My sweet Aletheia is one year old! Here is her all natural birth story!
I really can’t believe it. I remember when I was pregnant with her and it seemed like everyone said, “The time flies!” Boy, were they right! In celebration of her first birthday, I thought I’d share her all-natural birth story with you!
All-Natural Birth Story
I’m so thankful that I was able to give birth free of pain medication. That was a big goal for me. I know it’s not for everyone, but that was important to me! God is gracious.
It all started at 11:00PM. I got out of bed for another trip to the bathroom (#ninemonthspregnant) only to find that my water had broken. At first I questioned if labor was truly starting… was it actually here? After all, this was a week before my due date. I remembered my birth class teacher telling us that it would’ve been normal to be a week LATE for your first delivery, not a week early?!? But, sure enough, it was time. I excitedly woke up my husband but told him to go back to sleep cause it could be a while. He later said he was too excited to fall back asleep! After laboring a few hours at home, we decided to go to the hospital.
My mom got to be there!
A great part of this story is that my mom was scheduled to fly in that morning from out of the country. So, while I was laboring in the night, I kept thinking, “I hope mom makes it in time!” After we got to our room at the hospital, I put on the gown they gave me, and… in walks my mom! God’s timing is the best. She had arrived about 30 minutes after us! This was a big deal cause my mom has had six babies naturally and I wanted her to be my coach during labor. I’m so thankful she got to do it!
The next hours are a bit of a blur in my mind. I was on pitocin for most of my labor and I had decided against an epidural and pain medications, so my mind was focused on getting that baby out. I do remember LOVING the hot shower. I also remember my back hurting so so much for each contraction. I think since my water broke so early, there was no padding for my lower back. And, I’m told that I “hushed” my husband when he was trying to make a joke during a contraction.
My sweet husband.
He did such a great job during labor though! He’s from India where the dads aren’t even in the room for birth, so I was so glad he helped so much with pushing on my back for each contraction.
Then at about 8:00PM the doctor said it was time to push. This part was so much better than just waiting and breathing (more like moaning) through each contraction for me. It was my turn to do something! And, after a little over an hour of pushing, my baby was here! My mom heard me say “Oh, my goodness!” as the doctor handed Aletheia to me. I was overwhelmed with the thought that I had just had a baby. That little doll in my arms was real and had actually lived inside of me for nine months! I don’t think words can describe all the feelings you have when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time… but I just remember staring at her, rubbing her little red arm, feeling overwhelmed with love, and thinking, “we did it!”
Then and Now
Fast forward to today and I’m thinking, “we did it:” a whole year of mothering a baby. Sometimes I’m surprised we’ve survived this long, other times it feels like it’s always been this way.
But I love that I can look back over the last year and see how the Lord has sustained and carried our little family on this journey. Hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to seeing God’s faithfulness. It makes me excited to see what He has in store for the years to come!
So happy birthday to my sweet girl! I pray that you’ll grow to love and trust the Lord with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength.
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