Levi's Beginning

I've been avoiding posting on here for some time now. Not really sure how to compose this blog or how to begin. I've been wanting to write something about Levi's birth-story for a while; where to begin? I've been processing the ups and downs of birth for the past week and have come to the conclusion there are more ups than downs, but you would not have heard me say that a week ago yesterday. In retrospect the birth was amazing and went, for the most part, how we wanted it to. But hindsight, in this case, is not 20/20 - I'm totally biased towards thinking it was completely amazing. The sweet part? Scripture says that's how it is supposed to be.

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

John 16:21

I would have to say in my case this is totally true. I've heard the same from other women as well. But, I'll get on with it and share Levi's little story with you.

I started with cooking a turkey the night before and getting all "nesty". Both our neighbor and Jon knew something was up- I, of course, didn't. Next morning (Tuesday) at about 8am I started with some regular contractions. At 11am we drove to the hospital where my midwife proceeded to tell me I was only dilated 2.5cm. Ugh! She discharged us and told us we'd have a baby today, but to come back later. Jon wanted to do some errands around town, which I was in no mood for, but happily went along for the ride. I labored for about 1.5 hours in the car while Jon worked with his brother on some wheel bearings for our other car, all the while praying through my contractions and thanking God for each one and praying for Levi to stay calm (1st favorite part).

When they were done we figured we'd go back to our apartment so I could change into some cooler cloths. By the time we got there my contractions were back to back without any relief in between. Me in tears, we got my t-shirt and zoomed back to the hospital where my midwife promptly admitted me. Back labor then progressed for 12 hours (or so). With only 2 hours of sleep the night before I was worn out 5 hours in and started begging for some drugs to let me sleep and take the edge off. So, I got Nubain (2nd favorite part). Hallelujah, that stuff is amazing! Never having had anything of the sort in my body before, I got a little loopy, but was able to sleep in between contractions.

I didn't know what to expect out of labor. I expected some pain, I expected it to be long, and I expected I'd be worn out (a little). What I didn't expect was insane back labor. Those of you who haven't had it- don't wish for it, it's awful! At first the midwife suspected the baby was positioned towards my back, but when he came out he was "straight as an arrow" we realized it had more to do with my holding tension in my lower back. Ye-ow!

Transition was probably the worst and one of the best parts. I had my second dose of Nubain at this point, but because I was so far along in labor it did nothing to ease the pain, just let me sit in my own little world in between - no sleep. At this point it was REALLY cool because I was able to pray through the first part of the contraction and at the peak breath "ha-le-lu-jah" and just praise God (3rd favorite part)! What is the most difficult part for some, was beautiful to me.

After that, I started pushing at 8cm (not supposed to do that!). They told me to take it easy on the pushing...not happening when you have a watermelon being crammed through an opening the size of a lemon by three sets of strong muscles. That meant, I tore. Sad day, but in one large push I got both head and shoulders out. I think my midwife's words were, "Stop pushing! Never mind, he's here!" (4th, and best part ever!).

So, there you have it. Levi Justice was born at 1:02am on Wednesday, September 2. Completely perfect and so cute. I remember looking at him in my arms and asking him "Where did you come from? Who are you?" As if I didn't know! Later after I was all stitched up, my midwife came over and told me "For the record, you asked me for an epidural 4 times and a c-section once." Second to Jon she was our biggest advocate for keeping our birth plan the way we wanted it. She didn't refuse me the Nubain, but kept putting off answering yes or no to an epidural, and gave me a strong "No!" to any c-section.

Speaking of Jon- he's the best guy in the whole world!!! He never left my side (expect to use the bathroom once) and though he was exhausted he never left to nap- even though he considered it when I had the Nubain. He kept me breathing in the right patterns and praying for me through my contractions while I pulled and yanked on his arms, almost bit him, and screamed louder than I've ever screamed in my entire life- for 30 minutes! Every day he keeps telling me I'm a pro at mothering and comforts my baby blues away. He never stopped telling me that I could make it through every contraction and let me push and pull on him as hard as I needed. I don't know how any woman goes through labor without a husband. Truly, I don't. I couldn't have done any of it without him (thank God, I wasn't asked to). Here's to you, Babe!

Labor and delivery is the hardest thing I've ever had to do (physically speaking). At the very end there were a few complications one of which happened when I lost a lot of blood and was given Pitosin to stop the bleeding (which I hear they don't start on and IV unless there is a great quantity lost). But, the Lord was on our side when on Monday night/Tuesday morning gave three people dreams about our birth which prompted people to pray for us. One of them said after the dream she was filled with the Holy Spirit and experienced the presence of God in major way and began to intercede for us and gathered others to do the same.

I have no way to close this post, other than to say that I would not trade any part of Levi's birth for an easier one. The Lord was on our side and comforted me and blessed us with a healthy boy and out of everything gave Jon and I a deeper love for one another and the beginning of a beautiful quiver of arrows!