Anna Love's Birth Story
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 2:30 PM
7 lbs 11 ozs and 20 1/2 inches long
Anna Love's birth story in pictures.
You might need to turn the volume up to catch the first 30 seconds of the music.
Don't miss it!!
Anna Love's birth story in pictures.
You might need to turn the volume up to catch the first 30 seconds of the music.
Don't miss it!!
This is the birth story for our sweet Anna Love. If you hang in til the end, you'll see that it's really much more than a birth story. It's a love story.
We had planned that when I was in labor and delivery we would post a play by play similar to what we did when Elizabeth was born. If you are interested, you can read that play by play by going back to September 2010. That was so fun! However that did not go as planned, because after just a couple of updates things got crazy. If you are interested in the two updates I did post, you can also go back and read those post made on Tuesday evening (2/4) and Wednesday morning (2/5). Since I did not give the play by play I had planned, I'll pick up with the Wednesday morning.
It was a day later than I was originally supposed to be induced, another thing that did not go as planned. At the time I was so very disappointed. I've made my peace with it now, and I can even see the hand of the Lord at work in many ways in the new plan. Like these pictures. I would not have these particular pictures, and I might not ever have even come to know the sweet, sweet lady who took them had I gotten my way. I'll be eternally grateful for both the pictures and even more importantly the new friendship that I have gained with the person behind the camera. Seriously, Patty, thank you for being part of one of the most important events in my life.
It was a day later than I was originally supposed to be induced, another thing that did not go as planned. At the time I was so very disappointed. I've made my peace with it now, and I can even see the hand of the Lord at work in many ways in the new plan. Like these pictures. I would not have these particular pictures, and I might not ever have even come to know the sweet, sweet lady who took them had I gotten my way. I'll be eternally grateful for both the pictures and even more importantly the new friendship that I have gained with the person behind the camera. Seriously, Patty, thank you for being part of one of the most important events in my life.
Wednesday started off SO great. I was up early with excitement. I showered and fixed my hair and make-up (yes, yes I know - so vain) so that I'd be ready for all the pictures!! I even had Wesley snap a final baby bump shot after I got all fixed up. Oh how I already miss my baby bump!! I still have quite a bump, but now it's not nearly as cute.
Everything got started very early! It was around 6 AM when I got back in bed after my shower, and the Cytotec was really working. At this point, I had been given either 2 or 3 doses of Cytotec to induce labor. I was having a lot of strong and painful contractions. I expecting Dr. C to come in any minute. I knew he would check me and probably break my water, and I was concerned that would be painful. With that in mind, I talked to my nurse about my increasing pain level. I did not want to get an epidural so early in my labor, so my nurse, Amy, suggested some IV pain medication. Amy was also my nurse when I delivered Elizabeth. Love her!! I once had an adverse reaction to a drug called Nubain so I mentioned that and asked for something different. Based on what was in my orders from Dr. C, Amy suggested Stadol. I have had Stadol once before with no negative reaction so I agreed. As she slowly pushed the Stadol in my IV, I immediately started feeling sick. So quick, in fact, that she had only given me 1/2 the dose, and thankfully she ended up not giving me the rest!! I can't imagine how much worse it would have been had I had the full dose. I was 6:30 AM. I was feeling terribly sick and in walked Dr. C. My head was spinning, and I was dizzy and nauseous. I think I kept my eyes closed the entire time he was in the room. Honestly I barely remember him being in the room. Dr. C checked me, and I was still 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Wesley tells me that Dr. C and I discussed breaking my water, and I agreed. I held it together pretty well while Dr. C was in the room, but after he left I continued to feel worse and worse. The hour that followed was a nightmare. I even began to hallucinate. Not fun!!
Everything got started very early! It was around 6 AM when I got back in bed after my shower, and the Cytotec was really working. At this point, I had been given either 2 or 3 doses of Cytotec to induce labor. I was having a lot of strong and painful contractions. I expecting Dr. C to come in any minute. I knew he would check me and probably break my water, and I was concerned that would be painful. With that in mind, I talked to my nurse about my increasing pain level. I did not want to get an epidural so early in my labor, so my nurse, Amy, suggested some IV pain medication. Amy was also my nurse when I delivered Elizabeth. Love her!! I once had an adverse reaction to a drug called Nubain so I mentioned that and asked for something different. Based on what was in my orders from Dr. C, Amy suggested Stadol. I have had Stadol once before with no negative reaction so I agreed. As she slowly pushed the Stadol in my IV, I immediately started feeling sick. So quick, in fact, that she had only given me 1/2 the dose, and thankfully she ended up not giving me the rest!! I can't imagine how much worse it would have been had I had the full dose. I was 6:30 AM. I was feeling terribly sick and in walked Dr. C. My head was spinning, and I was dizzy and nauseous. I think I kept my eyes closed the entire time he was in the room. Honestly I barely remember him being in the room. Dr. C checked me, and I was still 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Wesley tells me that Dr. C and I discussed breaking my water, and I agreed. I held it together pretty well while Dr. C was in the room, but after he left I continued to feel worse and worse. The hour that followed was a nightmare. I even began to hallucinate. Not fun!!
We had suggested that guests arrive between 7-8 AM, so during the time that I was on a bad trip our guests (grandparents and Mrs. Patty) began to arrive. I was so excited about seeing everyone, but I was feeling terrible. We asked everyone to wait in the waiting room until I was feeling better. I hated knowing that they were all there to see me and were having to wait. I was also concerned that they were worried about me. I just wanted to feel better fast so that we could all enjoy the day! During this time I was also still in a pretty good bit of pain and did not want to take any other IV pain medication, so I went ahead and requested the epidural and received it just before 8 AM. As soon as I had the epidural and was comfortable and feeling some better, Wesley went out to the waiting room to say good morning and give some updates. I asked him to go ahead and send my mom back, because I was sure she was worried sick. All in all the worst of the adverse reaction lasted about 1 1/2 hours. After that hour and a half, I still continued to struggle for a little bit longer with nausea and low blood pressure. Boy was I ever glad for all that to be over!!! That made the rest of the day easy peasy!!
A new nurse came on duty during all the "fun". Ashley and I became fast friends!! She was a hoot and took such good care of me! Seriously, she stayed right by my side doing everything possible to help me feel better as soon as possible. As soon as I was really feeling better she checked me. It was 10:45 AM, and I was 4 1/2 - 5 cm dilated. My epidural was working great!! I was finally sitting up, feeling good, enjoying my company, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of my sweet Love Bug!!! Based on my past deliveries, I expected the rest of the day might go pretty quickly, so I suggested that anyone wanting to get some lunch should go ahead and go. Poor Wesley had not eaten anything at all yet. He too had been right by my side all morning doing whatever possible to help me feel better. So a little bit after 11 AM, Wesley took everyone except my mom to the hospital cafeteria. My sweet Mom would not leave me. It was nice to have that time with her, even though I ended up taking a little nap.
While I was resting, I could feel things progressing. I wasn't in pain, but I could feel the tightness and pressure of my contractions. It even seemed like I could feel baby gradually moving down with my contractions. It was different and pretty neat, but I actually started to be a tiny bit concerned that maybe I was feeling a little bit too much. Again I wasn't in pain, but I was worried that maybe the epidural was wearing off since I could feel so much pressure. Ashley had also stepped out of my room while I was resting, so I called and asked her to come in and check on things. She checked me right around 1 PM, and I had indeed made some progress. I was 7 cm dilated. Since I was a little concerned about my epidural, she called for the anesthesiologist to come in. Turns out I just had a really awesome epidural that was doing just what it was supposed to do. It was blocking the pain while allowing me to feel the pressure of my contractions. I was really excited to be at 7 cm, and I was extremely confident that things would be fast from here on out!!
While I was resting, I could feel things progressing. I wasn't in pain, but I could feel the tightness and pressure of my contractions. It even seemed like I could feel baby gradually moving down with my contractions. It was different and pretty neat, but I actually started to be a tiny bit concerned that maybe I was feeling a little bit too much. Again I wasn't in pain, but I was worried that maybe the epidural was wearing off since I could feel so much pressure. Ashley had also stepped out of my room while I was resting, so I called and asked her to come in and check on things. She checked me right around 1 PM, and I had indeed made some progress. I was 7 cm dilated. Since I was a little concerned about my epidural, she called for the anesthesiologist to come in. Turns out I just had a really awesome epidural that was doing just what it was supposed to do. It was blocking the pain while allowing me to feel the pressure of my contractions. I was really excited to be at 7 cm, and I was extremely confident that things would be fast from here on out!!
By this time everyone was back from lunch. It was just a few minutes pasted 1 PM. There was definitely excitement in the air. I called my sweet friend Heather who had all our kiddos to let her know we were getting close so she could bring the kiddos to the hospital. I have to stop here and give a big shout out to my amazing friend Heather! In addition to having her own 3 kiddos, she took on my 5 kiddos and was willing to do whatever we needed or wanted!! And in this case what we wanted was for the siblings to be at the hospital either just before or right after Anna Love was born so that they could really be part of the experience. Heather said they were just finishing up lunch and that they would get ready and head our way. She sent me a text at 1:25 PM to say that she was leaving her house.
Between 1-2 PM, everyone in the room started gearing up for the big moment. Ashley was getting the room set up. Wesley sent out a few text messages to update some others. Patty was deciding where she should be for the best pictures. Also during this time, Ashley suggested rolling me over to my side to help baby get into a better position. In the past this has really been effective. I thought it might work so well, that I actually asked Ashley if I could wait a few minutes before changing positions. I was wanting a to get a few pictures first (of course!!). I was specifically hoping to get a picture of me with each of the grandmothers. Unfortunately Nana was dealing with a family crisis, and she was unable to be present for much of the time. We waited close to 30 minutes for her, but she was just not able to come back to the room during that time. Thankfully she was able to come in later. Finally just a few minutes before 2 PM, I rolled over to my side on my own. Ashley had stepped out of the room for just a second. She came back pretty quickly and started working to get me in a good position on my side. Nothing seemed to feel just right, and I was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. After a few minutes of shifting me around and adjusting my monitors, Ashley decided to check me again. It was exactly 2 PM and she said I was ready!!!! I remember looking at the clock and doing the math and realizing that Heather and the kiddos should be arriving any minute. I asked Ashley if the kiddos could come in and see me really quick before I started pushing. She said that would be fine, because it would also take Dr. C a few minutes to arrive. It was kind of an out of body experience, because I could not believe that I was actually asking to wait!! When I had Elizabeth it was quite the opposite, I was begging to push but being told I had to wait. Quite a turn around.
I called Heather to see where she was at, and she said they were just pulling into the parking lot. Wesley went down to help get all the kiddos in and up to the room. Thinking back I'm still in awe of the fact that I was 10 cm, ready to push, feeling SO uncomfortable, but yet still inviting the kiddos to come into the room. I just really wanted them to be as much a part of it as possible. They were so excited!! Heather and her children were not allowed back into labor and delivery (bummer!), but Wesley brought our kiddos in. We all hugged, talked for a minute, squealed with excitement, took a few more pictures (of course!), and then I encouraged Wesley to hurry them back to the waiting room so we could finally get our baby delivered!!
In a few short minutes, Wesley was back. Dr. C had arrived. And we began to push!!! I don't remember how many times I pushed, but it wasn't very many and it didn't take long. Within about 10 minutes, I was holding my baby!!!! It was like a dream!! All the months of waiting, all the excitement, all the love...finally in my arms!!!! It was exactly 2:30 PM.
It's different every time. This time seemed so easy, almost perfect! All my birth experiences have gone well, but several have had some element of drama and often a lot more pain. With Luke my epidural was only working on one side. With him I experienced some serious pain! Bella Peace was sunny side up and had to be turned, also very painful. I had a lot of pain with Elizabeth too, and Dr. C almost didn't make it with her. This epidural was really the best one. Don't get me wrong, I was definitely still uncomfortable, but the pain was manageable. It was great to have the pain under control and yet still feel my contractions enough to know when to push.
Speaking of pushing, I only pushed a few times, but I remember it so vividly. I was so determined to get her here as quick as possible that I was pushing like never before. It was intense. The grandmothers were across the room pushing right along with me. I think Ashley could feel it too. But Wesley and Dr. C, those two were ridiculously casual. There is a really funny picture were it looks like these too are just talking about the big game or something. I just had to add the picture. Notice how intense I am, how casual Wesley and Dr. C are, and how my mom looks like she's ready to take a stick to the guys for being so laid back!! She loves both of them so much, but she did not take kindly to them being so casual while her baby (me) was working so hard. So funny!! The picture may be too graphic for some, but I could not resist sharing it.
I love reminiscing over all my birth stories. These are memories that I will forever cherish. I think they are all frozen in my mind and written on my heart. Even the hard ones were magical and miraculous, and each child and each birth has always, always made me feel closer to the Lord.
Between 1-2 PM, everyone in the room started gearing up for the big moment. Ashley was getting the room set up. Wesley sent out a few text messages to update some others. Patty was deciding where she should be for the best pictures. Also during this time, Ashley suggested rolling me over to my side to help baby get into a better position. In the past this has really been effective. I thought it might work so well, that I actually asked Ashley if I could wait a few minutes before changing positions. I was wanting a to get a few pictures first (of course!!). I was specifically hoping to get a picture of me with each of the grandmothers. Unfortunately Nana was dealing with a family crisis, and she was unable to be present for much of the time. We waited close to 30 minutes for her, but she was just not able to come back to the room during that time. Thankfully she was able to come in later. Finally just a few minutes before 2 PM, I rolled over to my side on my own. Ashley had stepped out of the room for just a second. She came back pretty quickly and started working to get me in a good position on my side. Nothing seemed to feel just right, and I was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. After a few minutes of shifting me around and adjusting my monitors, Ashley decided to check me again. It was exactly 2 PM and she said I was ready!!!! I remember looking at the clock and doing the math and realizing that Heather and the kiddos should be arriving any minute. I asked Ashley if the kiddos could come in and see me really quick before I started pushing. She said that would be fine, because it would also take Dr. C a few minutes to arrive. It was kind of an out of body experience, because I could not believe that I was actually asking to wait!! When I had Elizabeth it was quite the opposite, I was begging to push but being told I had to wait. Quite a turn around.
I called Heather to see where she was at, and she said they were just pulling into the parking lot. Wesley went down to help get all the kiddos in and up to the room. Thinking back I'm still in awe of the fact that I was 10 cm, ready to push, feeling SO uncomfortable, but yet still inviting the kiddos to come into the room. I just really wanted them to be as much a part of it as possible. They were so excited!! Heather and her children were not allowed back into labor and delivery (bummer!), but Wesley brought our kiddos in. We all hugged, talked for a minute, squealed with excitement, took a few more pictures (of course!), and then I encouraged Wesley to hurry them back to the waiting room so we could finally get our baby delivered!!
In a few short minutes, Wesley was back. Dr. C had arrived. And we began to push!!! I don't remember how many times I pushed, but it wasn't very many and it didn't take long. Within about 10 minutes, I was holding my baby!!!! It was like a dream!! All the months of waiting, all the excitement, all the love...finally in my arms!!!! It was exactly 2:30 PM.
It's different every time. This time seemed so easy, almost perfect! All my birth experiences have gone well, but several have had some element of drama and often a lot more pain. With Luke my epidural was only working on one side. With him I experienced some serious pain! Bella Peace was sunny side up and had to be turned, also very painful. I had a lot of pain with Elizabeth too, and Dr. C almost didn't make it with her. This epidural was really the best one. Don't get me wrong, I was definitely still uncomfortable, but the pain was manageable. It was great to have the pain under control and yet still feel my contractions enough to know when to push.
Speaking of pushing, I only pushed a few times, but I remember it so vividly. I was so determined to get her here as quick as possible that I was pushing like never before. It was intense. The grandmothers were across the room pushing right along with me. I think Ashley could feel it too. But Wesley and Dr. C, those two were ridiculously casual. There is a really funny picture were it looks like these too are just talking about the big game or something. I just had to add the picture. Notice how intense I am, how casual Wesley and Dr. C are, and how my mom looks like she's ready to take a stick to the guys for being so laid back!! She loves both of them so much, but she did not take kindly to them being so casual while her baby (me) was working so hard. So funny!! The picture may be too graphic for some, but I could not resist sharing it.
I love reminiscing over all my birth stories. These are memories that I will forever cherish. I think they are all frozen in my mind and written on my heart. Even the hard ones were magical and miraculous, and each child and each birth has always, always made me feel closer to the Lord.
Ahhhhh.....
Oh and there's more. So after Anna Love was born we got the kiddos back in the room at the very soonest moment possible. They came back in for just a few minutes to get a quick peek and to be in the room when we got Anna Love's measurements. 7 lbs. 11 ozs. and 20 1/2 inches long. Perfect size. Another answered prayer since we had been praying for not too big and not too little. I cannot describe to you how off the hook excited the kiddos were to be able to be there both right before and right after she was born. The timing of their arrival to the hospital was another thing that was just perfect! Also something I had been praying about. Thank you, thank you, Heather, for your part in making that happen!! I'm so grateful!!
The kiddos only stayed long enough to get the details, and then they went back out to the waiting room to share the news. There was a pretty good crowd in the waiting room and most everyone was 12 years old or younger. Here's a picture of just some of that crowd.
After the kiddos went back out to the waiting room, we began what is being called the "Golden Hour" with Anna Love. The "Golden Hour" is part of some recent changes that our hospital has made to encourage an extra special time of bonding. I loved our hospital before, but they have really made some great improvements since I had Elizabeth. They now do an even better job to encourage mother to bond with, nurse, and cuddle skin to skin with baby. In fact, we had Anna Love skin to skin within minutes of her birth (which explains why I look so naked in my most of my pics). With my other babies, I've typically spent that first hour passing new baby around to all the grandparents knowing that my time would come, but this time I kept her in my arms for quite a long time. I was definitely sad for the grandmothers who were so anxious to hold her, but I have to say it was a very special time for me and Wesley. It was also a very calm and relaxing time.
Soon after the hour was up, we once again welcomed the kiddos in the room so that they could witness Anna Love's first bath which is done in the room now as part of those recent changes. Finally it was time for the kiddos to get their turn to hold their new baby sister! After months of everyone at home bargaining and negotiating to decide who should hold Anna Love first, we decided to have the kiddos draw numbers to determine the order. For a while, everyone fought to be first, but as time went on, they were all fighting to be last because they thought the last person would end up getting the longest amount of hold time. In the end, Luke drew number one followed by Bella Peace, Elizabeth, Grace, and finally Mary Ruth. We had promised the kiddos that we would do our best to make sure they got to be first to hold Anna Love after me and Wesley. As I mentioned earlier, this is the first time that our older kiddos have really been part of the birth experience. They were all still pretty young when we had Elizabeth. With every birth before Anna Love, we've left them with friends and brought them to the hospital way after welcoming a new baby, often we've even waited til the next day. BUT this time they've been anticipating, planning, and preparing for a new baby just like we have....everyone from Luke to Lizzy. It was only fitting that they get to be a big part of it this time!! So big brother and the many big sisters all got a chance to hold and cuddle Anna Love, and then the grandmothers finally got a turn.
As awesome as it was, it did get crazy at times having the kiddos there so much, but it was a precious time. I know that we all made memories that none of us will ever forget. I guess it was just another way that our lives are crazy, chaotic, beautiful!!! We would not have it any other way, because I'm acutely aware of the fact that the "beautiful" part of our life is only such, because He takes the crazy, chaotic messes we make and He makes them beautiful. As I write about it and reminisce, it sounds perfect, but of course there is always more to the story. Just the day before this beautiful day, I really was so disappointed about my induction getting changed. I had many reasons to be disappointed including the fact that because of the change, 2 precious friends were not able to be at the hospital for Anna Love's birth. That was heartbreaking to me. Since I'm being honest I have to admit that in addition to some valid reasons for being sad, I was also sad because things were just not going according to MY plan. Just hours before going to the hospital I was grumbling and complaining to the Lord about how upset I was that things were not going according to MY plan. I mean, seriously, how ridiculous is it that I was grumbling and complaining to the very One who perfectly has planned all things. The very One who created Anna Love and chose her birth day before the beginning of time. In the retreat I went to right before Anna Love was born I heard a quote about how if God doesn't give us what we've asked for, it's because He has something better planned. Honestly, we are not always able to see, know, or understand what that something better might be. I can't really say for sure why I was induced one day later. I may never know or understand, but I can say that in hind sight it wasn't really all that important. God answered SO, SO many prayers surrounding Anna Love and her birth, and yet I grumbled and complained and stomped my foot when the slightest detail did not go my way. Oh, I'm so thankful that He is mercifully with me.
So I'll end with this....
I've taken a lot of time to put the details of Anna Love's birth in writing, so that I will always be able to reflect back and remember. There are not a lot of things more precious and more miraculous than the birth of a baby. I feel like every birth story is a love story. This story is all about how much I love my new baby girl. I loved her long before her birth day on February 5th. I LOVE my husband and all my children SO, SO much!! More than words could ever express!! I know that this is true of probably every single person who will read these words, BUT the real love story is that God loves us infinitely more than we could ever dare love our husbands or children. He loved us long before each of us was born. His love story for us is recorded in His word, and it also includes a birth story...The birth story of His only Son. His love for us was SO great that He gave that Son for us. I can't grasp giving up any one of my children for anyone or anything, and yet that is exactly what he did, and it didn't stop there. He keeps on giving. Every day. He gives us His love, His peace, His grace, and His mercy!! He gives up hope. How's that for crazy, chaotic, beautiful?!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the song that's part of the slideshow above. What are we going to do with this life He gave us???? What will Anna Love do with her life? My prayer for her life is the same prayer for myself and all my other children. I pray that she will Know Him and Love Him and Love Others!!! I pray that she will live for His glory and spend her life singing His praises, because He is worthy.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
We love Him, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19
We love Him, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19
You meant to say that I brought my 8 kids to the hospital right? Because I consider them all mine. : ) We were so glad to get to be a part of that day! BTW, none of the girls told you about the great sock search did they?? They were supposed to keep that secret. ; )
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