My Story and His

{Arriving at the hospital}

As I mentioned in a previous post, my mantra for the last several weeks has been "Peace, be still."  While studying my scriptures last month, I came across a variation of this theme in a verse that I personalized to make my own -- 

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning having this baby; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.  (D&C 101:16)

Every time I started to stress about when the baby would come, or if we'd have help around, or whether or not the actual labor and delivery would be smooth or traumatic, I'd repeat this verse in my head, and my heart would fill with peace.  This constant reminder to trust in God is what helped me to feel peace and be still throughout the weeks leading up to Isaac's birth.  It was such an amazing thing to watch as EVERYTHING really did work out and fall into place leading up to the big day.  First with having Freddie here for a week -- which was such a help and so much fun even if the baby DIDN'T come while he was here -- and then with having Scott's parents come into town the day after Freddie left and me going into labor the day after they arrived!

As for the birth day itself, everything went as perfectly as it possibly could.  Minus the doctor's visit earlier that day, that is.  Dun dun dun.  Hahaha.  I had my 40 week check-up last Monday, and it was the worst.  I went in deciding to discuss a possible induction with the doctor, and perhaps I didn't bring it up in the clearest way, but the doctor was seriously the rudest and most dismissive person possible in response.  {I had stated at previous appointments that I really wanted to avoid an induction for several reasons -- 1.) my two previous inductions (Ethan and Jane) were nightmarish, traumatic experiences, 2.) I think going into labor naturally just works out better, and 3.) my mom was induced with her last baby (#7) and experienced a uterine rupture during the course of the induction and almost DIED -- something I really wanted to avoid.  After doing a lot of thinking and praying about it, I decided at that point (being past the due date) that I'd like to schedule an induction for sometime that week, while Scott's parents were still in town to help.}  After coming in and checking my progress, she basically told me that there was nothing they could do for me since I didn't want to be induced.  Then when I tried to explain that I was now considering an induction, she responded with a rude "Well, what does that mean?  We can go back and forth all day, but I thought we had already hashed this out."  And then when I wanted to verify that I'd be a good candidate for induction, she exasperatedly told me that I've been a candidate, and they would have induced me at 39 weeks, but I had said I didn't want to.  It was seriously weird.  Especially because I had seen this particular doctor before and really liked her.  So, maybe she was just having a bad day, or something, but the end result was me being completely terrified of having the baby.  ESPECIALLY if it happened to be on a day where this particular doctor was on call.  It was all so very ironic, because just prior to the doctor coming in, Scott had commented on how very "zen" I'd been this time around regarding the actual birth of the baby.  Needless to say, I was NOT zen on the drive home from the appointment.

I ended up setting an induction date for Wednesday, the 11th (with a DIFFERENT doctor, thank goodness), but luckily, all's well that ends well, and I ended up going into labor on my own later that day -- probably thanks to the membrane stripping that the doctor did while I was there.  {And which seriously HURT.  Basically, that doctor's visit was the worst.}  I started having semi-regular contractions that afternoon after getting home from the appointment, and did a LOT of walking around the block to try and get things rolling.  {Seriously -- according to my fitbit, I ended up walking almost 6 miles over the course of that day!}  I made it through dinner and getting the little ones in bed before seeing that the contractions were becoming slightly more regular -- 5-10 minutes apart -- as well as slightly more painful, and decided to give the doctor a call.  The nice thing about being pregnant with a 6th baby is that everyone gives you a WHOLE lot of credit for knowing what you're doing.  Haha.  Since we live a good 35-40 minutes away from the hospital, and my labors have a tendency to go pretty fast, the doctor gave us the go ahead to come on down and get this thing done!  Hahaha.  :)

We left a little after 9, and arrived at the hospital around 10.  The labor and delivery floor was apparently slammed that night, and we ended up having to wait in triage for a bit before we could get settled into our room.  The contractions were still there, but not horrible, but I knew that things would really pick up once my water was broken.  The doctor asked if that's what I'd like to do right away, rather than start Pitocin, and I agreed without a second thought.  My body majorly reacts to Pitocin, and I wanted to avoid it if at all possible.  I decided to get my epidural as soon as we got settled into the delivery room, in anticipation of my water being broken, and I was SOOOOO happy that I had another good experience with a working epidural!!  {If you'll recall, Alex's was the only other good experience from start to finish.}  The doctor came in to break my water shortly after the epidural was placed, and I was SOOOOOOO happy with who was on call!  She was seriously one of my favorites from the prenatal visits because of how caring and compassionate and personable she seemed.  She was the BEST!!

So, my water was broken at 11:45 PM, and then for the next two plus hours, I labored in peace and stillness while resting/dozing off in a dimly lit delivery room, waiting to welcome this baby into the world.  I was struck by how profound that peace and stillness was as I thought of my scripture again and again.  When it came time to push, Isaac came out in less than a minute's worth of effort.  He was practically perfect in every way, and my heart melted as soon as I heard that first little cry.  And squeak.  :)

Isaac Gordon

Born 10 November 2015 at 2:02 AM

8 lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long

By the time we were wheeled up to the maternity ward, it was nearing morning.  Isaac got his first bath in the sink in our room, and then he pretty much slept the day away.  Our room was tiny and cramped and felt a bit like a jail cell, but at least it was a private room and we didn't have to share with anyone else!  Hahaha.

Scott is blessed with the ability to fall asleep anywhere at any time, so long as he's tired.  I don't have that gift.  Hahaha.

Happy mother and babe.

The kids came to visit with Grandma and Grandpa after school that day, and they were pretty much the loudest on the maternity floor.  Think lots of excitement, lots of fighting over whose turn it was to hold the baby, and lots of emotions due to tiredness.  It was great.  :)

Happy father and babe.

Grace had claimed being the first to hold the baby for months now.

{Jane was having an EXTRA emotional day -- probably because she was up in the middle of the night for a couple of hours, as she's wont to do.  Poor grandma.  :(  }

Alex was more than a bit apprehensive about holding the baby.  To be quite honest, I think he was a little scared of him.  Haha.  He's mostly gotten over it now, but I think the baby still makes him a bit nervous.  :)

Proud biggest brother.

Tired little space cadet

New family of 8!

The boys!  :)

Grandma and Grandpa -- and Isaac with his namesake.  {Scott's dad's name is Gordon.}

My only real disappointment with the hospital experience was this water pitcher!!  Hahaha.  Seriously, though.  I live for those big water pitchers with the straws that I've gotten at every other birth.  {Please tell me you know what I'm talking about!}  I'm always SOOO thirsty after having a baby, and I love the ice and water in those cups!  I'd been going on and on to Scott about how much I was looking forward to getting that cup this time around, only to be massively disappointed with this retro, non-take-home pitcher I had instead.  :(  

Preshy presh!

We ended up going home Wednesday evening around 9, and were tickled to see a "welcome home" sign placed in the garage in front of the door leading inside the house.  I think the kids were pretty excited he was coming home.  :)  I was so exhausted from not sleeping well at the hospital, that I headed straight up to bed and crashed for a couple of hours before needing to get up and feed the baby.

Cute little lamb!

So, that is our story!  Everything worked out perfectly.  Sleep deprivation is still the name of the game over here, but we're making it work.  Scott has been able to take the last week off for paternity leave, and he's planning on taking all of next week off for Thanksgiving.  AND my mom is coming in town a week from today and will be able to stay and help with the baby for a few days as well!  Yes indeed, everything has worked out perfectly.  And I'm so very grateful!  

3 days new!

Cute little profile

{16 November 2015}