I had been having stretches of contractions for weeks. They would last anywhere from 1-4 hours and then just stop. At 40 weeks, Anita, my OB, set up an induction appointment for the following week. Zach and I were still hoping she would come before that as I was very, very uncomfortable. Two days before the induction, we even had a false alarm where we got up at 11:00pm, called my mom to come over and watch the kids, showered, and got ready to go. After calling the doctor and the hospital letting them know we were on our way – the contractions stopped! We watched an hour of “The Worst Cooks in America” and then we went to bed.
Zach’s time off from work was ticking away and we were really hoping baby would come so that he could be home to spend time with all of us before going back to work.
The induction date arrived
and we woke up at 3:00 am. (Well, got up, I didn’t sleep due to many potty
breaks and the pre-labor adrenaline.) We went right up to delivery and started
the medicine IV. Zach and I took a long walk around the hall to try to get
things moving (St. Joe’s style!). It actually felt like a date, walking and
talking together. J
After a couple of hours, I
was dilated to 7 and Anita broke my water and I got my epidural J!!! I sat back and enjoyed the wonderful effects of
the epidural, while Zach went to get something to eat in the cafeteria. My
sister, Mari, arrived while he was gone (We had invited her to come and witness
the birth). I closed my eyes, listened to classical music, and rested.
About an hour and a half
passed, and I was fully dilated! Anita and Megan (our awesome nurse) came in to
prep for delivery. Anita said a prayer with the delivery team. I began to push.
After a quick two minutes, and a few pushes, baby JoyAnna Faith arrived! She
immediately had skin-to-skin with me for an hour of screaming while we marveled
at her glorious lung power! Zach then handed Anita and Megan a bag of cookies
that he and the kids had baked them in advance to thank them for their care. What
a wonderful day!! We praise God for His faithful care over us all and for His gracious gift of our JoyAnna!
Labor and Delivery Stats:
Birth Time/Day: 11:27 am,
September 29, 2016
Weight: 8lbs. 10 oz. (Our
biggest baby!)
Length: 20 inches
Cuteness: Off the Charts!
Here is our amazing delivery team!
Skin to skin time...
First family shot!
Congratulations, guys! That is the BEST birth story...so fast! I'll pray mine mirrors it--not the 41 week part, but the quick dilation/fast pushing phase part. :D So excited y'all are now a family of 6! Enjoy the newborn stage, and Zach's time off work!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Katie!
ReplyDeleteWhen are you due?! You many have had your baby by now.