Frazier's Birthstory

For my poor memory, I have to log the events of this wonderful day somewhere!

Dearest Frazier,


The days leading up to your arrival were LOOOONG. I wanted you to enter this world so badly for many reasons – most of them selfish! I wanted to be done with work, so I decided (actually your Daddy made me) to declare the week before you arrived my last week even if you didn’t come until a week or two later. I wanted to be at home on Christmas and not in the hospital. I wanted to stop getting up so much to pee in the middle of the night even though I knew those moments would be filled with other sleep-interrupted periods to feed and take care of you. But what a much better trade off! And the practical financial-mindedness of your Daddy wanted to make sure you were here before the end of the year for tax purposes. It’s true! However, amidst all of this, we also couldn’t wait to lay eyes on you. We wondered what you would look like, the color of your hair or would you even have hair? What color were your eyes? How big? How long? Would you nurse well? Cry a lot? So many questions we had and couldn’t wait to get answered.

We had several false alarms because I had contractions on and off weeks before you arrived. When each one turned out to be a false alarm my belief that you were never going to come out increased tenfold! But alas you did. The day you arrived I had planned to drop your sister off at Nonnie’s so that I could run a few errands and make sure the house was stocked for Christmas. I had completed Christmas shopping super early thinking that would show God I was ready for you to come anytime (ahem…early). But really, God had it all worked out and knew you would arrive just in time. Right after your Daddy left for work I started feeling some contractions. They didn’t feel much different than my false alarms sessions, so I tried not to think about it too much though in the back of my mind I hoped against hope it was the day! Dr. Powers (my OB) was on call that day and so was Susie (April’s mom). Plus it was right before Christmas, and you weren’t due until 12/26, so my prayer for you arriving early would be fulfilled.

We were having some land cleared that week for pastures, so there were lots of burly men and “big tractors” as your sister called them throughout the property. Around 9am I was still having contractions but decided to head in to town and attempt to run errands or at least be closer to the hospital if it was actually time. I put my hospital stuff and your sister in the car. I hadn’t been able to get in touch with your Daddy that morning, but as I was driving down the driveway he was coming the opposite way to check on the land clearing. It was perfect! We stopped, and I told him I was having contractions, so we decided to return to the house to wait it out a bit and pass the time. We didn’t wait long because the contractions started coming more quickly. We headed to your Nonnie’s house less than an hour later, and by the time we arrived the contractions were about 3-5 minutes apart and started to feel more than just uncomfortable. Your Daddy called the hospital and was literally transferred to at least 5 different people before he talked with someone who knew what to tell us! Eventually he was told the Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit was full, so they may have to send me somewhere else. Dr. Powers came to the rescue! She insisted I was not going to deliver anywhere but there, and they would make room for me.

So, we went to the OB office (VA Women’s Center), and they found I was 4 cm dilated. You were on your way! They gave me the option of being wheeled to L&D or to just walk over. I chose to walk not to prove anything, but because I hoped walking would keep things moving along quickly. I’m not sure if it was the walking or just nature, but by the time I settled into the bed I was 8 cm. You were on your way quickly!

Then came a moment of decision – epidural or not? I was in a lot of pain at that point. When Dr. Powers asked me what I wanted to do I looked to your Daddy who just said, “I don’t know, but if I were you I think I’d get the epidural.” I asked her to come back in a few minutes so I could think about it. I really wanted to experience birth without meds, and maybe one day I will, but that day was not the day. After having the epidural with your sister I knew how pleasant it made things, so I decided to do it again with you. Of course by the time I made the decision it felt like days before that anesthesiologist showed up! He did come, of course, and had to come back again because it didn’t work immediately. I had one side where I was still feeling a lot, but he was able to fix that up with a little more meds.

Shortly after that amazing relief, it was time to push! Dr. Powers and some amazing nurses (including Susie) coached me through one contraction and a few pushes and out you came. It was so fast! You were (and still are) so precious. While lying on my chest you had a quick cleaning and then immediately started to breastfeed. I love that God created such a natural and beautiful thing – that you knew immediately what to do after only a few minutes in this world and that I could provide just what you needed for nourishment. How awesome.

Your Daddy and I had your first hour of life in our world all to ourselves, and then we let the visitors come in to meet you! It was an amazing day and a wonderful birth experience for me. We were able to return home on 12/23 – just in time to enjoy Christmas at home. What a blessing you are dear Frazier!