Our son, Levi McRae Byer, born 09/08/07

The latest news for the Byers in Oz is that we have a new arrival - Levi McRae Byer was born healthy, strong and alert at 00:09, on 9th August 2007. And what a moment that was - stunning.


From the moment that labour started at 02:25 on the 7th August, until the moment that Levi finally arrived 46 hours later, Skye and I worked hard (although she worked harder than I did!) at following all the techniques and methods we had learnt and had been practicing ready for the big occasion. It was a very intense 46 hours, an experience that will stay with us forever. There was virtually no sleeping, and hardly any eating, throughout the labour, and we went to and from the hospital no less than 3 times (twice during morning rush hours too!). There were plenty of decisions to be made, and different midwives and doctors to talk to - we did it all together. I'm also quietly pleased that the tracks on the mix CDs I made, that were cycled many, many times over, are now firm favourites :)

Those early moments of Levi's life in the outside world, were ground-shakingly profound to me. Very shortly after he was born, I talked to him and stroked his temple, and he turned his eyes to mine and calmed at the sound of my voice. And oh does he look like me!! :) It was also fortunate that we both immediately saw that his name would suit him, as we had a very short shortlist of only 1 name...

Skye and Levi were stuck at the hospital for 4 days, which were trying and emotional times. Lots of conflicting advice from midwives, a lack of privacy in the shared ward, the trials of breastfeeding. And although I was very, very tired and somehow just couldn't bring myself to go to bed at night - instead staying up until the early hours making calls, and emailing photos and movies of our son the family and friends who couldn't come and visit us in Brisbane.

Bringing Skye and Levi home from the hospital was a fantastic day. We all just breathed that much easier once we were back amongst the comforts of home. Once thing I've certainly learnt, which I had read in books anyway, is that birth is not something that should have to happen in a hospital. Hospitals are set up to handle diseases, illnesses, and medical procedures, all on a grand scale. Birth should be a unique personal event, and hopefully shouldn't require any medical attention whatsoever - which sounds like the opposite of a hospital case. Although things don't always go smoothly, just being in a hospital environment isn't conducive to having a unique, personal, natural birth, which can only make it harder for a labouring mother to get on with things naturally.

Some of the books that I'd read also said that it's quite common for a father to find it difficult to bond with his newborn, and that this can cause all kinds of anxiety and stresses - not so for me. I immediately felt a strong link with my son, which only strengthened during my 2 weeks of paternity leave.

Skye has been recovering well from the whole experience, and has adapted well to being at home with Levi now that I'm back at work. Although I'm enjoying my job, I would have loved to have stayed at home longer. Luckily for me, Skye's tech-savvy and sends me pictures and videos via MMS through the day anytime Levi does something cute.

Our son is a precious, gorgeous, bundle of amazement and joy - thanks to everyone who sent us messages, cards and gifts.


Plenty more photos of Levi are on facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10555&l=ee737&id=699605134

ps: we did receive (and are still receiving!!) a lot of advice about pregnancy, birth and parenting. I think the best piece of advice goes something like this:

"Whenever someone gives you advice, no matter how contradictory, smile and say thankyou - you may find it comes in handy when it's 3am and you think you've tried everything else!"