Wynn Cooper Shinsel

Wynn joined our family on December 6th, two days late. Andy and I were literally turning out the lights for bed when my water broke at midnight. I was so nervous and anxious I was shaking with anticipation once I realized what happened. I called my doula immediately and by the time I hung up the phone the contractions were already coming strong. I calmed down and started to focus on allowing the contractions to do their work. By 1215 they were 2 minutes apart and about 40 seconds long. The midwife on call advised us, it was probably time to come into the birth center. Having been having strong false labor contractions almost every night for three weeks, Kaye (the attending midwife) was more surprised than I was to find out that by the time we got to the birth center about 1230, we were at 5 cm and in active labor. At 514 AM, Wynn was born. The birth was hard work but satisfying, and I am so grateful for how present and supported I felt throughout the whole process. I had to draw on everything I read and have more faith in myself than I've ever had to have before. Wynn had a little trouble getting out since he had his whole arm up and across his face, but I never felt afraid and the three midwifes present at the birth helped him out without any panic or delay. Afterwards everything felt very surreal, and I was exhausted! After spending some time getting to know each other, the newborn and maternal exams were completed, we took a nice warm bath-which Wynn loved!-and about three and half hours later, we went home. I didn't think I would be so crazy about going home so soon after the birth, but in the end I think it was a good thing to come home to familiarity and comfort and make one less environment transition in the first few days after birth.  We got home right before Sydney woke up in the morning. Imagine her surprise to go to bed one night and wake up the next morning to mom and dad already home with a baby :). She initially was a little shy, but warmed up to 'Baby Wynn' quickly and has become a loving, excited big sister. Wynn was 7 lbs 11 oz and 20 1/2 in at birth. He is a very cuddly little boy and took to nursing right away. He is a good sleeper too. I can't say for sure if having a natural childbirth has affected the transition to being a new mother again, but this time around I definitely feel more empowered and in sync with Wynn's needs. We are working on getting him to sleep on his own but for now I love that he needs to be cuddled and snuggled with us to sleep. His brown hair appears to already be getting lighter and his eyes are almost completely brown. His first sleep smiles are showing now too. Grandma Shinsel has been an indispensable help these first few days and we are so grateful so have her here with us for another week too. Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers.