Stories
Becoming a Mother
Rachel Vernon, 27, is in her third trimester of pregnancy. Here, she peers over her baby belly in attempt to see her toes. “I lost sight of my feet at about 7 months in,” Rachel laughed.
Ryan Vernon, 29, leans over to give Rachel a kiss on the forehead. The two met in Dallas, Texas and were married 7 months after their first date in June, 2015. “Ryan has been so incredibly supportive and patient with me through this whole pregnancy,” Rachel said. “He is equal parts encouraging, helpful, and knows when to just make me laugh. I cannot wait to see him be a dad.”
When Rachel found out she was pregnant, she explored the option of having a doula. "We did a lot of online searching. We met with about 15 doulas, until we found our match." Rachel said. "We just clicked with them, and knew they were going to play the role that we would need for this birth.”
Midwife Belinda Lashea helps Ryan feel the baby while at an appointment at the Women's Birth and Wellness Center on Nov. 12, 2018. Rachel’s family has a history of natural childbirth, which exposed Rachel to the idea of having one herself. “My mom had 6 kids naturally, and my sisters also experienced natural births.” Rachel said. “It wasn’t until I witnessed the birth of my nephew that I knew it was something I wanted for myself one day.”
Rachel feels her baby kick during the afternoon of Nov. 11, 2018. Before this pregnancy, Rachel had experienced a miscarriage, which at first brought on some nerves. "Finding out we were pregnant with this baby brought a lot of fear initially, but we prayed for peace and soon realized this was the baby that we would get to meet and bring home one day." Rachel said. This newborn is considered a "rainbow baby," a term used for the baby you have after a miscarriage—the rainbow after the rain.
Rachel watches some youtube videos while Ryan falls asleep in her bedroom on Nov. 12, 2018. Rachel has become increasingly tired since she cannot sleep in her favorite sleeping position, on her back, and because the baby keeps her up at night. "The baby most often kicks at night," Rachel said. "A party animal!”
Rachel went into labor late Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. After her contractions became two minutes apart, she headed to the birth center. Here, Rachel experiences a strong contraction upon first arrival at the Women's Birth and Wellness Center in Chapel Hill, NC at 7 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2018.
12 hours later, and Rachel is still experiencing contractions with very little progress on her dialation (4 cm). Here, Ryan comforts Rachel during her two minutes of rest before the next contraction.
Rachel is becoming increasingly tired, as she has not slept or ate in almost two days. Anything she eats she throws up and everytime she tries to sleep she is woken up by an intense contraction. After reaching the 48 hour mark, Rachel decides its best to move to UNC hospital to receive an epidural and pitocin, a birth-inducing drug.
The baby was finally born at 1:13 a.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2018. "She's so beautiful and cuddly," Rachel said. Rachel and Ryan decided on the name Eliora Ruth for their newborn baby girl. Eliora, a very unique name, means "God is my light." "Although we don't consider ourselves very religious, faith is a very important part of our lives." Rachel said. "We plan to raise our child in a home that follows the bible and encourages a relationship with Jesus.”
Rachel holds her baby while receiving stitches, keeping skin-on-skin contact for the first hour to help regulate Eliora’s body temperature.
"I have a new respect for pregnant woman! It is tough work, and carries a lot of emotions." Rachel said. "I'm most excited for taking in the newborn stage, especially just the three of us getting to know each other. Sleep deprivation and all.” Rachel said.