Abel Nathanael

The day started like any other day. It was a Wednesday so Jim was home and I had my 39 week doctor's appointment. I have been having some contractions thanks to my amazing friend Kristen giving me a labor inducing foot massage, but so far no full-blown labor had come. 

Jim and the children prepared for what they needed to do that morning and I left to go see Dr. Barratt. 

I really had hope that things would progress and everything would be fine, and when Dr. Barrett first checked me out he thought everything was fine but he couldn't figure out where the baby's head was and so an ultrasound to check positioning was done. As soon as he put the wand on my tummy the evidence was there; the baby was transverse!

Due to an excessive amount of fluid the baby had turned. That's when the decision had to be made, what was the best course of action?

After talking with Dr. Barrett and calling Jim, we decided to do an aversion and induce labor. This was not at all what I wanted for my labor but after praying and thinking about the options I was at peace with that decision.

As I left the office, I stopped by the ultrasound office to see the desk manager who I've built a relationship with over the last couple of years to let her know what was happening. She was so encouraging and I knew she would pray for me as I went through this as she knows my heart and desires for birth. My God definitely used her to calm any anxiety that was lingering in the back of my mind. 

I went home to get Jim, pack up, and to hug my babies before going to the hospital. When I arrived home, the children were and are 12 passenger van almost ready to go with my parents. I climbed in the van to give everybody hugs and kisses and tell them that we would have their new baby brother or sister soon. Both excitement and anxiety felt the van as they prepare to leave. Once everything was ready for them, my parents took them to their house. 

Jim and I then finished packing up everything we needed for a couple of days at the hospital. If needing the aversion we didn't know how long everything would take and so we wanted to be well prepared, especially with healthy snacks! Jim made us a healthy filling lunch to eat and have energy for whatever lie ahead. We got in the car and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at L&D around 1:30 pm and got checked in. We were so blessed to have the same nurse that we had when we had Esther! Amelia was such a blessing to us as she is a Sister in Christ! She encouraged us and calmed me when she put in my IV (seriously the worst part!). I was having contractions that felt like early labor, so while we waited for the doctor on call to come I walked around and listened to music and sang praises to our God. We were also able to talk with Amelia and get to know her more.

Around 4:00 pm Dr. Umpierrez came to see how things were and do the aversion. They gave me terbutaline to calm my uterus for the aversion. Dr. Little joined her and they were able to quickly get the baby turned into the right position. God was watching over us as they got our little one into position. 

Around 5:00 pm they started the pitocin. It took a little bit to take effect, but it did kick in and contractions started. They were solid. I walked. I sang. I prayed and tried not to panic. I was still struggling in my mind thinking that I would need a c-section. I gave it over to God and prayed for everything to go the way I desired. 

At change of shift we had to say good-bye to Amelia, but to my amazing surprise we got Kelli, who I used to work with at Northside in L&D! It was fun to catch up and reminisce about our time there together. Things were taking awhile, like they did with Isaac since they had to stop what my body was doing to move the baby. Thankfully I was able to sit and not stand the whole time and was able to get a little nap. 

Around 8:00 pm they attempted to break my water, which I wanted since I knew it would be quick for me once that happened. Sadly they couldn't get to it as my cervix was still high. I suggested a foley to put pressure on the cervix, like we had done with Isaac, and the doctor loved it! They successfully got it into place and I stood up for a bit to keep baby in position as much as possible.

As the induction was late in the day this part is hazy. My body was already tired from a full day and I needed to rest again. At some point a few hours after this, the foley came out, meaning the cervix was more favorable!

Around 1:30 am Dr. Umpierezz came to check my progress. I was 6 cm and she was able to break my water. I was grateful as I was tired and ready to have a baby! They got things cleaned up and then sat me up in the bed to let my body work. 

Everything moved quickly at that point, as I knew it would. Every contraction brought progress! About 2:15 am I felt the urge to push. They quickly got everything ready and I pushed.

At 2:20 am we welcomed our 11th child into our arms! Jim started laughing, "It's another boy!" 

I looked surprised at Jim as several things in the pregnancy had me thinking the baby was a girl and said, "A boy? Really?"

He laughed again saying, "YES!" 

They put him on my chest and I actually looked to see for myself! I couldn't believe it and I laughed. I was so thankful to have my little boy lying on my chest, born vaginally, without incident. God has taken care of us as He always does. 

They finished cleaning me up while Jim and I looked at our little boy and talked about what to name him. The name had been up in the air the whole pregnancy. It didn't take long to see his name is Abel, which means God is my Father. God had been us this truth as we learn to abide in Him. We also remember that God is able to do everything and He is able to take care of us. 

After getting me cleaned up, Abel latched and we began the middle name search. We talked about many names, but decided on Nathanael, which means gift from God, which Abel absolutely is! We honestly did not expect another child and here he is. What a sweet and precious gift!

Father, thank You for the gift of Abel! We are so blessed to have him in our family. You have done great things for us and we praise Your name for new life! We pray as he grows You will save him and bring him to life in You. We pray this in Jesus's Name. Amen!

Chosen

This book, Chosen: Birth and Faith Through a Doula Lens, is a short but powerful book.

Katherine Newsom walks you through eight chapters with important factors of the pregnancy and birth process and how the Bible and the Gospel speak to each of these categories. I love her heart in simple wording to express deep truths that women need to hear in this journey of motherhood and how to apply them in a general way. 

For example, " To put it in a greater Biblical light, we can see childbirth as God's mercy for us. For in Genesis, we read that God chose to give Adam and Eve the gift to multiply, even after the sinned against Him, although they deserved death." This quote come from the chapter "Understand and Prepare" and gives us perspective on childbirth and how to view it no matter how we feel. We are confronted with the truth that bearing life is God's mercy and we can view this when we're frustrated or tired in the midst of the pregnancy and see the beauty in what is happening in our bodies. 

I highly recommend this book to every woman to encourage you on your journey no matter where you are in it. Even if you are through childbearing years, there is life in this book to help you think back and embrace the journey you have been on and share it with the women coming up behind you in need of your support during her season of childbearing. 

5 stars for this much needed book!

Reading Challenges:

In the 2021 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies- A book of your choice in the light section

In the 2021 Christian Reading Challenge with Jami Balmet- Parenting/Family Life category

In the 2021 Intentional by Grace Reading Challenge- About an interest of yours in the level 1 section

30 Weeks with Number 10

On Friday I reached the wonderful marker of 30 weeks with our tenth baby! With this being number ten and in the last quarter of this pregnancy, I'm finding myself stopping more to cherish these little moments. Because life is a little slower right now with all that's going on in the world, God is giving me the reminder to stop, pause an enjoy these little moments that may never happen again.

Nothing is guaranteed in this life. In a flash everything can change.

It feels like life moves at breakneck speed. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant!

But right now, while the world is just a little slower, I want to take time and enjoy this (even though this pregnancy has been very draining). I want to remember the movements. I want to cherish the moments I get to carry the life of and image bearer of God. I want to be thankful for the fatigue and heartburn that reminds me that, even though it's uncomfortable, is part of the joy of being a mama.

I'm grateful to be at 30 weeks. Every week is a miracle. Every moment is a miracle.

I'm anxious to meet this newest little one face to face. But right now I want to take in the joy of carrying this child inside and treasure these moments of pregnancy before the delivery comes.

New Blog

I'm so excited to share with you the start of a new blog that I am working on. As many of you know childbirth is a passion of mine and I believe it is important to share information, educate and build community for women during this precious season of life. With that I am launching a new blog to go along with a class I have begun teaching, Childbirth Conversations. I will continue writing in this blog as it is for my family and what we are learning, but will also be writing on the Childbirth Conversations blog as well. I hope you will drop by and join in the conversations!

If you have questions about pregnancy and childbirth please ask. If you have stories you would like to share contact me. I am excited to follow God on this adventure He is leading me in and hope you will join me.

Redeeming Childbirth

I was so excited when I ran across this book as I too feel like childbirth needs to be redeemed in our culture. Angie Tolpin writes with much enthusiasm on the topic of childbirth that I can relate to, as I also have much enthusiasm for childbirth. It is a beautiful God given gift that needs to be discussed more, particularly among believers. 

There was a lot I liked in this book: giving God the glory for designing childbirth, things to help with seeking God during pregnancy, practical things to consider in childbirth, things to think about when planning for birth, Scripture and resources to go to, being a Titus 2 woman in sharing your experience with others and a note for husbands. Generally speaking I like what was written. There is a website that corresponds with the book at redeemingchildbirth.com. 

The downside of this book is her all but saying that natural childbirth is more spiritual than other births. She is very gracious in how she says it, but unfortunately there is a clear undertone in the majority of what she says. I also felt there was a lot of repetition in what she says and that the book could have been more condensed. 

I would absolutely recommend this book for the resources and spiritual guidance it gives, but unfortunately I have to give a disclaimer when recommending it because of the first issue listed above. Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.