Owen's Arrival - Part 2

The rest of the story:

I'm not sure what time it was, but it was probably around 11pm, I felt a strange pop. I had no idea what it was, but it definitely felt weird. I told Kevin about it and then went back to reading. Kev started getting ready for bed while I started having stronger contractions. I decided to spend sometime praying and journaling. I began to realize that my contractions were regular. I prayed, "Father, I think I may be in labor. If I am, give me strength! Give Kev and I wisdom! Lord, fill my with a very clear awareness of your presence! I cannot do this on my own! I am fully dependent on you, Creator God. You made me for this! Be glorified tonight!" With that, I got up and began walking around. The contractions got less intense and shorter, leading me to believe they were just Braxton-Hicks. I told Kev I thought the contractions weren't regular enough to be real contractions, but he got up and started getting things together anyway. A few minutes later my water broke. Wow! That's 3 for 3! The bag of waters only breaks first in 15% of labors. I have a 100% rate! I was very grateful because that meant we would go immediately to the hospital.

We got there around midnight and were taken straight to a room - praise God! As I was walking down the hall - stopping every minute or so for a contraction - I was praising God! I was in labor and it was December! God was clearly answering the many prayers I had prayed about our December baby. I was filled with gratitude. When I got to my room I changed into the hospital gown and then got into bed. The first time they checked me, I was 7 centimeters dilated. Yes! Definitely moving at lightening speed. Now, when I was in labor with the other two, I HATED being in the bed. I was dreading it now too. However, while I was pregnant this time, I study the Bradley Method. I read two books and, honestly, wasn't sure I would actually be able to use it. I was way wrong! Laboring in bed was easier this time than when I was out of bed. Amazing. God was indeed giving me strength.

I didn't use the breathing techniques I used with Chloe and Jake. I used the Bradley Method. I concentrated on relaxing my muscles so that my contractions could do their work. With each contraction, I could feel Owen moving down. It was really incredible. They were still painful, but the pain was manageable. Very soon, I was ready to push.

Let me take a moment here to praise my husband. He has coached me through 3 natural, drug-free child births. He is amazing. With Chloe, he breathed with me through 8 hours of labor and was more exhausted than I was when she finally came. With Jake, he helped me to maintain what little focus I had. With Owen, he answered the annoying questions hospitals have to ask a woman in labor, he kept reminding me that every contraction brought us one step closer to Owen's arrival, and - what sticks out most in my mind - he reminded me of what I would need to do to push effectively. He leaned over close to me and calmly gave instructions while the doctor and nurses, whom I could see just over his shoulder, just stood by and waited patiently for him to finish. When Kev was done, the room sprang into action. It was amazing for me to see a doctor wait for a husband to direct. That is a sweet memory for me. I truly could not have given birth 3 times without drugs if Kevin had not been there to keep me focused and to tell me what to do!

So, I pushed through the first rather weak contraction. Then there was an awkwardly long break before the next one started. We laughed at the situation and then got ready for the next one. One more contraction and Owen's head came out. At this point, you are supposed to stop pushing so that the doctor can sweep out the baby's mouth. When the doctor swept Owen's mouth, he started chewing on her finger!! He was a hungry fellow! Then, one more push and he was here! 12:59 am on December 31, 2009. Our December Blessing.