I still can't believe our sweet Brienna is really here! The story of her birth is a testament to God's goodness, and to answered prayer. My parents arrived last Monday, and they're staying til this Thursday. Ten days--what a treat! But I was a little nervous, since their departure date (24th) was so soon after my due date (21st). I knew I'd be just hearbroken if Brienna hadn't arrived by the time they had to leave!
I prayed--albeit somewhat sheepishly--that Brienna would be born toward the middle of the week. I felt a little silly, to be honest... "Lord, I know it's such a small thing, but it'd be so great if you'd allow this baby to arrive on Wednesday or Thursday!' If that happened, we'd be able to be in church Sunday, and we could have her and Ellia dedicated while my folks were still here. I was hopeful on Tuesday, when I began having mild but regular contractions (10 minutes apart)and they continued all day. We went out to dinner that night, and I said, "I'm guessing Brienna will arrive by the weekend!" My parents took the girls overnight so Nate & I could have a fun day to ourselves--the last one for awhile.
You can imagine my disappointment when I woke Wednesday morning (AT 9!) and had nary a contraction all morning long. Nate & I went to breakfast and ran a couple errands. Then we came home and relaxed a bit, took a nap, etc. Still nothing regular. Bummer.
Around 5:00 my parents arrived for dinner, and we planned to attend our church's prayer meeting at 7. Just as my mom walked through the door, I had a contraction, but this one was different--deeper and a little stronger, and a moment later, I felt a little something. A little something wet. Yuck! Some women have incontinence issues, but I am not one of them! I checked it out--slightly pink-tinged. Hmm! My water had not broken spontaneously with Olivia or Ellia, so I wasn't too worried. I went about my business, and felt another moderate contraction, and... EWW! This scenario repeated itself several more times, until Nate made me call the hospital.
I did so around 6:15, and the nurse there told me to come on in. Unfortunately, we had nothing prepared! Didn't have a bag packed or anything. Not only that, but I hadn't really seen my girls since the previous night, and I was starting to get pretty sentimental about it. Well, we finally got ready to leave, and scurried off around 7:15. I was quite uncomfortable by this time, and there was no doubt about it being true labor. At triage, they found I was dilated to 4. FOUR. Ugh, that was disappointing.
An hour later, I was dilated to 7 and miserable. I just about kissed the anesthesiologist when she walked through my door! I didn't stay happy with her for very long though. Her first attempt at the epidural placement went awry, and she had to place it again, although she did give me a different medication for the pain. I had to lie on my side, all curled up & perfectly still, for about 45 minutes while she poked and prodded and threaded the thing. Doesn't sound too long, I know, but that's roughly 10-12 big contractions! I admit that at one point, I glared at Nate and mouthed, "I'm going to kill her!"
By the time she finished, it was about 9, and I was really scared. My pain had never gotten to the point where I really felt I was going to "lose it," but I was starting to at this point. As it turned out, the epidural never really kicked in in time, but the other meds finally did. I guess it relieved the pain of about 6-8 contractions.
About 10:00, the nurse told me to page her when I felt the urge to push, and she left the room. 3 minutes later, I told Nate, "Get her back in here!" I started pushing at 10:10, and Brienna Elyse was born at 10:20.
Livvie is in her element, always wanting to hold and kiss Brienna. "She's my new baby. She's my best friend!" Ellia... she's slowly warming up to our new addition.
We had our girls & ourselves dedicated on Sunday, just as I prayed for.
And my parents witnessed all of it.
The recovery period has been difficult this time around, but we're making it! We are so grateful and blessed!
8 comments:
Congratulations! Brienna is beautiful. I am so glad that the Lord worked everything out for you.
Congratulations, Karen. You are truly blessed! All your girls are beautiful!
You have a beautiful family!!! Praise the Lord for His goodness!
What a great story! Love it! Praising God with you!!
Aww, she is absolutely adorable! Karen, you look great like always. Let me know when you need a babysitter for two or all three. :-)
~Joanna
P.S. Brienna was a great choice. :-)
You are amazing to already be up, moving around and at church.
I felt that with Aleia my recovery was a little harder and I had an epideral,but with Brienna I didn't have one and I felt my recovery was easier and quicker not sure if that truly makes a difference.
Take things slow! By the way, you look GREAT!!!!
Hey I don't remember seeing how much she weighed and how long she was.
You know you make the rest of us look badly.....being all cute 4 days after a new baby!!
Our birth stories are similar. When I finally got my epi, I was at 8 and they had to place it 3 times. I too wanted to killl him.
glad everyone is healthy and happy!
Ugh, what a horrible anesthesiologist!! That stinks that you didn't get the full benefits of the epidural. Seriously stinky.
Sounds like you were a trooper though! And look at the lovely result you got for your labor!!!
Rejoicing with you at the birth of your sweet new girly girl!
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