Labor and Delivery of Joaquin Koa

Joaquin Koa Carbajal-Nielsen, 11/1/2011, 8lbs 2 oz, 20.5 inches

Today my little Joa is already one month old, and I thought it fitting to finally write about the story of his birth. My little babe decided to make his entrance to the world (well sort of) at 3 am on October 31st. I started having crazy contractions but I didn't want to wake my husband or go to the hospital right away, so I waited it out till about 8am. I already had an appointment set with the OB GYN so I just went in and told him that I thought I was in active labor. Of course I was already about 4cm dilated and completely effaced. He of course, sent me straight to labor and delivery.


Esteban and I were stoked. We headed straight to the hospital. My mom was home from a trip and made it!! I was so excited because she had never been present to see the births of her grandchildren. David was a C-section, she babysat David when Annabelle was born, and she was in another country when Lorelei was born. Natalie, my oldest sister dropped all her beautiful babes at a friends house so she could be present for the birth. These 3 helped me so much during my labor. They were the best!!

My birthing coaches in action. Not pictured Natalie Moon

We arrived at the hospital around 9am and I immediately began walking, I wanted this baby OUT! I always said I wanted a Halloween baby...but Joaquin had other plans. My birth plan was to go completely natural. It took me from 9am till around 9pm to completely dilate but baby boy was face up so I had very intense back labor. Now watching all those TLC baby birthing shows I thought that when you reached 10cm that that was it... it's time to push and baby would be here... but no no no... There's another measuring system doctors use to see how far the baby has made it down and Joaquin just didn't want to drop.

At around 12am I was in such immense pain my doctor suggested to give me the epidural. He convinced me that my baby would drop and I would get much needed rest. Plus I was approaching the 24 hour mark of my water being broken, which can cause infection. At 10 cm, I had to sit completely still through crazy intense contractions while they gave me the epidural. (I don't recommend this) They had to stick me several times because I guess it's hard to find the epidural space on short women... boo! My doctor, who I switched to mid pregnancy, was a saint. He held me throughout the entire process.

Dr. Werner prior to performing the epidural

Trying to Push!!

 At around 3 am the nurses woke me up and said I was ready to push... which was quite tricky because I couldn't feel a thing. They gave me a towel wrapped around a bar to pull on while I pushed. But while I was resting baby boy turned his head a bit...but in the wrong direction. His little nose was just in the wrong angle that he couldn't fit completely through my pelvis. The doctor tried forceps and the vacuum to turn him but Joa just wouldn't come out.

Now, those of you who knew me throughout my pregnancy, the LAST thing I wanted was a C-Section. I have never had major surgery and being cut open just freaked me out. My doctor, knowing my birth plan, looked at me and said "Susannah, we are running out of options. This baby needs to be born. Most of my colleagues would have sliced you open hours ago... I am going to need to do a C-Section." After 24 hours of long, painful labor, I realized that the doctor was right... They prepped me for surgery and Joaquin was born 30 minutes later.

Baby Joa crying

When Esteban and I heard his little cry as he was pulled from his warm womby home our hearts just melted. I still get kind of upset when I watch those stupid baby shows and see little teenagers able to vaginally deliver their children. But the truth is, it doesn't matter how they're birthed just as long as the baby and mother are healthy and happy.


I am so thankful for little Joaquin. He has brought such joy to our lives. All the pain and anguish I felt throughout the delivery diminished the minute I heard his helpless wail. After I got out of recovery I told Esteban that I would go through all the pain 4 more times. He of course looked at me like I was crazy. I am definitely waiting at least 2-3 years before we have the next one. Well that's the plan at least, but we all know plans can change. For now, I am just going to enjoy my time with my beautiful boy because I can already see how fast he is going to grow.

Happy and healthy mama and baby.