Here I sit typing out another birth story and feeling really, really blessed. I have another sweet baby boy that I absolutely adore and who has quickly become an incredibly loved and cherished part of our family (and yes, even by his next older brother, Parker!). Number six Hunt child, number eight Hunt, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. I think he’s the last piece to our somewhat large puzzle and I can’t imagine my life without him now. We’re totally smitten with our Anders.
My due date was December 6th. My Mom and Dad had come early, while Steve was in California, as a just-in-case. Luckily there was no need, but they planned to stay on through Thanksgiving and the baby’s arrival. It was so nice having them. They gave us such a precious gift–their time, and so much of it. My Mom and I nested together while my Dad worked alongside William and Steve doing his own tinkering in the garage and a few odd jobs for us. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a delicious meal, and continued getting things done, as we eagerly awaited a baby.
Parker came two days early, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. My due date was nearing and I decided to do a few things to encourage labor. Some dance parties (we had one a few days before I was due that lasted at least an hour in the living room to this playlist), some bouncing on one of those big exercise balls, drinking red raspberry leaf tea, a brisk walk. To say I was feeling conflicted about this birth would be an understatement. Even as I did these things to encourage labor, the moment I’d have an intense Braxton Hicks contraction, my thoughts would go, “Yes! Maybe it’s time! But no! Wait! Not yet!” I couldn’t entirely get my mind and heart on board for what I knew my body was inevitably going to do.
It was strange and different from the thoughts I had anticipating my labor with Parker. I know why, but it was foreign to me just the same. So here we were, December 6th. My Mom made a chicken caesar salad and during dinner I had some Braxton Hicks that were a little more distracting than the ones I’d been having for weeks. We finished dinner and I started to get Parker ready for bed. Brushed his teeth, got in bed with him. We read a story together and I had another while in his bed. We finished the story and I cuddled with him until he fell asleep. It was probably 7:00.
I went up and told my Mom that it might be happening tonight. I made sure I had everything I needed in my hospital bag, told Steve to get anything he’d want ready. We put It’s a Wonderful Life on and everyone but me sat to watch it. I paced around the house as things became more regular. I peeked in on Parker, kissed his hands, imagined him as a big brother which both made me ecstatic and a little bit heartbroken. Him no longer my baby? How could this be? Around 8 or 8:30 we started timing my contractions (this app that I downloaded once they started–better late than never??–came in very handy!). I was bouncing on the exercise ball through many of them, but as they got more intense I went into the kitchen and would lean on the kitchen counter and breathe through each one. No water had broken, no mucous plug had been lost, but I was still sure that this was happening.
They were coming every three to four minutes and lasting roughly a minute and a half for awhile. We live close to the hospital, and I didn’t want to get there too early, so we remained at the house till I had one that I moaned through (you know that labor moaning that sounds almost like an animal?? That’s the one!). That was about 11 pm. My Mom has been with her daughters for many of our births and that was a signal to her that we should go. I was more than happy to be on the way too. I had one more as we entered the hospital (arriving at the doors that were locked for the evening! Luckily someone was able to let us in.) and one more as I checked in. It was about 11:20pm.
Once in the room they asked me a few of the necessary questions, and had me on a monitor for twenty minutes so they could see how the baby was doing through them. My midwife came in and checked me and I was 6 cm. I remember being disappointed, hoping I was 8 or more! I told her that I’d like to try the tub for some of the labor and they began to fill it up while I was on the monitor. The contractions were really intense, I remember being relieved when each one would end and being entirely in the zone when I was in the midst of one. I had my playlist going, having told Steve during a break from one to plug it in. Most of the contractions I took while standing up and rocking with my head down breathing deeply. After twenty minutes, they said the tub was ready and I could get off the monitor. I went next door to the room with the tub and got in. The warm water felt so nice on my body, almost like it was taking some of the contraction from my belly and back, and I was really happy to be in there.
I was reminded by the midwife that I couldn’t give birth in the tub which I knew. (Massachusetts passed a law–I believe–that at a hospital you cannot have a water birth but you can labor in water.) By about 12:10 am I was in the tub and had one contraction there that was quickly followed by another with a serious need to push. The midwife and nurse had left the room, thinking I’d be in the tub for awhile and it was just Steve, my Mom, and I. I couldn’t believe I already felt myself bearing down and it made me panic a little bit. I was 6 cm 40 minutes ago! I signaled as best I could for my Mom to get the midwife and when that contraction slowed I told her I felt myself bearing down. She asked if I wanted to get out of the tub but thinking it was a fluke, and that I couldn’t possibly be pushing yet (with Parker I arrived at 5 cm and was at the hospital for five hours before I had him, and that was after pushing for almost an hour.), I decided to stay for another contraction (the water was so nice!). I was gripping the sides of the tub when another came and again the absolute need to push. I flipped over into a sitting position as I pushed out his head, pointed down to signal to them, and then the midwife said, “Stop breathing, just push!” And then I pushed out the rest of him. Between her and I, we brought him to my chest where he immediately began to cry.
I was in disbelief. How did I get to this point so soon?? I had no pain upon pushing him out (a far cry from the experience I had when Parker crowned which was a second-degree tear. This time? None!). I was thrilled to be done, shocked to be done. We all were, from the midwife to the nurse to my Mom and Steve (to the other nurses I vaguely recall gathering outside the room asking, “She already had the baby?”). They helped me out of the bed where I remained until the placenta came out and the cord stopped pulsing. The midwife asked, “Do you want to cut it?!” I did. He immediately began nursing and didn’t stop for a good 45 minutes. It’s hard to capture what I was feeling. Such surprise at having already given birth, such immediate love for this little boy, such wonder that he was perfect. Steve and my Mom and I just kept making eye contact and laughing. I recall Steve saying, “Gosh, I feel like we dodged a bullet.” (Because a long labor is so intense for him, you know.) Anders was here! He missed his due date by a mere 20 minutes.
The next day, William and Lindsey came to meet him, as well as my sister and brother in law. My Mom came back to visit with my Dad (Anders and my Dad share the middle name, Emmett!). That night Steve came and watched the game in our room until late, and then I sent him home for some good sleep. I pushed to be discharged early, and this incredibly kind nurse did her absolute best to have all of his testing done (hearing, bilirubin, etc.) so that I could leave first chance I got. By Monday morning at around 9 am, we were on our way home. That’s when Parker got to meet him and… guys! I am so happy to announce that it went well and has been going well ever since. No doubt we have trying times still to come, but I’m already so pleasantly surprised at the sweet tenderness Parker shows Anders. That night Jordan came home for dinner and to meet the baby (Nathaniel hasn’t had a chance to yet!).
We’re exactly one week in right now and it’s going so well. He’s a dreamy little thing. He sleeps and nurses and as of Thursday was already back to birth weight. He’ll be packing on the pounds in no time. I want every moment to go slow and steady. I smell him a lot, I look at his little fingers and toes and I kiss his lips. I watch his spastic little movements and swaddle him so he feels safe and whisper in his ear, “I’m here! It’s Mama!” as we sit down to nurse. I am completely in love with him, just as I knew I would be but couldn’t believe I would be. He’s perfect and he’s ours and there are times when I literally cannot believe how blessed I am. It all just feels so miraculous. Forgive me. Between the hormones and the baby bliss, I’m a big pile of mush over here.
that photo with parker and anders is completely entirely absolutely perfect. congratulations beauty xx
I just really don't have enough words…I'm so over the moon happy for you! Beautiful birth story (I'm a sucker for birth stories..tears always), priceless pictures…Oh Lindsey, I mean I just love her, Parker and Anders got me good…that's something special right there and for you to watch their relationship grow is going to make your heart burst on the daily!! xxxx
What a blessing! What a blissful birthing story, So glad you had your parents there!
The look on Lindsey's face is heartwarming!! So happy for you all!!
Third attempt! Congrats Bridget and Hunt family! He's just dreamy 🙂
I never understood comments on birth stories where readers said, "this made me cry!" only this time I do! I'm a little misty, having given birth to my first almost 3 months ago. I'm so happy for you that it was fast. Settle in and enjoy!
Loved reading your story. Glad your labor went so well, and I'm very happy for all of you. Christmas will be even merrier with Anders as an added blessing.
This is so wonderful. I love it!
I love the look on Lindsey's face ~ I remember, after seeing my older son right after giving birth to the baby boy, that my older son was HUGE. Instantly huge, like one of those sponges that explodes in water!
You make birthing a baby look good! That picture of you sitting in the hospital bed. Wow.. I look like an angry death monster, you look peaceful, serene and in control. Congrats on a beautiful baby!
Oh Bridget, this was so beautiful…. and the pictures so compelling. Can't wait for some of you with your perfect little peanut~ xoxox
(the pic of you in the tub is absolutely beautiful and so did you break the law then and have him IN the tub? What's the punishment for that?) hee hee
Two babies, two rounds of tears for Lindsey. The sweetest. You've got the best bunch of kids there. Anders is one lucky little man to have such a great family!
Glad you had a positive birth story, and it sounds like you're settled at home in newborn bliss. What a Merry Christmas for the Hunts!
P.S. Where is your hospital gown from? It's pretty cute (as hospital gowns go). 🙂
Love Lindsey's face. I remember a similar one in a picture of her holding Parker for the first time. Both times I got teary eyed seeing her immediate love for her baby brothers. What a sweet sister for all of those brothers to have!
Ah this is like the dream birth story!! I got all emotional reading this (maybe pregnancy hormones) but what a beautiful story! Baby was born 4 days after my birthday, I mean its a good time to be born;) Congratulations, seriously you are so brave and you guys just look so happy, thank you for sharing the process natural birth is a serious rarity here so I love reading this kind of birth story its empowering!!
thank you carey!!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful birth story and the pictures (I always loved the one with Lindsey and Parker – this one with Anders will be loved as well 😉 ) I admit, I cried reading it, but all happy tears of course 😉
I'm so glad and relieved for you that Parker is doing well too.
Lots of love!
such a beautiful birth story bridget, I'm so excited for you all! a huge welcome to little anders. the big brothers and sister all look super proud. x
Hooray! Congratulations! That photo of Parker and Anders is so sweet; it almost made me tear up, so I can only imagine how you must feel!
Beautiful story! I hope my second birth is like that too! Please share how you picked the name Anders! It is my husband's name (and my son's middle name) but there are so few of them around! Are you pronouncing it with a hard A or soft A? We use the Swedish pronunciation which is the soft one, more like Onders – but so many people pronounce it more like Anderson.
we are pronouncing it like anderson but parker says it more like onders which i love! i'll talk about the name in a post to come!!
Congratulations Bridget and family! He's beautiful!
Beautiful baby. Beautiful story. Beautifully told. Congratulations! And way to go breaking the law, you rebel, you! 😉
What a lovely start to Anders's life on earth. Enjoy the holidays surrounded in love and when you get your mojo back start working on changing that silly MA law. Water births are wonderful for mothers and babies!
tell me about it. it was a great birth and i think that was in no small part due to being in the water!!
Lindsey's expression. So much love!
Congratulations, he is beautiful!
And if you are willing to share, I would love to hear the story behind his first name 🙂
beautifully told. congratulations!!
What a beautiful story and so encouraging! I had a great (hard, but still fairly smooth) labor when Grayson. 7 hours total and only pushed like 3-4 times and he was out! But I'm nervous to have another one. I wish I could guarantee it would be the same way again. But you just gave me hope that it could be even better! 🙂 Our hospital doesn't have tubs. I used the shower the first go-round, but would love the option to have a water birth (or just to labor in the tub). And congrats on breaking the law!! 😉 haha!
number two is a whole new ballgame! if you pushed 3-4 times, i bet you number two would be a piece of cake. (i mean, that might be understating it a bit, but you know!)
That was a beautiful story! What a great experience for you and Anders. You have a beautiful baby boy and love for him on everyone's face is heart warming. Thanks for sharing this.
Beautiful. I'm pregnant with my 2nd, so hearing your story feels special. I'm so happy things are going well with Parker. You rock this gig mama!
Beautiful! So glad you had such a lovely experience and that everyone is doing well. Can't wait to see this little babe grow!
What an absolutely beautiful and perfect birth story!! And I love the sweet expression on Lindsey's face while she's holding Anders. Congratulations to you all!!
I don't even understand how it is possible for someone to look so good in a hospital gown or in labor. Lady, you were meant to be pregnant. Seriously. Ander's birth story has added fuel to my baby fever. You're making having another baby look doable, so THANK YOU!! 🙂
And congratulations on such a beautiful little man!
Congratulations!
such a great birth story! so happy and excited for you, bridget! 🙂
I loved reading your story! So happy for you and your family!
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Big love to you and your whole family. So glad the birth unfolded as it did, and now you get to nestle in for the holidays and amp up the joy with this sweet sweet new child. Hooray!! (Oh, and I totally teared up when I read how Parker is lovin' on his little bro; I know you were concerned about that — it seems like an extra-beautiful cherry on the sundae that it's going so well between them so far. 🙂 )
Wonderful birth story to read. Congratulations to you and your precious family! Anders is darling and reading about his birth makes me wonder if I can really not do this again? My third is almost a year old…but there is just nothing quite like bringing a little life into this world, am I right? Thank you for sharing! May your first weeks together be sweet and full. xo
Beautiful birth story, congratulations! I bet you'll have minimal problems with Parker- for me, the kids who had no problem for years with the younger siblings had no problems from the beginning. That's so nice.
Beautiful story!! I'm so curious why MA doesn't allo hospital water births???!!!
You did it, beautiful mama!! Sounds like he was anxious to get here! So glad you shared your/his story, and the photos too. My mama, birth-junky, sibling-loving heart is a puddle. Hugs to you and your sweet Anders!
Such a beautiful, beautiful post! Congratulations Bridget – Anders is absolutely beautiful! (I ADORE that photo of Parker holding Anders – look at that proud Big Brother! Totally makes me want to have another one…) Sigh. Oh, to have a newborn again!
oh bridget, you just got me all teary eyed. i can't wait for the day to give jake a sibling. birth is just such a beautiful magical thing