Go HERE for Part 1 of this exciting thriller of a story!
Go HERE for Part 2 of this exciting thriller of a story!
Tim swung through the late night drop-off and I waddled and hunched my way from the ER entrance to the 2nd floor Labor and Delivery. As per hospital regulation, the receptionist began handing me paperwork to sign. I was so relieved to be close to receiving some relief (pain meds) that I was overjoyed to fill out paperwork. BUT It required me to be on my knees grunting through contractions. I managed 2 signatures before I gave up. I dumped my purse in Tim's arms and left him dumbfounded at the counter.
By then, a nurse had been summoned and I followed her back. AT this point I couldn't even keep up. Pain radiated from tip-top to toes and my resolve was fading quickly. She yelled back "Meet me in room 12" and left me in the hall. Crazy nurse! Didn't she know I was in labor?!?! The charge nurse was all business. Just what my body needed this night. I walked in the room, practically threw my clothes at her while attempting to done the beautifully crafted hospital gown...HA! Those things are a joke and I'm not sure mine ever actually made it completely on. I was already announcing I would gladly accept any form of pain medicine as I hobbled onto the bed. But of course, the response was lets check you first. I slithered around on the bed not cooperating and continuing to ask for relief when the nurse started shaking her head and smiling. SMILING!
Page the doctor. Membranes bulging. Fully effaced.
...And more mumbo- jumbo that I wasn't catching due to labor pains. Now I'm not an expert on medical terms, but I knew what she was saying. I would not be pulling an all-niter. This baby was coming. I just had to wait for the doctor to arrive. Another nurse stepped up and quickly began inserting an IV into my arm while explaining that..
I was ready to deliver
There would be no medication b/c they wanted the baby to be alert
NOT to push until the OB arrived
To focus on how exciting it was that my baby would be here soon, and
The doctor was en route.
My wonderful, seasoned husband had assumed his position next to my head, giving me his hand, to vent my pain through. A murky few minutes later, the doctor sailed in and broke my water. I proceeded to push for 2 excruciating MINUTES and a slippery, squalling baby was born. The nurse lifted the baby and announced
You have a beautiful healthy baby boy.
Silence. Confusion. Relief. Questions.
Honestly our first question was "How long have I been here?"
You walked in our doors 16 minutes ago
We have a BOY?
YES
Tim-there's just one baby in there right?
YES
OK, lets see this precious gift!
From beginning to end my labor lasted a mere 3 hours. A quick delivery to top off everything as well. Not that there is an option, but I wouldn't change anything about my experience. I prayed that God would direct my decisions in labor and delivery for this child. Torn between comfort and the unknown, I laid it in God's hands. I was so scared of delivering naturally, but when it came down to it God CREATED us. HE KNOWS our stamina and limits. He created my inmost being... knows the number of hairs on my head.
Ah-la natural labor...ehh just another day in the history books! ;)
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Daniel's Birth Story-- Part 2
Go HERE for Part 1 of this exciting thriller of a story! :)
Monday, August 22nd I woke up feeling miserable and reluctant to head into town for my post due date doctor appointment. Of course, 2 small boys and a messy house are a good reason to escape for a couple of hours. Everything seemed fine and no sign of labor sent me home a little distraught and determined to change just that!
I had been banned early on in the pregnancy from mowing the grass due to the bumpy nature of our large tractor. It was my last ditch chance to use this bumpy ride and bring on full-force labor! Sure enough a haphazard trip through the pasture and I went to bed exhausted and sore. I could NOT get comfortable amid mounds of pillows, a heating pad, and assorted blankets. After an hour of tossing and turning, I felt the gentle tug of what I believed to be a labor pain. I shrugged it off and continued to lay in bed planning my next move to induce labor. No more than ten minutes later, I had another tug, not so gentle, and this time my mind started racing.
Should I wake Tim up? We don't have bags packed. This house is a disaster. That's okay, I usually have long labor anyways. I can clean if I cant sleep. Wait! I have a long TO DO list waiting for me tomorrow, including consignment sale drop-off. Its 11:00 pm. should I go ahead and take the boys up to my in-laws?! What am I thinking this is going to take forever. Slow down Heather and start with a bath.
And that is just what I did. I sat up, told Tim I was in labor, and headed to the bathroom for a nice long soak with a good book. Disappointingly enough, the bath was just as uncomfortable as my bed. Even more strange was the timing of contractions. Nothing seemed "textbook" and I could not find a pattern to my waves of pain. Tim trickled in soon after, unable to sleep after my nonchalant announcement. I sent him back to bed, dressed myself, and sat down at the computer to double check my research on labor and delivery.
My body was rebelling. I could not sit or stand for long, and laying down was out of the question. I poked my head in and told Tim to pack his bag and call his parents. It had only been a mere hour since labor had begun, but intuition AND pain were pushing me to the brink of sanity. I paced and panicked(internally) and paced some more for what seemed an eternity. My husband seemed to be taking his sweet time packing an overnight bag and other hospital essentials like computer and cell phone cords. My in-laws, neighbors to be more precise, had not appeared at our door yet.
Somehow I was able to convey to Tim that we needed to hurry. Like pronto. Like NOW! Grandmother and Papa appeared and whisked 2 sleepy big brothers away while Tim expertly squeezed our hospital bags in and around the overflowing mass of consignment merchandise. I waddled out and we took off leaving dirty dishes, piles of dirty clothes, unmade beds, toys scattered... chaos--my mortal enemy!
Now the contractions were rolling on top of each other some more severe than others, but I wasn't getting a break. I blatantly told Tim DO NOT STOP. RUN EVERY RED LIGHT. I'll handle the cops. It took every ounce of my being to stay in the van. I focused on the odometer and kept reminding my husband, who was not in labor, to DRIVE FASTER. Neither one of us knew just how close I was to delivering.
Monday, August 22nd I woke up feeling miserable and reluctant to head into town for my post due date doctor appointment. Of course, 2 small boys and a messy house are a good reason to escape for a couple of hours. Everything seemed fine and no sign of labor sent me home a little distraught and determined to change just that!
I had been banned early on in the pregnancy from mowing the grass due to the bumpy nature of our large tractor. It was my last ditch chance to use this bumpy ride and bring on full-force labor! Sure enough a haphazard trip through the pasture and I went to bed exhausted and sore. I could NOT get comfortable amid mounds of pillows, a heating pad, and assorted blankets. After an hour of tossing and turning, I felt the gentle tug of what I believed to be a labor pain. I shrugged it off and continued to lay in bed planning my next move to induce labor. No more than ten minutes later, I had another tug, not so gentle, and this time my mind started racing.
Should I wake Tim up? We don't have bags packed. This house is a disaster. That's okay, I usually have long labor anyways. I can clean if I cant sleep. Wait! I have a long TO DO list waiting for me tomorrow, including consignment sale drop-off. Its 11:00 pm. should I go ahead and take the boys up to my in-laws?! What am I thinking this is going to take forever. Slow down Heather and start with a bath.
And that is just what I did. I sat up, told Tim I was in labor, and headed to the bathroom for a nice long soak with a good book. Disappointingly enough, the bath was just as uncomfortable as my bed. Even more strange was the timing of contractions. Nothing seemed "textbook" and I could not find a pattern to my waves of pain. Tim trickled in soon after, unable to sleep after my nonchalant announcement. I sent him back to bed, dressed myself, and sat down at the computer to double check my research on labor and delivery.
My body was rebelling. I could not sit or stand for long, and laying down was out of the question. I poked my head in and told Tim to pack his bag and call his parents. It had only been a mere hour since labor had begun, but intuition AND pain were pushing me to the brink of sanity. I paced and panicked(internally) and paced some more for what seemed an eternity. My husband seemed to be taking his sweet time packing an overnight bag and other hospital essentials like computer and cell phone cords. My in-laws, neighbors to be more precise, had not appeared at our door yet.
Somehow I was able to convey to Tim that we needed to hurry. Like pronto. Like NOW! Grandmother and Papa appeared and whisked 2 sleepy big brothers away while Tim expertly squeezed our hospital bags in and around the overflowing mass of consignment merchandise. I waddled out and we took off leaving dirty dishes, piles of dirty clothes, unmade beds, toys scattered... chaos--my mortal enemy!
Now the contractions were rolling on top of each other some more severe than others, but I wasn't getting a break. I blatantly told Tim DO NOT STOP. RUN EVERY RED LIGHT. I'll handle the cops. It took every ounce of my being to stay in the van. I focused on the odometer and kept reminding my husband, who was not in labor, to DRIVE FASTER. Neither one of us knew just how close I was to delivering.
Daniel's Birth Story-- Part 1
As I consider where I fall in line with the modern day practices of labor and delivery, I'd say I walk a fine line between knowledge and ignorance. My awareness has certainly peaked more and more as each pregnancy takes on a new meaning in my life. How do I approach sickness, health, daily living, our home environment?
Certainly I want what is best for baby and momma. But, am I willing to take the plunge, into an ever decreasing number of mothers who choose natural labor without any intervention, to better the chances of a healthy child? Sadly today most women say "no thanks" and "give me the drugs" and I fall right in line with the statistics!
This third pregnancy has been crazy from the get-go! One--being that my husband was unemployed, a full-time college student, and living on unemployment wages. We did not have the funds or insurance to birth more children. Now I KNOW how babies get here...heard that speech years ago ;) , but somewhere between muddled mommy brains and crazy calendar days we got pregnant.
Second-- I can't say I wasn't excited, because I was! I was ready for another darling newborn to cuddle with, but mixed in that sweet rejoicing was the fear and anxiety streaming with a million "what if " questions.
Now skip ahead to the anatomy ultrasound. I wasn't the only one holding my breath as we were forced to listen to the tech analyze every aspect of our healthy baby but what was between the legs. With 2 boys "under the belt," I was READY for a girl. I longed for ruffle-bum pants, laced trimmed fancies, and a splash of pink. So upon declaration that we were indeed going to have a girl, I was thrilled!
My initial 20 week ultrasound revealed placenta previa which basically meant I would receive another ultra sound at 36 weeks to determine If I would need a c-section or not.
BOTH ultra sounds never showed the true identity of what was to come. I REALLY wish I had called into our local baby consultants... Rick and Bubba. Radio personalities that more often than not--guess right! I thought of it often, but never dialed into their expertise.
Scorching summer days came and went just as my due date did and I scoured the Internet for natural (post due date) inducing labor ideas. I made my list and started at the top, skipping the gross or obviously pointless ideas. Nothing worked folks...
Certainly I want what is best for baby and momma. But, am I willing to take the plunge, into an ever decreasing number of mothers who choose natural labor without any intervention, to better the chances of a healthy child? Sadly today most women say "no thanks" and "give me the drugs" and I fall right in line with the statistics!
This third pregnancy has been crazy from the get-go! One--being that my husband was unemployed, a full-time college student, and living on unemployment wages. We did not have the funds or insurance to birth more children. Now I KNOW how babies get here...heard that speech years ago ;) , but somewhere between muddled mommy brains and crazy calendar days we got pregnant.
Second-- I can't say I wasn't excited, because I was! I was ready for another darling newborn to cuddle with, but mixed in that sweet rejoicing was the fear and anxiety streaming with a million "what if " questions.
Now skip ahead to the anatomy ultrasound. I wasn't the only one holding my breath as we were forced to listen to the tech analyze every aspect of our healthy baby but what was between the legs. With 2 boys "under the belt," I was READY for a girl. I longed for ruffle-bum pants, laced trimmed fancies, and a splash of pink. So upon declaration that we were indeed going to have a girl, I was thrilled!
My initial 20 week ultrasound revealed placenta previa which basically meant I would receive another ultra sound at 36 weeks to determine If I would need a c-section or not.
BOTH ultra sounds never showed the true identity of what was to come. I REALLY wish I had called into our local baby consultants... Rick and Bubba. Radio personalities that more often than not--guess right! I thought of it often, but never dialed into their expertise.
Scorching summer days came and went just as my due date did and I scoured the Internet for natural (post due date) inducing labor ideas. I made my list and started at the top, skipping the gross or obviously pointless ideas. Nothing worked folks...
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