A Baby Story

A few days before Thanksgiving, I happened upon some photographer's website who specialized in what she called "birth stories". She would take maternity photos and then she would be present with the family during labor and delivery to snap all those special shots. I had always been horrified at the thought of any extra people in the delivery room with me other than David, but this woman's photos were so gorgeous that I asked my sister to do the same for me. The following are some of her photos of my labor and delivery experience. Don't worry...nothing graphic or inappropriate...just bits of my long night!

I was scheduled to be induced at 8:00pm. However, they had so many births that day that we ended up waiting in the waiting room for a couple of hours. I didn't get started until somewhere between 9:00 and 9:30. I was not thrilled.

And, this may be too much information, but we discovered there is a reason my belly was SO huge. I had at least twice as much amniotic fluid as the normal pregnant woman. They broke my water when I first got there (which, I also learned I NEVER want that to happen in a public setting - ugh!!), no big deal. An hour or so later, I was gushing again...worse than I had with the inital breaking of my water. The nurse came in; I was laughing hysterically, and asked her if this was normal. She laughed and told me no. My stomach was instantly half the size it had been when I first got there.

This was several hours into it, once contractions had been going for almost an hour and I finally woke David up and told him to come help. FYI, contractions that come naturally do not hurt anywhere NEAR as much as those contractions that come by being induced.
I love this photo!! It's a little blurry, but I love how supportive my husband is being as I'm digging my nails into his arms. I am in middle of a contraction, crying AND getting my epidural at this point. Too much all at the same time; I was not so happy.
Just over 6 hours after we had begun and only 2 pushes later, Kehlton made his grand debut!! He was only 7 lbs and 14 oz - a full pound smaller than Brychan had been. Kehlton seems like such a tiny little thing after Brychan!! I'm still trying to decide which I like better - natural child birth or inducement. Each has their pros and cons.


Ashley, thank you SO much for taking these photos for us!! We LOVE them (ALL of them; not just the few we put on here) and are glad you did this for us. And...I'm sorry for yelling at you in the delivery room! :)