I am working on becoming a Le Leche League leader & have been looking back on some of the things I did & wrote when Cyrus was a baby. I wrote the story of Cyrus's birth story when he was 10 months old, and thought I might as well share it...
Cyrus Nathaniel Galloway
In mid October of 2005, my husband, Craig and I anxiously awaited the few minutes as the pregnancy test results on that little white stick developed. This would be our first child and we were hoping and praying that a new edition would soon enter our lives. The test was positive and the pregnancy progressed along with few problems. I was blessed with a few long and unhappy months of morning sickness early on, but nothing too serious. My Husband, Craig was in the Army and left for deployment to Afghanistan in February and we crossed our fingers that he would make it home for R&R in time for the birth of our first child in June. In February we also found out that it would be a little boy gracing our presence. We were both thrilled as could be. I enjoyed being pregnant once the morning sickness had passed and spent my days getting ready for the birth and my nights thinking of my new son and my wonderful husband both so far away. We decided on his name long before his birth, we chose Cyrus, which is Persian meaning the sun. I heard the name first in a school book in high school and mentioned it to Craig back in high school and we both though it was a great name. So naturally that is what stuck with us, and it was quickly and easily decided upon. Craig’s nephew had been given his middle name by Craig’s older brother so it was necessary we return the gesture by giving our son his brother’s middle name, Nathaniel. So, the name was decided- Cyrus Nathaniel Galloway. Now, I just needed my baby and of course, my husband to make it home in time. The hospital had been chosen and I had discussed with my midwife the things I hoped for with this birth. She was wonderful, very supportive of the things I wanted and always willing to fill me in on any questions. Also, because I was not 100% sure my hubby would be able to be there for me through this birth, a close friend of mine, Raymi, who just finished training, became my doula. I was her first “mommy”. Having grown up in Le Leche League I knew that breast feeding and the group would soon become a regular part of my life and attended a meeting before he was born.
I know that you can never actually plan a birth to go a certain specific way but I knew that I wanted to avoid a few things. Epidurals, pain meds, episiotomy’s and being tied to a bed or any position on my back were “no-no’s” in my plan.
The first weekend in June came and my due date of June 10th was just days away. On Sunday I started to think I was having some very mild contractions and started to get excited. My bags were packed, and I tried to let Craig know via email that the time was getting closer. Sunday came and went and nothing much happened. I went swimming that day, hoping to maybe get something going. No such luck. Come Monday morning I still had not heard anything back from my husband, and was only having a few still mild contractions and no baby yet. On Monday I decided I would clean my car, and “whew! What a chore!” It’s hard to do a lot with a giant belly in your way. I also went and walked around the park for a little while hoping to further speed things along.
Then, Tuesday morning around 6am I woke up with definite contractions and knew the day had come. I called my doula, she came over and we made sure the car was ready and packed, baby car seat buckled in, and a few last minute chores. I rocked around on a giant exercise ball and paced back and forth through my contractions trying to ease the growing pain. Then the phone rang, it was my husband! He was in the Atlanta airport and would be home that afternoon. I was thrilled and told him it was a good thing, because I was leaving for the hospital soon. He was thrilled and definitely more nervous than I was. It was still early and I wanted to stay at home as long as possible. So I got in the bath and tried to relax a little until finally the contractions were close enough to leave for the hospital. The ride to the hospital seemed long and bumpy but I made it there. When I got to the hospital at 11:30am I was already dilated 7cm. YAY! I was ready to get this show on the road. They wanted me to ride in a wheel chair up to the room with the birthing tub, but there was just no way! I felt much better walking. I even continued moving as much as possible while filling out paperwork and getting ready to hop into the birthing tub. Once I got in it was not long before I was ready to push. I tried to hold out as long as possible, as I was hoping Craig would make it there before Cyrus but when you’re ready, you’re ready! Other family was called, and everyone was excited! My mom lives in Oregon and wouldn’t be able to be there, but was called every once in a while to let her know how things were progressing. She was ecstatic! My husband also called from the airport again nervous and thrilled as possible. Once I started pushing the concept of time, reality, or who was in the room vanished. It was me and my body getting the baby out. I couldn’t wait to see him! There were various nurses and another doctor present, all curious about a water birth. I didn’t mind, one because I could’ve cared less about anything going on in that room, and two because I fully and whole heartedly recommend water birth and think it is a shame more women don’t think about trying. I hope that others will see my son’s birth as an example of how wonderful it can be. I pushed and panted, and grunted and even cursed (just once!)...and soon enough his head was crowning. I was able to feel his head and knew this would soon be a reality. It was enough motivation to move a mountain. My midwife was open to letting it be about me and my body and only assisted in helping me pull his shoulders out at the very end. Yes, I got to lift this tiny beautiful creation of MINE up to my chest myself! During the whole labor Raymi, my duola was very supportive in many ways like using the shower head on the tub to run water over my back. Both my midwife and Raymi did a wonderful job telling me to remember to relax and not tense up, all the things you do but know you shouldn’t. Towards the end, in the back of my head I thought of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire Song...ring of fire is the truth!! Then FINALLY, he was here! At 3:36 pm on June 6th of 2006 my son Cyrus was born. He weighed 7lbs. & 12oz. And was 21 in. long. I ended up with having no meds of any kind, no epidural, and no tearing whatsoever, & I needed no stitches. He was beautiful as can be and I will never be able to think about when I first laid eyes on him without tearing up. It was the most wonderful experience in my life and I am so proud of myself. I did it the way I wanted and if Cyrus’s birth is not a testimonial to the wonders of water birth I don’t know what is!
Craig arrived just about 30 minutes after he was born. He was a little disappointed because he wanted to be there for me, for the baby and for himself, although I was thrilled with him just getting there that day. It was almost perfect timing and such a wonderful surprise! We are both just soaking up the whole experience still. He had to go back overseas two weeks later, but I sent photos to him everyday.
I am very happy with the way Cyrus’s birth ended up. I feel very blessed to have a healthy, happy, beautiful baby, and even more blessed that his arrival to the world was so smooth and seamless. I was at LLL just 6 days after his birth!
I own this up to the water birth of course, and many statistics say a doula can reduce many birthing complications, but also just working with and listening to your body. In my option we were not made to have babies on our backs, gravity works, you may as well let it work for you. The pain is great and definitely something you could never imagine but is so quickly forgotten and so worth it!
I also planned to breast feed and that too went great. No problem latching on
or diving right in!
Cyrus is now almost 10 months old, and is still nursing. He has started eating solid foods, but continues to nurse through out the day. It is such a blessing for so many reasons. I cannot even begin to explain the bond we have, and the sense of pride I have in him and in myself for giving him the best. With my husband gone for the last 14 months and counting, it is heart breaking at times how much he has missed so far, but Cyrus and I have had a chance to be very close and he has been just as much a comfort to me as I him. For that I feel both honored and guilty. It is amazing how fast the time flies and how much you learn and gain as a parent. Breast feeding is a wonderful experience because not only do you know you are giving your child the best nutrition you can, it is nurturing to both you and baby. The connection you have with your child and the trust and love you build has no comparison.
Every day is something new and exciting, and being a mother is by far one of the most rewarding experiences you could have. I wanted this baby and knew that I would love being a parent, but what I expected is nothing close to how happy it makes me wake up every morning and see my beautiful son. I love my husband with all my heart and am very much in love with him, but with your child the love is so much greater. I thank God every day for giving me something so perfect. And I am blessed to have had the knowledge, and support to decide to breast feed him.
