Brexton’s Birth Story

Welcome to the world, Brexton Ben!

November 14, 2018
7 lbs, 14oz
20.5in

I’m going to share a bazillion photos because Lissa Anglin was amazing to come capture his first moments in the world in the middle of the night and I don’t want to forget one single bit of his birth story!

40 weeks and 4 days; 4 days past my due date – on November 14th, 2018, we welcomed our first baby boy, Brexton Ben, into the world! The day before, I had been doing everything humanly possible to get him to arrive. I had been in prodromal labor for the 2 weeks prior, so I felt like he was going to come early but he never did! Prodromal labor is basically early labor that can last for hours or days…in my case, weeks. I was dilated to 3cm and 100% effaced on my last dr’s appointment, so I felt like he would come at any time! The girls and I went on so many walks in the last couple of weeks, I ate all the spicy foods and did all of the things that everyone tells you to do when you want to go into labor! And….NOTHING. I would have contractions, but nothing would be consistent or the severity would never get worse. I just prayed that whenever it was time to go, I would just KNOW. I think had I been a first time mom in prodromal labor, I would have made several trips to L&D and been turned away. I was thankful to not do that!

So, the day before I had Brexton, my mom had decided to come home with me from my dr’s appointment that Monday to help with the girls and just spend some time before he came. We took the girls to dance and then to run some errands. We were going to walk when I got home, but I got the idea to try acupuncture to see if it would help me move from prodromal labor into active labor. The acupuncturist got me in last minute (I think they felt really sorry for me) and I headed in for a treatment. I was a little skeptical, but I thought…eh, what’s it gonna hurt!? It was actually the most relaxing hour that I had, and it didn’t hurt a single bit! After the treatment, he told me that he expected I would have him by Thursday (this was Tuesday) but to come back in on Friday if he hadn’t come yet.  After the appointment, we grabbed Starbucks and then I took Laikyn to gymnastics. Once we got home, we had dinner and I bounced some more on the yoga ball! I actually had a HUGE burst of energy and wanted to put up the Christmas tree, but instead I just made Brett get several baby items down from the attic to make sure we had them ready!

We went to bed thinking that Thursday would be the day! WRONG! I woke up at 3am to my water breaking! It was the WEIRDEST experience ever. My water didn’t break with either of the girls, so to feel it break on its own this time was bazaar. I was dead asleep and had been having mild contractions, but not even timing them. I woke up to what felt like the baby kicking a balloon that then I felt pop. I felt a small gush and thought hmmm is that my water breaking? I woke Brett up and said, “I think my water just broke…” then the huge gush came and I was like “Yeahhhh, my water just broke!!!” He told me to lay still but I couldn’t…I ran to the bathroom and let me just tell you…it was SO WEIRD! Somehow I managed to not make a huge mess though.

I decided to go ahead and shower before we headed into the hospital since my contractions had not started getting bad yet. About 45 minutes after my water broke, we had gathered our things and were on our way to Lubbock to the hospital. I was so thankful my mom was here so that we didn’t have to wake the girls! They would be so excited when they woke up, though!

Once we started to the hospital, my contractions were about 3 minutes apart and getting very strong. Brett drove about 90 and only had to tell one police officer that his wife is in labor! HA! I was texting with Dr. Loveless, and my Doula, Penny, the whole way there while timing contractions. It was about half way when we realized that I was probably going to delivery VERY quickly and Brett better step on the gas. By that point, I was in a lot of pain and ready to get this baby out! Dr. Loveless told me that I would likely be complete when arriving to the hospital, and to stay calm. I really freaked out that I was about to have this baby in the car on the way to the hospital! We literally FLEW the rest of the way there.

We arrived at the hospital around 5am and they quickly admitted me. Lissa arrived very quickly after we did to take pictures. I was so glad she was there and highly recommend getting a birth photographer to capture your moments. She is a dear friend and is absolutely amazing.

By 5:15 or so, I was in a lot of pain. The anesthesiologist, Blake, was waiting on me when I arrived (because Dr. Loveless is amazing and had everything lined up for me as I walked in) but I had to get the IV and fluids first, so that was the hold up.  I was dilated to 3-4cm when arriving at 5am which was a shock to us all because I was for sure that I would be at least 7cm dilated from my pain. While waiting on fluids to finish, I started to uncontrollably shake and my pain was through the roof. Brett had to steady my legs as they were shaking so badly. At this point, I couldn’t WAIT for the epidural. I breathed through and held Brett’s hand tight through each contraction knowing that our sweet boy would be here before the day was over.

Little did we know that our sweet boy would actually be there within a couple of hours! When they checked me right before my epidural, I was dilated to 8cm – I went from a 3-4cm to 8cm in about 20 minutes! BOY was I thankful to see my best friend Blake to make me feel better! Seriously, he is the best. My epidural worked almost immediately and I felt no pain. This was a dream because with Lennyn, my epidural only worked on one side. I felt like I could rest and actually talk to Brett now.

I signed a few papers saying that I consented to VBAC again, and I was so thankful that I was hopefully going to get another vaginal birth after a c-section with my first. 

About 45 minutes later, they told me that I was complete and ready to push! WHAT!?!? I hadn’t even been there for 2 hours, how was I about to have the baby? QUICKEST labor for me, hands down. We waited on Dr. Loveless to arrive (nothing like waking everyone up at the crack of dawn) and got ready to meet our baby!

Around 6am, we called my dad to tell him we’re about to have the baby! Mom was at home with the girls, but we didn’t dream we’d be having the him so quickly so we told them to stay put. Dad headed that way quickly after our call, and mom waited for the girls to wake up and tell them baby brother is on the way!

Dad prayed with us over the phone. I’ll never forget this prayer as I was so nervous to have a healthy baby, but so so thankful that God delivered him for us! He is so good!

About 7 am, everyone arrived and we were ready to push! IT’S GO TIME!!!!

After a few pushes, we realized that my epidural was SO GOOD that I could literally feel nothing. I had no idea if I was even pushing…my legs were up and I seriously didn’t even know if they belonged to me! It was SO strange! 

A few more pushes and a couple of hits of oxygen (for us both) they told me to look down so I could see his head! I saw the tiniest head full of dark hair! That was so weird to see his head coming out, but it gave me motivation to get him out!!

One more big push and there he was!!!! He didn’t cry at all coming out…I remember saying, what’s wrong? Why isn’t he crying? And he was just looking around and taking it in! They said he was perfect, and I had to agree. They laid him on my chest and my heart instantly grew by thousands. I love this sweet little guy!

We joked that he was the typical boy that came out looking for food…he instantly latched and started nursing. He did so great and just looked up at me with those little eyes! My heart melted. Brett had the biggest tears in his eyes and I just knew how his heart felt, finally getting his BOY!

This is one of the happiest moments of my life! Welcoming our first boy into the world! These first sweet moments will never be forgotten and I’m so thankful to have these photos captured!

Brexton Ben, you have our hearts. 

Since I was pregnant with Laikyn in 2013, I had a list of boy and girl names that I loved and continued to add to over the years. Originally, my boy name (for each of our girls) was Breckson. If Laikyn would have been a boy, I loved the name Breckson Bennett and if Lennyn would have been a boy I loved Breckson Porter.  So, when we found out we conceived this baby in Breckenridge, I felt like Breckson/Brecksyn was meant to be either boy or girl! With finding name meanings and praying over the name, I decided to change it up a little to Brexton which was the perfect fit for him.

The verses I had chosen for this baby are:

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

and

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Brexton represents ambition, independence, strength, reliability, determination and professionalism. I knew that this was his name when it represents strength and determination.  He is one strong little guy!

As for his middle name, it literally was chosen in between contractions, halfway to the hospital.  Brett came up with two middle names and we picked Ben.  Brett’s name is Benjamin Brett, so Ben comes from that which I love. His grandad’s name was Benny, so I love that it’s a variation of family names.

We had the most beautiful birth and I’m so thankful for the Labor & Delivery team at UMC. Dr. Loveless is BY FAR the best dr ever and she literally makes me feel like her best friend. I am so thankful for her being able to deliver all of my babies and believe in me to be able to VBAC!

Stephanie was my nurse again! You may recognize her from Lennyn’s birth story! She is the sweetest and I thought it was so cool that she got to deliver two of my babies!  Penny was an amazing Doula! So thankful to have met her through this process! UMC offers FREE doula services…I had no idea. So thankful I decided to get one this time!

 

 

We are so in love with our little man! The girls have been great with him and he’s been the perfect addition to our family! I will cherish this day forever!

We are now home and getting settled into having a family of 5. Brett is SO busy with cotton ginning that it has been a bit of a challenge with three for me, but I know that God’s got this.  Brexton is just what our family needed and the girls have taken the role of big sister and mommy’s helper so well! I am so thankful for this sweet family of mine and thank God for each of them daily!