So my labor story really started a few nights before the actual "labor". On Monday night/early Tuesday morning we woke to the sounds of Jack throwing up - oh what a time to get a GI bug! Poor little fellow suffered till morning and Stephen and i got little to no sleep. Thankfully the Lord spared the rest of us of the bug - i can't imagine getting it just one day later! Wednesday morning January 20th began with well baby check ups for the boys. Thankfully my sister Julia was with me this week and helped me out at the appointments. Andrew got checked out and Julia left with him to the waiting room while i discussed a few matters with the doctor and had Jack checked out. Now this pregnancy has been like none other and these past several months i have cried (for no reason let me add!) more times than i have in my entire life! I could go through a box of tissues in one day and not even really know why?? So as the doctor is talking to me i am deperately trying to hold it all together and keep the tears from flowing. I make it through the appointment without completely melting down only to discover that my Andrew has been throwing his very first very public temper tantrum in the lobby for the past 20 minutes! My poor sister could only just watch and wait. That put me over the edge for the day and with tears i brought my screaming child to the van. Oh what a day and it didn't get too much better as the day went on. Stephen came home and we stayed up late talking parenting together with Julia. By 11:30, exhausted and with a headache, we all decided to go to bed. I told Julia and Stephen "by the way, i have been having contractions for the past few hours but i don't think it is anything". 30 minutes later in bed i start giggling and telling Stephen that i think this might be the real thing. Could it really be happening on a day like today - we are so tired!!! We threw together a few things (yep, we were not even packed!) and called the doctor and arrived at the hospital at 1 a.m.
The plan was to do a water birth in the natural birthing area. I was a little disappointed to find out i was only 5 cm along upon arrival but headed straight to the tub to labor more. Poor Stephen and the night nurse sat nearby and supported me for the 2 1/2 hours in the tub (Stephen had a few cokes - i desperately needed the caffine too!!). Around 4:15 i got out of the tub and it was decided that i was ready to go but the bag of water was in the way. So the doctor came in and broke my water, only to announce that i had meconium in my fluid and could not give birth in the tub! A moment of panic passed through me as i realized i was stuck giving birth without pain meds and without water to help! I hadn't factored this into the plan! He assured me things would move quickly and sure enough, 2 contractions later, Elsie decided she was suddenly in a rush to get out! Words cannot describe the intensity of that moment! They called everyone in the room and by the next contraction she was out! Oh what a relief after all those weeks/ months of nausea, back pain, the bleeding episode where we thought we lost her, and the time when i wasn't able to pick up the boys - all of this was done and behind us. What a blessing to have a healthy girl. 
3 comments:
What a neat experience! Medical question. I asked my midwife about the meconium and I was wondering if yours was the yellow or the black? Just curious :)
what a story, rachel! praise the Lord for His lovingkindess! and, that birthing center looks amazing...a queen bed!
The gift of life is an amazing moment. So glad for you that she is here. Jenni B
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