Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves Show Off Baby Levi
Update 4 p.m.: More quotations added!
Originally posted 4 a.m.: For Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, who introduce their 2-week-old son Levi Alves McConaughey in the latest issue of OK!, finally finding out the sex of their baby was just the delivery surprise they’d been hoping for, confirming their suspicions throughout the pregnancy. Shared new dad Matthew of the July 7th birth, "I said, ‘Come here, little man.’ I saw the pecker and screamed that we’d been right all along about him being a boy!"
Although they wanted to wait until the day he was born to find outfor sure, Matthew and Camila both felt they would have a son. WhenCamila told Matthew she was pregnant, the actor says he replied, "’It’sa boy,’ and without thinking, she replied, ‘I know.’ Instincts setright in. We knew it was a boy." Telling the magazine parenthood wassomething they planned on, Camila and Matthew joked back and forth.
C: It was not an accident.
M: I was an accident! Levi was not.
C: Well, I was planned!
Click ‘Continue Reading’ to learn about Camila’s long labor, emergency c-section, who Levi looks like, Matthew’s diary keeping, parenting thoughts, if they want more kids, and a large image!
Levi’s arrival began on the morning of Saturday, July 5th, whenCamila’s water broke as the couple was waking up at their California home. Keeping true totheir laid-back style, the pair rolled with the punches, "giggling and laughing" as labor started, Matthew said.
We called the doctor. He said to comeon down and see him and that we might be able to go home in theafternoon. I made a pot of coffee, she took a shower, her water brokesome more. The doctor had just checked her and said she wouldn’t be ready until the 12th. But when we got down to the hospital, major water broke. I [said,] ‘Okay, we’re on.’
There was no going home for Matthew and Camila however, as the birththe couple had planned on fell apart bit by bit as Saturday turned intoSunday, then Monday. The couple ended up checking into Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center under the name Kay McCabe, Matthew’s mother’s maiden name. "We were in the hospital 59 ½ hours before the birth, but who’s counting?" laughed Matthew. Camila, whowanted a natural birth without medication, "found a great rhythm"initially, Matthew says.
M: Contractions started kicking in. We had a14-hour session, her and I did. I sat there with her, right between herlegs. We got tribal on it, we danced to it! I wasDJ-ing this Brazilian music. We were jamming!
C: For 14 hours!
Things quickly picked up from there, as the contractions becamestronger and more frequent. "[Camila] was sweating. No painkiller,let’s go.She just clicked into that gear that only a woman has at a time likethis," Matthew explained. "We’d been up for 40-something hours, and wewent from dead tiredto a really steadfast, ‘Let’s handle this… let’s stay in the rhythm.Don’t let the contraction be more than you.’ The doctor wanted to give her an epidural, and we said, "Give us a few more hours to keep rocking with this.’ I wasn’t speaking for Camila. She had the option of saying, ‘Give me an epidural, right now,’ whenever she wanted. [But she didn't.]"
The couple chose to deliver at Santa Monica-UCLA because their ob/gyn and the hospital staff was completely open to their birth plan, which was to stay natural for as long as possible, hopefully through the entire birth.
M: They allowed us to have things as naturally as we wanted. Our ob/gyn said we could close the door and walk around and sing and hop in a bucket of water if we wanted. We wanted that, but we also wanted Western medicine right at our beck and call in case we needed it.
C: They were really wonderful, really amazing.
Despite Camila’s best efforts and Matthew’s support, after two days of labor, the couple ended up approving a late-stage epidural as an attempt to lower stress on the baby — the umbilical cord was being compressed with each large contraction. Trying to avoid a c-section delivery, the Brazilian model’s ob/gyn undertook a vacuum extraction, which failed as well. At this point, Matthew shared, he and Camila, 25, realized the delivery would be taking a different direction.
M: This is where I learned — and no one tells you this — but having a babyis a bloody, pukey, sweaty, primeval thing! And I mean that as abeautiful thing. It is wild. But the vacuum didn’t work, and the doctorsaid, ‘C-section.’
C: I didn’t want to have a c-section, but they had to make a decision about what was best for the baby and best for me.
After bringing Camila into the operating room, Levi was delivered quickly on the evening on Monday, July 7th, with Matthew being the first to hold him and cut the cord.
He came out with the umbilicalcord wrapped around his neck, so it was the right thing to do. Of course, if we’d known this was howit was going to go, we could have gotten it done in the first threehours. We laughed, but that was Mother Nature and the baby saying,’Thank goodness for Western medicine.’
Recording the proceedings in a diary as or just after they happened, the 38-year-old actor is happy to "have it all chronicled. It was a first-time life experience, and I was writing down what I was thinking, what she was thinking, and what the medical options were at each stage." Matthew shared that "becoming a dad is somethingI’ve dreamed of doing since I was 10. Passing along my lineage has always been important — it feels like a privilege. Becoming a father felt very, verynatural. I had him for the first 15 minutes because they had to take care of Camila."
Now that Levi is here and Camila is recovering, the couple have taken to dealing with more pressing matters — such as which parent their little boy resembles! Camila revealed, "Everybody thinks he looks like me because of the hair and skin tone. I think he looks more like Matthew every day." Dad agrees, explaining, "I’ve pulled out some baby pictures of myself, and theresemblance is amazing."
There is a great new respect you get for the mother of your child. Thirty-eight years I’ve put in – Camila’s put in 25. This kid has a lot to learn from us. I want himto come out being a little wiser, a little cooler and a little happierthan we are. I just hope to set up an environment where he can be as much Levi as he can be.
For now, Levi’s parents are learning how best to take care of him, with the help of family and friends. The grandparents — Matthew’s mom and both of Camila’s parents — have visited or are currently staying with the couple. Additionally, Camila worked with lactation consultants at the hospital to learn how to nurse, and Matthew taught himself how to change diapers — "Actually not a big deal" — just the other day.
C: It’s all about his feeding schedule now, every three hours.
M: If he’s crying, it’s because he has gas or wants some food. I can’t help with the feeding, but I do burp him. I’m a great swaddler too, and I change diapers.
As for parenting, Camila and Matthew agree on a few things — first, no pitting one parent against the other. Matthew says, "We’re not going to play good cop, bad cop. The father can’t say one thing and the mother, another. That’s not good for the kids." Secondly, a wide worldview is important to both, and they hope to return to Camila’s homeland of Brazil to introduce their son to the country and culture. Matthew explains, "A full passport is really the coolest diary or document of how you’ve lived your life. I’ve filled a couple now."
Camila’s from Brazil, but I’ve never been. We want to establish some sort of lifestyle there because we want Levi to absorb the culture where his mother came from. Culture is very important to both of us.
Does the couple want more kids? Still deep in the throes of recovery from her difficult delivery, Camila tells OK! to not even go there!
C: Definitely too soon [to ask about more]!
M: I’m going to keep my mouth shut on that one. I think she just answered it!
Click here to visit Jezebel for a super cute photo of Matt and Levi — both smiling! In lieu of payment for Levi’s introductory photoshoot and interview, OK! made a substantial donation to Matthew’s j.k. livin foundation.
Source: OK!
Did you have an active labor that resulted in a c-section? Please share your story in the comments.
- Posted on Jul 23, 08 at 3:00PM
- Permalink
- 91 Comments
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 am
Oh my gosh!!!!How cute is that little boy,seeing him wants me to cuddle and kiss him *smiles*
I am sure they are going to be great parents,they look so loving on that picture you can almost feel it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 am
Little Levi is a mini-looker. A regular chip off the old block, just with his mother’s coloring and dark features. I love that expression on his face. So sweet!
I’m also glad to hear things come out well after what seemed to be a long and grueling delivery.
Man, OK! is trying to get me to buy their magazines with all these babies debuting each week, it seems.
And one last thing…
“Contractions started kicking in. I sat there with her, right between her legs. We got tribal on it, we danced to it! I was DJ-ing this Brazilian music. We were jamming!”
That bit cracked me up. Them jamming out during contractions just seems funny, and the way he is describing it is so Matthew and makes it even funnier. But hey whatever works!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
He looks IDENTICAL to his mumma!!! Too cute.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 am
He is positivly gorgeous!! They done sooo very well…he looks just like Camila!!! He is gonna be cool little boy with a mommy and daddy like these too…Im so happy for them. Congrats Matthew and Camila!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:52 am
Never truer words spoken: “having a baby is a bloody, pukey, sweaty, primeval thing.”
Wow, Camila was in labour for 40 freaking hours? Ick about the vacuum thing, but the thing is Camila gave finally gave birth and a healthy baby (from what I can see) was born, no matter how it came out of the mother’s body.
Now, what is up with OK! having all these baby pictures on their cover and why is People (and other weekly mags) missing out on such opportunities?
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Wow, what a birth story. I can so see Matthew dancing to the contractions! I am sad for them that they did not get the delivery experience they were hoping for, but it sounds like they tried as hard as they could and held out as long as possible. Camila sounds like a strong woman! A c-section was the right choice at the end, from what I read here. I had a vacuum delivery with my second son and woo-wee, will do anything to avoid that next time! I was grateful that it was a success for me though.
Sounds like they did keep the sex a delivery surprise after all! Must have been nice to still have that even if the birth plan fell apart.
DLR, maybe they are saving money for the Jolie-Pitt twins pictures? With Matthew, they were going from OK from the beginning, they did the birth announcement and statements with that magazine too, so I am not surprised. I was surprised that they didn’t try to get Jessica Alba, especially since People had her engagement, pregnancy, and marriage official statements. Oh well!
The Alves-McConaughey family is just gorgeous. Levi’s little face is cracking me up in the cover pic! I see a lot of Camila in him. I will have to pick it up to check out the inside images and see if I can spot any Matthew. I agree with Simone that you can just feel the love in the photo – they’re a great couple.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 am
congrats to the new parents, the baby is so cute and has mama’s looks, but that could change, so happy for them both, and a boy for Matthrew to romp and play with in the sun and surf and all other man sports. God Bless them both. I know this baby will bring them much happiness and joy in the coming years.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 am
wow only 2 weeks and they already sold the pics !
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 am
Sounds alot like my birth story with my son, so I can totally relate. She probably feels like she had a vaginal delivery AND a c-section! They are so sweet. Good luck to them. Oh, and why is it I can totally see Matt McConaughey calling it a “pecker”?!?!? LOL
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 am
what a sweetie!!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 am
he wants his son to be cooler than himself…. me me me!
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Camila is a champion for enduring all of that! But the result seems like it was totally worth it – what a beautiful little boy. Though he does look a lot like Camila, I can see why Matthew says the baby resembles him.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Aww….Levi is adorable! So happy for Matthew and Camila. I will have to pick up the magazine to see the rest of the pics.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Well I can’t really tell from that one pic but he does remind me of his dad. He’s totally going to be (already is…) a daddy’s boy! Matt must be in awe of him
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Wow… My entire labor from onset of first contraction to the time my daughter came out was 5h 29 minutes, and I’ve been so proud that I did it all natural with no drugs, and at the time I was 18. But I bow to her, she is a true champion. I am in total awe. Congrats to them both. He is a beautiful gift.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
This was a very cute article! I loved the birthing story & that poor woman with no medication for 40 hours!! She is definitely a brave one, but natural birth is the way to go if you can do it.
I don’t find this picture very flattering for Camila. She has such gorgeous features. I think it would have been so cute if she was looking down at him or at the camera instead of her eyes being closed. Just an opinion though.
Very cute little boy!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Awe, how adorable!! What a great looking family. I’m so jealous. I wish I could find a guy like Matthew he will be a very good father!! Thumbs up!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:12 am
I’ve never heard of vacuum extraction and I’m afraid to look it up because it sounds painful. Anyway I’m so happy everything worked out for mom and baby, that’s the most important thing.
I love the name Levi and think the baby looks mostly like Camila with a little bit of Matthew. The way Matthew explains things is so colorful. I can picture him telling Levi the most amazing stories someday!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 am
Camilla’s eyes are not closed. She is looking down at the baby. I find it strange that Matthew is not looking at either of them! I like him but I find this baby is more about himself, sorry. Maybe it’s just me. On another note, if my husband would have told me “Dont let the contraction be more than me:” – I would have punched his lights out!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
G Girl, I took it is Matthew was telling Camila not to let the contractions overtake her, helping her stay in control. I had the opposite take, he’s obviously very involved and cares for Camila. Just me though!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
what a birth! But congratulations to them- they are a couple I enjoy hearing about because they are always so upbeat and laid-back.
Levi is beautiful- I think a mix of both of them. and I love the name! Can’t wait to see more pics of this little guy and the whole family- I’ll definitely be buying OK this week!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Wow that was quick, 2 weeks and already baby pictures lol. I love matthew, such a cool actor, he is handsome, and seems like a fun guy. I have to see more pics of the baby to tell who he looks like, but right now I think he favors his mom more with his complexion, features and dark hair, he kinda reminds me of jessica alba’s baby.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
The recent trend of putting babies on magazine covers so quickly after they are born is disturbing. What’s next? Dad cutting the cord or the first pictures being of the baby covered in blood and goo? Can’t they wait till the baby is a month or two old? Or will the price go down?
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 am
Congratulations to Camila and Matthew! What cutie pie. She labored like a champ.
My friend had her baby at a birthing center and she had everyone who wanted to attend the birth in the room with her. Her husband and his friends were on the African drums and they were raising the spirits up in that birthing room. We did an African dance to welcome a new life. It was great! There was a party up there when that little girl was born.
I love Matthew! He’s mad cool people and I know his son is going to be just as fun-loving.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 am
Man!!! They wasted no time getting that baby on the cover!!!!!! Clearly the “deal” was hashed out even before he was born. I don’t care for pictures of newborns. I would like to see him again once he has loss that newborn look and has a bit more personality. Nevertheless he will be a stunner for sure at least now the crazy photographers can go home.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
I haven’t seen this yet so thanks for the update. I know where to come to get celebrity baby news. Love your site!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Levi is ADORABLE! He’s so little & so precious.
Okay, am I the only one that thinks Matthew looks incredibly hot in this picture?! He knows he’s hot too. I’m with the girls, he should’ve been looking at his son. You can tell he’s excited & loves his son but it would’ve been better if he was actually looking at Levi.
Matt is still hot, Camila is still pretty & Levi is absolutely adorable.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:28 am
What a cutie! Both Levi and Matthew…
I hope that Camila has a good recovery. With my first, a son, I was in labour for a good 24 hours, and it ended with a c-section. I never progressed past 4 cm, and after a good 12 hours stuck at 4, I asked for an epidural. They also were concerned that he wasn’t head down – what they felt wasn’t smooth like a head. They decided to break my water to see if that sped things along, and they set me up in the operating room to do so, in case anything went wrong. The last check before they were going to break my water, the resident felt the cord pulsing. So his cord was up along the top of his head. A c-section was needed, obviously. I was so absolutely exhausted after all that labor, a lot of it without meds. It took quite a few days to feel even slightly better! But the most important thing is that he was born healthy, as was Levi.
That family is just gorgeous!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Congrats to the happy couple! Levi is adorable.
I had a little boy on July 8th! After 26 hours of labor, my son got stuck and an unplanned c-section happened. It was intense.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Wow, that delivery sounds almost EXACTLY like mine. 40 hours. late-stage epidural, emergency c-section.
I’m impressed that Matthew was so involved throughout the whole thing!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
He is so adorable. That was sweet to read.
Yes, I had to have a c-section both times. My labor wasn’t progressing, and with each contraction the baby’s heratrate dropped. They said c-section, and I cried. However an hour later I had a healthy baby girl. Sixteen months later I had to have a repeat c-section, but then the same amazing outcome. I think people shouldn’t judge those who have need c-sections. If you haven’t been inour shoes, don’t try to wear them.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Twenty-two years ago I went into labor with my 3rd son. I labored about 12 hours, but they took an x-ray and his head was enormous, so they did a Cesearean. My first two sons were vaginal births. But I tell you when they gave me that epidural with the last birth, it was instant relief. My grandson was born two years ago, and my daughter-in-law had the epidural immediately, even though she had a vaginal delivery. I would do it that way if I was doing it over again. She conversed with us and was feeling no pain at all. What is up with these woman who want natural child birth? It was about the only option back in the 70’s and 80’s, but now it’s so much easier. It’s nuts to hurt that much when you don’t have to. That’s my opinion.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 am
Poor Camila! My cousin had to have a vacuum extraction with her baby in January for the exact same reason and it was NOT good…to add a csection to that would be pretty traumatic. Their baby is beautiful though and hopefully she is healing well.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 am
Lol! Matthew is completely crazy, in a funny endearing way of course! The way he tells the story, you can completely picture him there dancing and rooting for Camila. Levi is gorgeous and looks a lot like his mom. Sounds like he will have the most laid back parents ever, and they both seem like very sweet and down to earth people.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Pam, adding drugs to the mix can also add complications, including harder, stronger contractions and an increased risk of stalled labor, resulting c-section. It’s a decision every mom has to weigh the pros and cons of for herself.
Levi is beautiful and is looking like mama to be. I am sorry they didn’t have the birth experience they wanted, but like Matthew said, it sounds like it ended how it was supposed to. Good luck to Camila in her recovery.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Pam, some people like the “medicate everything” society we have ended up in. I try to stay away from medicine (yes also aspirin) as much as possible.
On the subject of the photo: Camilla and the baby look so cute together, she seems so in love with her baby. Mathew seems seperate from them, he’s still trying to be the cool guy.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Wait im confused…. did Camila have a c-section? yeah she did right? ( i know it was unplanned but she did have it right?) Let me tell you that is one good looking family and baby Levi is adorable (another question… is it pronounced leave-i or leavy which rhymes with heavy?) Camila looks great and that baby i could just eat up … he is soo adorable and is only going to get cuter. I also had a feeling it was going to be a boy for them and they were right! okay so if someone can answer my question about the c-section and the prenounciation of his name i would greatly appreciate it! thankss
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Lisa did you read the whole article? I am just curious because then your first question is obsolete. Levi is pronounced Leave-i.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Labor math: her water broke Saturday morning. That gives her 24 hours before infection becomes a risk. And yet they didn’t go tot he hospital until Monday? Every birthing class, book, midwife and OB I came across in my pregnancy were unanimous on the 24 hour rule. This was 3 years ago that I did this research — have doctors discovered something new?
One of my good friends did this while trying to have a drug-free home birth — her water broke on Thursday, they finally went to the hospital on Saturday, baby was finally born on Sunday and they took the baby off life support 24 hours later. Autopsy revealed an infection. 100% avoidable.
So I don’t get it. You are supposed to get to the hospital within 24 hours of your water breaking, celebrity status or not. Why did they wait?
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Sounds like the funnest birth ever
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 am
Emily, to be clear, they did go to the hospital Saturday morning, and were there straight through Monday evening. Initially, they thought they might be able to go home Saturday afternoon and labor there until contractions were consistant, but that wasn’t the case.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
Levi is adorable, He looks like all mom in that picture. Same eyes/mouth/nose. I’m sure he’ll look more like his dad as he gets a little older and maybe from a different angle. They seem very happy. Congrats to them that everything went well.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
now that I have more time to write…my first labor and delivery was a little like Camila’s actually except I wasn’t allowed to wait 40 hours for a csection. My doc did mine after 24 hrs of labor. I was stuck at 5cm for 12 hours and developed a fever. My water had been broken for almost 24 hours and they were really worried about the baby tolerating anymore so they did the csection. I was VERY happy by then to have it done and have my daughter delivered safely and healthy. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, nature just doesn’t want to go along with what we want. I agree with Matthew…thank goodness for Western medicine! Congrats to the happy family!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Maybe the word isn’t as offensive to others as it is to me, but how can you post that disgusting slang word for the male anatomy that Matthew McConaughey used?!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
i just laughed my way thru the article. it all seems so contrived. cute kid.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
It sounds contrived, but it’s all SO Matthew, lol. He’s such a hippie and moves to the beat of his own drum.
Levi is adorable!
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I don’t have kids yet, but my mom had to have a c-section after a long time of labor. She went into labor Friday night at about 11 pm, made it through the entire Saturday, until the early morning hours of Sunday. It took so long because her pelvis wouldn’t widen like it’s usually the case. So I kept bumping with my head against the bones but couldn’t get through. There were shift changes, and when the first doctor saw that my mom was still in labor, she yelled at the other doctors because they were incompetent, and my mother got a c-section (general anesthesia though, it was the case like this 20 years ago). So Sunday morning at 7.38am I was born.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
He’s adorable! Congrats to them! I can’t believe she endured 40 hours of labor, I would have cried “uncle!” looooooong before that! I don’t even want to visualize that vaccum thing, my nether regions hurt just thinking about it. LOL She’s a true warrior and the end result was obviously worth it.
I have to admit I cracked up at the bit about him DJ-ing Brazilian music and dancing to the contractions! That is SUCH a Matthew thing to do! LOL
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Matthew and Camila’s baby is so cute.He’s adorable I’m only 17 years old right now but yeah i defitnely want to get married and have children one day.I’m a black girl I want to get married to an italian man and have children.I was never really crazy about boy babies I go girl baby crazy.But looking at Camila and Matthew’s baby boy makes me want to have sons and daughters when I get married.God bless them though.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
WOW…That sound’s EXACTLY like my birth story (Minus the jam session)! The vacuum extraction is quite an experience to say the least.
And when the Doctor’s and Nurses rush into the room to haul you off for an emergency c-section…Frightening!!!
I spiked a fever from my water being broken for so long and all the poking and prodding introduced bacteria so my Daughter and I both ended up being treated with antibiotics for three days and unfortunately, that meant my baby needed to stay in the special care nursery which meant I was unable to spend much time with her during her first few days of life which really sucked!
Thank god for Levi’s safe arrival and kudos to Camila for her strength!
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Camila is a true warrior!! And what a beautiful reward she received after all of that hard work!! That alone is worth anything that she went through!!
Her delivery story struck a special chord with me…My now almost 9 year old son came into the world in much the same manner!! My water broke at only 36 weeks and the decision was made to induce my labor to avoid infection, etc. I labored for about 12 hours on my own and then pitocin was introduced. After another 7 hours of intensely painful labor, I finally had an epidural! Finally, after 29 hours and dialating to a 9 1/2 cm….I had an emergency c-section because my son had failed to descend into the birth canal! My epidural failed and I felt the first incision and was put under anesthesia! My son spent the first 3 days in the NICU for breathing difficulty and low blood sugar!!
Needless to say it was a harrowing birth experience but the end result was totally worth it!! My son and I went home after 4 days and he’s been happy and healthy ever since!!
And when his brother was born 3 1/2 years later it was an elective repeat c-section!! No more warrior for me!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
He’s so cute .
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Wow. I am just astounded at the strength in Camila! Going so long, holding out for a natural birth. That’s amazing. I don’t think I could do it.
Matthew seems like he’d be a hoot in the delivery room and perfect for some people but I probably would’ve wanted to hit him! Haha, I get so aggravated over the littlest things when I’m in pain. ;]
Levi is adorable. I think he looks a lot like Camila. I LOVE his name! Haha, it’s my new favorite. Very cute family.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
he’s adorable.He looks like he is saying “hellooooooo!!”
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Awwwwwww…..!!! What a precious, beautiful little baby!
Camila’s a champ. I’m in awe of how she conducted herself through such an experience. Thank God I was spared the same. I had my son when I was 26, started labor at 2:30 in the morning and he was born the same morning at 8 a.m. I was in the hospital only 90 minutes before he arrived. He popped out like a little fire truck. The doctor barely had time to scrub in.
I can’t begin to imagine what Camila went through, but I can understand why she’s not in a hurry for a repeat performance. But I’m sure she thinks the end result was worth it. The baby is absolutely gorgeous and looks just like his Mommy!
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
At this point he looks exactly like his mother, he’s a beautiful little boy.
Wow 2 days of labor? You go Camilla, I had my baby last Thursday and from the first contraction to the two pushes and him being out, was 1 hour and 48 minutes. I couldn’t get medicine but I sure was asking for it, I know I wouldn’t have been able to do hours of active labor without any meds.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I had one of those labors, pushed for 3 hours, attempted vacuum extraction and then emergency c-section. Nothing like going through every aspect of labor!
Levi looks adorable!
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Offensive? — seriously
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Ohmygoodness, that new pic linked after the more kids quotes is making my ovaries hurt! PRECIOUS!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
My very first labor – water broke at 39 weeks and I started at a 2 and 7 hours later was at a 10 and +1 station. I had initially wanted to go without an epidural, but with my water broken my contractions were strong every 3 minutes and lasting a good 2 minutes or more! So, got an epidural and went from 6-10cm in 15 minutes! Then I pushed for 3.5 hours. No progress at all – he was still at a +1 when they wheeled me in for the section. Doc didn’t want to do a mid or high forceps delivery and I am glad he didn’t go for it. Turned out I have an “android pelvis” – a pelvis that narrows anteriorly, so all my deliveries have to be csection. Poor little baby! The doc had to really pull to get him unwedged from my pelvis with the nurse pushing the baby back in from the outside! My son had a mega conehead, a baseball size bruise on his head and a few blisters from me trying to push his oval head through a triangular opening. I am so grateful we both came through okay – though I ended up with a 9 day hospital stay following due to complications from the delivery.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Aww, little Levi is cute. Love the family photo.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
He is so precious congrates Matthew and Camila
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
He is SOOOOOOOO cute… oh what I would give to have a baby with that man! LOL
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I was never too fond of her but i just got a huge respect for both of them (i always liked matt)
1. not wanting the c-section
2. getting a donation for matt’s foundation (what a great alternative to celebs cashing on their own babies for the first pictures)
3. exposing the baby to the best of both cultures (and the world itself)
They will be great parents and the baby is very lucky
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I just had my daughter on June 26th at 35weeks and 3days. My water broke at 530am on the 25th and then I didnt have her until the 26th at 1:14pm. I had the epidural at 3am on the 26th and had her vaginally with no complications other than she was face up and I pushed for 4 hours. I am extremely glad my hospital allowed me to have a vaginal birth, from what I hear if I were anywhere else a c-section would have been performed.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Someone asked about the 24 hour rule: yes that still applies, but in a hospital setting. This is because hospitals are filled with sick people… after all it *is* a hospital! Doctors, nurses, etc come and go, which leaves healthy people (especially newborns) at a very high risk. This “rule” is not applicable when you labor at home, as your own home has your own germs. You are much safer at home (as far as being exposed to crazy illneses) than you are in a hospital. And for the record, the umbilical cord is safest around the neck because it keeps the blood circulation from being cut off (remember, babies are not breathing air in the womb, so they cannot be “strangled”). However, the umbillical cord can be wrapped too tight around the neck or body but this is an extremely rare occurrance.
Don’t mess with mother nature, she knows what’s up
Poor woman had such a roller coaster of a labor, holding out for the natural birth. I’m sad that she didn’t get the birth she planned, but she sure earned her birthing star. Childbirth is supposed to be a life-changing event, bringing you to the very edge of your being and back again. It really builds character, strength, patience, endurance… all the things you need to be a great mom. Going through natural birth is the ultimate primer for mommy-hood, in my opinion. I felt like superwoman after having my son and so should she!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Little Levi is adorable!
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
For the comments regarding Matthew not looking at the baby, I don’t think it is that big of a deal. Mainly because it is the magazine editors that choose the cover photo! They probably took dozens of pictures and I’m sure Matt and Camilla both had varied head positions, Maybe this was the best one with Levi’s face. The editors choose that type of thing, don’t they?
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Oh my goodness!! I just clicked on the new link and saw the pic of Matthew and Levi. In the cover pic I thought the baby looks like his mother, but in the 2nd pic, he looks just like daddy. Either way, this kid has it made in the looks department, lol.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I think their focus on culture is awesome. That is something my husband and I discuss a lot. I just think it’s so important for a child to know his/her roots! My mother immigrated from Brasil and we definitely want to take the baby there to visit family. My husband is Italian so we’ll travel to his family’s hometown as well.
I loved the Brasilian music too! I may have to steal their idea for my own labor this winter.
What an awesome family. I’m sorry she didn’t get the exact birth experience she wanted but hopefully she was still able to enjoy it. Glad everyone is happy and healthy! What a great family!
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Everyone make sure you click that Jezebel link at the end! TOO CUTE! I picked up the issue after work today and the photos are GORGEOUS. (For those wondering, Matthew is looking at Camila and the baby!) Definitely my favorite recent baby introduction shoot. You can feel the love between these two, they make a good team (and make cute babies!)
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I appreciate the discussion on the 24-hour rule. I don’t agree, however, that homes are so much cleaner than hospitals. There was so much sterilizing and cleaning of hands and use of gloves, etc, when I was in the hospital that I can’t image a germ anywhere! My house on the other hand…
Also, in terms of Mother Nature knowing what she’s doing. Uh, no… not all the time. Up until about 100 years ago childbirth was the number one cause of death for women. I would have died birthing my daughter had it not been for the hospital and a C-section after 36 hours of trying to have her. The body knows what to do in theory. It doesn’t always work out right, though.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
OH MY GAWD !!!that pic of them both smiling is tooooo beautiful , I swear my womb skipped a beat !! LOL
HUGE congratulations to this beautiful new family , Levi is just precious and has an obviously gorgeous gene pool and will grow into a very handsome boy i’m sure !
*SIGH* I am beyond broody now !! LOL
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Cute baby.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
what a gorgeous baby!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Cute baby! Matthew and Camila seem really happy together.
I had an unplanned C-section with my daughter. I got to 9 3/4 centimeters with her, then I pushed when I didn’t have the urge to (don’t do this! Heh). My cervix swelled, preventing her head from getting out. My labor stalled at 9 3/4 cm for 4 hours, at which point I got an epidural. My baby was born by C-section several minutes later, and was healthy, thank goodness.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
He is a gorgeous little boy and looks just like his mommy.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Camila is the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. I had the same exact thing happen with my third and you know what, C-sections suck!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
hey pam, while i totally can see why you would think that if you have some time try googling “the cascade of interventions in birth” or something similar. i’m 22 and plan on kids in a few years, and i would never willingly subject myself or my baby to drugs. i obviously don’t expect everyone in the world to agree with that, but maybe if you read about it you’ll understand why some of us are making that choice.
emily, yep there is quite a bit of information out there about how to make sure there is no infection after the membranes have ruptured. info can be found online, but i’m not at home right now so i can’t provide a link. women and babies are also more likely to develop an infection in hospital. google “hospital acquired infections” for more info. yes there are germs in the home, but the difference is that since you (and by association baby) live in your home you are able to develop a reasonable immunity to them. not so much in a hospital where drug-resistant bugs are much more common than one would think. i work in a hospital setting so i have first hand experience with this. as tink alluded to, one of the first signs of infection is fever so if a fever is detected after ROM it would be wise to get yourself some medical care.
oh, and the pic is beautiful too! camila is a champ, good for her!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I had to be induced at 30 weeks because of SEVERE pre-eclampsia, and after 19 hours, and still no ‘real progress’, I ended up with a c-section thanks to increasing blood pressures in both baby and I. Like Camila and Matt, I would’ve rather gone within the c-section 3 hours in.. but I REALLY wanted to try to not go there. 6 weeks after his birth, my little 3 pounder came home. Now, at 6 months old (3.5 months adjusted) he’s a healthy 13lb 7oz little man!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
That sucks that she had to labor so long. My first took about 3.5 hours and my second took about 2hrs 15min start to finish. I can’t imagine going 14hrs. With my first I DID have the epi but this time around I decided to go au naturale– never again!! LOL
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Beautiful baby! Not that there was ever any doubt he would be
Both of his parents are just gorgeous as well.
I’m glad little Levi arrived safe and sound, sounds like there were a few issues going on and that’s what modern medicine is for. A cord around the neck doesn’t automatically mean csection though, my youngest had her cord wrapped around her neck twice, it makes the birth a little more complicated but still safe vaginal birth.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:53 am
AWWW what an adorable little baby! He’s such a cutie and to me a perfect mix of mommy and daddy. It seems like Camila and Matthew are going to be wonderful parents.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Seriously, that picture of Matthew and Levi both laughing is the best picture I’ve seen on CBB ever.
Thank you for bringing it, CBB!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Congrats to them both and what a great birthing story!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:35 am
On the cover shot, little Levi looks like Momma, but on the shot of Matt and Levi smiling together (which is a fantastically gorgeous shot), he looks just like Dad. It appears he is going to be a blend of both, with Mom’s coloring and Dad’s features.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Adorable. I love the second shot of Matt and Levi laughing. Too cute.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
This has got to be one of the cutest families… ever!! These two seem like extraordinary parents and their little boy is adorable!
July 25th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
So, so cute! I can’t believe he is smiling already! Congrats to them!
July 26th, 2008 at 12:46 am
My labor sounds just like Camilla’s. Lots and lots of pushing followed by vacuum followed by c-section. Levi is adorable and so are mommy and daddy.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Benigna Marko says what a beautiful portrait of the new family. Levi is blessed. Enjoy the addition to your new family.
Benigna Marko