Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Conversation Highlighting the Drama and Comedy of Birth
The following conversation took place about three weeks before Jude's birth.
Burglar: I wish we were 500 years in the future and they could just beam Jude out of you.
Me: Haven't you read the Time Traveler's Wife? That would not be good for me.
B: No, if they could beam him out they could make everything right in there, too.
Me: Hmmm. I don't think we can improve on God's design. The uterus would still have to contract and that would still hurt.
B: They could just give you drugs and you wouldn't feel anything.
Me: But I want to feel everything! I want to experience every sensation.
B: No you don't.
Me: Yes I do! I went through three days of painful back labor last time, and I did not once ask for drugs. And here I am eager to do it again.
B: All this bull[poop] just to move him one [fracking] foot. It's [fracking] bull[poop].
[At this point, I laughed out loud.]
Burglar: I wish we were 500 years in the future and they could just beam Jude out of you.
Me: Haven't you read the Time Traveler's Wife? That would not be good for me.
B: No, if they could beam him out they could make everything right in there, too.
Me: Hmmm. I don't think we can improve on God's design. The uterus would still have to contract and that would still hurt.
B: They could just give you drugs and you wouldn't feel anything.
Me: But I want to feel everything! I want to experience every sensation.
B: No you don't.
Me: Yes I do! I went through three days of painful back labor last time, and I did not once ask for drugs. And here I am eager to do it again.
B: All this bull[poop] just to move him one [fracking] foot. It's [fracking] bull[poop].
[At this point, I laughed out loud.]
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Yet Will I Praise Him
Jude's birth story is wonderful and painful all wrapped into one. I have a lot to process and recover from, but I wanted to give a brief initial account to all of you who have been following our story here and who have faithfully prayed for us.
The short version is as follows.
I labored at home with the most amazing support team, working through many fears and letting my body work with each contraction. This was a beautiful and intense time that I hope to share more about in the days to come.
After over 30 hours of established labor, we headed to the hospital. I was 9 cm dilated. The initial fetal heart rate monitoring showed that Jude's heart rate was dropping with each contraction and that maternal positioning was not correcting the situation. Then his heart rate stopped recovering between contractions staying in the 70's (when it should be around 140 beats/min).
Our doctor called for an emergency c-section. They almost had to gas me, but, thankfully, when they administered the contraction-stopping drugs, Jude's heart rate recovered. There was time for a spinal tap and no more concern for Jude's or my health.
I was awake for everything and saw them hold Jude over the screen when he was born. He scored a 9/9 APGAR and nursed like a champ from the get-go.
As those of you who have been following our story here know, a surgical delivery was not what I had hoped for. But it is what Jude needed, and I am glad he is here. I would not change or take back any part of the beautiful laboring time I was able to have in the days preceding the delivery. I learned so much about myself and my body, and I know that all the choices I made benefited Jude in numerous ways.
I celebrate and grieve, grieve and celebrate. Your continued prayers are appreciated.
The short version is as follows.
I labored at home with the most amazing support team, working through many fears and letting my body work with each contraction. This was a beautiful and intense time that I hope to share more about in the days to come.
After over 30 hours of established labor, we headed to the hospital. I was 9 cm dilated. The initial fetal heart rate monitoring showed that Jude's heart rate was dropping with each contraction and that maternal positioning was not correcting the situation. Then his heart rate stopped recovering between contractions staying in the 70's (when it should be around 140 beats/min).
Our doctor called for an emergency c-section. They almost had to gas me, but, thankfully, when they administered the contraction-stopping drugs, Jude's heart rate recovered. There was time for a spinal tap and no more concern for Jude's or my health.
I was awake for everything and saw them hold Jude over the screen when he was born. He scored a 9/9 APGAR and nursed like a champ from the get-go.
As those of you who have been following our story here know, a surgical delivery was not what I had hoped for. But it is what Jude needed, and I am glad he is here. I would not change or take back any part of the beautiful laboring time I was able to have in the days preceding the delivery. I learned so much about myself and my body, and I know that all the choices I made benefited Jude in numerous ways.
I celebrate and grieve, grieve and celebrate. Your continued prayers are appreciated.
Introducing Jude William
Born Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 9:44 a.m., weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and 19 and 1/4 inches.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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