Birth Story: Dan and I arrived at St. Joseph Hospital at 8pm on Tuesday, July 6th for our scheduled induction. I was quickly admitted and shown to my labor and delivery room. I got changed into my hospital gown and was given medicine to soften my cervix. I was told that I may have some cramping but would most likely sleep through the night. Well, 15 minutes after I took the medicine, I starting having bad cramping. It came and went and continually got stronger. I was in LABOR!!!
I supposed I am just a big whimp but it hurt! I asked for some pain relief right away. Well no wonder it hurt, I dilated from 2cm to 4cm within an hour or so. I was progressing quickly. I got an epidural, which took a while to work, but when they figured out the right medicine and dosage, I was much happier. I couldn't sleep with the epidural as I could still feel the pressure coming and going and I suppose I was just too anxious to relax enough to get some sleep.
We called my Mom when I got an epidural and she came to the hospital at around 1 am. Then I decided I needed my Daddy to come down too so he came around 3 am. The rest of my family came some time between 6 and 7 am. I was so glad that everyone was there. Around 7am I was 5-6 cm dilated but by 8am I was 7cm and I went from 7cm to 10 cm in one hour (8am to 9am).
By now my epidural was wearing off and and I could feel the contractions again but they didn't hurt too badly. It was just enough that I could feel when to push and push effectively. Around 9am my wonderful Doctor said it was time to go. I couldn't believe it. It was happening so fast. When my Doctor said those words it was like a whirlwind all around me. I was so excited and anxious. I was finally going to meet this baby that I carried inside me for 9 months. The feeling was overwhelming and I started to cry.
The nurses positioned me so I was all ready to push. Thankfully, I was still numb enough that I didn't have any pain in pushing. I pushed for about 20 minutes and out came this perfect miracle at 9:24 am. The Doctor and nurses placed him on my tummy. I just held him and cried for joy! I said "hello", "happy birthday" and "welcome". I told him how much everybody loved him and that Jesus loved him too. I told him how we have all waited for him for so long. I told him that his Mommy and Daddy were right there and were so happy to meet him.
The Doctor and nurses got me all fixed up and cleaned up and we brought the rest of my family in the room to meet Beau. Mom, Dad, Allison, Ike, Kelsey and my mother-in-law Michele were all there. The nurses weighed him and measured him. A perfect 7lbs, 4oz (same as me at birth) and 19 inches long. They cleaned him up and Dan put on his first diaper.
Everyone got a chance to hold him and say hello. We popped open a bottle of champagne and had a toast! Soon after we all gathered together and prayed. We praised and thanked the Lord for this precious gift. I was overcome with gratitude for the Lord, for my family, for everyone who prayed for this little guy.
What an amazing experience! Probably the best day of my life. I marvel at how I can love someone so much that I just met. It is overwhelming. My brother, Pastor Ike, read this verse that morning: Psalm 127: 3-5
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
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