Stella Elizabeth Davey
Born Saturday March 26th, 2011
at 6:58 pm
9 lbs 5 oz
20 1/2 in long
20 1/2 in long
For anyone that we haven't been able to contact yet, here is our newest addition! And for everyone that has been itching for pictures, here they come!
Stella's story began much like Arthur's did three years ago- with a long hard labor. We had planned on birthing Stella at a Birth Center near our home in Orem with a team of midwives and a large and luxurious birthing tub. Like with Arthur, we wanted to birth her naturally and planned and prepared for a smooth experience. However, much like with Arthur, nature had something else in mind for us.
I started my labor in the early morning hours on Tuesday and sat through mildly intense contractions about every 7 minutes. Several hours went by and as the day progressed my contractions did not. I was in touch with the midwife and was advised to rest at home and just see were my body was going. The contractions returned off and on throughout the day, but without consistency and pattern and so by Tuesday night I was tired but resigned to not have the baby that day. Which was really a blessing, because Wednesday morning Arthur and I headed off for the airport to pick up my mom who flew out from Texas to be here for the birth.
By the wee hours of Thursday morning my contractions had come back full force with more intensity, hitting about every 5 minutes. Again, after several hours they abated and my mom and I headed for the nearest fabric store to wander, shop, and generally use our creative energy to distract from the now sporadic contractions that were starting to wear me down. A few yards of fabric, a frozen yogurt, and some great mother daughter time later and I was still not feeling a consistent pattern to my contractions, but bearing through them just the same. Thursday night held little sleep as I dozed off and on in between them, and by 3:00 am we were on our way to the birth center to check my progress and hope that we could get the tempo up. The birth center prognosis: I was at a 3, the baby was still too high and not descending due to her awkward position in the womb, the contractions were not forming a regular pattern and therefore not able to have much influence on turning the baby and helping her 'unwedge' herself and begin to come down thus spurring the labor onward. So with nothing to do but wait, we left the birth center and came home exhausted and unsure of how much longer to push on in this labor limbo.
Friday passed and with each hour of contractions I found myself feeling more and more exhausted and less and less sure that I could run this particular marathon much longer. With little sleep Friday night I was determined to return to the birth center Saturday morning to check my progress and discuss alternate options with our midwife. Her prognosis: I was now at a 4, the baby had come down slightly, if I stuck it out she was sure that something would happen in the next couple of days but if we wanted to transfer to the hospital they would support that. Coming home from the birth center that morning I did some real soul searching and praying, an hour later we made the decision to transfer care to the hospital and head there immediately to get the medical help that would encourage my labor along faster. Without the energy reserves to make it for a few more days of labor, I worried that I would not be able to birth our baby on my own when the time finally came. The decision to go to the hospital may have been a let down, but the Spirit really gave me courage and comfort to know that we were doing the right thing.
After checking in we were greeted by a wonderful nurse and a very helpful doctor that were able to get me going on an epidural and an iv, break my water and monitor my progress and the baby. It took a few strong doses of Pitocin to even out my contractions and urge the baby down, but eight hours after arriving at the hospital our Stella was born, a chunky baby girl!
So here is the story in pictures- I will break them up a bit so some scrolling around might be required!
I started my labor in the early morning hours on Tuesday and sat through mildly intense contractions about every 7 minutes. Several hours went by and as the day progressed my contractions did not. I was in touch with the midwife and was advised to rest at home and just see were my body was going. The contractions returned off and on throughout the day, but without consistency and pattern and so by Tuesday night I was tired but resigned to not have the baby that day. Which was really a blessing, because Wednesday morning Arthur and I headed off for the airport to pick up my mom who flew out from Texas to be here for the birth.
By the wee hours of Thursday morning my contractions had come back full force with more intensity, hitting about every 5 minutes. Again, after several hours they abated and my mom and I headed for the nearest fabric store to wander, shop, and generally use our creative energy to distract from the now sporadic contractions that were starting to wear me down. A few yards of fabric, a frozen yogurt, and some great mother daughter time later and I was still not feeling a consistent pattern to my contractions, but bearing through them just the same. Thursday night held little sleep as I dozed off and on in between them, and by 3:00 am we were on our way to the birth center to check my progress and hope that we could get the tempo up. The birth center prognosis: I was at a 3, the baby was still too high and not descending due to her awkward position in the womb, the contractions were not forming a regular pattern and therefore not able to have much influence on turning the baby and helping her 'unwedge' herself and begin to come down thus spurring the labor onward. So with nothing to do but wait, we left the birth center and came home exhausted and unsure of how much longer to push on in this labor limbo.
Friday passed and with each hour of contractions I found myself feeling more and more exhausted and less and less sure that I could run this particular marathon much longer. With little sleep Friday night I was determined to return to the birth center Saturday morning to check my progress and discuss alternate options with our midwife. Her prognosis: I was now at a 4, the baby had come down slightly, if I stuck it out she was sure that something would happen in the next couple of days but if we wanted to transfer to the hospital they would support that. Coming home from the birth center that morning I did some real soul searching and praying, an hour later we made the decision to transfer care to the hospital and head there immediately to get the medical help that would encourage my labor along faster. Without the energy reserves to make it for a few more days of labor, I worried that I would not be able to birth our baby on my own when the time finally came. The decision to go to the hospital may have been a let down, but the Spirit really gave me courage and comfort to know that we were doing the right thing.
After checking in we were greeted by a wonderful nurse and a very helpful doctor that were able to get me going on an epidural and an iv, break my water and monitor my progress and the baby. It took a few strong doses of Pitocin to even out my contractions and urge the baby down, but eight hours after arriving at the hospital our Stella was born, a chunky baby girl!
So here is the story in pictures- I will break them up a bit so some scrolling around might be required!
6 comments:
You are a brave girl!!!! That was quite a story...glad I found it on your blog. I don't usually check blogs unless someone tells me to. I just happened on it.
Saga is right! I am sooooo proud of how you stuck that labor out day after day, seriously I was thinking about you so much and praying for you. I guess there's no telling what our bodies (and babies) will do, as you can attest to twice now. Wowwwwweee, she's cute! Can't wait to come see her in person but I have been gawking over these photos and Arthur looked like he was having a rip-roarin' good time! The picture of Stella right after birth brought tears to my eyes; it is so incredible to see this beautiful spirit who has been waiting to come. Kudos to you Karin, that was a doozie but what a DOLL! Hope you are having lots of fun & big brother is coping fine... we will see you soon.
Love,
Lis & Barua boys
Karin, you guys sure know how to make cute kiddos - Stella is absolutely beautiful!! I'm so happy for you and I can't wait to meet her and kiss those sweet chubby cheeks! :)
Congratulations guys! Stella is a real cutey!! Well done withthe endurance Karin, she's worth it though :) Stella was the same birth weight as Elias- such big cute chubby babies we have!!
How is Arthur finding being a big bro? Jos saw a pic of Arthur and Stella and straight away said 'that's Arthur', he was very excitedto know Karin's baby bump is now a cute baby. We miss you guys loads and wish we could be around to help you guys out in the newborn stage but look forward to seeing you in a few months. I bought Stella's present months ago- too excited to buy girls clothes but I'll keep it til u get here as it's a bigger size anyway.
Sending you bundles of love and an extra big hug welcome to the world hug for the littlest Davey. Kiri Stephen, Jos &Elias xxxx
Bless your heart Karin. I am impressed about how strong you were. I know if that was me, I would be breaking down in tears. I'm glad that everything eventually came out alright in the end, even if it wasn't what you were thinking it was going to be like. Congratulations on your new baby.
Post a Comment