It all started on Good Friday. Our Pastor challenged all of us (if able) to fast until the services that evening. So I thought I would as well, I do NOT recommend fasting for an entire day while pregnant. I started contracting mid afternoon. We left the service a little early and thought maybe...We ate supper and my husband was so excited he wanted to set up the birthing pool. I told him no, I wanted to wait but he was excited. He said he would leave it up if nothing came of it.
Shortly after I ate, the contractions stopped. Which I had thought was a big possibility of happening. The next day was very uneventful. Our two youngest got in the pool and played around. They kept referring it to it as a boat, it was very cute. I got in and it was very soothing to my hips and tailbone. Off and on I would have steady contractions, but I was trying not to say anything. My husband was asking several times a day "anything" He stayed around the house that whole week, just in case.
On the April 5th a little after midnight I felt a good contraction while laying in bed. I decided to get up and go to the bathroom. I walked slowly just to give my body a chance to have another, if it was going to. I knew they were different, as we more experienced mama's typically do. I wanted my husband to get as much sleep as he could, and I was afraid Syhven (our little one sleeping beside/with us) would wake up. I began to set things up, fill the pool up and such. I had tried to get my worship music play list started, with no luck.
Now I had never used music during my labors, but after reading Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin (highly recommend) I used her play list to create my own, and it was a God send.
I got into the pool and turned my focus to the Lord. I tend to turn inward while in labor so my husband would lay down for a few minutes and come back in to check on me. He left me alone for the main part, and that's what I wanted. I enjoyed listening and very quietly singing with the music between the contractions. During the contractions, I would pray, or often I found myself singing the chorus "like a rose, trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me, above all". The Lord sent this chorus to me, to remind me of His Love and His Power. It was amazing, in my past deliveries I have always prayed for strength and thanked Jesus for my baby directly after delivery, but I have never been entirely focused on the Lord like I was this time. He was in every moment of this labor and delivery, again thanks to Redeeming Childbirth.
When I knew it was very close I told my husband "if you want to record it, you better turn on the camera now". He did and he got into the pool. With the next contraction, I had the urge to push. For the first time with my water deliveries I felt my waters break. Once the head was out, my husband wanted me to push again, I assured him it was ok and I waited until I felt the urge again. As I pushed my little baby girl out from my body and into her daddy's hands, I called out to the Lord "Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ be with me" and He was! Orchid Catherine was born at 3:34 A.M. and moments later our five oldest children came running. They met their little sister, who was covered in thick vernix to my surprise, and I asked them to go back to bed for now. When they did, My husband and I were beaming at what God had blessed us with, and my personal favorite song, The Revelation Song, came on. I began to sing, without noticing. I glanced at my loving husband and saw he was also singing. It was a very beautiful moment.
I delivered the placenta about twenty minutes later. I handed over my precious darling to her big brother (who was thrilled with this honor) and rinsed off in the shower. My husband helped me to and fro. I went into the living room and nursed for over forty minutes! Once she was finished, daddy weighed and measured her. She weighed in at 8lbs 14oz to my amazement, and 20 1/2 inches. Everything was perfect that night Praise God.
Orchid a day after she was born
Shortly after I ate, the contractions stopped. Which I had thought was a big possibility of happening. The next day was very uneventful. Our two youngest got in the pool and played around. They kept referring it to it as a boat, it was very cute. I got in and it was very soothing to my hips and tailbone. Off and on I would have steady contractions, but I was trying not to say anything. My husband was asking several times a day "anything" He stayed around the house that whole week, just in case.
On the April 5th a little after midnight I felt a good contraction while laying in bed. I decided to get up and go to the bathroom. I walked slowly just to give my body a chance to have another, if it was going to. I knew they were different, as we more experienced mama's typically do. I wanted my husband to get as much sleep as he could, and I was afraid Syhven (our little one sleeping beside/with us) would wake up. I began to set things up, fill the pool up and such. I had tried to get my worship music play list started, with no luck.
the last couple of hours of my pregnancy
I woke my husband at around 1:30 a.m. or so maybe. My seven year old awoke with bad dreams, so she was laying on the couch, while our thirteen year old was sleeping in our bed just in case Syhven woke up. I was hoping she wouldn't, but she had never slept through the night as of yet. So I was hoping our daughter could keep her calm while I was busy. On a little side note, Syhven has started sleeping through the night pretty much every night since Orchid has been born. Which is an awesome answered prayer. I had been worried at first, and just gave my worries to God. I figured He put it in me to co-sleep so He was going to have to fix it. And He did :-) Praise HimThankfully my husband was able to get my worship music playing.Now I had never used music during my labors, but after reading Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin (highly recommend) I used her play list to create my own, and it was a God send.
I got into the pool and turned my focus to the Lord. I tend to turn inward while in labor so my husband would lay down for a few minutes and come back in to check on me. He left me alone for the main part, and that's what I wanted. I enjoyed listening and very quietly singing with the music between the contractions. During the contractions, I would pray, or often I found myself singing the chorus "like a rose, trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me, above all". The Lord sent this chorus to me, to remind me of His Love and His Power. It was amazing, in my past deliveries I have always prayed for strength and thanked Jesus for my baby directly after delivery, but I have never been entirely focused on the Lord like I was this time. He was in every moment of this labor and delivery, again thanks to Redeeming Childbirth.
When I knew it was very close I told my husband "if you want to record it, you better turn on the camera now". He did and he got into the pool. With the next contraction, I had the urge to push. For the first time with my water deliveries I felt my waters break. Once the head was out, my husband wanted me to push again, I assured him it was ok and I waited until I felt the urge again. As I pushed my little baby girl out from my body and into her daddy's hands, I called out to the Lord "Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ be with me" and He was! Orchid Catherine was born at 3:34 A.M. and moments later our five oldest children came running. They met their little sister, who was covered in thick vernix to my surprise, and I asked them to go back to bed for now. When they did, My husband and I were beaming at what God had blessed us with, and my personal favorite song, The Revelation Song, came on. I began to sing, without noticing. I glanced at my loving husband and saw he was also singing. It was a very beautiful moment.
I delivered the placenta about twenty minutes later. I handed over my precious darling to her big brother (who was thrilled with this honor) and rinsed off in the shower. My husband helped me to and fro. I went into the living room and nursed for over forty minutes! Once she was finished, daddy weighed and measured her. She weighed in at 8lbs 14oz to my amazement, and 20 1/2 inches. Everything was perfect that night Praise God.
Orchid sucking her thumb right after delivery
I want to add, that I love having our babies at home. It is such a very wonderful blessing. We also have chosen to deliver our children without the assistance of another midwife. I had always felt good about my births. I was turned on to Redeeming Childbirth, a book by Angie Tolpin. I was so very blessed by this book, as are many I am sure. As we later watched the birth of Orchid that we had recorded then went back and watched our now three years old birth. I was shocked at how much more peaceful Orchids birth was, even in the last moments, I was so calm. My breathing was even much calmer. I know this is due to reading Angie's book and putting into practice all she suggests. I had the birth I had prayed for, and Christ was with me every moment. I felt His presence and it was so reassuring, and such a blessing. I know that for any and all births, I will be rereading Redeeming Childbirth throughout my pregnancy. I highly recommend everyone to buy this book, you will certainly be blessed as well. It is not just for homebirthing mama's either. As Angie points out God not only can be with you even in the operating room, if you have to have a cesarean section, but He should be with you.
Daddy bringing Orchid to mama
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