Arynn's Birth Story

On February 26th around 4:30 am, I woke up with light contractions. We were 40 weeks and 6 days. Around 5:30, I woke Jake and told him today might be the day. I still wasn't convinced because contractions were 8 minutes apart, and nothing like the fast and furious labor we experienced with Addy. Jake went ahead and called into work to tell them he wasn't going to be there and then he called Nana. She arrived around 6:15 and we got to the hospital by 7:15. Jake wanted to make sure we could beat rush hour traffic. We were a little gun shy after our experience with Addy.

9 pounds 7 ounces
21 inches long

Once we got to the hospital we found out we were going to have a baby soon. I was dilated to 5 and contractions were coming regular but still around 8 minutes apart and very manageable.  Our OB was not on call, but Dr B was very nice and reassuring. He made sure the staff was on top of my platelet issue and to our surprise they had came up since the previous week. He offered to break my water around 8:00 to help speed things up, but I declined. I was okay with a slow labor this time.  

Meeting family for the first time.
 

Sometime later Dr B came back and offered to break my water, Jake and I still weren't ready to have any interventions so he left and then came back to tell us my Dr was going to check on us around lunch time. Dr. S came in around noon we were dilated to 9 almost 10 and he offered again to break my water, I still didn't want to just because I remembered how much more intense the labor was after that happened with Addy. I really wanted to just let things happen naturally. He told us he would eat lunch and come back in 30 minutes. 



Nanny Lee holding her 5th great-grandchild. Arynn is named after her mother, Mary Lizabeth, who would have been 113 years old on March 4th.

At 12:40 Dr. S came back, this time I was complete, but no urge to push. Arynn was still -3 station and posterior. He said if I would let him break my water she could rotate and come down like she was supposed to. I wasn't convinced but Jake knew if we sent him away again he might not make it back in time. So we agreed.



Mimi holding her 5th grandbaby.

Everything happened just like he said, I guess 50 years of delivering babies counts for something. : ) Arynn was born at 1:00 pm, no complications for either of us and Dr. S didn't even have to reschedule his afternoon patients!

Nana checking out her 3rd granddaughter's chubby cheeks.

Arynn made her appearance during the day so we had visitors come and welcome her. We actually were able to take pictures! (This didn't happen with Addy because she came in the wee hours of the morning and then went to the NICU) Bro. Ben came and stayed for a while but had to leave before he got to see her, so we don't have any pictures of him. 

Gary and Ann meeting baby Arynn.

We were so blessed with a wonderful labor and delievery. God knew the exact timing that was needed. We are thankful for all of the prayers about mine and Arynn's health. Not only did God answer those prayers but He blessed us even more with an easy labor, delivery and a speedy recovery. This has been the best postpartum experience compared to all of our other babies!

First photo as a family of seven!

We have been completely overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to us with our 5th baby. We jokingly said it has been more like a first baby! We have had many meals prepared, gifts for Arynn and myself, prayers on our behalf, calls and visitors. We feel loved and blessed to have so many friends and family showing their love. We are thankful to everyone and love each of you! We are happy to have a new blessing in our lives! Welcome Baby Arynn, we love you!!!

40 Weeks

So d-day's here, but no baby! We found out with this pregnancy (still learning) that average gestation is 41 weeks and 1 day. That means February 27th for us; if we are average, we could be more or less. At my appointment this week, we were dilated to 3 cm and 60% effaced, a big change from last week. We also learned this pregnancy that all these numbers don't have as much meaning as we previously thought, :( and every pregnancy is different. I tend to be very pessimistic so I still believe we will have a baby around the beginning of March. Dr. S on the other hand is apparently very optimistic. He told me to make my appointment for next week, but he felt I would have the baby before. This almost sent me into panic mode, but then I remembered, only God knows, and he is in complete control. This is a very hard concept for me, I tend to like to be in control, but this pregnancy I have let go. Yes, I HAVE LET GO. Hopefully, there will be no scheduled induction, no shaving my legs the moment before we go, no make-up and hair perfectly done, no picture at the back door, then mopping myself out of the house as we head to the hospital (yes, this has happened the last two times). It is a little scary and overwhelming, yet so freeing in the same sense. I am not in control, my Heavenly Father is and he will take care of me and this baby. He already has everything planned and I don't have to worry about a thing! However, this information has sent everyone else into a frenzy! Hasn't anyone heard the saying "a watched pot never boils?" Well, I feel watched and I am definitely not boiling, so I might have to turn off my phones and become a recluse after today. Just kidding, but if I am not as tactful when I am asked, "How are you feeling?" for the 1000th time in one day, don't take it personal. I'm blaming it on the hormones. ;)

39 Weeks

We are 39 weeks now! Not too much longer and we will be holding our new baby. Our original due date was February 19th, but we were not real sure of our dates. Mid-pregnancy, our ultrasound was more consistent with a due date of February 13th. At 20 weeks, the doctor said we would stick with the 19th on paper, but if it looked like I was going to go over, or the baby was going to be big, he wouldn't let me go too far past the 13th. Well...

...looks BIG enough to me!

This is by far the biggest my belly has ever been! I have resorted to wearing my Dad's t-shirts around the house because nothing else is long enough. We are "measuring over again," (whatever that means, I'm pretty sure it is not an exact science) but I really do NOT want to be induced.  In fact, the doctor asked me, "how big was your biggest baby?" my response, "8 pounds and 3 ounces" (Aiden- who was plenty big enough for me). Then he asked if I was trying to set some kind of record with this one.  No, thanks! 

We would really like to go into labor on our own this time. We have been induced with the other three, which was nice to have scheduled, but not necessary. Although I did begin to question our decision this past week with a blizzard in the forecast. I knew Jake would probably stay over at work and I was a little panicky thinking about the possibility of not being able to get to the hospital! At our visit on Tuesday, Dr. S said we were not going to have a snow baby. What a relief! The baby's head is still really high and my cervix has not changed a bit.  

So, our blood pressure is great, baby sounds good, and we go back next week. When I asked how long he would let me go, Dr. S said it all depended on me and the baby. Based on how my visit was this week, he said he would not start to get nervous until March 5th. I honestly feel much better with this pregnancy than ever and I can't complain at all. My theory is that we will have a March toddler instead of a February baby!