Hazel’s birth story

I had it my mind that April 10 would be a good day for baby girl to come, and it seemed like she was on her way that night.  I was up for several hours with what turned out to be false labor.  I spent much of the next day bouncing on a yoga ball with a random contraction here and there, playing games with my mom.  At 7 that night I didn’t feel well, so I went upstairs to rest and had 3-4 contractions.  At 8 I decided to take a bath.  My contractions started getting much more intense, but still mostly 4-5 minutes apart.  By 9:30 my doula arrived and I began to wonder whether I could make it to the car, let alone the hospital.  Somehow she and Ben managed to get me dressed and into our car.  We made it to the closest gate (our hospital is on base) 4 minutes after it closed.  (A week later, it opened as a 24-hour gate.  Of course.). I was trying very hard not to push the entire (10 minute) drive.  So we went to the next closest gate and made it to the hospital where I was wheeled straight past triage and into a room.  I literally had enough time to crawl onto the bed before the midwife checked me and I started pushing.  Hazel was born April 11 at 10:14 PM at 7 lbs, 10 oz, 19 inches long.  After the delivery, the midwife and the nurses were asking my name and my blood type, and a few other bits of medical history since we weren’t there more than 5 minutes before she came.  Everything went very smoothly despite the quick progression, and we are so grateful for a healthy baby girl.  Hazel, we love you!

How I’m spending my afternoon. Between feedings that is…

It’s raining and I would love a wide front porch with rocking chairs overlooking the river (thinking of Rivendell or Blue Ridge, Steph & Karen!), but I’ll make do with my camp chair and a view of the two of the most precious souls God gave me.