Part I
For every man who reads this blog (and you’re out there…I think…) there are a dozen women who want to hear Anthony’s birth story.
This is to say that you’re outnumbered today, so here’s an alternate link for you.
Here we go.
Having picked May 24th, the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, as the day I wanted to deliver, I was anxious to see if Our Blessed Mother would come through. Sure enough, the contractions started that morning around 3:00 a.m.—not the strongest of contractions, mind you, but there were enough of them to make me wonder.
[I think that my husband was wondering, too, because he threw my hospital overnight bag into the van on the way to Sunday Mass.]
The Mass itself was…interesting. I had four strong contractions throughout the course of it and can’t say, for example, that I have a clue what Father’s homily was about. I did need to use the restroom after communion, however, and evidently I took too long because John sent Cate to check on me.
No baby yet, dearest John my love. Just a big, slow-moving momma.
The contractions continued throughout the afternoon—light but consistent. “Am I in labor or aren’t I? Am I in labor or aren’t I?” You know the drill. By 6:00 p.m. it was fairly clear that this was indeed the real thing. (Yay! Deep breath. Big gulp. Get ready.) I phoned my friend Tina to see if she’d keep the kids overnight—she said yes, of course, because she’s the best—and John loaded up the van and drove them over.
Sigh. The kids were excited but I was…scared.
I compensated by watching 24.
[First mistake.]
John swept back in around 7:00 p.m. and called out, “Are you ready?” I wasn’t, as it was the end of the episode and Jack was going after the bad guys, but I dutifully turned off the tube and said yes. I grabbed my plastic water glass and we were off.
The evening was lovely, warm, and welcome, with soft sunlight falling on countless shades of green. Springtime in Minnesota is a magical place—a great time of year to have a baby, by the way, so make note of that in your planners.
Alas, my heart was not as peaceful as the palette outside the window.
Such is the story of this pregnancy.
I should have known that this delivery would be different. How could it not be, coming as it did after a very long, very anxious nine months? I mean, the day before I went into labor I was still fielding the children’s questions: “Do you think this baby will make it, Mommy?” “Do you think this baby will die?”
Having four consecutive miscarriages changes things.
I was not in the best place emotionally.
[Second mistake.]
Never before had I considered an epidural in the days leading up to the delivery. Never before had I cried on the way to the hospital, thinking, “What if this baby’s stillborn?” (At that point, Anthony stirred in my womb. I was so grateful!)
Never before had the physical pain been more than I could handle.
This time, my friend, it was.
To be continued.
I love it that you're telling this in installments. Just what a nearly 39 week pregnant mommy needs to pass the time.
I laughed out loud about watching 24 as a first mistake. Love that.
Looking forward to Part 2. 🙂
My old college roommate, years after losing several tiny babes, went to the hospital in labor, at 40 weeks, and told the nurse she was miscarrying. I can totally understand. God bless you darlin' and those sweet children who prayed that baby to 40 weeks.
Thank you for sharing this…it is such a wonderful story of what we all should have-trust in God to carry us through! I cannot wait for the next part!
OOooh. You always tell these great stories in parts and keep us in suspense. (Not that we don't know what the beautiful outcome was!)
Can't wait to hear the rest.
yay!! i love stories in installments.. and hate them too. haha. congrats again on your lovely baby boy!
For Pete's sake, Margaret, it's not a "mistake" to be in ANY place emotionally.
You are where you are.
Don't be so hard on yourself!
After Oliver's birth, my midwife and I were talking about pain medicine and what makes women choose what they end up choosing. She made a point that I think applies here; the pain of labor is sometimes more than just physical pain. Perhaps the pain and fear that your losses brought added with the pain of labor and voila! thanks be to God for epidurals. All things can be made to show His glory. Pain or relief from pain.
Big hugs to you Margaret. Can't wait to read the rest.
Oh man!! You're leaving us in suspense!
Peace
I've had 2 miscarriages and the thought of "something going wrong" never really diappears until that baby is in our arms. I am 15 weeks along now and I look forward to EVERY Dr. visit so I can hear the heartbeat!! 🙂 Every labor and delivery story is different and unique and I look forward to hearing the rest!
Thanks Margaret but my wife loves sports and when I want info she answers all my questions. We'll have been marries 45 years. I love babies. Was a Navy Hospital Corpsman 54 years ago and helped with the delivery of more than 100 babies. My joy of your baby is overflowing.
What bearing said. I wish I could travel back in time and over to Minnesota and give you a big hug on the way to the hospital. That said, I can relate to the emotional upheaval.
Aaahh! Margaret, you left me on the edge of my seat! I'm glad I already know the end result. 🙂
Janet
Coming out of lurking to shout "I'm on the edge of my seat here!!!"
Congratulations, by the way, while not lurking I may as well tell you how awesome your blog is *smile* and love the pics of you and baby!
Like Sara in SD…I'm 14 1/2 weeks after a mis in October…my brother still doesn't know. Many of my friends still don't know.
I'm figured I'd tell at 12 weeks, then waited till 14, now I'm waiting for the 20 week ultrasound, "just to be sure". UGH.
I wait impatiently for those appointments and heartbeats.
We have been doing progesterone supplementation an all is well, so far…but it is hard to relax and TRUST.
God Bless baby Anthony!
You have such a way with words! I love your story so far, and I look forward to hearing the rest. I haven't been here in awhile, so I wish you belated congratulations on the birth of your son! God bless you and your entire family during this transitional time. Peace to you!
This story isn't going to take as long as your conversion story, is it?
Just thinking more about our ability to handle pain … I 'think' that as we get older and most likely more busy with other children, we are less rested and our bodies/minds are under more stress. I agree with an earlier responder who said that not all pain is physical – that is so true for me! Emotional pain can hurt just as much and cause us to be in physical pain – the phrase 'aching heart/breaking heart' comes to mind. I think all of these factors affect our ability to deal with or handle pain … that's why my hubby and I think it's so important to have a back-up plan or to be flexible with your birth plan.
Anyway, I'm always so thankful to be done with birth and am so glad you are on 'this side'! After my last was born, I must have repeated the words, "Thank God he's here" at least ten times.