I recently saw on another blog that the story of her child's birth had been typed out for remembrance and decided that's an EXCELLENT idea. I've said before that I eventually plan on printing these pages out and placing them in a book for Chasten to be able to keep all of the things he "helped" God "teach" me when he was born. So here goes Chasten's Day of Birth story.

I'll start with a little pre-birth background.  Having lost two other babies previously, finding out I was pregnant was both exciting and scary. Dr Gorrell was a God-send and was able to keep us feeling reassured  about our pregnancy. Due to previous losses, I was qualified as "high-risk" and that warranted extra ultrasounds (which was perfectly fine with us)! Both Mike and I were POSITIVE we'd be having a little girl, so at our 20 week ultrasound when within the first five minutes Chasten's little turtle was very prominent, we were pleasantly surprised. At approximately 27 weeks we discovered that being at work at Alltel made my usually perfect blood pressure sky-rocket. Therefore, I was pulled from work for the remainder of my pregnancy (I used this time away from work to teach myself to knit and make Chasten a blanket for when he arrived). When I went for my 38 week check-up I was already dilated 3cm and about 70% effaced.

One week later I got a call from Dr. Gorrell that we had moved up on the surgery list (they have to schedule the OR in case of c-section) due to an early delivery and could schedule my induction for four days sooner (moving it to Monday August 2nd). Mike and I made big plans and reserved a hotel room for Sunday night in Bristol so we wouldn't be having to drive over to Bristol so early Monday morning. I was so excited about the indoor pool, I couldn't stand it. However, Saturday ended up being a very eventful day. Mike was working at Wise Lumber half a day and the roofers were here finishing our new roof (that they were already supposed to have done). As I'm watching tv I hear water and realize that it had started raining and the roofers had left without covering our non-finished roof. I'm talking a FLOOD of water pouring in through the spare bedroom's light socket upstairs (enough to have soaked the twin mattress to full capacity and it was then leaking through the floor into the living room). After Mike fixed that mess, he was going on a delivery for my Dad and I simply did not want to be left alone (I felt like my cat when she delivered kittens and wouldn't let me out of her sight the day before). Later that night (around 11), Mike was frustratingly installing the co-sleeper (as it was the last thing we needed for Chasten's return home) by himself due to my inability to lift heavy things. I decided to leave him and get in the shower. Because I knew I would be in need of non-hairy legs for the big day (well not NEED per se but to save myself some embarrassment), I attempted to shave my legs. This proved to be too painful, because there was a little boy head down in my abdomen who had been dropping all day and causing me to have back pain. So, I gave up and turned around to wash my hair when I felt a strange gush and became a little concerned. I called for Mike and called Dr. Gorrell who insisted I come in to be checked (though I was CERTAIN it wasn't my water breaking...you know because I have delivered thousands of babies like my Dr.). We made it as far as Coeburn before I began having contractions and by the time we got to the hospital they were 4 minutes apart. Sure enough, I was in labor and was admitted. Poor Mike was exhausted (he'd been up since 4 am Saturday morning) and lie down for a nap while I was having contractions while his Mom Abby kept me company. At around 4 am I had progressed to 5 cm and was ready for my epidural (for those of you who have delivered au natural, I salute you). When Dr. Gorrell arrived at 6:30, I was progressed to 7 cm but he was uncertain as to whether or not Chasten's head would drop down enough to have him naturally. Dr. G actually had to finish breaking the remainder of my water (though the nurses were amazed there was any left) and said we'd wait an hour to check me. At 7:30 when he checked again and had me push twice, he said Chasten's head was not going to be able to come through and I was prepped to have a c-section. We went into surgery shortly after and I can tell you there's not much excitement when all you see is your arms and a curtain. I remember only being able to feel my arms and that they were shivering before I couldn't stay awake any longer. I got a good 15 minute nap in before Dr. G told me they were getting ready to pull Chasten out. I remember hearing him cry and they lifted him over the curtain for me to see before sending him to be cleaned. Mike and I both cried and knew even covered in goop, he was the most beautiful thing we'd ever seen.

 After my c-section, we spent 3 nights in the hospital and came home on Wednesday with a healthy baby boy. Of course, we had to spend out first night "home" in a hotel room because our roofers once again didn't tarp for the rain and we had a leak on the other side of the house. Though we were aggravated, it turned out okay because our family had been completed and we were so blessed to have this beautiful little thing entrusted to us.

Of course, that teeny little boy we brought home has turned into a wild, into-everything, almost one year old. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. :-D