One Month Lessons

Some things that I have learned about motherhood in the first 4 weeks:

- Being a mommy is not an easy job.

- It is possible to function on a few hours of sleep.

- Getting out of the house with a newborn baby requires strategic planning.

- I am a pro at doing things one-handed.
- My left arm muscles are going to be big from holding baby girl all day.

- Cloth diapering service was a great choice!

- Baby girl has distinct cries for hunger, gas, and a dirty diaper.

- The first week was full of worry. I constantly checked to see if she was breathing. Glad I'm over that!

- Breastfeeding is HARD. I finally do not feel guilty about using formula.

- Baby girl likes to be wide awake at 4AM. I guess I can't blame her since her first day did start at 4:27AM.

- I love when she falls asleep on my chest. I could stare at her all day/night.

- Caley is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Birth Experience

We utilized the Carolina Community Maternity Center which is owned by a group of excellent midwives. Our midwife was Damaris. She was great! I had the best support throughout the entire pregnancy and superb coaching during the birth.  


My water broke at 1:40AM on 10/8/12 Monday morning. I did not realize it at first and just felt wet. My husband, Carlos, heard me get out of bed and appeared at the bathroom door. He asked me if my water broke because I had left a small puddle on the bed and a trail to the bathroom. We got so excited! We immediately called Damaris who confirmed that it was amniotic fluid. She told me to rest because baby girl was on her way out within the next 24 hours! Carlos believes that climbing those stairs at the Panthers vs Seahawks game on Sunday started my labor early since the estimated due date was October 17th. Instead of going back to sleep, for the next hour we packed our bags for the maternity center and called our family. My mother never went back to sleep.  My contractions started around 3AM. They were light and in intervals of an hour to 45 min. I felt good so we went to Target to pick up some snacks and a cooler for the placenta later that morning. My parents left their home in Greenville at 6AM and were waiting for us in our driveway at 11AM! My contractions continued throughout the day and were slowly getting closer together. My sister arrived after she finished working in Greensboro. I ate, slept, laughed, talked, walked and watched TV all day. The 10 min interval of contractions lasted for hours and I started getting frustrated. Damaris told me to take castor oil at 10PM to get things rolling again. It was not good but definitely worth it! Three hours later the contractions got intense and closer together. Carlos and I went into our bedroom for some alone time. He timed the contractions, massaged me and helped me on the birthing ball. After 45 min of 5 min interval contractions we called Damaris. She said to come on over to the maternity center! We packed the car and all of us headed to Fort Mill, SC. Fortunately no traffic on the way. Carlos still drove fast and put on the hazard lights! We arrived at 2:10AM. Damaris was waiting for us and immediately made me comfortable. She checked the heartbeat with the Doppler and allowed me to undress. I was already 6cm dilated! She filled the tub and I labored there and in the bathroom. It was so cold the entire time! I was covered with blankets and had a personal heater. The tub was great since it was warm. I was so focused. Carlos said I barely talked the entire time. I continued to breath deeply and deal with each contraction successfully without any medication. At one point I had an incredible urge to push. Damaris checked me and said I was 100% effaced and dilated to 10 cm! I wanted to push on the bed. I got on my hands and knees and was coached by my mother and Damaris. After 18 min Caley Brooke arrived! It was a huge relief when she was born. No tearing! Caley was placed on my stomach since we kept the umbilical cord attached. I felt it pulse! She had a head full of black, curly hair. Barely any vernix on her skin. Carlos put some on my face. He remembered that was what I wanted! Caley was very calm and did not cry at all. The placenta came out about 10 min later. Another huge feeling of relief. We cuddled, I ate and Caley was examined. She was perfect! Born weighing 7lb 4oz at 4:27AM on 10/9/12.

Truly the best experience in my life!

Baby Girl Daniels has arrived!

Caley Brooke Daniels

10/9/2012 at 4:27AM

7lbs 4oz