My sister, Rebekah, flew in the evening of the 13th. The next day I had my 41 week doctor appt. Because I was past my due date, they checked several things to make sure the baby looked fine and to determine how long my doctor would let the pregnancy go before wanting to induce. Everything looked great; however, we scheduled an induction for the following Monday. Yuck.
But then....
I was hooked up to the monitor to check the baby's heart rate, as well as whether or not I was having contractions. To my surprise, I was! They were coming every 4 minutes apart. I knew I was having Braxton Hicks and I was definitely feeling them more than I had, but I didn't think it was actual labor. The doctor sent me to walk for an hour to see if they kept up. They did and after that hour I was dilated to 5 cm (before she sent me to walk I was at 4cm)!
After a quick lunch at Firehouse Subs Daniel and I headed to the hospital. My mom and Rebekah brought our bags...luckily we were already packed since we'd been waiting on Baby Girl's arrival!
We checked in at 2 o clock and I was SO happy I wasn't in hard labor yet because so much went on once we got there (we had pre-registered but all the paperwork was on its way with my mom and sister...so we had to re-register...luckily Daniel did most of it).
The next couple of hours were totally manageable. We walked the halls and basically just hung out. I remember thinking that I could definitely do this...it really wasn't so bad at all.
Then the doctor broke my water.
Oh heaven help me.
I had never known pain before in my life before that moment. Nothing compared. Anything I thought was pain before then was pure bliss compared to what followed for the next 6 hours. Multiply the pain I'd been experiencing every 4 minutes by a hundred thousand and that's what started instantaneously after she broke my water....well, with each contraction anyway.
I progressed pretty well from that point. I couldn't have done it without having prepared mentally beforehand...knowing that I would have to rely fully on God's strength to get through it. I also NEVER could have done it naturally without Daniel. Never before have I seen God move so powerfully through him...or any other person for that matter. He was right there with me through every contraction, doing exactly what I needed or wanted. He encouraged me through the whole process. He never tired or got discouraged. He was purely amazing. He was a vessel for the Lord that night as Daniel, himself, never could have done what was required. An incredible bond was definitely created between us through the whole process and I am SO GLAD we decided to go natural....and for all those who are already asking, Yes, I would go natural again.
I never had a thought that I wanted meds or an epidural..but I do remember thinking that the pain just might kill me...I still can't hardly bare to remember the pain. Luckily the memory is fading!
Finally at 12:37 a.m. on September 15th our beautiful baby girl was born at 8 lbs 7 oz and 21 in long! When I opened my eyes I COULD NOT believe that little miracle came from me. I doubted the whole pregnancy that there was actually a baby in my belly...I just couldn't fathom the thought. Seeing her for the first time was amazing. ...not to mention I was ECSTATIC that the pain was over!
Seeing Baby Girl for the first time was incredible, but I'll always remember Daniel's face when she was born. I didn't know I could love that man any more than I already did. But, boy, could I ever. He LOVES his wife and baby girl!
-Megan
Time for a progress report! lol
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