Brittney's Birth Story

Case Bradley Jacox

Born: 3/26/12 at 9:55pm

4 pounds 11 ounces and 18 inches long

(Disclaimer: To all of the women who have had hard pregnancies and deliveries, I am in no way bragging about my experience. I just feel the need to share the many blessings that I feel were given to me. I know that since the journey with this pregnancy went so smooth, I will be in store for a real thunderstorm the next time around. Fingers crossed for easy, comfortable and smooth pregnancies and deliveries again in the future.)

I am now a firm believer of the saying, “great things come in small packages.” This little boy has been so easy from the beginning, and when added with his amazing good looks and sweet spirit I don’t doubt that he will one day rule the worldJ I‘m keeping my fingers crossed for President of the Unites States, if not, I will be content with a world-renowned brain surgeon or Nobel Peace Prize winner.

When I look back at the moment that Adam and I decided it was time to start a family, I’m still in awe over how smooth our journey went and how many blessings we had in the process. Everything went so well! Case decided he was ready to come down with our first time trying. I can count on one hand the amount of times I was sick while I was pregnant with him. Most of it was intense heartburn due to my abundant pizza eating. I still claim the baby made me eat all of those greasy thingsJ I guess I’ll admit it was a little uncomfortable sleeping at the end, but you can’t win at everything.

Not only was the pregnancy going well, but everything that we needed to happen at the time we found out we were pregnant seemed to just fall into place. When I told Adam that we were pregnant, we felt like we needed to move back to Utah. So, the next day we made the hard decision to put our house up for sale. We sold it almost two weeks later; CASH offer! We then sold almost everything we owned at a garage sale, oh wait, did I say sell? I meant GAVE away everything we owned to the same 10 Hispanic families. Those peeps knew how to get what they wanted for CHEAP. “This price is no good” is what I heard for 6 hours straight. The lady who made off with my whole closet for $5 dollars still haunts my dreams. I’m assuming the scary Haitian men who roamed in and out of our house looking at our TV still haunts Adam’s dreams. Adam carried a screw driver around in his pocket all day. Haha.

We flew back to Utah with 4 suitcases, and a few shipped boxes. The end. As scary as it was, we were able to both get jobs within a month of being back in Utah! We were also able to move in quickly to a great house, which included a lot of the furniture. So, I guess it’s good that we sold our new couch for $1. Can you tell I’m still a little traumatized?

All I can say is the man upstairs was definitely looking out for us. I still can’t believe how many prayers were answered and how quickly too. I’m almost at the point of wanting to buy one of those bumper stickers that say, Thank you Jesus! I just want to shout it from the rooftops!

The smooth journey continues:

I was able to work up to four days before I delivered, and at that point I was still feeling great. I would have worked longer too if the Doctor hadn’t said she thought Case could come soon.  At 36 weeks, he seemed to not be putting on much weight and she thought I might have to be induced if he didn’t come soon. This was no bueno. Adam and I spent months taking Hynobirth classes and spent a good chunk of change on books, classes and dvds on how to go natural. I was NOT about to be induced!  The same day she told me this we had our maternity photo shoot scheduled for later in the evening. I still felt fine, besides being a little scared for Case, and a little stressed out from trying on a million outfits that made me look like a beached whale. Why again was I paying to get photos of me like this? On the hour drive up to Eagle Mountain for the photo shoot, I remember praying over and over, “please let this baby come soon and on his own if he is ready.” I guess I should have realized at this point how fast the Lord had been answering our prayers. I would have waited until AFTER we got home!

 Adam and I were about half-way through taking photos when my water broke. I wasn’t sure at the time that was what had happened, because I still felt fine. At this point I was used to peeing my pants by just sneezing and walking upstairs. So, I just contributed the sudden gush to a weak bladder, or the aftermath from a not so gentle check up earlier in the day. So, what do we do? We just keep on taking photos. I was moving all over the place: hunching over chairs, sitting, squatting, and lying on my back. I started having some contractions, but they weren’t that painful so I thought it was just normal, due to all the movement. We waited until after the photo shoot to start timing them, (I hope Case inherits his thinking skills from the Yale Medical student in the family, instead of us.) The contractions were already 3 minutes apart! I still wasn’t in any real pain though, so I thought we were fine.

Once, we got in the car they hit me like a ton of bricks. They were coming almost every minute, and we still had an hour drive back home and we were also out of gas! This was the longest car ride of my life. Every bump felt like someone hit me with a hammer, and I almost broke the seatbelt by how hard I was pulling on it. If it wasn’t for my relaxation techniques I had worked on for so long, I don’t think I would have made it. They kept me calm, and I was able to not totally go bonkers.

Still rolling along on the smart train, I talked Adam into going home first to get my bag instead of going straight to the hospital. If I would have known how far along I was, I might have reconsidered this idea. Once I started to walk around at home, I felt better, and thought maybe we were fine for a while longer.  I started picking out clothes and cleaning up my house! Haha, you should have seen Adam’s face. It takes a lot for him to put on a frustrated face, and that’s the worst I have ever seen it. I could tell he just wanted to scream at me. Instead, he just kept rubbing my back, helping me upstairs, and doing everything I told him to do (which included cleaning the nursery, haha.)  I had to tell HIM to take a few deep breaths. I’m glad he finally talked me into hurrying. By the time we got to the hospital I was already dialated to a 7. I was walking around calm (thank you Hypnobirthing), so they thought I still had a while. Within 10-20 minutes of being in the room, I got on the bed and said, “I’m having my baby!” Everyone looked super shocked. Adam was still bringing loads up from the car, and hadn’t even registered us yet. My Doctor wasn’t even there yet! Adam and the Doctor both ran in the room right as Case was ready to make his big debut. I remember Adam just jumping on the bed and holding me while I was pushing. I have never loved him more than I did at that moment, just being in his arms made me feel safe and gave me the strength that I needed. I would say I was pushing no longer than 10-15 minutes! If the doctor had hit one more red light she would have missed it. WABAM! Case was out and crying like, well, a babyJ No drugs, all natural, and we both couldn’t have been more healthy and happy!

So basically, my water broke at 7pm, and Case entered this world at 9:55pm. Like I said, the smoothest little miracle of my life.

However, now?  Not so much. I hope one day I will get some sleep, my boobs will stop leaking and throbbing, and eventually I WILL get to the mile high laundry pile! Even though I cry constantly, I have never been so happy in my entire life.

Case is the sweetest little boy, and has a smile that will some day break hearts. I am so grateful I was given such an amazing child, and even more grateful that the Lord did not leave my side the entire time. I have never felt so much love and gratitude. I have a firm testimony that God does watch over us and answers our prayers. He knew exactly when this little boy was meant to come and made it possible for everything to work out as easily and smoothly as it could. My heart and soul could not be more full. I hope I will never forget this feeling. In my mind, I have the perfect family, and I owe it all to Him.

Many thanks to,

Brad and Alyson Jacox: They let us live with them for an entire month. They even let Toby sleep in the garage, which for them would have been like letting Michael Jackson babysit your kids. I still see the stress lines on their foreheads. They have constantly been there for us with open arms, love and support. I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. They are like the energizer bunny, they just keep giving and giving and giving. It doesn’t hurt that Alyson actually asks to change Case’s diaper too, boy did we luck out.

My MOM: Who continuously spoils Case from the minute she found out I was pregnant. The little presents just keep on coming! She has worked so hard her entire adult life to support her family. Her sacrifices and dedication still amaze me. I owe all the happiness I have today because of her. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her constant example of love, dedication, and sacrifice. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to be her daughter. Thanks Mom!

Adam: Words cannot express my love for this man. I know everyone thinks their husband is the best one in the world, but mine REALLY is. What other man do you know that would sit through months of Hypno-birthing classes, put on cd’s every night before bed that talk about having a strong uterus, let me buy virtually every baby thing I want, and still find me attractive after seeing me throw-up and pee my pants at the same time? I have never once felt alone throughout this pregnancy. He was there every step of the way. He read every article, watched every video (I’m talking gross birthing ones too) and attended every class I had. He was constantly giving me encouragement and would respond to every jab I threw at myself with, “you are beautiful.” He would sit there and rub my back through every crying fit, and give me late night foot rubs even though I knew he was exhausted. I could go on and on about all the things he does right, but the one that stands out the most is his unconditional love for our son. He is such a great dad! Although, he could give the poor baby monitor some breathing room. The man hovers over it like its gold. Case is so lucky to have him as a father. I know he would do ANYTHING for him, and because of that, I would do anything for him. I love him with all my heart, and know that love will just continue to grow. I feel fortunate to have found such love in life.