By Danielle Brockman

It was the night of my son’s birthday party – the day after he turned four years old. I was still in shock that he was growing up so fast, and I was thinking about how four years ago I was blessed to have delivered at WBWC with Sarah, to hold such a sweet baby boy, and to give my husband his first Father’s Day gift (as he was born on Father’s Day). I had this weird feeling that I just needed to take a pregnancy test, so as the party was coming to an end, I did. I waited, and as I picked the test up, I saw very faint lines. Instantly my eyes filled with tears. I felt so much joy, but fear as well, due to having two previous miscarriages back-to-back. All the pregnancies were surprises. I got my composure back together and hid the test. I felt my husband should know as I did, but I wanted to tell him after the family left. I couldn’t wait for the next day as it was Father’s Day.

After going to WBWC, confirming the pregnancy, and getting an early ultrasound, I felt so much at ease and more excited, but I knew I still couldn’t tell anyone. As 12 weeks was coming I had planned a family cookout and told them it was for my husband’s birthday, since we were going out of town for it. We had taken pictures of our oldest son Cage with the ultrasound and placed them in frames for the grandparents. As the day came for the cookout and everyone who could make it arrived, we gave my husband’s grandparents and his parents the frames and they opened them. That’s how we told our family and everyone was happy. I was starting to show and was trying my best to hide it from them until we told everyone. My dad and grandma were not able to come so I took them the frames I had put together. Everyone was very excited for us and wished us the best.

I continued my care at WBWC, where I absolutely love going and talking with all the staff. When it was time to find out the gender of the baby, we planned a special reveal: we had a balloon with confetti inside and allowed Cage to pop it as I recorded for our family to see. IT’S A BOY! I was so excited, as we all were. The pregnancy was going so well and I was starting to feel better as each week went on, but I was still having some fears due to the previous miscarriages. On the night of Christmas Eve, my sister, her 5-year-old daughter, my 4-year-old son and I were going to church service. We were stopped in front of the church waiting to turn and we were talking. Out of nowhere we were being shoved forward as an older male in a truck, who was not paying attention, hit us from behind. The cop that was standing at the entrance, as they always do, saw the whole thing. The kids were ok, but everyone was shaken up. My sister and I were both pregnant! I was 31 weeks that day, and she was about 19 weeks. We called our husbands as we held our crying children. All I wanted was my husband; I didn’t want to talk to anyone else I was so scared. We were checked out at the scene. Then I had my husband drive me, my sister, and her husband to the nearest hospital. My brother took our kids home to tend to them.

Once we arrived to the hospital in Hillsborough and were checked out, I learned that I would have to be transported to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, as I needed better monitoring. My sister was checked and sent home. I had to be transported by one of the ambulances they had on site and Sean was to follow us. I felt even more scared. The ride was so bumpy and scary I just watched out the window as a few tears were falling down my cheeks. Once we arrived they took me to Labor and Delivery to be monitored. Sean was told to get a pass and come to the floor to be with me. I was then hooked up to the monitor.

After just a couple of minutes I was being asked once again can I feel him move (the baby is always moving during the day) but I still couldn’t tell. Then I was told I was having contractions pretty steadily and I would need to be monitored longer to see if they continue or I will need to be admitted and have them stopped. I was very upset at this point as I looked at my husband and just couldn’t help but to cry and say I’m sorry. After some time Emily had arrived from WBWC and I felt very relieved. The hospital actually scared me, and knowing I had the support from the midwives, even in the hospital, eased some of the fears. Once Emily and the doctors all talked they wanted to admit me for the entire weekend. As Emily sat and talked with us I cried, as I felt I messed up my son’s Christmas. I stated to Emily as well as the others I was not staying unless my son could stay with me as it was Christmas. Emily went to talk to the doctors once more and we were given the ok to move rooms. My husband Sean went to pick up our son and get clothes to stay at the hospital.

I was hooked up to the monitor and given all kinds of bags and meds to assist with the process to stop my contractions. I was given steroids to help with baby’s lungs just in case he did come early. I was between 3 & 4 centimeters dilated at this point, so from December 24th to December 26th we stayed in the hospital. It was very comforting to see the midwives (Jessica and Belinda) come to check in during my stay and answer any questions we had. Once I was able to go home I was told to follow up at WBWC, which I did a few days after being home. From this point on I was being seen at WBWC normally but also going in between when I needed extra visits. I was able to be placed on leave from work which really helped me be able to care for myself before the birth.

I made it to 38 weeks and 3 days. It was February 14, 2017 at around 9:30 pm. I was lying in bed and I was telling my son it was time to lay down for bed as he had school. I got on my left side and placed a pillow between my legs. Once I was in that position I felt a “pop.” I was freaked out, but I stayed in the same spot for a few seconds and then got up and went to use the bathroom hoping it was nothing. As I was getting up I felt the gush! I called my husband, as he was already in bed. Once he came in the bathroom I told him “I think my water just broke!” I got him to get my phone and I called the WBWC on call line. I received a call back a few minutes later from Belinda. As we talked we confirmed yes, it was my water that had broken. But I wasn’t having any contractions yet, so she said to rest and once they started to call back.

Not long after we hung up the contractions started and they just kept coming faster and stronger. I called the on call line once again and awaited a call. By the point Belinda called back I was not able to talk and I felt as though the baby was just going to fall out. So Sean took our son next door to my sister’s house. He rushed back to help me get to the car as I could barely walk without having to stop. On the way to WBWC I was telling Sean to speed up: “I think he’s coming out! I’m scared he is going to fall out!” I was not able to control anything at this point. I tried to keep my legs tight together in fear he was going to fall out. Once we arrived at the center we were welcomed at the door by the nurse. I was in tears as it was all happening so fast!

Once in the room, I asked for the tub. The nurse and Belinda helped me to undress to prepare to be checked. I was 9 cm at this point! Once in the tub I felt some relief but still progressing fast. My husband stated he could see the baby’s head. My heart melted to know I was finally going to meet our son. After being in the tub I started feeling like my body was trying to push the baby out. Belinda stated “That’s your body stretching out, it’s ok if you need to push, then push.” From that moment on I just felt the need to keep pushing. Within about 5 or so pushes and asking “is he out?”, my husband, with any needed assistance from Belinda, brought Baby Cash Michael Brockman into the world. He was born at 11:06 pm weighing 9lbs 1oz and 21 inches long. Belinda and the nurse assisted me to get out of the tub so I could deliver my placenta. I was checked for any tearing, but I had none. Belinda was just what I needed in helping me go through my delivery. She truly cares and is super helpful in all she does. I felt so over joyed with seeing how healthy Cash was and having him in my arms and to have the water birth I always wanted. The two nurses that were assisting were also great. They were super helpful in helping with me and the baby and for giving us time with the baby to bond and to breastfeed. We had time to rest until the morning before we went home.

I am truly blessed to have the women at WBWC and for all the great care they have given to me and also to my family. I really can’t thank all the staff enough for the care they gave to me during my pregnancy and to Belinda for all she did during my delivery. I got to follow up at my two week mark with Belinda; she answered any and all the questions we had, no matter how silly they could be. She knew just what to say to help us understand. Thank you Belinda and WBWC for all your help with Baby Cash!