Abigal Ryan

Abigail Ryan began her entrance into this world around 11:30 pm on May 3rd (her estimated due date). After days of mild contractions, the REAL ONES had begun.  I woke up Don and asked him to stay awake with me (I was still not sure if “this was it.”).  About a half hour later we called my mom because it was evident that our baby girl was knocking on our door.  After my mom arrived to stay with the boys, we headed to the hospital.  Since I did not want to enter the hospital too early because I knew it would be harder to labor there with the intervention-happy medical staff than it would be with my natural-birth supporting hubby, we took our time entering the hospital: stopping at Meijer, McDonalds, and walking around the hospital parking lot.  I prayed a lot during this time.  I focused on scripture a lot.  I held onto my hubby a lot.  I laughed a lot.  I refused to lean into fear and chaos like I did during Eli’s birth and surprise… I felt blessed and safe.

When we did check in with labor and delivery, I encountered a not-so-helpful (pregnant) nurse.  She checked me and told me I was only 5/6 centimeters dilated and not effaced.  I asked her to fill up the birthing tub.  She said there were other things to do first.  I literally prayed that God would give me a new nurse.  I again asked this nurse to fill up the birthing tub.  She still refused.  I asked her for water.  She told my hubby where he could get me ice chips.  (He’s so good he got me water anyway).  This nurse was obviously not used to a woman giving natural birth and she did not care to help me labor well.  Thankfully God did answer my prayer to rid her from my birth and brought in Nurse Barb.  Barb was great!  When I asked her to fill the birthing tub, she did so.  When I told her that my midwife was on vacation and that my doula was sick.  Sweet, wonderful Barb replied, “I’ll be your doula.”  She was my doula.

Barb supported both me and Don when I moved into the transition phase and I started yelling at Hubby that I wanted an epidural.  (My super patient and intelligent hubby reminded me that it was almost time to push and that it would all be over soon).  Barb noticed around this time that I started pushing and checked me again (the tub wasn’t full yet at this point and I didn’t even have time to labor in it at all).  I was “complete” and ready to push.  My midwife’s backup doctor had not arrived yet, so they called for the hospital doctor.  She arrived and I began pushing.  Barb coached me to push.  I noticed the doctor and Barb became a little alarmed during the process (I later found out it was due to Abbi’s umbilical chord being wrapped once around her neck and having a possible knot in it).  Abbi came out quickly.  After 4 hours of labor she joined her family!  She swallowed some meconium on her way out and had some labored breathing.  After I pointed out that she was purple the nurses took her and her daddy to the special care nursery where they monitored her breathing for a few hours.  Then she was returned to me!  Though most hospital laboring practices frustrate me (mainly their lack of support for natural, non-medicated births), I really do appreciate hospital after-care and meals!  We went home the day after Abbi’s birth and were welcomed by two adoring brothers.  We are now living happily ever after!

My next post will be some cute Abbi photos.