The second time having a child is a little different. The first time you are scared because you don't know what to expect and the second time you are scared because you know what to expect. We had issues with AK when she was born and so we knew that Owen would not be able to be too big or I would have to have a C-Section. I was set on having a normal delivery without a C-Section so the prayers started very early. I went in for my 36-37 week check up and received my induction paperwork. I was very upset about getting that paperwork because I so badly wanted to go into labor on my own and didn't want to have to go through the induction process again like I did with AK. So I began to pray like crazy and do anything and everything to try to get Owen here on his own before the 2nd when I would be induced. I had an appointment on Thursday the 25th and it was my goal that Owen would make his arrival that weekend. Well, that didn't happen, he was totally content on staying in place. That following Tuesday the 1st I went back to the doctor and was told I wouldn't have to check in for the night but that he would like me at the hospital at 4 so I would need to call Labor and Delivery at 3:30 to see if a room was ready for me by 4.
That night we went to dinner at Chick-Fil-a before taking AK to David's Parents' for the night. I remember sitting at dinner being filled with lots of emotions. Trying to soak in the last moments with AK and to try to wrap my head around the process that would be taking place the next day.
We went and took AK and set there until it was almost bed time, and then we went home to a very quiet house. I got everything together and in the car knowing that we would be leaving the next morning to become a family of four. I tried to sleep but found it hard to turn off my brain. I woke up almost hourly and then finally got up at 3 to prepare to call the hospital. I was prompted to write down scriptures on index cards, like Stephanie McFadden had taught me, and I was given verses that I knew from childhood that seemed fitting for the day. I found paper and sharpies and began to write down my verses:
John 15:7 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and will be given to you!
This was a verse that I learned this year in disciplship class and I took it to heart. I began to pray this over my pregnancy, delivery and even breast feeding. I know that God says if you have faith as big as a mustard seed that is all it takes and I know that God cares about his children and so I began to pray this over my areas of concern and I truly believe God answers prays
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid I will trust in you!
I learned this verse in 2nd grade when we sang the Hide it in Your Heart song to this verse and I woke up saying it and knew it was for the day!
Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
I read this that morning and knew it wasn't going to be my strength that could get me through the day but the power of Christ and his help to make sure that this delivery would go smoothly.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety, cares, on him because he cares for you.
I think I said this over and over again - I'm a worrier so this verse seemed to help.
After I wrote down my verses I called the hospital and was told that I didn't need to come in until 5:30. That made me a little nervous because my doctor wanted me there early, but it was going to be perfect timing. I went back to bed, but David and I were awake and so we set up and talked. We got ready and then David went to get us breakfast, which we didn't realize McDonalds doesn't open that early and so we got it on the way after he made a special trip!
We arrived at the hospital and unloaded the car, showed our IDs and went to Labor and Delivery. It all seemed like a dream. We were checked into room 2 which was right by the nurses and I was told to get changed. I remember looking at the room and it being so quiet and knowing that on this day in this room I would meet my son. I was so excited and then part of me knew that a lot would take place before I would get to hold him in my arms.
I changed my clothes got into the bed and then we met our first nurse Amy around 6 a.m. She would be our nurse for an hour before she got off at 7. We loved her and her fun personality. We joked about how modiest I was when I had Anna Kate and how it changes with the second as I was changing my clothes with the door opened. Amy was a great nurse because she got my mind off what was about to happen and just on light topics like politics with family members in a previous delivery.
Once I was changed and ready to go, we start the IV. I was nervous about this part, since this was the thing that hurt like crazy with Anna Kate, but it was a piece of cake this time around. They checked me and I was at a 2 and around 90% and they started me on pitocin. We had a nurse switch at 7 and I was introduced to my new nurse, who would be with me throughout the day, named Bridget. She came in and was very soft spoken and calm and totally different then the last nurse so I was concerned on how she would be, but she was just want I needed. Later that day in the delivery her calmness and personality was a lifesaver!
At 7:24 my doctor came in and broke my water. He did this with Anna Kate but I had already had 2 different drugs and an epidural and so I didn't feel it at all. It was the craziest feeling ever! It just felt like I was continuously peeing on myself. If I moved there was more, it was like I lost 23 pounds once they broke my water. (TMI) As soon as my water broke my contractions got really hard and close together. I kept watching the machine and looking how high they would climb.
The nurses and I debated on when to get my epidural because if I didn't get it around 8:30 I would have to wait till later in the morning. We decided to go ahead and get it around 8:30 and it was a blessing because little did I know the baby would arrive in less than 3 hours and I might have missed the opportunity. The anesthesiologist came in the room and introduced himself, the nurses met him for the first time since this was his first epidural to do at covenant!! WOO HOO... I'm the guinea pig. He stated that he wasn't going to do much at first, due to my size and that he would up the dosage later. He was giving a small amount and if a labor would progress throughout the day the level probably would have been fine but my labor went from 2-10 pretty quickly. I went to get the epidural and there was a student that was shadowing my nurse that was in the room. I think after my epidural and delivery she might become a nun! I was very nervous about this part because I was so drugged with AK that I didn't remember the epidural or any pain. I leaned over the bed on David and had the worst "Bee Sting" of my life. I just remember it hurting so bad, my breathe felt like it was knocked out of me and alligator tears started hitting the floor.
After getting my epidural, my nurse stated that she wanted to make sure that I was totally numb before getting my catheter. We kept waiting on my legs to get numb but they wouldn't. Around 9:30 they put in my catheter. Bridget put 6 pillows around me and got me comfortable and I went to try to rest. I laid down for a while and had to move since Owen didn't like that position. My nurse checked me at 10:30 and I was at a 6. She gave me a little more medicine, she moved me to the other side, and said she would check on me in about 15 minutes. I had to ring for the nurse before the 15 minutes because I kept feeling a ton of pressure and I felt like I needed to use the restroom. She came in and I was at a 9. That was fast! Since I wasn't numb yet she had another anesthesiologist come in to see if I could get a stronger medicine. I remember him walking in slowly with a Sierra Mist in his hand taking his time. He put in some medicine in my back and I told the nurse the pressure was stronger. She checked me again and I was at a 10 and she said yep there's his head! We started the pushing process and before I knew it she made a call to different nurses and the room filled up with a million people. David held one leg and the student who is now a nun held the other. I was given my oxygen mask and began to push around 10:50. While I was pushing the nurse said he has a ton of hair, I was so excited! At about 11, Dr. Killeen was called in and I pushed a couple times until we noticed that Owen's heart rate was dropping every time I had a contraction. We couldn't waste anytime and so the process of get Owen out as soon as possible and by whatever means started happening. Dr. Killeen vaccumed him out and just like that my baby boy was here. He was purple and the cord was tight around his neck and arm. Dr. Killeen unwrapped him a couple times and then he came to me. David cut the cord and I started bonding with my beautiful son. He didn't cry a lot and so the nurses had to take him back and forth for a while to try to get him mad to clear out his lungs and also to get his temperature up. At this point the doctors started working on me and I shook like crazy for a good 30 minutes or longer! About 45 minutes to an hour after delivering Owen my epidural started working.... thanks! :)
In all it was a great, fast delivery and now Owen is here and we are so in love!
Owen Alan Green
Born - March 2, 2016
11:07 a.m.
6 pounds 12 ounces
20 1/2 inches long
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