Duncan, OK | Baby P

Ironically, Jessica was admitted into the Birth Center the night we met in person.

The birth stories always start with a phone call after the initial email, but I like for my Mommas to see my face in person before we end up together in the birth space. Comfort and feeling safe is the number one priority when I attend a birth, and letting the moms see me in person and watch my mannerism is helpful for us both.

When Jessica and I met that night, we talked about her and her baby, but also a lot about cows to be honest. This babe was gonna grow up a cowgirl, not just because her parents owned cows - but I could just tell it was going to be in her blood to love cows, horses, and any other farm animals. 

As we wrapped up the conversation, Jessica seemed chill and ready, and very go-with-the-flow for her and her baby’s birth story. 

I saw her name at the top of my notifications the next morning, and I jumped right out of bed and gave her a call. She was indeed settled in a room at the Birth Center at Duncan Regional Hospital, and so was Axel. She was 37 weeks, but her blood pressure spiked in those wee morning hours, and out of caution for her health, and baby’s, they were starting the process of Baby P celebrating her Birth Day. 

Once I got my fellas off to school, I went up for a visit to see how Jessica was doing. The induction process was working and her body was getting the hang of contractions. Due to the magnesium to help with her blood pressure, she hadn’t had anything to eat. Axel was curled up on the couch (those poor Daddy’s and those tiny couches - it’s just not ideal) trying to rest up because of his night shift schedule. Although she was hungry, Jessica still had the same go-with-the-flow attitude about it all, and it was going to serve her well.

I went back another time I person, and stay connected through text after that. She was going to have to labor through the night. Her body was working! But it was working at a gradual pace. I went to bed earlier than usual - anticipating that early morning wake up call. I got a text at 2am that her waters were broken, and when I asked about her pain, she assured me that she got an epidural and it was doing it’s job. Then at 5:08am, Axel called and said they were getting closer and baby was in a little bit of distress. I got myself up and around and make my way to the Birth Center.

Dr. Cornejo came in shortly after I did. After doing his checks, and asking for any updates from the nurses, he told Jessica his thoughts. Although she was progressing, it was at a slow pace, which was okay, except  Baby’s heart rate was a concern. Could she labor some more, and physically position herself to keep baby from being in distress? Maybe, but maybe not. He suggested a c-section, but was also not opposed to letting Jessica labor while keeping a close eye on the baby if that’s what she wanted. Jessica was extremely tired at this point and going on 36 hours with only a table spoon of peanut butter in her stomach. Her and Axel decided to go with a c-section, and the prepping for that began.

While they were calling all the players for the surgery, the parents-to-be and I put in our final bets on how much she would weigh. They both guessed at least 7lbs, and I said probably more like 6lbs.

Just about an hour later, Jessica was wheeled off in her bed, and Axel and I stayed behind while they got her completely ready in the operating room. One of the nurses came and said, “Oh it will only be about five minutes.” After 8 minutes Axel said, “This is the worst part so far - having to wait here.” He’s right, those few minutes feel like hours, so I pulled out a conversation topic I knew would keep his mind occupied. You guessed it, the cows. All I had to say was, “Hey, who’s feeding the cows today?” And that was enough to keep the chatter going another few minutes before the nurse came and got us to go back into the OR.

Some guys are just Girl Dads without hesitation, and I can usually tell by watching how Dad interacts with the Mom during labor. Axel liked to be close, and was always offering gentle touches, squeezes, and forehead kisses to Jessica. I know for sure that Jessica was able to stay calm and collected because Axel was right there making her feel safe, and not alone. 

The c-section was going lovely, and it wasn’t long before Dr. Cornejo said, “Okay! She looks good! But she is tiny!” And I tell you, the oh’s and ah’s from the surgery team were audible and could not be stifled. Because Dr. Cornejo was right - this little girl was absolutely adorable and pocket-sized only being 37 weeks and few days old.

6:48am, baby girl, Paisley Ann was born.

Dad had the opportunity to cut her cord (after a delay) with a beautiful flint knife her ordered just for her. Once they got Baby P warmed up a little bit, Mamma got some good snuggles right in the OR while she was being stitched up. They weighed Paisley, and she came in at a whopping 4 lbs 10 oz. All of our guesses had been wrong! When Mom was all good to go, they wrapped up her teeny babe and she held her as they wheeled her bed back to the regular room.

Paisley filled her tummy and had some great skin-to-skin with Mom, while Dad got to work fixing the letter board to say the correct weight and height for their baby girl. Then they wanted to see what she looked like in the jammies they had so carefully picked out.

But when you are just over 4 lbs, newborn sized jammies are just a tad big. No problem! Dad just tied together the feet to make the outfit look like a sweet little sleep sack.

Mom was feeling better. Dad couldn’t stop smiling. Paisley was dreaming of her first pony.

And the Speers Family was now officially a Party of 3.