Since many of you are wondering and praying for us, I thought I’d share the details of what is going on with this baby boy.
- I started having regular contractions late Tuesday night. They lasted throughout the night and became stronger between 4-6 am lasting about 7-8 min.
- Around 8am or so, the contractions began to subside. They continued on and off Wednesday and from 2-3:30 were about 5 minutes apart, but weren’t very strong.
- So, I called one of the midwives just to talk to her about all that was going on and she recommended that I come in to get checked out to see where I was at.
- Around 4pm we went to the hospital. Everything was good with the baby, and I was dilated 3-4 cm. The cool thing is that my preferred midwife was on call (although she wasn’t on the schedule), and she was the one that examined me and talked to me about my options.
- My midwife told me I could go home or stay at the hospital, BUT if I were to have stayed, the hospital staff would have likely intervened (by breaking my water and/or giving me pitocin to speed up labor).
- We decided to go home and continue to wait out this “early labor” process.
- Last night the contractions subsided more and more and I actually slept really good most of the night! I woke up again around 4am with strong contractions that lasted till about 6 and then I fell back asleep.
- Today my body seems to be on hold because I’ve had very few contractions. We took the girls out today and ran some errands so that I can walk around as much as I can.
- Now, just waiting!
I’ve never been this far in labor naturally- with the two girls, they broke my water and gave me pitocin (which resulted in an epidural) when I was 3-4 cm. So although this is my third baby, in a way it feels like my first. At this point, the main thing I care about is allowing my body get there on its own and not forcing it there.
So, overall things are good. I’m really praying for the emotional/mental endurance to be patient throughout this time- it seems like that may be the hardest part of this whole process. Filipe and I were talking yesterday about how our human tendency in these moments is to speed things up and make things happen- by whatever means necessary. It feels like our lives are on hold right now, and I think part of us feels guilty for not being able to work and function normally. You would think bringing a life into this world isn’t huge enough- as long as it happens in a timely manner right?!
Thanks for all the support and prayers! Continue to pray for us- for patience and strength througout this time.
Just for fun- Filipe was playing with the girls this morning and caught this on video- check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiHm0BCF-u0
Mandy, thank you so much for writing this update. I can’t get you out of my head!!! I’ve been praying for you all day and wondering how you’re doing, so I really appreciate the update. Fi asked Andy if my labor was like this at all since I did mine natural as well. It was not. Mine was very typical…about 12 hours total. But I have read about lots of people having early labor like you are and it is definitely within the range of normal. All the books say just to try to keep moving and walking around to get the contractions going. But I’m so glad that you’ve been able to sleep. You will need your rest closer to the end. I remember being so tired by the end of my labor that I was falling asleep in between contractions that were a minute and a half apart! It is amazing what our bodies can do! Please know that we are praying for emotional and physical strenght/endurance for you and Filipe. Tell Fi I said he’s gotta be tough! Andy was a rock for me during labor. I love you, girl!! Can’t wait to get that little one in my arms!
By: Stacie Wood on 01/21/2010
at 10:46 pm
Mandy, much prayers and encouragement. You are wise to just let things happen and I hope things go well for you (and natural too). The LORD is sooooo faithful to carry us through childbirth. (and all of life for that matter) I went natural with both my boys and I know that He is faithful. Remember Isaiah 66:9 “Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth? says the LORD; shall I who cause to bring forth shut the womb? says your God” (Implied answer to both questions is No based on the context)
By: Jen Roberson on 01/22/2010
at 2:48 am
Mandy! We are so excited about this! I actually am very interested to hear all about this process when you are fully finished – it’s really cool that you’re doing it naturally. I can’t wait to see pictures of that little boy and I wish we could be there to see him in real life. We miss you guys and we are praying with you – you’ve been on our minds this week!
By: Sarah Ann on 01/22/2010
at 5:50 am