Alison Gillespie Pregnancy and Birth Story
Before becoming “Mama,” to two under two, Alison taught high school English. She loves coffee, reading, and pretty much anything that brings her outdoors. She writes about living a (woman/wife/mom) life unbalanced because she knows not one person who is balancing it all, like we’re told we ought to be.
Was your pregnancy planned or a surprise?
Surprise! My first was 11 months old, and we weren’t planning on having our kiddos too close together.
How did you share the news with your partner, family, and friends?
It was near Easter, so we put bunny ears on her and let her hold an ultrasound photo, and added text that said, “Some bunny’s going to be a big sister!”
Which was your favorite trimester?
My third trimester. This was the time when I really started focusing on having a positive and empowered birth, and that mindset change was EVERYTHING for me. When I woke up in labor, I was so excited!
Related: Should you Take a Birth Course?
What was your pregnancy MUST HAVE (craving, product, etc.)?
Really any kind of fruity candy. But during the summer, definitely lemon-lime popsicles. I also had an essential oil roller made specifically for releasing tension. I had tension headaches and migraines throughout my pregnancy, so sometimes the roller was just enough to help me not grab an Extra-Strength Tylenol.
Did you find out the gender?
Nope! (I thought I would need some extra motivation to keep pushing, since I pushed for 3 hours with my daughter.)
Were there any complications throughout your pregnancy?
I measured 3cm small for my fundal height during one of my later visits. Since I was induced with my first for low amniotic fluid (and hated my induction!), my midwife suggested that there were some studies that found that drinking 16 oz. of an electrolyte drink could increase amniotic fluid levels. One Propel a day, and no more low measurements!
Did you go into labor naturally or were you induced?
Naturally, at 40 weeks and 4 days. At my 40 week visit, I was 4cm effaced and 80% effaced. I was scheduled for a membrane sweep the day that I gave birth.
How long were you in labor?
2.5 hours. Literally. Quick labors do run in my family, but I think I set the record! I woke up at 2am with contractions that were 5-7 minutes apart. And we guessed that our son was born at about 4:07am.
Did you get an epidural or go all natural?
All Natural — which was my plan in the hospital, but baby boy decided he couldn’t wait to meet us and was born in our car! My first birth was an 16 hour induction with Pitocin. I figured if I made it through that one without an epidural, a birth with real Oxytocin would be much more forgiving!
What was the best and worst part about labor and delivery?
Best part: It just being the three of us. Mama, Dada, and Baby. Our son was born in the front seat of our Honda. Luckily, we were parked outside of Labor and Delivery, but the midwife who was waiting for us to arrive didn’t see our car. I think I sub-consciously knew that we were safe since we had parked, and with the next contraction, his entire head and half his body was delivered into my husband’s hands!
Were there any complications with your delivery?
Baby boy’s temperature dropped to 35 degrees Celcius, so I was not able to be skin to skin right away, and instead he was placed under a double warmer for the first 45 minutes. After that–he was great! I did have excessive postpartum bleeding (as I did with my first), so they gave me a shot of Pitocin in my thigh to control that.
Give us the stats!!
4:07am, 20.5 inches long, 8lb & 1 oz, boy!
What was the hardest thing about the first few weeks of motherhood?
Juggling my 19 month old little girl and my newborn. The feeling of being constantly (and legitimately) needed by both of them was exhausting and overwhelming.
What is the best advice you received as a new mom?
Buy used! I was definitely on a minimal budget when we found out we were expecting. Buying used helped in two ways: finding great stuff at typically half or less than the cost of buying new, and helping me be a conscious consumer with our environment in mind. Also, that babies need so little. Somewhere to sleep, something to feed them, some clothes, some diapers–those are the essentials. The rest, you can make do without!
What is your best advice for expectant or new moms?
Give yourself grace. You’re going to have all these expectations and then you’re going to have a reality check. The truth is that NO ONE has it all figured out; no matter what their Instagram looks like. There is no one “right” way to be a mom except for loving your kids and yourself. Heaps upon heaps of grace are needed in this season. Your littles are just trying to figure out who they are in this new world; and you, mama, are doing the same. Also, at least for me, being a mother was something I dreamed of as a little girl. Now that I’m here and in the trenches–it’s easy to get caught up and not just savor the sweet moments of them being little. I try to remind myself (without a guilt trip!) to just be present and soak up all their littleness while it’s here because they grow so quickly!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey to motherhood?
In my first pregnancy, I definitely developed Postpartum Anxiety, probably even in my last trimester of pregnancy. I was on edge constantly. My brain was one giant spiral of fear, always thinking something was going to go drastically wrong. I have always been a free spirit, with very little worries. Looking back, I think I just assumed that’s all how new mothers felt. Now, after having another baby, and NOT experiencing anxiety with him at all–I finally came to grips that I most likely had a case of PPA that went undiagnosed.
Related:
- Labor and Delivery – 20+ Women Share What They Wish They Would Have Known
- How to Prepare for a Natural Childbirth
- 21 Birth Affirmations to Help you Through Labor and Delivery
Alison writes about living a life unbalanced at www.unbalancedwomen.com. You can read about all things pregnancy and toddler life including amazing independent play ideas for your little ones. You can follow Alison on Instagram for great mom tips and a look inside her daily life.
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