Birth Story :: Part II

Delivery

After our families left, somewhere around 8cm things started getting painful again.  Much more tolerable than my contractions before the epidural, but I needed David at my side nonetheless and had to work hard to concentrate on breathing.  I had a visit from the anesthesiologist and though it wasn't a "quick fix," I felt better and all of a sudden we were looking at 9cm!  This was the first time I actually might have taken a quick snooze.  I was woken up by our (very awesome wonderful) nurse Amanda who did a quick check and told me I was just about ready.  She called our doctor, who got there quick as a whip, and when they told me I was complete my body instantly turned into fight mode.  Every part of my body flooded with adrenaline.  While I waited for the "calvary" to get together and get things set up for pushing my body was shaking head to toe.  I could not stay still from all the adrenaline.  I was so ready to meet my daughter.

Around 12:15ish they told me they would give me 3 hours to push.  There was no way of knowing how quick or slow of a process this could potentially be.  My doctor planned on watching the first couple pushes and then going to the on call room until things got to a more progressed point.  Well... after watching just a few rounds of pushes she decided she was not going anywhere -- this baby was coming, three hours would not be needed.

I really enjoyed pushing.  I actually turned to David about half way through and told him I was having fun.  After 15 hours in bed, it felt good to do something with my body.  Despite the epidural I felt in complete control of my body.  My sweet husband, my nurse, and doctor were all so encouraging.  I felt like a rockstar.  The more they encouraged me and cheered for me, the more efficient my pushes became.  After a few minutes they talked me into watching with a mirror.  I was a little hesitant at first (my own blood makes me kind of squeamish and I didn't want to pass out), but after "testing the waters" with little peaks, I really enjoyed watching things progress.  Seeing her head full of hair just gave fuel to the fire and the harder I pushed and the bigger I smiled.  Nothing about watching scared me.  No it wasn't pretty, but it was natural and with each push I felt my baby getting closer to me.  Before I knew it (just 33 minutes after I started pushing) I felt a huge relief and her head was out and then I watched as her body followed.  UNBELIEVABLE!  David and I both instantaneously burst into a crying laugh that can only be described as a release of pure joy and amazement.

They suctioned out her little nostrils and mouth and I watched David cut the cord and then she was mine!  They put her on my chest and I could not believe my eyes.  So tiny.  So real.  So alive.  My eyes could not draw in her beauty fast enough.  All of my senses failed me in being able to fully grasp the magnitude of what was before me.  I couldn't get enough.  I wanted my lips on her.   I wanted my hands on her toes.  I wanted to cradle her head.  I wanted to kiss her eyes.  I wanted to talk to her.  I wanted to listen to her heart.  I wanted to give her everything I possibly could and more.  My love for her was deep, instant, and natural.


Watching David hold Magnolia for the first time was almost just as euphoric as holding her myself.  My senses continued to fail me as I tried my best to take in this man before me. This perfect mate - a man after God's own heart who was ordained before the beginning of all time to be my husband, to make this precious child with me.  I can't imagine pregnancy/labor/delivery, let alone life without him.  With David and Magnolia in my life God has made it absolutely impossible for me to ignore His love for me, for everyday he is loving me through them.  I am so very very blessed.


Catherine Magnolia McLeod
7/19/2011, 1:08AM
8lbs. 3oz, 20 inches
Photobucket

Comments

  1. How magical!!! Love this recaps =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your recaps!! What a sweet, touching story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This was written beautifully. I felt as if I was there with you, enjoying this excitement, this beautiful blessing. Tears in my eyes again. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! And so is this story. God is good. Welcome to the world Magnolia! <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. SO beautiful, Blair. I am just so happy for you three :) Love you xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is such a beautiful story, Blair. I almost cried. And the look of your husband...wow. Unexplainable. I had to have an emergency c-section and I feel like I missed out on the pushing. No one gets me when I say that....I know you would. Such a loving tribute to your precious Magnolia. Many blessings McLeod Fam.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful recap about your experience. I've read/heard recap stories from others but your story was written beautifully. Your little Magnolia is such a beauty and a blessing. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gee...you made me cry at work again! So beautiful! I love your humbled, awed response. It gives glory to both yours and Magnolia's maker and encouraged my heart! Can't wait to meet her and see you as a mom! =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I seriously don't know how you mothers remember all this! (EEeee, you're a MOTHER now!!!) Congrats again, it sounds so magical! I feel like you've made my heart grow!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, nothing like crying during your lunch break! That is so sweet and once again, congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I should probably stop reading your posts at work, for I keep getting emotional, lol :) I am so happy for you! Your description of the experience is so wonderful and it makes me SO excited for when I get to experience this myself someday!!
    Love and blessings to all three of you!!
    xoxo J

    ReplyDelete
  11. This made me tear up....then when I saw the pictures of you and David with baby Magnolia, I started crying like a sap! This is so wonderful and very sweet of you to share you story with us. Again, I'm so happy that everything turned out wonderful for you and the baby. She is an absolutely gem. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. So heartwarming! Goodness, this makes me all weepy. Beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow Blair, had chills the whole time I read this! Even though you feel like your senses/words fell short, I got a pretty good idea of what this felt like. So overjoyed for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. congratulations! wish you all the best :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. amazing, congrats to you and the family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Loved reading this, Blair!! What a precious, precious miracle!! WOW!! Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you and your dear family :) Whitney

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a beautiful beautiful story. I only hope I can have 1/2 the experience while pushing as you did. To be so 'into it'.
    Again, congratulations to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  18. beautiful beautiful story. i am beyond thrilled for your little family! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. your beautiful post blessed me today. congratulations! indeed it is an amazing experience to have a child. God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, Blair! Congratulations to you both! Your birth story brought tears to my eyes. I don't have children {yet} so I can only imagine, but you wrote beautifully. Congratulations on a beautiful daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  21. omg the tears won't stop streaming down my face!! this is such a beautiful labor story blair! thank you soo much for sharing!! i hope that i'll have something as beautiful to share in just 5 months as well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! So sweet. I'm with everyone else...I got teary-eted too! I can't She is precious! I can't wait to have that moment when I see my sweet husband hold our children for the first time. Man, what a priceless experience. I'm so happy for you and your new little blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is so beautiful! I'm so happy for you! This makes me all the MORE excited for me to see my sweet little baby one day!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Simply beautiful. The true definition of joy! I am in awe of the way that God opens our minds and hearts to a better understanding of Him and His love for us through the birth of our very own child. A child we love only a fraction as much as He does. Many congratulations to you and your sweet new family of THREE! Enjoy getting to know your lovely daughter. :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I value your thoughts/encouragement/feedback. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.