Marli's Birth Story

Welcome to the World baby sister

At 40 weeks on the day, I gave birth to our second beautiful little angel. Our sweet Marli girl was born all naturally on December 1st 2023 coming in at a sweet 7 bs and 14 oz. She was delivered at St. Joseph hospital, and was truly another magical experience.

And so it begins…

If you read Nyla’s Birth Story, you know the whirlwind it lead us on to give Birth at St. Joesphs Hospital with the Midwives team. We had the most amazing experience and care team that for this pregnancy we decided to start our care with them from the beginning. We had the most wonderful Midwife, Neko, who saw us from start to end. This was a huge change from my pregnancy with Nyla. Because of the pandemic we constantly saw a new Midwive or person at every appointment we went to, so to have someone see us through to the end and build a relationship with was very cool.

I was very thankful to have another great pregnancy. However, this time, I was working full time and taking care of a toddler! It defiantly made the time go faster because I had to focus on so many other things than just being pregnant. This time, I got to be around friends, co-workers, strangers, and family daily which was so sweet. I got to experience a gender revel party, a baby shower from my job, and celebrating my sweet Nyla’s third birthday with all her little friends. In my first pregnancy I was so obsessed with what was happening to my baby daily in the womb, and this pregnancy I was so enamored with imaging how this sweet baby would fit into our daily routine and life.

We found out that baby Wong #2 was a girl with a super fun Golf Party and from that day forward we became so excited for our sweet baby sister. It was nerve racking imaging life with my wonderful three year old and a newborn. How would they get along? Would Nyla be jealous? Would we ever sleep again?! But so far, life has been nothing short of magical.

And so Labor Begins

I think the coolest thing about birth is that no two births are ever the same! This time I started feeling contractions on my own about 2 days before she came. They were very mild and more so just felt like a cramp. I tried to time them to see if we were on a consistent track but they were still very sporadic. As we approached her due date and my 40th week appointment, the contractions were starting to come more regular and a bit more intense! I told Rashawn, we are going to go to this appointment and I am going to be 3cm dilated and we will be sent on our way to labor and delivery! Well, let this be a lesson that we always know best and to trust your own instincts! I was 3 cm dilated. However, if you remember the whirlwind with Nyla, that sneaky guy ‘high blood pressure’ was back.

Every time I had my blood pressure taken this pregnancy, I was super anxious because the LAST thing I ever wanted to happen was to be high risk or actually have a concern like high blood pressure. Luckily, I was super lucky to remain healthy throughout my time and maintain a healthy blood pressure…until this appointment. Of course my blood pressure was elevated when they took it! With that, my midwife sent me straight to the hospital.

We got all checked in and they sent me to ‘Triage’ to have my blood pressure monitored, take some blood work, and discuss next steps. I was a bit confused because me knowing what I was feeling and experiencing, I felt like I was in the thick of labor. Getting contractions more consistent and stronger. Once I was settled my blood pressure was normal and my labs came back a-ok. I thought we would get to do to the labor and delivery room and get ready to rock but they wanted to keep my here for 4 hours to monitor my blood pressure. Meanwhile, I was starting to get more uncomfortable and felt the contractions coming on much stronger. It came to a point where I felt like I needed to be in the delivery room. The Midwife came in and said that we can start Pitocin to ‘get my labor going’. If you remember from Nyla, as a personal preference I do not want Pitocin. I made this pretty clear to the midwife and she hesitantly said we can ‘see how things go then’. I was a bit confused because I felt like I was in the thick of labor! It was almost like they didn’t think I was progressing. Finally after about 5 hours they took us to the room, and thank goodness they did…

We got to the room about 2pm. Started getting settled and went over my birth plan with the sweetest nurse ever, Ashley. By this point I was starting to have to really breath through my contractions because we were at the pain point. It felt like I was really moving. Ashley must have had a sixth sense because she started getting the room ready for delivery, and thank goodness she did!

The contractions were coming super close together and I was starting to have to squeeze Rashawns hands real tight. I thought I needed to get in the bath and then suddenly a contraction came and my water broke! The nurses knew it was go time and started getting all hands on deck. I am so glad she did because the next contraction I got, I felt that deep need to push! After about 2o minutes, miss Marli was in our arms ♡

I took the picture of my belly at 2:43 and about 30 minutes later Marli was born!

This experience taught me that you truly know your self best and have to advocate for YOU. I knew what I was feeling and knew that it was baby time. I was bummed that I did not get to truly labor in my delivery room and take advantage of the bath, birthing ball, and freedom to roam around this time. Instead, we were stuck in a little room hooked up to a blood pressure machine. But, I will say, that it was still a very magical and rewarding experience overall.

This time I went into labor completely on my own, did not have any induction measures, and was able to bring my sweet Marli Girl into the world all naturally on my own. It makes me very proud to believe in my self and my body to do this. While it is truly no easy feat, it is 1000% worth it. The staff once again was so incredible and kind and in awe of our experience. They called me a warrior, and in that moment I truly felt like one.

I will always be thankful for my loml, Rashawn, but words can’t describe how thankful I will always be to have him as a partner during birth. He was so encouraging, let me squeeze the daylights out of his hands, and told me how I got this over and over. I love him so much and feel so beyond blessed to walk this parenting journey with him. He is the best girl dad we could ever ask for.

Bringing her home

This time we got to go home after 25 hours! It felt so great to come, take care of business, and leave with our complete little family. Despite things not going 100% how I visioned it, I was so thankful for everything happening the way it did. Miss Marli will forever be our timely little girl joining us on her exact due date!

Once we were settled in the postpartum overnight room we had my parents bring Nyla to the hospital to meet her baby sister. Nyla walked in the room and could not stop smiling!! She got to hold her and just kept saying ‘Hi Baby Sister’. Our hearts were exploding at that moment. It was so pure and special. My amazing parents brought us our favorite meal from Little Ollies, we celebrate all major milestones there it was just so fitting to share it on Marli’s Birthday.

The next day when we got to come home, Rashawn and I really soaked in the fact that we are now parents of two. Two amazing, beautiful, sweet little girls. I am so thankful they have each other to walk through this life with. Watching Nyla grow and see her personality shine through has been my greatest joy in life, I cannot wait to see miss Marli do the same. So far Marli has been an amazing baby - great sleeper, eater, and snuggler. Our home and hearts are so full ♡

takeaways from birth

This may sound familiar but it is something I truly believe in and want woman to know:

I just want every woman who reads this to know that YOU have the power and strength in you to accomplish anything. If birth taught me anything it’s truly how amazing and powerful our bodies and minds can be. If you are pregnant or looking to have a baby in the future, just know you CAN do it all naturally. We all can. You just have to dig deep and believe in yourself.

It is such a miracle to have a child. Pregnancy and birth is something I would never take for granted. To see this life you carried and created finally out in your arms, is a feeling that’s indescribable until you experience it yourself. The way we bring our babies into the world is an empowering experience no matter how it happens. But I am a firm believer that if you believe in your self, you can accomplish a beautiful natural birth.

Marli has a wonderful role model to look up to, parents who love her endlessly, and of course a pup to always protect her. She has family and friends far and wide to love on her and guide her. Her sweet soul is already so cherished and I feel an incredible honor to be her mom. I am so thankful for the ability to bring her into this world.

For anyone pregnant, wishing to be pregnant, experiencing loss, or experiencing hope… know I am thinking of you, empowering you, and sending you my good vibe ♡

pin gallery