of my daughter…
“We have good news and bad news. The good news; you’ll be leaving the hospital with your baby. The bad news; it will be a few days before that can happen.”
Chris requests an epidural for the pain caused by sleeping in a hospital chair for the past couple of night. Nurse didn’t laugh.
I feel a small prick in my back and the anesthesiologist says that he’s done. I don’t believe him. He can’t possibly be done. It’s supposed to hurt and I’m supposed to freak out about the crazy, long needle! He’s done?!
I’m dilated to a 10, oh and there’s the baby’s head. Lights open up overhead, the end of the bed gets flipped down, and the room is converted to a delivery room within seconds. The nurse calls my doctor, he’s not going to make it.
Sunday, 1:52 pm
It’s time to push, there’s no stopping it. The on-call doctor comes in. She seems nice.
Sunday, 1:53 pm
I push. My head feels like it’s going to explode. I can’t tell what’s going on. My mom is holding up one leg and Chris is holding up the other, I have no control. Everyone is telling me I’m doing a great job, so I must be doing something right.
Sunday, 1:55 pm
With the second big push, the baby’s head is crowning and at this point I feel a little snip and then release. THE BABY’S HEAD.
Chris never looked so glorious. His smile was beaming as he kissed my head. He could see all of the baby’s hair, she has hair!
Sunday, 1:56pm
The next push brought out her shoulders and then within moments she was laying on my chest. I couldn’t believe it. The most incredible moment of my life. She whimpers, Chris kisses us both and then cuts the cord. This husband and wife team had now become a family.
We are a family.
That was the last time I was able to hold my baby girl for a couple of days. The next few days were a whirlwind of highs and lows. Because of being born early and the medications that I had to be on during delivery, my daughter was soon whisked off to the nursery to be monitored. Her heart had to make it 24 hours without any irregularities. She was poked and tested and checked over and over. Every day seemed to last so much longer than 24 hours. After a couple of days, I was discharged and we had to leave without our new little bundle of joy. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. We would stay at the hospital as long as we could, to watch her, to nurse her, to be there. Those 5 days seemed to last a lifetime, and finally our healthy baby girl was released into our arms and into our home.
Our life was changed forever. Changed for the better.
We are a family.
Blessedbymany says
What an amazing story and the best part is the BEAUTIFUL little young lady that she has become today! Kellie
Tracy says
I’m completely balling and in tears! THank you for sharing her birth story!!!
Julian stayed in the hospital for 9 days because he was so early (I delivered him at 34 weeks). I can completely feel the pain you felt.
Again, congratulations on your adorable little man and your beautiful daughter!
Briony says
This was beautifully written Tab, I know you told me the story in short before but I had no idea of the details.
I can’t wait for the next story…haha even though I was there I can’t imagine your thoughts on the whole thing. It will be a fun read. 🙂
Anonymous says
You need to be getting paid to write like this. Fantastically done. Just beautiful. – C Lusk
Erin says
HAving to leave w/o her…….
Can’t imagine.
Pam says
Way to bring tears to my eyes. Great story.
Amy says
I love birth stories, thanks for sharing yours 🙂
Aleta says
You had me in tears reading this post – beautiful…
And this though..
“Chris requests an epidural for the pain caused by sleeping in a hospital chair for the past couple of night. Nurse didn’t laugh.”
LMAO – that was great!
Sara Elizabeth says
I love stories like this (birth stories). Thanks for sharing yours with us!
Momma Chae says
ahhhh… you’re giving me babyitis. That day when you give birth is like Christmas – so magical – and you can keep reliving it in your memories over and over again.
Anonymous says
Tabitha, this was the most beautiful story I read. This is what having a family is all about. Love you
Jean G.
Gerri says
Wow…leaving the hospital without your baby sucks!!! I remember that. I am crying…yeah, I remember that.
Ok (recovered), how cool that you didn’t feel pain. I had no idea we had that as a similarity…crazy, but good. 🙂
I am so happy Aliyah is healthy and whole. What a blessing motherhood is. 🙂
BTW good job on bringing her into this world!
Blissful Babe says
Aw! Thank you for sharing!
Brady was in NICU for the first 3 weeks of his life, so I, too, can totally relate.
Who knew that that would be the theme for the rest of our lives? Hm.
Yay Aliyah!
Blissful Babe says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen says
I love reading about people’s birth stories. This is a great one.
And I have to agree, bed rest is very boring. Trust me I know, I was on it for 11 weeks. 🙂
Kelly says
What a great story. You remembered in such detail. I love the ending.
Hope you’re getting lots of sleep!
A Forest Frolic says
What a great story Tabitha…brought tears to my eyes 😉 Now, how’s that new babe doing?
Jamie 🙂
[email protected] says
Amazing birthstory! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
BK says
Thank you for sharing the birth story of your daughter with us. It must have been a magical moment for you and your husband.
Jamie says
I’m sitting here, at work, reading this, wondering how my delivery will go. As I have nothing to base it off I, I’m going on stories from other mothers. Some easier than others, some long, some short…I don’t know that there’s really any way to prepare myself for what’s to come, but I do know that I could feel myself in the moment, through your story. Looking forward to reading the “story” of your little man!
Corey~living and loving says
you have such a wonderful way of telling stories. I felt like I was right there with you.
it was interesting. I’ve never had such a good desciption of an epidual delivery.
I keep meaning to share my birth story, becuase someone asked, but haven’t done it yet. I just might….soon. 🙂
MommyNamedApril says
love this
Whimsical Creations says
Thank you for sharing your birth story. I also had to leave my first born at the hospital after giving birth.
Can not wait to hear about the birth story of you little man. =D
Jen says
Hi! I am an OB nurse. I deal with this everyday. It is easy for me to forget how scary…and precious…and very special it is for the families that I care for. Thanks so much for reminding me. What a wonderful story. Congrats on both of your beautiful children!