Elena Rose Acero
Just to preface this, I was OVER being pregnant, my blood pressure was high, but not high enough to be too concerned but high, I was so swollen, which is normal but I couldn’t wear any shoes, my face, hands, legs, arm, everything was swollen and I was just OVER it. It was March 15th, around 3pm, and I went in for my 38 week check-up. Right before the doctor came in to check me, I prayed so hard that I would have made some progress from the previous week. Although, I felt bad because Mike couldn’t be there that early on, but I was just done and I was praying for something to change or to progress in any way.
Once my doctor came in, she checked me and I was almost a full two, so as she was trying to stretch my cervix a tad to get the second finger in, either my water was already broke or she accidentally nicked it, but she was sitting so low anyways, and when she removed her fingers and began cleaning me up, she noticed that I was leaking fluid and asked if I had noticed I had been leaking and I told her I wasn’t really sure, I knew that I had been more wet down there than usual, but I assumed it was discharge and she was like “I’m going to test that liquid to see if its discharge, urine or if its amniotic fluid and sure enough it was amniotic fluid, so she said head on into the hospital and I will see you there tomorrow or if she decides to come today the other doctor on call will deliver her.
Immediately, panic started to set in, because I just prayed for this to progress and God said “I got you.” I called Mike and of course he was working so unable to pick up, I texted him letting him know what was going on and then I immediately called Vanessa, my support woman, I swear if you need a person who will support you and encourage you throughout your life, find yourself a person like Vanessa. I’m so appreciative of her! Well, I called her and was panicking so much and she was so calm and collected, telling me its going to be okay and she will meet me at the hospital, I asked her to be there if Mike couldn’t and it just so happen they ended up letting two people in the room, one 24 hour person and one during visiting hours, so my mom was able to come up on that Tuesday. I drove home to grab my hospital bag and then head to the hospital to check in. I was surprisingly calm on the drive home. I did cry, because I was terrified and really wanted Mike to be there or at least calm me down, but I prayed my whole way home for God to give me peace with all my decisions and with this delivery.
Thankfully, my SIL Angie and her boyfriend drove me to the hospital and I think my in-laws were more nervous than I was lol, so cute, but we made it to the hospital and I checked-in alone. (Now, I just want to say that if you are doing this alone, you are stronger than you think and I know its cliche to say that it’s all worth it in the end, but it is 1000% worth it when that baby is in your arms. You got this!!!) By this time, Mike had called me while I was walking into L&D and I was on the edge of a breakdown, because when I talk to Mike, my guards come down and I always loose my emotions with him. He is my safe place. I love him. However, I was so nervous & scared that he was asking me questions and I snapped, and I didn’t mean to but the last thing I wanted to do was answer question or make decisions for him. Just give yourself grace and partners understand that this is a really emotional time for your spouse and so many things are running through their minds.
I got to my room and was ‘checking-in’ and then thankfully Vanessa showed up just in time for them to place my IV. When I tell you that I was more scared for the IV than the actual birth, I mean it. I had all the right to be scared lol because the IV infiltrated and fluid started to build up in my hand/arm. The consequences of this were awful the next day. The fluid had no where to go, so it start to form blisters all over my arm, omg that was so painful. However, this was my experience, so yours may be different. Then they started me on a low does of Pitocin and we settled in for the night. Vanessa napped and I was bouncing on the ball and walking around and watching Netflix. The pain wasn’t bad at all, my contractions were about every 4 min apart but I barely felt them. It was about 2am and I hadn’t progressed in dilation, so I knew that I was stressed out because we weren’t sure if Mike was going to make it and we were supposed to be placing my dads ashes on March 16th and I was missing that and not able to be there for my mom. I was an emotional mess internally, but definitely keeping it together on the outside. I decided that I was going to get the epidural to help me relax and hopefully sleep. I was running a low grade fever and my blood pressure was high, but I kept telling the nurse that whenI I get nervous I get the shakes and my temp apparently tends to raise, but she was so skeptical about it but sure enough once I calmed down my temp went down and my shakes went away. lol If you know your body, definitely advocate for yourself. Plus, Vanessa advocated for me so much too! (ILY, Vanessa)
The anesthesiologist came in and again I started shaking uncontrollably, I was soooo scared. Not going to lie, the numbing shot hurt like a B!!! Bee sting my ass, I yelled and jumped because that was a big ass bee. lol Then after that, I felt a tad bit of pressure and my left leg went numb immediately and then my right followed and that was it. He was so quick, and made me feel really comfortable, and told me everything he was doing before he did it. Although the shot hurt, I would 100% get the epidural again because it help me with any pain and it also helped me just rest.
Im going to skip over the next few hours, it was around noon and my mom showed up finally. They had came and checked me around 11 and I had been laying with the peanut ball, which I’m convinced this helped me progress. I went from 3cm to 8-9cm in like 4 hours after using it. I think, don’t quote me because its kind of a blur, but I think that’s about right. I started to feel contractions and I pushed the button to distribute more of the epidural medication lol I didn’t want to feel it. I ran out of medication and my nurse, Kate was like I got you girl lol and replaced it. She was awesome!!! Her vibe was great and I enjoyed her being our nurse so much!! My doctor was stuck in a surgery, so I said I don’t mind waiting, I want my body to feel ready, so about 2:30 I started feeling pressure like my body was wanting to push and then shortly after the nurse came in and they started setting things up and I pushed for like 15 min (give or take) and little Elena was here. I remember about the 4th time I was pushing, a wave of emotions rushed over me. I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. I couldn’t believe what was happening. (Plus, I read that allowing yourself to cry helps relive any tension you’re holding on to and will help your body relax) I couldn’t believe that our daughter was about to be here, and thankfully Vanessa and my mom were able to witness this. I couldn’t believe Mike was missing this. I couldn’t believe my dad would not meet my daughter. So many thoughts running through my mind and I was so anxious. The calmness and good energy that my support team gave off, just made me feel so much peace. They laid her on my chest and just like that, I’m a mom to the most beautiful baby girl.
Truthfully, my birth process was so smooth and I know a lot of women go through it and have traumatic births, but looking back I feel so empowered that my body was able to create life and birth such a beautiful, healthy babe. I also think having the right people around you during your birth and the mindset/energy that you hold will play a heavy role in your delivery. Do what you feel is right for you and your babe. Don’t make yourself uncomfortable to make others comfortable. This is a huge milestone in your life and you want to be able to look back on it and remember greatness and how amazing it was for you.
The first thing my mom said was “Oh my gosh, she looks just like Michael” and the first words I asked the doctor was “did i tear” lol then i said “oh my gosh, she has so much hair” lol She does, in fact, have so much hair!! Elena had jaundice, so we had to stay in the hospital for the week to have her under the UV lights. It was so sad because they wanted her in there all day long and I just wanted to hold her. That first week was crazy, the staff was great but I was learning how to do this alone. Thankful for my mom that first night because I was able to sleep and she helped me with her. I was giving her formula and attempting breastfeeding in the hospital that first week, they wanted her to poop as much as possible to get rid of all the toxins so I didn’t mind giving her formula. Plus, I didn’t have a clue on breastfeeding, I thought it would come naturally, but again, so so so thankful that Vanessa had gone through this 8 months prior and was there to help me through it all.
For me, I tore a little near the perineum, a couple of stitches, thankfully that was it. A little scrape at the top near my urethra, but so far that recovery has been good, the first week I was in pain, obviously I pushed a baby from my body but here we are 3 weeks later and I’m feeling fine physically, but mentally exhausted. I am exclusively breastfeeding Elena, thankfully my body is able to. One thing I want to mention is, FED IS BEST. I get so annoyed when people say breastfed is the best thing, because that implies that if I was to formula feed my baby, I wouldn’t be doing what is best for her. Again, FED IS BEST. Stop telling moms that breast is best, it is an exhausting task and takes a toll mentally and physically on moms. Do not feel guilty or like a bad mom if you choose formula, honestly, i’ve been tempted to just formula feed because doing things alone is exhausting and I feel like I am tied to the breast pump during the day and her mouth at night, but I am doing this for myself and her. When I feel like I’ve had enough, I will happily switch over to formula, because again, FED IS BEST, mama! No guilt, no shame, you are doing amazing!
Elena Rose Acero was born at 3:13 on 3/16/21- 7lbs 14oz and 19 inches. Two weeks early, exactly! She is such a gift and I am truly blessed with her. Unfortunately, Mike has missed all of this, but will hopefully be home soon and I cannot wait for the two loves of my life to finally meet!
XO| Essence
Finding my Essence 