Piper’s Birth Story

Getting so close to the delivery date for my second baby is making me remember all the details about Piper’s birth…

I had the easiest pregnancy with Piper. I wouldn’t have known I was pregnant until my stomach started to pop at about 6 months if it weren’t for the whole no period thing, and my needing a nap at 3:00 every day in the first trimester. I felt great; everything was going smoothly. I worked out almost everyday doing mostly Pilates. I craved nothing but fruit, bananas with cool whip (random), and at the very end wheat free banana cupcakes from Icing on the Cake in Los Gatos.

Photos by Jaime Hearts Photography

The doctor informed us week after week that Piper’s head was down and she was in position to make her arrival…but the doctor was wrong. After no progression what-so-ever I had an ultrasound. It was the day before my due date, to check on fluid levels and to see how long I could wait before having to be induced. In the ultrasound the technician didn’t say a word to Pat or me. We saw her type the word B R E E C H across the monitor and then very quickly erase it. Immediately I asked her if everything was ok, and she said the doctor would contact us later. Unfortunately, she was not a very friendly woman. Trying not to worry, Pat and I left the doctor’s office. We went to lunch and nervously waited to hear from the doctor. I heard all these stories not to get set on a birth plan because you’ll most likely have to change it. I never thought I would have to worry about it since my pregnancy was a piece of cake. Then I heard from the doctor. Piper was in fact breech. The level of fluid around her was really low so there was no chance of turning her. We had to do a C-section within the next few days. I was thoroughly disappointed. I really wanted to experience giving birth naturally, now I didn’t have the option. After thinking about it Pat and I decided to schedule the C-section as soon as possible so we didn’t have time to think and worry about surgery any more then necessary. I’m a total baby when it comes to needles, blood, and all that grossness. So the C-section was scheduled for the very next day- Piper’s due date, October 26th. Arriving at the hospital was an unusual experience. Knowing you are about to meet the baby that has been growing inside you for 9 + months is nerve racking and incredible all at once. After a 45-minute delay (someone made a mistake and no one knew we were coming) they brought us back into the room to start me on an IV, take my vitals, and attach all the baby monitoring equipment. Meanwhile I’m shaking like a leaf, nervous as can be. I’ll never forget that Piper had the hiccups, which she often did in my belly. We could see them bounce on the heart monitor. Those hiccups helped reassure me that everything was going to be ok. After what felt like an eternity I was brought back into the operating room…the next thing I know we have a baby girl! It is amazing how fast they get you in and out of surgery. Piper Leanne Sullivan was born at 11:26am weighing 7pounds 15oz and 19 inches long. She was (and still is) the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. It was love at first sight. Read more here.Xo- Alia