Welcoming Baby Number Three: My Labor Story and Postpartum Journey

Hello everyone!

I’m so excited to share that we have welcomed our third little one into the world! It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, sleepless nights, and so, so much love.

As I sit down to write this, I’m still in awe that we’re now a family of five (well six if you count Mikey – our dog - who I'm not really in the mood to think about after today .... he literally used the kids trampoline to jump a 6 feet fence... and then ran all over the neighborhood... I swear dogs are more work than kids!!)

Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to share my birth story and the early days of postpartum recovery, especially for those of you who might be preparing for your own journeys.

Our lovely daughter Margaux Rosalie Sousa was born on the 8th August weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces of pure perfection.

The Labor

Spoiler: it isn’t like riding a bike – you do forget.

God what a drag it was getting things started. I was asked to come in on the 4th of August to get a balloon fitted at Elgin hospital and was then asked to go into Aberdeen the following morning.

Aberdeen was not my hospital of choice but due to a few episodes of reduced movements I wasn't recommended to go to any other hospital.

We went straight to the labor ward upon arrival to get my waters broken and following my examination I was informed the balloon was never fitted correctly and nothing had happened. Oh boy was I annoyed.

So, it was decided I would have to go to triage and get a propess fitted which would stay in me for 24 hours. Flashforward 24 hours and another examination. The midwife told me I was 2-3 cm dilated… phew… I could move back to the labor ward.

We got to the labor ward and was informed I was actually still only 1cm dilated. However, they were able to break my waters – and it was excruciatingly painful since I was hardly dilated.  

A little fact for you: my waters have never naturally broken – I really hoped they would this time so I’d experience that whole movie scene moment but hey it is what it is.

After 4 hours of contractions I gave in and had an epidural, I really didn't want to get one. I got one with my son and never had one with my daughter, and overall I far more enjoyed the experience without the drugs.

To start with I was a little disappointed in myself if I'm being honest but it was another 4 hours after the epidural went in before Margaux arrived and realistically I just wouldn't have coped without it. Hats off to anyone who can hold out that long but I'm a bit of a chicken and have a really low pain threshold.

Overall I enjoyed every minute of the experience – was it hell on earth? Yes. Zero hesitation needed on that question.

However, knowing that I will most likely never see two pink lines on a test, or feel a baby kick from within, I will never have a baby bump or give birth again. I knew this would most likely be my last experience of childbirth, my last stay in a postpartum room. These factors made labor more bearable. I look back on childbirth with my older children with such nostalgia and I knew I would feel the same this time around so I just really wanted to soak up every moment.

(PS. I say most likely because as I’ve said before… never say never, but realistically it has to be our last baby, a thought that may never feel good to think or say aloud but the facts none the less).

Life is filled with highs but meeting your baby, the person who has lived within you for the last nine months is a feeling hard to top, for me it is quite simply the greatest gift of human existence.

Postpartum Recovery: The Third Time Around

If I had a pound for every time someone told me, “You’ve done this before, you know what to expect,” I’d be rich enough to hire someone to do all the night feeds for me. But here’s the thing: every postpartum recovery is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get...some days are smooth caramel, others are more like a surprise nougat you weren’t ready for.

Obviously I have went through it before but not for some time. Walking to the shower post labor empty bellied legs numb is just the oddest sensation. You just stand there all alone for the first time in months, your life forever changed.

PS. Can we also just take a sec to say how weird it is that the midwives don’t let you lock the door?? Like anyone could walk in and see you naked at any moment.

One thing I had totally forgotten about was the emotional roller-coaster post birth. As your estrogen and progesterone levels crash (to allow for milk production). You’re probably going to find that you experience serious mood swings and increased sensitivity, these emotional changes mixed with the physical changes can cause ‘baby blues’.

I have cried over the silliest things, I cried when Margaux’s umbilical cord stump fell off, I cried to Joao because I love him so much, I cried because my boobs were so sore, and I cried when Margaux turned one week old. When we had Margaux’s newborn photo shoot for the sibling shots I had to fight back tears as my heart couldn’t cope seeing the love in Kieffer and Azalea’s eyes, my heart was literally ready to burst with love.

Ps. Baby blues are a normal part of the postpartum period but remember if these feelings persist or worsen it is essential to seek support from a healthcare provider.

Stay tuned for more tales from the land of three kids- I’ll be sharing everything from surviving on two hours of sleep, navigating the journey of breast feeding, my postpartum essentials, and how to involve older kids so they don’t feel left out.

Thanks for following along on this journey. Here’s to the mess, the madness, and all the memories we’re making.