Ethan's Birth Story

My husband and I had flirted with the idea of getting pregnant after only six months of married life, but boy were we shocked to find we were actually pregnant. I was still in college and not truly ready for a baby yet, but the Lord saw fit long before I thought I was ready.

I adored being pregnant. I felt more beautiful than ever. Throughout the pregnancy I had some complications, but overall I was healthy. I did not find out that I was having a boy until he was born.

Due to a blood pressure issue, it was recommended that I be induced on my due date. I remember that day as though it were in slow motion. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to shower and get ready for the trip to the hospital. It was raining, and I was crying. I was so excited to see, touch, and kiss my baby, but I didn't want to let go of my beautiful pregnant body.

At 7:00 a.m. we arrived at the hospital and met with the doctor. My labor was induced and my first contraction was at 9:15 a.m. I wrote in my journal and slept as much as I could. My husband and parents stayed with me. I progressed a little slower than normal, but at a constant rate. By 5:30 p.m., at about 5 cm. I finally asked for an epidural. The pain had increased, the contractions were harder and closer together.

By 11:30 p.m. my husband had fallen asleep on a couch in my room, while my father sat, held my hand and prayed for me, and told me how proud he was of me. The nurse called for the doctor and they determined that my epidural hadn't been inserted correctly, and it would have to be done again.

Seven hours after my request for pain relief, it finally came. I listened to my baby's heartbeat and realized I would soon be Mom. I slept some through the night, but the labor ceased to progress. 7-8 cm. was as far as I could go.

The idea of a C-Section was a welcome relief.

The nurses prepared me for surgery and wheeled me down the hall to the operating room. From the moment I got there I felt like an outsider looking in. It was all bright lights, opening and closing drawers, and metal tools being positioned. I was not scared and I couldn't understand why. The doctor walked in and sat down, and the nurse brought my husband to my side. At that moment everything went silent. I could not see or hear anything until I heard this faint little cry. With tears in my eyes I looked at my husband and said "Daddy."

A few moments later, a nurse brought the most beautiful baby around the curtain and said: "It's a boy." Then for just a moment the world stood still and I looked at the most perfect creation God had ever made. I looked at this little baby batting his eyes to adjust to the light, and stretching his fingers and toes. His little mouth made a perfect "o" as he cried and made the most beautiful music I had ever heard. I was Mom.