Regin's First Week, Birth & Baby FAQs

Regin's First Week

Well our little boy is already a whole week old! We're both astonished that it's already been a full week since he came into our lives, and amazed we've only known him that long.

Below are a few photos of his first week on the outside! Or you can click here to see an entire album of 42 photos. We've (I've) been a little snap happy!

This is mere moments after birth. Regin announced his own arrival with loud cries, but was peaceful and wide-eyed once he'd been laid at my chest.

As you look through the pictures you might see a trend... closed eyes. Little Regin sleeps ALL THE TIME right now. We have to wake him to breastfeed and keep him awake with gentle forms of baby torture.

My sister, Katrin, surprised us by coming for an impromptu visit once she learned that birth was underway. She arrived at our house within the first 30-60 minutes after the birth. It was great to have her, not only as support, but also as my own personal Doctor of Physical Therapy making sure that I was doing ok physically, postpartum.

A close up of my sweet baby's profile.

My mom was here for the whole thing and was available to help support me through the birth and has been awesome in supporting George and I in becoming new parents.

Although George is insecure about his new role as father, I think he's taking to it really wonderfully. My favorite sight so far is seeing my favorite two boys snuggled together in bed, with Regin snoozing peacefully on Papi's chest.

A rare look at Regin with his eyes open!





Regin models a hat that his mamma made him and a sweater that his omma whipped up for him.

Regin was well dressed for a chilly day with some snow. He never actually went outside that day, but he was still dressed for it!

Our first family photo.

Me and my boy.


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Birth & Baby FAQs

Thank you all so much for all the wonderful messages we've received from you of congratulations (as well as condolences for George regarding his dad) we've just had so many, and we're still concentrating on spending time with our baby, so you'll have to forgive us for not getting back to you all individually right away. In the meantime, we've received a lot of questions about the birth and everything, so I thought we'd just post a bunch of FAQs here to answer everyone at once.


Regin, is that a boys'/girls' name?
It's a boys' name. Most of you got that from George's announcement, although he never explicitly said if it was a boy or girl. Sorry about that!

Is the name Faroese?
Yep. The name is from Norse mythology. It's a relatively common boys' name in the Faroe Islands (where my mom is from). And it is the name of the character featured in my favorite Faroese ballad -- Regin Smiđur -- which tells the story of Regin, a smith, his brother Fafnir, a dragon, and his foster son who killed them both. The Faroese/Norse origin also explains the weird pronunciation given the letters used. I know, Regin is going to hate us forever for making him always have to explain the pronunciation of his name. Ah well. I still love it. The middle name is after George's dad, Oscar, who sadly passed away earlier the same day that Regin was born.

How did you choose the name?
Well I made a girl & a boy list of Faroese names, George made lists of Spanish names. We traded lists, vetoed a few on each and selected our favorites. Regin was one of two favorites for the boy names. I was really surprised that George responded to it right away when he heard it. I worried he would think it was too weird, but he loved it as much as I did, maybe even more. We also considered using family names, but George felt strongly about making sure that our kid(s) have their own individuality, but he agreed when I wanted to use his dad's name as our son's middle name.

How was the birth? Was it stressful/difficult? Did it go ok?
Oh my gosh, the labor & birth was the hardest thing I have ever done. And when they talk about pain in childbirth, people really aren't lying. It's unbelievable. And it was soooooooo long. I had contractions for almost 48 hours! Real labor was only 20-24 hours, but that was uh long time! I was so exhausted. And the pain was so intense that as much as I love my little boy, I really wonder about whether or not I can do it again. I still believe in the importance of a birth without medical intervention. But I was seriously desperate for any form of relief I could get, including passing out and being taken to the hospital. For me, it certainly wasn't the beautiful, empowering experience that some other home-birth advocates talk about. I have never felt more helpless and less in control. I suppose I should be proud that I did it on my own without interventions, but I don't feel a sense of pride. If I had displayed any kind of strength, or continued to feel strong in my convictions even in the throes of birth, or even felt like I was the master of my experience, I would feel pride, but I felt that I had been naive in my decision to birth at home, weak for my desperate pleas for help from everyone around me, and powerless against the process of labor. If there had been any way for me to run from the pain and stop the process I would have absolutely done it. The only thing I really feel good about is that I knew myself well enough to know that I had to birth at home or else I would have caved in and immediately asked for an epidural at the first opportunity if I had birthed in the hospital. I knew I'd never have been strong enough to resist it. And my beliefs in the benefits of a drug-free & intervention-free birth were so strong, that I knew I couldn't put myself in a position to have access to those drugs & interventions.

Where/how did you birth?
At home. I gave birth on a birthing stool. I was close to doing it in the bath tub, but I was so desperate for it to be over towards the end that I leaped out of the tub to sit on the stool which promised to give me more pain but to speed up the process. I opted for the speed of upright delivery. Ugh the pain.

Didn't he come a bit early?
Yep. About a week and a half early. That was exactly what we expected given my family history.

How is Regin doing? health etc?
He's doing great. He's healthy & strong. He sleeps non-stop. He is slightly jaundiced, but I heard that pretty much all babies born at this altitude are slightly jaundiced. Don't know if it's true or not. But we're making sure to expose him to sunlight (& breastmilk) to help the jaundice to pass.

How are you feeling?
Mostly good, although there is definitely a recovery process to go through and continued pain. I am definitely sleep deprived. Also breastfeeding definitely proves to be a challenge that is also not without pain. (both emotional and physical) but I have people around me to support me through so that's good.

Is your mom or anyone helping you?
My mom is acting as sort of my post-partum doula. She's with us for two weeks and George is off work for three weeks. My midwife has asked me to get approx two+ weeks of pseudo bed rest. and just focus on getting to know Regin & learn how to breastfeed and the cooking and cleaning is all to be done by my mom or George. It's nice to be taken care of but I am eager for this period to end as I am bordering on cabin fever.

Can we offer you help or food or anything?
Thank you so very much, but it's not necessary. My mom has been cooking us the most amazingly delicious meals, and I think she is loving doing that for us. Between George and my mom there isn't really any help needed and I think my mom would be bummed to lose some of her duties. :)

When can we come visit?
We've been kind of keeping visitors at bay for a bit. I really felt the need to sort of nest and be in private with our new addition, but we're starting to get our rhythm now, and Regin is growing more accustomed to his new world. So I feel we are ready for guests now if you want to come and meet him. However, I want to avoid lots of people coming at once, so please let us know if and when you want to drop by.

Give us your birth story!
We'd been trying a couple of those old wives tales for bringing on labor, and who knows if they worked (I think they did) but I began having strong menstrual-cramp-like contractions just before or around midnight of April 4th. Those lasted through the night giving me lousy, interrupted sleep. They were strong enough that I got up at 6am on April 5th and called my midwife who instructed me to keep our regularly scheduled appointment later that morning, and to make sure to have a big breakfast and get lots of rest. Contractions started later that morning, but they were sporadic. We saw our midwife at 10am. She told us that the process had basically started, but that it could be 1-5 days before the baby was born. George's dad's condition was getting really bad, so she said I should try labor acupuncture to speed things up, so I booked an appointment for that in the early afternoon. We had brunch at IHOP so that I could get lots of protein (huge omelette) to help keep my energy up for the long labor ahead of me. Contractions continued, I went and got acupunture and contractions continued some more. They increased in intensity. My mom was on her way by now and was at our house that evening. Around midnight of my second night the contractions become regular and more intense. I took a bath at 5am to help ease the pain. It was amazing. The pain relief was almost immediate. But then labor slowed waaaaaaaaay down. We called the midwife again early that morning (the 6th). But the contractions were too far apart so she waited to come. We called her again later in the morning. Just as she arrived at the house, we received the tragic news that George's dad had passed away. I don't know if it was that, or her arrival, or both, but labor then slowed way down again. I was 3 centimeters dilated. She left and we were to call her when things changed again. In the afternoon I started having long (1-2 minute) contractions (by the end they were as long as 3 minutes!) Midwife came back. She told me I was about 6-7 centimeters dilated! This meant I was allowed to get back in the bath without risking slowing labor down again. But by now, everything was so intense I am not sure if the bath did much to help. Then we sat for hours with me in the tub. George and my mom holding my hands, and the midwife telling me I was doing great. The pain was unbelievable. Before long I was begging for any kind of help they could give me. I was groaning and moaning loudly and even wailing at times. Then the pain became so intense that I couldn't speak or make a noise. After that it got even worse and I was wailing and yelling. And I became angry at everyone for not being able to help me. By now I had a midwife team of three present and ready for the grand finale. When pushing began, I couldn't stand to be touched, and any efforts to comfort me did nothing but upset me. I felt like there was no progress, and was frustrated every time my midwife told me I was doing a great job. I didn't feel like I was doing anything. It was being done to me! She asked if I wanted to see/feel the baby as it was descending. I snapped back that I didn't. But I used my anger to help me push. And George stood behind me and gave me his hands to push against. And boy did I push! I was determined to get this part over as quickly as possible, and I wasn't going to be one of those women who pushed for several hours. I was fatigued and the contractions were intense. I wanted to stop, but the baby's heart rate slowed down. When I said again that I couldn't do it anymore, the entire midwife team yelled back in unison, "You have to!" They gave me oxygen (for the baby) and told me I had to push the baby out with the next push. I struggled through the fatigue and pushed with all my might. Then I heard crying and a large warm towel-covered lump was placed in my arms and I was walked to the bed. I think I was in complete shock. I didn't know where this baby came from, but it certainly didn't come from me. I am not sure how long I held him before it occurred to me that I didn't know his sex. I peeked and... "It's a boy!" I said with surprise (I was sure it was a girl). I was so fatigued and weak that my mom had to feed me pieces of fruit and peanut butter toast. George and I were given some time alone with our new little boy and we decided that his name was Regin Oscar Hurley David. My sister, Katrin then surprised us by showing up for an impromptu visit from Boise. Being a DPT she was able to help me make sure I was doing ok physically.

Well, that's it for now. If I missed your question, email me/us (or put your question in the comments) and I will add your question here.

Thanks again for all the love we've received from you and love to all in return!

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