Ada Rose is Born!

The morning of October 9^th, Brent and I headed to Cox Hospital for a 6am induction. I was 10 past my due date and more than ready to meet our baby, but feeling apprehensive about being induced. I kept hoping and praying all would go well and I could successfully deliver this child VBAC and non-medicated (no epidural or any drugs). I could feel the blessing and support of love and prayers helping me exercise my faith, and heaven’s help was near throughout the day in a very tangible way.

Once we completed checking in, getting setup in a room and such, the induction began. I remained in early labor til 2pm (including having my water broken) which is when Dr. Duff had them start me on “just a whiff” of pitocin. I guess they rank doses of pitocin on a scale of 1-30. Dr. Hill from the hospital came in and set an internal something or other to measure the strength of my contractions with precision. They really were doing everything possible to take care so I could do a VBAC.

Pitocin did help contractions become more regular. Within a hour or two the contractions got going enough that I needed to focus on them and breath with coaching from my amazing doula, Crystal. Brent was there too, supporting and doing counter-pressure. These two were truly invaluable! By 7pm the contractions were becoming very intense but I was able to keep taking them one at a time. Around 8:15pm (or so, I didn’t really keep close track of time) transition phase was full scale. By then I was in bed, not walking around.  

It wasn’t long and I began to feel like I wanted to push. Crystal kept me calm, with her face close to mine, eyes locked during each wave of intensity, breathing with me. Brent was continuing with positive talk and other helpful tools. I think I started spontaneously pushing around 8:40pm. It was like my body took over and I lost the ability to not push. Brent and Crystal alerted the nurse that I needed to be checked and sure enough I was finally a 10 and ready to push. Dr. Hill (a different one than before, as Dr. Duff was off for the night) from the clinic got scrubbed up and ready. It took about 6 pushes to get Ada here. The first few pushes felt somewhat ineffective because several nurses were in the room, telling me to hold my breath and push. I didn’t really understand what they were telling me. I later learned that is called “purple pushing.” All I knew was that I felt like my body was going to literally rip in pieces trying to push her out. I wish I could have told them all to stop talking and let Crystal coach me. She kept me going. Dr. Hill chose to make a cut (episiotomy) as Ada’s head was crowning and I wanted to say no, but just let it go, feeling it would be ok. Once her head was out, they told me, the head is out! Do you want to feel?" I said, "no" and just wanted to keep focused and get her all the way out.

The moment she was born, they got her right up to me and I finally saw the beautiful baby girl a loving Heavenly Father entrusted to my care. It was a very special time that really can't be described in words. I do recall asking Crystal, "Did I really do this? Did I really deliver her?" I was totally stunned how such a thing was possible since she wasn't small. Even though I've had two other children, this experience seemed more surreal than ever. They got me cleaned up, but left Ada to me. Oh how grateful I was for a relief from those intense contractions. Thankfully, they never came closer than a minute or so. I always had some moments between to gather my courage again. That was a true tender mercy from the Lord. Crystal had told me that often with VBACs such can be the case (as opposed to contractions peaking one on top of each other during transition). 

Ada Rose was born at 9:01pm. She weighed a hefty 8 lbs. 14 oz. being my largest baby yet. She measured 20 ½ inches.  It’s hard to believe she is already 5 days old! We are enjoying adjusting at home. Ella and Ben love her, and though there have been some rough moments and challenges in recovery, we feel so blessed to have her and grateful for all the faith and prayers from family and friends in our behalf. I feel eternally indebted to my hubby and Crystal who truly made the experience successful for the non-medicated VBAC. I also couldn't have done it without all the wonderful instruction I gained from taking a 6 week birthing class from Julie White of JuJu Babies. There is so much more I could say, but newborns don’t sleep forever. I have a deeper testimony that the Lord does hear and answer prayers. And He does know us as individuals. Our Heavenly Father is kind and when we trust Him and His timing and plan for us, miracles can happen! <3 p="">