Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A Short and Sweet Labor/Birth Story



God is so good and so gracious!  I had asked Him for a normal, natural delivery, after my last 2 deliveries being rather dramatic and high medical intervention.  I felt like He told me a few weeks ago that he would give me a peaceful, natural delivery as a gift.  And it was just that!
After walking probably a total of 3 miles on Friday and doing a good bit of other things to get labor going the few days before, I woke-up at 5 am on Saturaday morning and felt a perfect little "bubble pop."  I was still lying in bed, but felt a gush of water.  I knew immediately that my water had broke.  I got up quietly, trying not to wake my husband, and went to the bathroom.  I was leaking fluid everywhere!  I finally had to turn on the light to find some clean underwear and at that point I woke my husband with a slightly paniced, "babe, my water has broke! I'm sure of it!"  He groggly woke up and help me find clean clothes.  My doctor had told me to come to the hospital immediately if my water broke since I've had so many babies and I was a vbac.  I started to put the last things I needed in my suitcase and Ron went to wake-up my 16 year old daughter, since my mother-in-law wasn't in town yet to watch the kids.  Anna was so calm.   She helped me finish packing and I tried to call the doctor but was put on hold.  I was beginning to have some strong contractions, so we just grabbed a big towel and headed for the car.  We got to the hospital at 5:40 and at the point I had a tough contraction.  The contractions were hard but not real close together.  So, when they finally got me admitted and checked, I was really surprised and happy that I was already 5-6 centimeters.  They drew my blood and put in a hep-lock, but I didn't even have to have an IV.  My daughter got a friend to come stay with the younger kids and my older ones headed over to the hospital.  The doctor on call was one I had never met, but was so calm and chilled. He was also low medical intervention, which was great.  I had an awesome nurse and in less than 2 hours after arriving at the hospital, I felt like I needed to push.  Sure enough, I was complete and he was born in 2 pushes!  The doctor also let Anna, my 16 year old, stay and watch the birth.  She had asked me ahead of time, but I didn't know if it would work out.  She did great and watched the whole thing.  It was so awesome and life changing for her!  She was laughing and crying when Patrick came out crying and strong and healthy!  I had no tearing or stitches and he has been nursing great.  I guess I didn't think my 10th, well actually 11th, labor and delivery would be my best and easiest!

John means "God is gracious" and Patrick means "noble and full of honor"

Anna sporting her "missionary midwife" look 

18 comments:

  1. Gorgeous!! Congratulations! I am so happy for you and thankful that God granted you such a nice labor and gorgeous boy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love birth stories. And, what a beautiful one this is! Congratulations on your newest precious baby! May God richly bless you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Perfect :)
    Wonderful and perfect!
    God is good!
    M

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Becca, I'm so happy for you- God is good!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. simply beautiful...congratulations mama.
    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so glad that everything went smoothly :) It sounds like a "dream delivery" if there is such a thing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations!! He's beautiful! And big YAY for easy, natural deliveries... :D Enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love hearing birth stories. Thanks for sharing yours! Praise God for such a smooth delivery. Your daughter is beaming in the photo where she is holding the baby.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful! Such a handsome little guy! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. He is beautiful! And I am so thrilled that you were blessed with the "easy" (not that labor is ever easy, ha), straightforward labor that you dreamed of! Congratulations to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  11. He is absolutely beautiful and how precious the memories Anna will have!! She looks so proud. :)
    Congrats!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. YAA!! What a beautiful story. So inspiring... makes me **think*** about possibly having more..LOL

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations! Anna looks like such a proud big sister.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Patrick is beautiful!
    Anna is a real gem- I am sure God has great plans for her.

    ReplyDelete
  15. God goes before us. It is a great comfort to know that God is always there and will always take care of us. Anna is just like her mother, Calm. When I think about it, I remember both you and Ron as being calm. Any way, all I have to say is, Thank You Jesus :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. congratulations! what a story and what a blessing:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations!!! He is beautiful!!! The name is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love reading labor and birth stories . . . but it has been awhile! Amazing how quickly you move on from that when your youngest and last is just six! This was a precious story! Rejoicing with you that it was a natural, non-intervention birth! Love that your daughter got to be there to witness the birth! So special for her and you! Precious Baby too!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comments! I love them and they keep me writing. I really do read each one.