The Age of Adaline – Her Birth Story

Yes, that’s where we got the idea for her name, and yes the title is cheesy but it applies a bit, because although we had Adaline Esther Kirk full term at 39 weeks, she came looking and weighing more like a 33-34-week baby.

When we had our 20-week sonogram we were told that instead of having a three-vessel cord hers was a two-vessel one. Which it didn’t mean much to us and the way the doctor described it was that it’s like different eye colors in children, that sometimes it happens. But we knew better, so as soon as we got home we googled it and of course it looked way more complicated, as we learned she could have various conditions ranging from minor to pretty serious ones.

For about a day and a half that’s all I was thinking of. I felt a lot of fear and anxiety. With Emilia everything went so smoothly and we were spoiled that way. Having the possibility of something being wrong, it certainly humbled us and gave us a different perspective. I prayed more intensely then than ever before. It was when I embraced the idea that yes, even if there is a condition, there is nothing for me to do, except love and take even better care of her. Only then was I able to relax and to feel at peace.

The doctors have monitored her growth and although she had consistently measured about two weeks behind, they weren’t worried, until the last sonogram on Mon., June 13^th when they saw that she hadn’t grown appropriately. They suggested I be induced saying that the placenta wasn’t feeding her accordingly. I questioned their claims and I really didn’t want to be induced, but I had had no signs of labor so I had to decide very soon. I also took a stress test on Monday where she did well and I was told she weighed around 6 pounds (she was born 4 and 13 oz).

It was that night that I felt some back pain for the first time, which turned into contractions throughout the following day. In the morning I went about things as usual, I even went in to get my eyebrows done and took a nice bath. I also started doing all these tricks I have heard they might get me into labor. I spoke with the doctor and told them I didn’t want to be induced that day and if I won’t have her by Wed morning naturally then we can do it then.

June 14th last day being pregnant 

By 4 pm I started contracting even more intensely and closer together. I didn’t want to go to the hospital too soon but I also knew I may have a much shorter labor this time around. Before we left Ethan gave me a blessing, in which he reassured me that she would come naturally and that the labor will progress as needed. It was a sweet and special blessing focused on my strength and fore-ordination even before mortality. During the 30-min drive the contractions slowed down so we went to McKinley park and walked for about 50 min. There was about 15-20 min in between contractions and I felt like I didn’t want to go in yet, but when they hit and as strong as they had started to be, all I wanted was to check in already. But we waited some more, and around 6 pm we checked in. I was about 4 cm dilated, and I told them that last time around it happened really fast that I progressed from 4 to 10 and that they should be ready for it.

I even had a sandwich as I was hungry and was walking and squatting around the hospital room. Soon enough the contractions started to be closer together and around 10 pm they were really strong. I asked Ethan why I was doing this to myself, and he was quick to search on his phone the downfalls of an epidural (which, btw, it’s not even that strong or anything). But he was encouraging and I really needed him there. He suggested they checked my dilatation as last time it took them by surprise, and I was at a 6 cm but I started feeling things were moving pretty quick. I threw up twice and my body started shaking, which were all good signs. My water broke just about then and I was screaming each time the contractions hit, however I had the sense the nurse wasn’t taking it very seriously; I felt like climbing up the walls and I was lamenting and on my fours. Then I felt her coming out and by now I was trying to keep her in as no one was prepared for it. So during the last contraction I yelled You guys she’s coming, and she did at 10:36pm.

Proud Dada the night of the delivery 

So there was no doctor present as they didn’t expect me to deliver quite yet, but I had three nurses around and of course Ethan, who instinctively rolled up his sleeves when he saw they weren’t ready for it, being ready for anything.

Adaline Esther Kirk a week old 

Comparing it with my first delivery it was definitely shorter but more intense, and last time around I got to meditate, dance around and do all that holistic stuff, this time I was all business, let’s-get-this-over-already attitude. And maybe because of these differences I also hadn’t experienced the hormonal high I did last time. It may also be because I was worried with Adaline. She seemed so small and she was kind of purple, that I asked why she wasn’t crying when they put her on my chest. That worry took over all other emotions for the following days. The only positive outcome of her being so small is that I was able to recuperate a lot quicker than with Emi. A few hours after having her I was walking her bassinet over to the new room. Maybe it’s also a second pregnancy and delivery thing.

I think the reason I was against being induced as well as getting an epidural (which I’m almost certain it would have slowed me down a lot, and I’d rather have it super intense and short than drag it for longer) is because I prefer being in control over the situation and being actively involved step by step. And yes the pain was most likely the highest I have ever felt in my life, but I tried to embrace it and make it work for me, rather than fight or resist it. Also this second time around I knew that the pain is what will make the baby come and I tried my hardest to relax through what it seemed like 10000 volts going through my whole body.

We love her strawberry brown hair 

They were right, each pregnancy and delivery is different. I’m glad is over and that we have Addie in our arms, that although she is really small she had tested well and was able to come home after a day and a half. And it feels like being a new mom all over again, as caring for her is different from caring for Emi. I am breaking all my rules (sleeping in my bed, falling asleep in my arms, feeding on demand and I’m sure there will be more to follow) and she will most likely be a lot more cozied up than Emi. But for right now all I care about is her thriving and becoming strong.