Hannah's Birth Story

On Thursday, May 17th I had a Dr appointment. Brian took a 1/2 day in order to go with me. He thought it would be important for him to go because since I was almost a week late, he knew Dr Day would be discussing induction details with me. After negotiating a bit, we made a plan that I would check into the hospital on Saturday evening and begin induction Sunday morning.I really didn't want to be induced and so I was feeling pretty sad about the possibility, but Dr Day spent a lot of time talking with me about it and did everything he could to help me feel more comfortable with being induced. In fact, he walked out once so Brian and I could talk and when he walked back in, he said it was killing him that I looked so sad. He really is such a sweet and caring person. I am so thankful the Lord lead us to him. 

After the appointment we went out for an an ice cream Sunday, and shortly after I began feeling crampy. I still wasn't getting consistent contractions, so I wasn't getting my hopes up. But, I felt like I needed to rest, so I went to bed shortly after Emma did. (I am so thankful I did now!)

Sometime after 1AM, I believe around 1:20AM I got 1 or 2 very strong contractions. I woke Brian up right away. I told him I was getting into the tub. He began timing the contractions. They were coming strong but not consistent, some were at 7 minutes apart, some were at 5 minutes apart. I told him to call his parents (20 minutes after labor started) just in case it was real labor, so that someone would be here to stay with Emma.
About 40 to 45 minutes later I knew it was real labor and hoped his parents would be arriving soon. When Brian called them back, they still had not left yet, so he called his Aunt Katy (I don't think any one of us DREAMED things would progress as quickly as they did)! They all arrived about 3:30 AM, but by the time they arrived my contractions were very strong and very close together. I just hoped at that point that we would make it to the hospital in time.

I got on all fours in the back seat, while Brian drove and his mom rode in the passenger seat. All the way there I chanted, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" over and over again. Occasionally, I prayed out loud, "Oh Heavenly Father, please let us get there in time!" Brian sped, needless to say and he ran through a few red lights!

We arrived at the hospital at 4:02 AM. The nurse took me to the first room and told me to get a gown on and checked me. I was at 6 cent dilated. Then she wheeled me into the delivery room. On the way there, I got the worst contraction and felt the worst pain of my LIFE and I screamed on the top of my lungs, "THIS ONE REALLY HURTS!" They checked me again as soon as we got into the delivery room, and the person said, "she's at 10." I was shocked, but then I said, "I told you that one in the hallway really hurt!" 6 to 10 in less then 5 minutes? How does that happen???? Brian and I were just flabbergasted by this.

Then you see about 10 people scrambling around the room trying to prepare to deliver a baby, and I told them I had to push. They told me not to push yet, (what a joke), I had to push, how can you tell a woman in labor not to push, craziness! My water broke then, which was excruciating, and then I pushed, but I was in terrible pain so I asked if I could please sit up more. (I had read in the Bradley book, that laboring on your back causes more pain and sitting up really helps). So they helped me sit up and I look down and I could see part of my baby was out!! At that moment I thought, I can do this, I can get through this. I pushed again, and the baby was out! They immediately showed me it was a girl, and they handed her to me! Oh, what an AMAZING feeling that was. No words can describe those feelings you have of holding your precious baby after enduring immense pain. It is just an incredible feeling, but if your a momma, you understand exactly what I am saying. 

Hannah was born at 4:23 AM (about 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital), Only 3 hours of labor from start to finish. Brian feels like he missed the birth of his 2nd born because it just happened that fast. He chuckles at the fact that the didn't even have time to give me an IV. It was beyond wild and we kinda laugh about it, but boy am I terrified of having a baby in the car the next time after having 2 fast deliveries.

Dr Day arrived shortly after Hannah was born....yep, my Dr didn't even have time to make it. When he walked in he said, "This will be my easiest delivery all week". I felt a little bad that he didn't get to deliver, because he got up in the middle of the night, when he wasn't on call. But, he said he was just happy that I didn't have to be induced and went into labor on my own like I wanted.

Hannah weighed 6lbs 14 oz. I can now understand why she was 6 days late, she would have been tiny had she been born early or on time. She had more growing to do before she could be born.

The meaning of Hannah is "favored by God" and the meaning of Christine is "follower of God." I am eager to see how the meaning of her name will follow her in her days to come.

Hannah is 2 weeks old today. She is a very content baby that rarely cries. I am BEYOND in love all ready, It's crazy how much you can love a little person you barely know. But even though she is only 2 weeks old, I feel like she has been apart of our family forever. It's strange. The transition to bringing her home has been so smooth and it just feels so natural.

Emma adores her baby sister and wants to hold her all the time. She gets upset when she does cry because she is really concerned about her. Emma has such a sweet and sensitive spirit. She will try to calm Hannah down, and say "it's ok Hannah". The other day, she started fussing while I was in the bathroom and Emma came got me, grabbed my hand and said "Hannah cry" and began leading me to her, because she was so concerned about Hannah crying. I really didn't think there would be much jealousy because Emma is pretty independent, very social, and loves babies, but I am a little surprised that the transition has been this smooth. I know they will be best friends and worst enemies for many years to come! 

I feel beyond blessed to have two, healthy and beautiful little girls!! They are precious gifts from God!