Over the past nine months I had been told over and over again by so many people that first pregnancy go the longest. I was told to not get my hopes up that I would be early or on time, because first babies always take their time. Honestly, I was fine with this. I wanted our baby boy to be healthy and strong and to come into this world when he was good and ready. So Davy (my husband) and I were slowly but surely getting ourselves prepared for his arrival, but knowing that it may be longer then expected. At 37 weeks I made sure our hospital bags were packed just in case, but never really thought I would need them ahead of time. I had baby shower back at home on Sept 14th. Most amazing baby shower ever. We were so blessed and overwhelmed by everyone generosity and love for our son. At the shower I again was gently encouraged to not get to frustrated if this baby took his time coming. Well, he proved everyone wrong. LOL! At 4:00 the next morning, three hours away from my doctor and hospital, my water broke. Since this is my first baby I was not quite sure that what had just happened was actually my water breaking. But within minutes my contractions started and were consistent. I called my Mom and my hospital and was encouraged to go home and wait it out. So at 7:00am on Sept 15th, my husband helped me into his truck and we left his parents house to head to either the hospital or our home depending on how I was feeling. In retrospect driving three hours with my water breaking and contracts beginning at about 3min apart and lasting longer then 30 seconds was a bit crazy. The doctors at the hospital thought so as well. :)......I have to say it was a memorable trip. Stopping at a sheetz and walking in while trying to breath through a contraction and not have my water break all over the place was a difficult task. My husband driving through a red light as we got closer to the hospital may be cliche, but again its a funny memory of my birth story. Once we got to the hospital and checked in and got a room my contracts had slowed some, but were still somewhat intense. I was already progressing pretty fast and my nurse thought that we would have this baby pretty soon. We were so excited, but I was worried my Mom and sister (who were on their way) were going to miss it. Little did I know that they had plenty of time. My birth plan was simple. Have a baby as naturally as possible, but all the while just wanting a safe and healthy delivery. I wanted to see what my body could do. I did not want to use a medications if it wasnt necessary. Thankfully this hospital is amazing and they respected every wish that I had on my birth plan. Never once pressuring me into doing anything I didnt want to do. But after 24 hours of labor with no progression past being 6cm dialated and the fear of the baby getting an infection or lack of oxygen or both one doctor suggested I try pitocen. I respect how he explained everthing to us. He never pushed us into anything he very respectfully suggested some alternatives and said that my husband and I should talk it over. The fear was that if I did not progress that I would need to have an emergency c-section. Well I chose to have the pitocen which was not on my birth plan. But we needed to speed things up and I was physically so exhausted after being in labor for by then over 24 hours. Sadly the pitocen did not work and only made my labor more intense and my contractions unbearable. My body had been working so hard that by this time I really had not much left. I remember sitting on the edge of the bed feeling very defeated. I had not cried at all, but at the point I could not hold it in any longer. I remember my husband putting my head on his shoulder and saying that I needed to consider an epidural.
Deep down inside I wanted to scream NO! I can do this. My body is made for this! I just need more time! But my head was telling me your baby is more important then your pride and what you think you need to prove. At this point I think my mother instinct kick in and it did not matter anymore what people thought if I got an epidural. It did not matter if it made me look weak or unable to handle pain. My mission at that point was have a safe delivery and a healthy baby boy. So I recieved the epidural which HELLO!! was the best form of medicine ever known to man in my opinion. I was able to rest and within a matter of hours I was 9 1/2 cm and ready to deliver.
So after 39.5 hours of labor and delivery my husband and I welcomed our son, Jonah David, into this world. He is healthy and strong and more loved then any baby I know. That moment when he was put on my chest was the most amazing moment in this world. I remember looking at my Mom and saying how he was so worth going through all those hours of labor.
I could not have done any of this with out my amazing support system. My husband was incredible. I cannot explain how in those hours I grew to love him more then I ever have. He was rock the whole time. Encouraging me, advocating for me, pushing me to keep going. I am once again in awe at how blessed I am to be apart of this man's life. He truly is the best husband in the world and is now proving every day to be the most amazing father.
I also could not have done it without my Mom and sister. They were with me the entire time. Making me laugh, Encouraging me, praying for me. It was such a comfort and help in those moments when I literally felt like I could not go through one more contraction and my Mom or my sister would say "you can do this. You have come this far. you can get through another one." They were amazing and I am so grateful to them for not only being there, but then staying with me for over a week to help me adjust to being a mom. Our relationships have grown so much stronger in these last few days and I will never forget the memories that were made.
My husband and I could not have accomplished any of this without the prayers and support of our family and friends that came and stayed at the hospital for hours. I could feel every prayer and I know it truly helped.
So the moral of the story is....you never know when a baby is going to decide to come into this world. But the good thing is the Lord knows and Jonah came on the exact day and time that He wanted him to be here. I never thought I could love someone so much. He is my answer to prayer and I am so thankful to God for given Davy and I the priviledge to be his parents.
For those that read this that may be pregnant for the first time or want to be in the future I want to encourage you with something. Make a plan for your labor and delivery. But do not feel guilty or unworthy if for some reason it does not work out. I know the descions that my husband and I made allowed our baby to be born safely and that is what matters. If things do not work out as planned so be it. The Lord keeps reminding me of a verse, Jeremiah 29:11 "
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Sometimes our plans do not work out because God has something better for us or he knows what is better for us. So make a plan, but trust God to work everything out in His own way.
