Sebastian Grey Harrison: a birth story.

Happy Birthday Sebastian!

I'll have to first start off by saying that this was, by far, one of the best days of my life. The births of my sons will always be a treasured part of my memory. Even though each birth was completely different , I fell in love all over again.

For anyone who knows me well, I am not one of those women who really enjoys being pregnant. I do not feel that "glow" and I am not at my best. My offspring literally suck the life out of me and make me sick the whole time. My body hates me and rebels on a daily basis. But I endure and my parasites grow to be big and healthy. I love my boys and in the end I am willing to make that sacrifice for 9ish months to give them life.

With Alexander we knew that an epidural was out of the question. I wanted to be able to experience what childbirth really was, allowing my body to do the work- as it very well knows how to do- only allowing medical intervention when absolutely necessary. C-section was not an option in my mind unless I, or my parasite, was going to die. I knew my body was going to do what it needed to do and I'd be along for the ride. Was I scared? You bet I was! I honestly didn't want to think of "D day".. ever…. as if it wasn't ever going to come… But it did, which is another story, and I felt ill prepared. I gave birth at a hospital, they weren't as helpful as I thought they would be [with the exception of one of the fabulous nurses who was on almost the whole time I was in labor] and I was scared. They kept throwing out medical jargon that I didn’t quite understand, FTP was the favorite and I heard this one a lot… Subsequently I didn't get the beautiful birthing I was hoping for. And no, I did not have an epidural. It wasn't a horrible experience, I felt like something was missing. We wanted something different. We decided with our second we would make a change.

The change started with research, which lead us to Care Messer, San Diego Hypnobirthing Instructor and Doula. We just so happened to meet her at a baby shower of a friend. I asked as many questions I possibly could, trying desperately to find what I felt was the direction to go for this birth. I was on a quest, not sure of really what I was looking for but would know when I found it. And I found it. As she spoke, it just felt right. We ended up going to a open house and listening to the stories of other women who had used Hypnobirthing. I was so excited that we signed up for her Hypnobirthing class and knew right away this was the best choice for us. We also ended up hiring Care as our doula. Little did I know that meeting Care would be the catalyst to my life changing in such a wonderful and meaningful way. I'm not sure if she will ever realize what comfort, peace, joy and empowerment she has brought into my life. I will forever be in her debt. We ended up switching from a lame OBGYN Dr [who was on vacation for my last son's birth and who was less than helpful with this pregnancy…. which ironically made the switch a little stressful but easier because of how they were treating me…] to getting care and birthing at a birth center. We would have opted for a home birth, but my house would never be clean enough or organized enough for me to relax and enjoy the birth. Best Start Birth Center in San Diego it was. I fell in love with the midwives there and looking forward to a new experience, I felt like I was giving birth for the first time all over again.

Fast forward through 9 looonnnnggggg months…… "D day" was fast approaching and, as usual, I felt nervous- was I prepared enough?! Could I really do this? How different would it be from the last birth? On the morning of 24 September I started leaking fluid. This seemed familiar as this is what I had experienced with Alexander. I called Care to let her know what was going on. Surges? No, not really. They were infrequent and weak. She told me to keep her posted on the progress. All of us were optimistic that the day would be tomorrow.

Noticing that my nails were atrocious I headed off to get a mani / pedi and leg massage. I think all of the ladies in the nail salon were ready to call for an ambulance when [after the usual questions a pregnant lady gets… what are you having? Is this your first? When are you due?] I answered the "when are you due?" with… "I'm in labor now, he might decide to come today but probably not until tomorrow". The fact that I was so calm about it probably made them all think I was nuts. When a surge came on, I closed my eyes, breathed trough it then continued the conversation as if nothing happened. The lady in the spa chair next to me was starting to freak out a little and kept "advising me" to call my doctor and go to the hospital. She must've thought I was crazy when I said I don't have a doctor and I wasn't birthing at a hospital. Since Sebastian was coming in the next day or two I knew I'd feel better if my nails were done. Plus I really needed something to distract me from staring at the clock and pacing the floors at home. Or cleaning madly, like I had been doing for weeks prior.

That night Care came over for a visit. We decided that a "last super" was in order so I took her to my favorite Sushi place. The music was pumping, place was packed and I was in heaven. Again I was asked the typical pregnant lady questions and got the usual awkward / concerned stares. "You're in labor? Right now? Shouldn't you go to the hospital?" Continuing to enjoy our dinner we laughed off the funny looks. Afterwards she took me home, we chatted some more, then I headed off to bed for some much needed sleep. I was too excited to sleep but made myself get as much I could.. I knew the next day was going to be a long one.

Care and I.. headed out for sushi !

At about 6 am -ish I noticed that my surges were getting a lot closer together and whhoooo!!! they were strong! Called all my girls to tell them it was time (Care, Julie and Joyce), finished packing the snacks / drinks, departed to the birth center. Care was already at the birth center when we arrived. The room upstairs that I wanted was taken… soooooo I ended up with a room downstairs that was slightly smaller but in the end it really didn't matter where I gave birth, just that it happened like we wanted it to. After we had settled in, the midwife on call that morning checked my progress. 2cm. What? uh! It was still early (about 8am) and we were all hungry. My entourage and I walked on down to the Hash House a go go for some grub to fuel up for the day. Since the policy of the Birth Center is to not admit you until you are 4 or 5 cm it was a perfect time to head on out to eat and enjoy the morning.

When I'd stop to breath through a surge, Care helped my fabulously wonderful back labor by using her red rolly massagy thingy [yes, that is the technical term ! hahaha] What a help!

Inside the restaurant we grabbed a table, ordered and hung out. What a perfect way to start out the day!
I was craving a few things, one being eggs benedict and the other.. granola and strawberries. Eggs benedict won… until it came to the table. What the heck is this branch of rosemary doing in my food? After making fun of the food, I took a bite and about threw up. I'm sure the food wasn't bad tasting, it just didn't sit right with my stomach… I ended up with granola and strawberries! And boy! it was good. Once again the looks of concern on peoples' faces were classic. On the walk over I had to stop a few times to concentrate on a surge then continue on. I swear it must've taken us an hour to get a few blocks…..


The infamous rosemary branch .. holy moly! Seriously though! Is there a bush outside that they grab a branch from and shove it into each plate? I about died laughing!

Still have that off sense of humor.. hahaa

I am a lucky gal.. words of encouragement from my honey !

The surges were getting so strong and close that I could barely take a bite and chew between them. I WANT MY FOOD!!! I think I was crying more because of frustration that I couldn't eat than anything else. I was determined to eat though!


Finally it got to be too much.. check please!

Julie and Care helping me through a surge... on lookers no doubt thought I was nuts.. and they are most likely correct :)

oooo my pretty nails! Thanks Tammy!

My awesome hubby! Thanks honey!

I was in need of a little cat nap, so while we waited for the midwife to come in and check my progress...I napped. Soooo fabulous to nap!

Midwife checking baby boy's heart beat.. strong and steady- as always. Definitely a good sign! Now how's my progress you ask?? Haaa... 3cm! WHAT!?! Uhhhh... Being a little frustrated and still tired I napped some more.. exciting huh?

After a bit Care told me I had to get up if I wanted this baby out today.. Sooooooo I decided that I wanted to labor in the tub for a bit before embarking on a journey through Hill Crest again. It was about 9:30 am at this point. While I labored in my spacious jacuzzi tub Cameron and Care poured water on me and talked me through the surges.







My back labor is a real treat and counter pressure is pretty much the key to getting through it. Thank goodness Cameron perfected it last birth!

After a bit I got on my trusty robe, grabbed my head pad thingy and my ipod and headed out the door.... Too bad I didn't get too far... this tree is only a few feet from the Birth Center. SURGE! breathe.. focus... walk again... maybe a few steps then...SURGE! breathe.. focus... walk again... This was the routine for about 2.5 hrs... I think I might've gotten a half a block in this time. Why I thought we got farther I'll never figure out... but I doubt that really matters, right?





So appropriate! GET OUT!! haaahaa
I think at this point I started bawling. I felt like it was never going to end! Since last time [with Xander] the pitocin drug out transition by about 10ish hours I was caught off guard with how fast it came on... my mom told me, but I was now experiencing it. I'm not gonna lie and say it was a piece of cake.... I got scared for a minute, cried my eyes out [great, now my eyes are all red, puffy and I'm snot nosed.. great for pictures, right?] then Care brought me back to reality and helped me put it all in perspective. Thank you Care!

Care made sure I was eating and staying well hydrated for my birthing marathon... and boy was it ever!

Julie, my talented massage therapist... what a life saver she was!

I was exhausted! I wanted to nap again. Maybe this time I might be at a 4, fingers crossed.. a 6cm?! It was about noon o'clock.

Since the Birth Center was overwhelmingly busy that day, and consequently under staffed, they pretty much left me alone to do my thing. They are very hands off anyways- which is nice- so this extra bit was nice for me. I must say I LOVE HypnoBirthing ! I know you might not think I am in the throughs of labor - after all, I'm sleeping ! Yes, I accually got to SLEEP! Sleeping gave me an opportunity to relax, letting my body do what it knows to do. :)

I got to sleep for a little before they came in to check my progress [and hopefully officially admit me] .

I slept for about 15ish minutes then all of the sudden my body contracted, my eyes shot open to see Care sitting by my bed.... I told her that the baby was coming! I couldn't stop my body from bearing down. They called for the midwife...When the midwife came in I heard her say something about not being discouraged if I'm not at 5cm by now... After all, the lady up stairs [who got there before me] was still laboring... In my mind I knew that Sebastian was coming and it was now!
She checked me..... then the room was in a flurry....fill up the jacuzzi! 10cm and fully effaced! WHAT!?! All within 2.5 hours... awesome. Now I knew why I felt like I had been hit by a mac truck! haaa

Bring on the surges and more back labor! Shakira was a big help! Love me my latin musica!


The surges were right on top of one another.. barely a chance to rest between them.


I think I yelled "get out" at one point ... I was very anxious to get this kid out! Thank you Care for the water!!! The little bugger kept wiggling his way back up.. I'd breathe him down, he'd wiggle back... and so it went for a little bit.... I finally got him in a good position so I could push better.

After about 45 minutes in the jacuzzi..... my water [finally] released and a push or two later...





He's here! Cameron was a little concerned at first, purple, limp and not breathing... ummmm


They sucked his nasal passages, made sure he didn't swallow anything and immediately gave him to me ! still not a breath.. bit then he did :)

While I held him they did all the routine checks they needed to.


My precious gift. I fell in love all over again! I never thought my heart would expand so much!

Our new addition! I needed a nap. haha :)


My sister, Siriana, had arrived a little bit before with Xander and had been hanging out in the waiting room. After Sebastian was checked out she brought him in to see his brother.

Xander wasn't too sure of what was going on. He stayed long enough for some pictures and decided he had had enough... out to play some more with the toys.

This gave the midwife a chance to check out Sebastian a little more and make sure I was good too.




Proud daddy with his boy! I love these pictures.

Born Sept 25 2010 @ 1:03pm
8Lbs 12oz & 21inch

Sebastian was very alert and kinda hungry.. as was I. We had a long 2 days and he latched on right away. I got some snacks and a much needed rest.





Care, Sebastian, Myself, Cameron and Julie. what an awesome team! Couldn't have done it without each of you. And also a special thanks to Joyce Kuklis... my talented and amazing photographer... thank you for capturing this beautiful day for us.