Heather Mathes

My entire pregnancy and the birth of my son, Luc, was one of the best experiences of my life. On June 1, we went into Riverside Hospital to start the induction for labor. I was 41 weeks along, and we knew he was on the big side, so we thought it was best to get the party started. I had already tried every natural thing I could think of to get labor going, including two acupuncture appointments and a visit to my herbalist. So that Monday morning at 11:20 am they started the Pitocin. Fortunately, I was already 2 to 3 cm dilated and contracting when I arrived, so I guess all the natural things I was trying did have some effect!       

I used HypnoBirthing as my breathing method and all the nurses commented on how I was handling the contractions amazingly well — until about 9 pm, that is, when I needed the epidural. I later learned that that was when I went from 5 cm to 10 cm in about two hours. I was incredibly grateful for the epidural to say the least! Around 11 pm or so, the nurse called our doctor and I started gently pushing shortly after. At 12:53 am on June 2, little Luc arrived into this world crying out loud to let us know he had a good set of lungs. He was absolutely perfect and we are in love!

My husband and I named him Luc Allen-Manley Mathes. Allen is his father’s and paternal grandfather’s middle name, and Manley is his maternal grandfather’s surname. His name means “a handsome light from the hero’s meadow” and we think it fits him perfectly! His daddy was happy to cut the cord and help me throughout the whole labor. He was awesome!

I’m grateful to everyone who helped assist me in my journey to motherhood. Our nurse, Laura, was amazing, I will never forget her encouragement and support, and our OB, Dr. Ruedrich, was absolutely wonderful for the entire nine months and we are so thankful for his knowledge and guidance. And our parents and my sister stayed up all night with us to be there to meet Luc and welcome him into the world! We truly felt blessed and surrounded by love throughout the entire experience. Welcome, little Luc. We love you!