July 2009 takes the cake for the hardest month of my life, thus far.
On July 8th I went into spontaneous premature labor. I spent the day in the hospital being monitored and medicated to stop the labor since I was only 34 weeks along. I left the hospital with strict orders to stay in bed for the next two weeks; I also had to keep taking medication to keep contractions at a minimum.
I was anxious, not only for the precious little one that I carried, but also for my two precious little boys and my husband whose worlds would be put into total disarray with me on bed rest. Thank God for my sister Jenny, her husband Ryan, and my brother Jamison! They laid down their lives for me and my family over those two weeks, spending countless hours at my house caring for my children during the day, dealing with boys who could not understand why Mommy could not get out of bed. Thank God for my husband who worked two full time jobs over those two weeks - one away from home and the other in our home. He cooked, cleaned, and did everything the boys required without any help. Tears come to my eyes as I think about the sacrifice everyone made for me and our little girl. I hope that when the opportunity comes to me to serve in a selfless way I will take hold of it with the same heart that Bram, Jenny, Ryan and Jamison displayed!
Midnight of July 20th marked the end of bed rest. Over the next 6 days my contractions increased and we prepared for an imminent birth. Sunday, the 26th, I awoke at 2:30 am and could not go back to sleep. I prayed that God would give me the strength to deal with increasing contractions and fatigue and that I would have faith for His timing for the arrival of our third child.
3:00 am brought the first big contraction.
I did not get back to sleep. Contractions came and went all morning - never seeming to become regular. We took a walk after lunch and when we got back the contractions were strong and about 7 minutes apart for almost an hour. Then they stopped! I was getting frustrated, so I took a short nap. Nothing changed after I got up, so I was pretty sure I wasn't in labor. Jenny and Jamison had come over to hang out in case we needed to get to the hospital. At around 4:30 they went back home and we decided to get some Chinese food. When I got in the car the contractions came back and were immediately 3 minutes apart. We eat dinner and called the midwife. We were set to meet her at 7:30 at the hospital! I had to go in early because I was GBS positive and needed antibiotics for a few hours before giving birth.
I was 3 centimeters dialated and 90% effaced when we arrived. She was at zero station. Two hours went by and things continued to progress. I was very tired, so I laid down on my side to get a little rest. Rest eluded me, for the contractions got more intense and closer together when I laid down! (The opposite of what usually happens in labor!) The midwife broke my bag of waters at 11:00 pm. I was 5 centimeters and completely effaced. I could feel her move down with each contraction. At midnight my midwife came to say congratulations on being officially full term - we had made it to 37 weeks! She checked me again and I was 9 centimeters dialated. I rolled back onto my side and she left the room to tell the nurses that it would not be long before I started to push. I had a contraction and before it was over I felt like the baby was coming out! I yelled for Bram to get the midwife back in the room. He didn't believe me that I was ready to push, but after I yelled "She's coming out!" He ran to the hall and got everyone moving.
I panicked for the next 5 minutes while everyone got things set up. I was still on my side and thought I would have to move - not something I wanted to do. The midwife assured us that I could push the baby out exactly where I was! The first two pushing contractions I had I have no idea what I was doing. I remember pushing, but I wasn't being efficient. The next contraction, I got ahold of myself and really paid attention to what I was doing. I got about 3 or 4 pushes in with each contraction. On the third contraction our daughter was born.
Those were the longest 6 minutes of my life, but as they midwife placed Bethany Lyneve (her middle name was Bram's mother's name!) on my stomach and I looked into her beautiful face for the first time, I knew everything had been worth it. My daughter was worth it!
Two weeks have passed since that wonderful night. It feels like it's been much longer than just 15 days. My beautiful girl has grown significantly in those 15 days, but I have grown in another way. Being the mother of a daughter has changed me for the better. I am reminded more often to pray for all my children's future spouses. I am more dependent on the Lord for help to control my emotions in order to be a good example for my girl. I am convicted anew to grow in my role as wife and mother, as I now have someone who will learn directly from me what it means to serve God in this way. I am so thankful that God has blessed our family with another child. She is precious to us, just as Benjamin and Christopher are precious to us!
Birth stats:
Weight: 6 lbs. 14 oz.
Height: 19.25 inches
Head: 13 inches
2 week stats:
Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Height: 20.25 inches
Head: 13.5 inches
(Photo: Jenny James http://www.jennyjamesphotography.com/blog/2009/08/05/a-little-preview-bethany-lyneve/)
