Nash’s Birth Story

As the weeks approached Nash’s due date of April 1st, 2022, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my second baby – a boy this time! And when I say eager, I mean I was ready at 36 weeks! Especially since everyone kept saying, “Second babies come earlier and quicker!” As the weeks and days passed, I continued to nest, read and listen to birth stories, meditate, and do partner yoga and relaxation techniques with my husband. Every morning, I woke up wondering, “Is today the day?” With no signs of labor in sight, my due date came and went.

Fast forward to 1 week overdue! I was completely done with being pregnant and so ready to have this baby. I planned on working and coaching Pilates clients in my home studio up until his arrival. Keeping my mind busy and occupied was necessary at this point, as the emotions and frustrations were at an all-time high.

On Friday, April 8th, I woke up at 5:40am for my first Pilates session of the day. I was feeling crampy and had to go number 2, which is very odd for me at that time of morning. But, I didn’t think too much about it until I noticed a tinge of blood and what could possibly have been the loss of my mucus plug. Since there wasn’t much to make an impact, I took my long commute down 2 flights of stairs and went on with my first Pilates client of the day. During the session, I noticed a little cramping and was starting to really think, “Today is the day.” My next client wasn’t until 9am, so I texted my family informing them I was finally feeling something happening.

My hubby and I proceeded to get our daughter up for daycare and move about our morning. I was questioning whether to cancel my 9am and 10am Pilates client sessions. However, I was no longer feeling anything, so I was quite bummed out. I went about my morning coaching my Pilates clients with no further signs of labor. Feeling quite upset and discouraged, I decided to text my sister and tell her to meet me at a restaurant called The Suburban for lunch because they have a well-known burger called “The Labor Inducer”. I was ready to try anything at this point! As I was texting her to leave, I typed the restaurant into Google and found out it didn’t open until 4pm. So we quickly changed plans and decided to meet there right when it opened! I kept busy with lunch at home, laundry and cleaning.

The weather finally warmed up in the afternoon, and I was noticing some cramping again. I thought I better try to see if I can get things going again. I took a 3-mile walk, which put me into strong labor with my daughter, Bobbi, so I was hoping it would do the same this time for my second baby! As I got about 1-mile into the walk, the cramping continued. I texted my husband and said, “I don’t know if they’re contractions or braxton hicks.” He suggested that I start timing them. The first one I entered was at 1:36pm and they were about 12-15 minutes apart. Definitely contractions!

Upon getting home, I grabbed my fit ball, made myself a cup of tea, and parked my bottom on that ball. Around 2:30pm, I messaged my family letting them know I was, once again, feeling things! I started doing consistent hip circles, squats and a low bounce on the fit ball. I also downloaded a contraction timer and started using the app to record their timing. The contractions were progressing, but stayed almost exactly 45 seconds long. Since my husband was working from home, he would pop in and out of his office and support me and hold me up during a wave of contractions, reminding me to relax and that I was doing great.

I decided I better not meet my sister for that burger in case this is now the real thing – And it was definitely the real thing! I stayed in close contact with her because she was coming over to care for Bobbi once the time came to head to the hospital. My husband picked Bobbi up from daycare at 4:45pm, and at that time the waves were getting stronger and closer together. I was standing, hip circling and rocking side-to-side during waves, as laying, sitting or bending over made them more uncomfortable. At this point, I was also groaning and moaning with a relaxed open jaw during each wave, and Bobbi started mimicking me which made me crack a smile mid wave!

I told my sister the waves were about 6 minutes apart and she said, “It sounds like I should come over now!” She was probably right, but I waited another 30-minutes before I told her to come over. I ate a taco for dinner and my sister arrived. I changed Bobbi’s diaper before leaving and when I stood up I noticed there was blood and said, “We better go!” I went to change clothes and as I was putting on my socks, boom, a gush of water. Yup! It was time to go, RIGHT NOW!

That was the point I knew I waited too long. I was not going to have enough time to get the recommended antibiotics, since I tested positive for Group B Strep bacteria. We said our goodbyes to Bobbi at 6:15pm, and I cried, as I knew it was the last moment as a family of 3.

On the 25-minute drive to the hospital, the waves were roughly 4-5 minutes apart. Although I was no longer timing them, I was still watching the clock. My husband called the hospital to let them know we were on our way in hopes to have the antibiotics ready for me. Grant dropped me off, and as I walked to check-in at the Birth Center, I had a contraction mid-way to the check-in which stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t as strong or as long so I thought we might have some time. As I’m getting checked in, Grant comes running in out of breath and I had another wave.

I was quickly moved into a room. I stripped down and got all the things hooked up to me, which I was not very happy about. The nurse kindly asked to check me and I heard her say I was at an “8”, so again, I thought we had time. But after the fact, Grant mentioned the nurse said “8-8.5”, which I did not hear. Nurses flooded the room and my OB was already there which was reassuring. I had declined the epidural and heard the nurses talking in the background two additional times asking about an epidural to each other. This was irritating me, but I let it go and focused on relaxing. Grant stayed by my side, held my hand, and told me I was doing great and that we were one step closer to meeting our baby.

I was officially in transition! I felt nauseous and things quickly intensified all while I was still trying to lay limp and relaxed so they could get the IV in. I think I asked 2-3 times if I had any antibiotics yet. They said no, and I knew it was definitely too late! All of a sudden, I said, “I’m feeling pushy.” I don’t think they checked me again, but I don’t remember. I quickly got up and flipped to all 4’s. I was determined to deliver this baby on hands and knees. I opened my pelvic outlet by turning my knees in and feet out.

At this point, my OB said, “You can probably push on this next one.” I thought to myself, I’m not pushing on this one yet because I don’t want to tear again (I had 2nd degree tearing with Bobbi). I said to Grant, “Another one is coming! Squeeze my hips!” The wave came on so strong and fast and my body just knew what to do and I yelled, “He’s coming out!” I felt an arm pop though! My body was doing it, I was trying to escape it. I was now smashed face first into the bed and he flew out at 7:02pm! I heard him cry and Grant said, “He’s here babe!” but I was in such shock because we were only at the hospital for 25-minutes. My OB said, “Do you want to hold your baby?” I think I was frozen for about a minute or more. It was then I actually heard my husband in my ear excitedly saying, “He’s here babe, you did it!” I somehow flipped over and Nash Thomas Brugger was placed on my chest, calm as can be and completely alert. It was magical, powerful, and everything I had prepped for!

Upon that first skin to skin and the delayed cord clamping, my OB showed me the umbilical cord. It had a true knot in it, which is very rare, and probably happened in the first or second trimester. She also told me the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice. I was so thankful for a fast delivery! My uterus began to contract again and out came the placenta. Yes, it’s another wave, but nothing like labor, and when the placenta left my body I said, “That’s the best feeling ever!” Not really, but it felt like I lost another 10 pounds in seconds. *DISCLAIMER – Scroll fast past this next photo if you don’t like the sight of blood, or prefer to not see the true knot in my umbilical cord*

On Sunday, April 10th, National Siblings Day, Bobbi met her baby brother Nash for the first time at home! This moment made my heart completely burst. She was, and has been, so sweet and gentle with him. Bobbi is such a great big sister already. You can watch Bobbi meet Nash for the first time in this video on my Instagram by clicking HERE! *CAUTION – Your heart may explode from cuteness*

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Nash’s Birth Story! We love being a family of 4 (a family of 6 if you count our two pups!) Let the postpartum journey and baby snuggles begin!

Your Friend & Pilates Expert,

Kayla Brugger
Founder of PILATESBODY by Kayla
Founder of PILATESBODY On-Demand

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