beautiful. Not much in life truly goes "according to plan" - sometimes it's good to expect the unexpected. But I'm happy that you're both healthy and happy, that's truly what matters :) Congrats again!

RadiantKristen said...

This is such a happy ending to a difficult story. Congratulations again, you and Mike deserve all of the happiness in the world as you get to know this precious soul!

Postcards from Rachel said...

Aww, such a beautiful post and a beautiful baby girl. Congratulations! :)

..:danielle:.. said...

So beautiful!

ramsaygrace said...

So I'm sitting at my computer, having just read all four "chapters" of this story, weeping my heart out. The picture of you on the bed, first seeing Elsie, with the tears running down your face is definitely a keeper. It's all right there on your face, every emotion. Your birth story is nearly exactly like my first. I too never dilated beyond 2, and after 9 hours of labor, it was either have the c-section or risk the baby's oxygen being totally cut off. For my second child, I just went ahead and scheduled the c-section,lol. I'm SO happy for you guys and love the name Elsie Lyn. This is the beginning of so much fun!

barlow.stephanie said...

I cried at the end. Made me think about how my world changed for the better the second I saw my son for the first time. Very beautiful story.

Denise said...

Gah!!! I'm in love! You are such a strong woman. I had a C Section too and I know just how hard it is to accept the fact that you can't have a natural birth. But you did it and now you get to be with your baby girl! Congrats mommy!

Genna said...

Holy wow this made me bawl. I am so in awe of your strength to overcome all the adversity (not that you had a choice) and bring that sweet baby girl into the world. Your blog title really took on new meaning that day, huh? What an adventure you have begun!

Kassi said...

Congrats friend!!! Such a beautiful birth story and thank you for sharing it with us!! I'm really trying to prepare myself mentally as well in case things don't go as planned... I'm positive you're right that it's the reason Elsie's birth was such a positive one. Congrats again, she is beautiful!

Brittany said...

I love this story. Everything about it. You did awesome and yes things may not have gone as planned but they ended up working out perfectly to bring you your little baby :)

Kndbbdjk said...

I LOVED reading all of these posts! Congratulations on being a new mommy! It's quite evident that you will be a great one. :)

Jessie said...

What a precious sweet baby girl! And the end to your story, just perfect. Thanks for sharing. I love birth stories. I would relive the moments my babies were born over and over again if I could.

Heidi said...

Like mother, like daughter. She's beautiful!! Congrats, Alyx!

rooth said...

I am so freaking glad that she's here and that you both are healthy and happy. Cheers to that and thank you for sharing your story. Thanks for the inspiration not to be afraid of discomfort, pain and the unexpected :)

Anonymous said...

You are beautiful, she is beautiful! Congrats and get well:)

Sarah Shumate said...

I love that last picture! You guys are beautiful! :o)

So glad you didn't give birth to an octopus.

Julie said...

Congratulations!!

Sara Louise said...

It's your beautiful miracle! My heart is singing for you guys I'm so happy! xo

Vapid Vixen said...

Shit. I'm crying into my coffee. Literally. One salty tear just dripped into my mug. Damn you. I'm so very very happy for you and Elsie (sp?) is simply beautiful, just like Momma.

I'll Love You Forever said...

What a beautiful amazing story. You have such an amazing attitude and spirit. I am so proud of you!! Elsie is so beautiful! I love her name. Congratulations!!!

Leslie said...

oh my goodness...I am just now reading your birth stories....beautiful pictures!!!