Caleb Wes

Caleb’s Birth Story

Gestation: 41 weeks (3/7)

In the room: Dad, April(Lolli), Keeley

Nurses: RhoGena & Rindey

Doctor: Dr. Spotts

Doula: Keeley Coker

3/6/26

At 40+6, mama went in for a routine NST and was found to have low fluid (1.3). With baby’s environment no longer ideal, the decision was made to begin an induction.

Funny how babies plan things, Mama and i were supposed to meet for the first time the next day...Caleb said " mom made plans?? hold my umbilical cord"

And we had our first meeting in the Hospital room, turns out it was love at first sight  She instantly became family.

4:45 PM – The first dose of Cytotec was given. At this point, her cervix was fingertip dilated with a Bishop score of 4 (goal of 6)

The evening was spent encouraging baby into an optimal position with movement and intentional positioning… lunges, squats, and exaggerated side-lying became the rhythm of the room.

8:45 PM – Second dose of Cytotec.

Not long after, the waves began to build. She experienced the common side effects… shaking, chills, adrenaline surges… paired with small but frequent contractions.

10:00–11:00 PM – Laboring upright, swaying and standing through each surge.

12:45 AM – Cervical check showed 2 cm dilation, baby now at 0 station, and a Bishop score improved to 6. Things were shifting.

Shortly after… labor found its momentum.

By around 1:45–2:00 AM, contractions demanded full attention. Conversation faded, replaced by breath, focus, and surrender to each wave.

2:15 AM – Contractions intensified, coming every 1½–2 minutes and lasting up to a minute.

2:55 AM – 3 cm dilated.

3:30 AM – Mom made the call for an epidural. It wasn’t a moment of defeat… it was a moment of intuition. She was ready. Fluids were started.

4:00 AM – Anesthesia arrived.

4:55 AM – Epidural placed successfully.

Relief washed in. She still felt pressure, but the sharp edge of pain softened, allowing her body to rest between contractions… something she hadn’t had all night. The best possible call even if she had a moment of doubt.

And through it all… Dad.

Steady. Present. Fully in it with her.

Supporting her body, guiding her breath, grounding her in the hard moments, and riding every contraction wave right alongside her.

Truly… chef’s kiss. A+ birth partner energy.

5:00 AM – 8 cm dilated.

5:15 AM - Mom made me laugh because she focused so hard during those contractions only to instantly smile and say "Okay im good!!" after it passed, it was precious

5:30 AM – pain started to creep back in as we got into the late transition phase, so additional medication was given through her epidural.

6:00 AM – Comfortable and resting while her body continued the work.

7:10 AM – Fully dilated. Baby at 0 to +1 station.

We paused here… giving baby time to descend.

8:43 AM – Pushing began.

With the epidural, finding that “push” feeling was a little tricky, so we adjusted… turning it down slightly and starting a small amount of Pitocin to strengthen contractions.

Then came the plot twist… Caleb was sunny-side-up.

Dr. Spotts manually rotated him during pushing… and once he turned, everything changed.

The energy in the room shifted. Progress came quickly.

9:36 AM – Caleb Wes made his entrance.

8 pounds 8 ounces of pure, hard-earned perfection.

NICU stood ready due to earlier concerns, but Caleb had other plans… healthy, strong, and immediately placed skin-to-skin with mom. Dad proudly cut the cord, sealing the moment.

Mom was nothing short of incredible. Through every stage… the unknown, the intensity, the pivots… she stayed grounded, strong, and unwavering.

She did it.

Welcome earthside, Caleb Wes