Welcoming Aviana
Her Birth Story
From the
beginning Tyler and I decided we’d opt out of a hospital birth and have our
first at home with a midwife. Never once was I scared or uneasy about our
decision – it felt right and we knew everything was going to unfold
wonderfully.
I had a
rough time the beginning three to four weeks of pregnancy, but with a handful
of reading and consistency with energy work, I was able to sail smoothly through
my nine-month journey. My anticipation for the long awaited arrival of my baby
girl didn’t build up until the first week in November, when I initially thought
she would join us. Poop on due dates! I was wrong and continued to wait
until her original “guessed” due date, November 11th. During this
time I learned a great deal of patience, which didn’t end as soon as I would
have liked. I had several nights where I cried myself to sleep. At times it
felt as if the whole world was waiting on me
to have my baby and there was nothing I could do about it! I was tired and
uncomfortable. I couldn’t sleep and wanted so badly to have my body back, and
more than anything see the sweet little face of my baby girl and finally hold
her in my arms.
Day One:
Eight days later on November 19th, my water broke and warm-up labor
started. But, nothing happened the entire night.
Day Two:
The morning of November 20th.
Tyler
and I were off to Tulsa, once again, for an appointment with my midwife. One
I was hoping to avoid. We were given uncomfortable and unwanted news. My cervix
was tucked under the baby’s head. There is no need to explain the pain of
having that adjusted. We also learned your water can break and you can still be
pregnant for another week. So, we left the midwives thinking I wouldn’t have
the baby for another seven or eight days. Luckily, we thought wrong. After
spending the rest of the day shopping and walking around Tulsa, my contractions
kicked in at 6:30pm, while I was making dinner. I spent every few minutes on
the floor doing pelvic rocks to help relieve the pressure. I managed to stay
comfortable until 10:00 pm and then labor pains increased and were about 5
minutes a part. Tyler called the midwife and Faith arrived around 10:45 pm.
10:45 pm
– 6:30 am on November 21st.
Once my
contractions were around five minutes a part I began throwing up after every
contraction, unable to keep anything down. Tyler was consistently encouraging
me to drink a little water and eat a few bites of bananas and yogurt. He would
patiently try and feed me some food while I had a break, only to watch it
backfire. After a few hours of intensity my midwife checked me around 12:30 am.
I was dilated to 3cm, but my cervix was still in the wrong place and wasn’t
relaxing. Tyler and Faith filled up the birthing pool and I was able to relax more through each contraction. I stayed in the birthing pool for four hours,
trying to calmly tell myself I was going to make it. Faith told Tyler to get
some rest. She was exhausted herself and fell asleep several times on the
side of the pool. There was a two-hour window where I was completely alone, in
complete silence, focusing on connecting with my body and trying my hardest to let
each contraction come and do what it was supposed to. It was a very spiritual
time for me and although I had Tyler and Faith there I felt alone, but I knew I wasn’t
completely alone and the Savior was comforting me. I wanted so badly for it to be over. At 4:30am Faith pulled
me out of the water. My contractions had slowed down and I was still at 3cm
with a rock hard cervix. I lied on the bed for two more hours while Tyler and
Faith slept. Nothing happened and at 6:30am Faith decided she was going to head
home. Here I was with another full day ahead of me. I was exhausted.
Day 3 – November
21st
As soon
as Faith left my contractions picked up immediately. I continued to throw up
and as the intensity of each contraction grew I knew something was going to
happen that day. All Tyler had to eat that day was a banana and a bowl of cereal.
He sat by me on the yoga ball all day long, constantly stroking me, telling me
I was strong and I could do it, letting me know he loved me and we were
progressing. Soon, we would see our little girl. I began losing track of time
and of my surroundings. Because I wasn’t able to keep any solids or liquids
down, I became delirious. Tyler called Faith at 2:00pm and my contractions were
three-minutes a part. After Faith observed me for a few minutes, she decided to
see how far dilated I was. Happily, I was finally at 8cm. Unfortunately, the baby’s heart
rate had dropped, my eyes had begun shaking, my body was shaking and I didn’t
have very much control. It wasn’t long before I was going to pass out. Faith
immediately hooked me up to an IV and Oxygen. After 10 minutes with the IV and
Oxygen there was a drastic change in my demeanor, my energy levels and the baby’s
heart rate went back to normal. Suddenly, I felt the urge to push. I was not
completely dilated to 10cm, so I started pushing too soon. The baby was not
positioned right and didn’t have the time to position herself correctly before
she dropped into the birth canal, which led to unwanted back labor. I wasn’t
able to get in the water until the IV was done. It felt like forever. Finally,
at 5:00pm I was able to relax in the water and it was amazing. I knew it was my
time to die and turn from the carefree maiden I had been my entire life and
give birth to myself as a mother. It was the hardest thing I had to do, yet, I
was doing it. Oddly enough, I was never afraid.
6:13 PM on November 21st Aviana
finally arrived.
I have to thank my wonderful midwife, Faith, and her assistant Cathy. What incredible women! They taught me so much and Tyler and I were so blessed to have found them. It was a privilege working with both and to share this moment with them. I relied so much on Faith's calming touch and quiet persistence. I hope they will both continue to take part and see such wonderful miracles happen within the homes of so many families. Thank you.
Aviana is not mine. She is still His. I have been given this chance to help her return back to Him. Although it was hard, I would do it again and again. Her sweet spirit is worth every moment of suffering I had to endure.
This is so sweet! She is so beautiful! You are brave!
ReplyDeleteAmazing story Lei!
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave! This made me tear up a little. I hope I have your courage when I have a baby some day.
ReplyDelete