1.24.2010

How Hosanna Entered The World

Now that you have seen pictures, I wanted to share with you how the Lord bought our little miracle into the world! Hosanna was born September 21, 2009 at 8:35 am via c-section. Not how I was hoping for, but God knew how Hosanna would come into the world since the beginning of time. I wanted to go “all natural”. I was excited because the hospital had tubs to labor in, and I love being in water. I wanted to be in the water, to be able to walk around if I wanted, etc. We hired a wonderful doula to help coach me through labor. This birth plan was my desire for many reasons. Number one, I didn’t like the thought of an epidural. Ouch! And I was scared of the risks/side effects for me and baby. Number two, I didn’t want to be hooked up to lots of stuff so I would have the freedom to move about. And number three, why not give it a try!
Well, we had been seeing a specialist because Hosanna had a cyst on her brain (PRAISE THE LORD it was nothing serious and eventually went away). At our 28 week ultrasound appointment baby was measuring 3 pounds, 90 percentile! When my regular OB got these results she was shocked and showed concern for my desire to deliver naturally. Fast forward to week 37, and baby was estimating 9 pounds 1 ounce! At this point, my doctor was very concerned and said she didn’t feel comfortable delivering Hosanna naturally, that she wanted to do a c-section. I feared this and did not want it. We were so conflicted about what to do. We prayed for a peace about our decision and had many praying for us. The Lord granted us the peace we had asked for and we decided to trust our doctor’s decision and go through with the c-section. At our 38 week appointment we told the doctor of our decision and asked what we needed to do next. She said she had already scheduled us for surgery for one week later, September 21st. Wow! It was very exciting to know the date! We were able to tell our families so they could be there.
As September 21st approached, we continued to pray for a safe delivery and I continued to have a peace about all of it. We got to the hospital that Monday morning at 6 and checked in. They escorted us up to Labor and Delivery where Matt and I went back and they prepared me with an IV, which was the worst part of the whole thing! The needle was so uncomfortable! Then I was covered with a huge air blanket to help regulate my temperature. At this time, the family was able to come back. They only visited for a brief moment because I started to feel very uncomfortable. I was so hot under that blanket, the IV was irritating me and I was just ready to get the show on the road! Shortly after my family stepped out, the nurse came and got me and rolled me back to the OR. It was freezing back there!!! Very sterile environment (thank goodness)! The anesthesiologist explained what he was going to do (thankfully the Lord had taken that fear of the epidural away!), gave me a little nausea medicine to take, then sat me up and gave me my spinal. I was quickly laid back down and the doctor started pinching on my stomach. Unfortunately I could feel it! The anesthesiologist decided to give me another spinal. This one took just fine, praise the Lord! Then my OB came in and immediately got to work. Matt was supposed to be in the room at this point, but they had forgotten to get him so a nurse quickly brought him back. When he entered the OR he was able to see on the other side of the curtain and saw everything! He had a look of terror on his face and he rushed to my side telling me he loved me and asked if I was ok. He held my hand and I had him quote one of my memory verses to me over and over again. Psalm 56:3-4 - “When I am afraid, I will trust in you, In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” I was also saying it in my head. I could feel things going on inside of me. It was the most awkward feeling ever. It felt like they were all the way up in my chest, tugging and pulling. The smell in the room was so distinct, burning flesh! Of course it was my own! Yuck! My doctor told me I would feel a lot of pressure, and that is when they pulled Hosanna out! At 8:35 am our little miracle entered the world! As my doctor pulled her out she called Hosanna a “Chunky Monkey,” a nickname that will probably stick with her! They quickly showed her to me, love at first sight! Then they took her to the table to clean her up. Matt was able to go with her and got some pictures of her. She let out the cutest little cry! While the nurses were working with her, the doctors were counting the utensils and towels. One was missing, but thankfully the anesthesiologist had it! I am glad they made sure they got everything out! Matt was able to bring Hosanna over to me at this point. I couldn’t hold her, but she was beautiful! The nurse wanted to take our first family picture but the camera wouldn’t work. I finally told her not to worry about it because I felt like I was going to get sick and at that moment I turned my head and did! Matt and Hosanna were shipped off to the nursery and family got to see her for the first time. I was still being sewn up. I asked to see my placenta. It was amazing! The back of it, called “the tree of life,” really did look like a tree. After seeing the placenta and being sewn up, I was taken to recovery. As I was coming off of the drugs, my body shook really bad, but I didn’t get sick anymore. I was still a little under the medication at this point, but also a little sad that I didn’t get to see my baby and a little lonely. Eventually family did come and see me, after seeing the baby of course! After some time I was wheeled to the nursery to see Hosanna and then to my room. Family had gone to grab breakfast at this point, so it was just me and Matt waiting for Hosanna to come join us from the nursery. Around 10 something am, Hosanna was brought to our room and I got to hold her for the first time! It was so amazing! She was beautiful! It was such a sweet time, just the 3 of us. It was such an amazing feeling to hold her. So natural. Our families came back and were able to hold her for the first time too. What a joyous time!
I could not have asked for a better “labor” and delivery. The entire experience was just wonderful. I felt the peace of the Lord all day. And our hospital stay was great. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Thank you, Lord! Thank You for Hosanna and entrusting her to us. We are so blessed. May we raise her to love you more than anything!

1.13.2010

Friends of Hosanna

Hosanna