Christian's Birth Story

 My sweet baby Christian, 

You’re snuggled sweetly asleep in my arms right now and I could stare at your little face all day. You are straight from heaven and my heart is filled with so much gratitude that you are here safe and sound. 


Your pregnancy was hard on me. We felt that it was time to start trying for another baby in July but our first month we weren’t pregnant. We tried again in August and on August 30, we found out we were pregnant. We were so excited and grateful that our 6th baby was on their way!


Because of Covid-19, kids were not allowed to come with me to the doctor. For Estella’s pregnancy, Dr. Jeff Nance would have the kids help him with the Doppler and measure me and he’d ask them about homeschool. Since they couldn’t come he offered to give me a few extra ultrasounds so I could take pictures home to the kids. It was fun to see you. At only 15 weeks old the dr could see your gender. He wrote it down and included a picture and put it in an envelope. For thanksgiving we went to Texas and aunt Jessica made a cake with BLUE inside! We opened it up and saw that you were a boy! Hooray! We sure love boys! 


Some difficult parts of this pregnancy were 

  • a herniated bellybutton at about 20-25 weeks
  • My 3rd hemmeroid that was swollen and very painful 
  • Heartburn that I couldn’t naturally care for so bad to take omeperozol 
  • Lots of ligament pain under my belly 


My due date for you was May 12 and the Dr’s from the ultrasound size was May 13.  Both of those days came and left and you still hadn’t come. I had contractions one night for about 3 hours. I would count them but they were never very intense or regular. 


On the morning of May 15, I woke with pressure in the bottom of my uterus. It reminded me of Russells labor and I thought maybe it was the day. Contractions came pretty inconsistent but strong from 8-10am. Dad did irrigation and worked on lava sand (thanks to cats poooping in it). I sat under the globe willow tree in my 0 gravity recliner chair and read my Book of Mormon. Dad and I had a goal to finish it before you came but I only made it to ether 1. I counted and relaxed through the contractions. Eventually they were only about 1 an hour and I started giving up that this was real labor. I tried working on my new garden bed and moved a few heavy pots with the dolly and set things out but it was too uncomfortable and daddy encouraged me to sit down so I did. About 1:00 we decided to go with our plan of taking the kids to Sandy beach. Dad did all the work and kids got their swimsuits on and we headed over. I thought, if this is real we can always go straight to the hospital from the beach... I timed them on the way and they were about 8-15 minutes apart. 


We had fun at the beach. I sat in my chair and later dad took us on a kayak ride up the Spanish fork river. I counted my contractions and they were sometimes 8 and sometimes up to 20 min apart. Some of them hurt pretty bad. 


At 5:30 we left and headed home. The contractions at this point were really hurting and I knew it was time to get to the hospital. When we got home I took a quick shower and dad made me a lava snake bag. He heated it up for me and that helped the contractions so much. Dad took a shower. Autumn and her kids were there to help plant our front garden and autumn asked a few questions before we left about the garden and we left her with the kids. I was anxious to leave. They were hurting really bad. 


On the drive there I counted them 1-3min apart. At the turn off at the stop sign dad gave me a blessing and told me my mom would be with me and my Savior would help me. I had my AirPods in and listened to my Sunday playlist that had songs from the lamb of god by Rob Gardner. I felt my savior so close to me. It was my favorite part of your birth. I also felt my mom close to me. I felt as if she told me that this was hard for her too because she was really going to miss you and you had had special time together. 


We got to the hospital at 7:00pm. They checked us in. I weighed 90kg entering the hospital (198lbs). The nurse checked my dilation and I was at a 7. I asked for an epidural knowing if they didn’t hurry it would be too late. The nurses were short staffed and she was in a hurry and got my iv in wrong and it hurt. The anesthesiologist came and did a great job on my epideral. The pain immediately started going away. I told about my hand iv and he said that’s in wrong let’s take it out and they did. My new nurse Wendy put one in my left hand and got it right. I could still feel my legs and I felt really strong contractions but the edge was off so I was okay. 


Rashelle for there- we wanted her to take pictures and video. I felt like the room opened up to rainbows and unicorns as I could now see beyond my discomfort and again I was so grateful for modern medicine like epidurals. I had asked for Jeffrey nance to deliver me but he was out of town so his dad came instead. He’s not my favorite but we were okay. He broke my water and said he’d be back in 15 min for baby to come. 


Sure enough about 15 min later he was there and I was in the stirrups ready to go. I got the mirror right where I wanted it and could see. Dr reached up and told me he was posterior and he was going to try and flip him as he descended since he was so high. Doctor told me to push and nothing happened. I was surprised because usually a couple pushes and I have the baby there. I pushed harder and it probably took 6 pushes and your sweet little head was out. I could see a little patch of dark hair. Another small push and the rest of your body was there. They immediately put you on me and you were hardly crying but they rubbed you down on me and you started really crying. I couldn’t see your face since you were right under me but I felt like I would burst with joy that you were here with me and you were healthy and strong!! 


Doctor said your umbilical cord was incredibly thick! Placenta looked great. They cleaned me up and I had a few stitches that doctor took care of. 


For 30 min I just got to snuggle and hold you. You cried until I started nursing you. After 30 min at 9:00 the nurse came in a measured you. I couldn’t believe it- you were 9lbs10oz!! I had no idea just looking at you. 20.5 inches long. 


They took me down to recovery and because you were 97% they had to test your blood sugar every time I nursed you and it was sad. 


We’re so grateful you’re here Christian and we love you so so much!!


Love, 

Mom 


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