Category: Oh Baby

Magnolia Lea’s Birth Story

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Magnolia Lea-June 5th, 2021 9:44pm

Contractions started on May 19th. Scotty had accepted the position at Walmart that Monday the 17th and had to take a drug test. Anchor and I were sitting in the car in the parking lot while he went into complete it and the contractions were super intense. I had thought Magnolia was going to be born on the Full Super Blood Moon called the Flower Moon on May 26th so when this happened I thought wow this could be! We tried every wives tail in the book leading up to the full moon on May 26th including Eggplant Parmesan using the Eggplant Babies recipe, but nope! May 26th was not going to be the day. Contractions continued to be regular especially after going for walks around the neighborhood, they definitely increased once I hit that 1 mile mark. But June 5th (Magnolia’s due date) at 3:33am I knew she was going to make her debut. Contractions started (very mild) at 3:33am and where a consistent 20 minutes apart. We had just gone live on our home to sell on June 2nd and had our first open house scheduled for June 5th and 6th. We had to be out of the house early so the open house could take place for the day on June 5th so our original plan was to go to the RV which was parked at the Fall City Airport and hang out there until the last appointment at 5pm was done. So we got up got ready and loaded up to head there. The contractions were still consistent at 20 minutes apart but super mild. When we got set up in the RV I laid down for about an hour and that’s when they started to fizzle out, so we decided to go for a walk around the Spring Glen neighborhood and they started to pick up again.

We were in such tight quarters with everyone in the RV and lots of distractions (not calm enough for me to focus on laboring) so Scotty booked two hotel rooms in Issaquah by the Issaquah Target. So we loaded up again and headed there. On the way the contractions started to get more intense. Anchor and Cinda were all situation in one room, and Scotty and I went down the hall to another room. When we got there I told our doula Willow maybe she should head our way. This was at about 11:45am. I also reached out to our midwife Chris to let her know this could be it. I paced back and forth in the room trying to keep them going (walking seemed to be the thing) then we walked around Issaquah for an hour or so and they continued to stay consistent and progress. With all of the chaos Anchor wasn’t able to take a nap, everyone was tired so we decided after the 5pm showing we would go home and then go back to the hotel the next day. So we headed back home at 4:45pm and that is when they really started to get intense. Once we got home they were longer and super intense to the point of taking my breath away. We called Chris and were on the phone with her for 20 minutes while she listened thru contractions and said I am ready when you are. And said as soon as Anchor goes to bed I bet you will be on your way to the birth center….sure enough. As soon as Anchor fell asleep they were just a couple minutes apart and super intense, coming quicker and quicker and back to back. So we got in the car and headed to the birth center.

When we got there the first words Chris our midwife said was “you are too smiley to be in labor” but once that first contraction hit while at the birth center she knew it was time! My dad showed up and listened to Magnolias heartbeat and sat there thru a few contractions as they filled up the bathtub. We had arrived at the birth center at about 7:45pm. Chris checked my progress and I was 9cm and 100% effaced.

Once I got in the tub the contractions eased up a little bit so I switched positions and instantly it was time to start pushing. My water hadn’t broke yet, but it was right there. After pushing for about 30-45 minutes my water broke and not even 5 minutes later Magnolia Lea entered the world at 9:44pm weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long. Absolutely perfect and such a magical amazing birth experience!

x0_meagen lea

Postpartum and “Bouncing Back”

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No one tells you the reality of pregnancy, and no one tells you what really happens after the pregnancy glow wears off! To put it nicely, it’s a bit of a shock. I thought after I gave birth I would get my pre-pregnancy body back, I would instantly drop all the weight I gained. I would be able to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes again and be back to my “normal” weight. I guess there is something to be said about it takes 9 months to gain and 9 months to lose it…which is a little disheartening and brutal to come to the realization of. So here I am 6 months into my postpartum journey and still have 10 pounds to loose. This journey has been eye opening and has been a constant learning experience with major ups and downs with my weight, emotions, and everything in between. Going through all of this, I have learned you have to give yourself grace. I have to keep reminding myself, my body was able to bring a life into this world, completely unmedicated in the most natural way possible. 

I started walking again at about 1 week postpartum and gradually made that my daily routine working back into it, I started working out again at 6 weeks, and really went in at week 7 with a weightlifting program. I gained a little weight due to muscle (I couldn’t do a push-up, or a sit up to save my life!) I had no idea how much muscle I had truly lost while being pregnant! Throughout my entire pregnancy I tried my best to stay active, I did a few workout programs up until about 6 months and then walking was about all my body could handle. I knew I lost some of my muscle mass, but man that was rough! After completing a 7 week program and not seeing any weight loss I felt so discouraged, even know I knew it was all muscle and my clothes started to fit better. I think society puts so much pressure on the number on the scale, or the size or number associated with our clothes that we loose focus of the true reason behind working out which for me is to feel good, feel my best, feel confident in my body. 

Another thing no one mentions in the postpartum journey is hormones! So, along this journey it has consisted of many trials and errors! Adding and eliminating things. Although, I am not at my goal weight or my pre-pregnancy weight, my body grew a human a healthy happy human and that is truly all that matters at the end of the day. 

No pregnancy journey is the same, no birth journey is the same, no postpartum journey is the same, everyone’s experience is different,  and sometimes you have to take a step back and say wow, look at what my body created and grew for 9 months! Yes, I am still 10 pounds away from my goal, but at this point in time, my body is stronger than ever, and I know in a few more weeks, I will be in the best shape of my life since I committed to me! So, at the end of the day, stop comparing, stop trying to be someone, or something you aren’t and just be you! And truly that goes for so much more in life than pregnancy. Do it for you, no one else. 

Current Favorites (Baby Items)

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Let me start off with…parenting is tough and full of learning curves! It is a rollercoaster of emotions and learning experiences, and I think having the right tools to help is key to maintain your own sanity throughout the newborn phase!

Top Favorite Baby Items as of now;

  1. Dock A Tot– this has been a life savor. I am not sure if it is the fact that is holds the baby tight or what is is about it. But Anchor sleeps so well in it and its a nice easy item to move around and take if you are traveling as well. We loved ours so much, we ended up buying a second one! One for upstairs and one for downstairs. The one downfall to it, is that the cover cannot be put in the dryer, so when spit ups happen on it it takes a full day for it to dry.
  2. Mama-Roo– When I first saw the Mama-Roo in the store I instantly was like NO WAY are we 1. spending that much on a baby product, and 2. buying something that looks so insanely strange!….Well I am eating my words now! This has been a go too when I need to get things down around the house and he won’t go down for a nap without being held or wanting to be moved. Whoever invented this thing is genius!
  3. Formula Portable Storage Container-Not sure what you really call these, but they are great! When baby is crying and you need to make a bottle, but only have one hand and lets be real measuring out formula and getting it in the bottle without spilling is almost impossible! This comes in handy! Not to mention perfect for your diaper bag, so you don’t have to haul around the entire formula canister! My friend had this and instantly after I saw it, it went on our baby registry!
  4. Hatch Plus– white noise, clock, colors to help the baby know when to get up as they get older, intercom. This thing has it all! We have been using white noise at night so Anchor knows when it is time for bed (and it also helps drown out household noises) he has a case of fomo so if he is not in the same room as us and hears us he is not happy, but the funny thing is, if he is in the same room we can be vacuuming, cleaning,  have the music up, all the noises and he sleeps great…fomo for sure! It also has an app so you can program it to turn the white noise on for each nap time, night time, etc. And it also is rechargeable so if the power goes out or you want to take it on a trip or move from room to room it stays charged without the cord.
  5. Lou Lou and Company Knotted Gowns– last but not least, oh my goodness! These have been WONDERFUL! So awesome for nighttime changes and when he was first born! No zippers, no frustrating snaps or buttons to try and figure out in the dark or when you are recovering and standing straight up just doesn’t work the same that it did prior to giving birth! Great quality also! (I bought a couple of their newborn hats also and love them!)

I am sure I will have more favorites that pop up as we continue to learn!

x0_meagen lea