Amelia Faith's Birth Story

My last OB check-up was Thursday, March 24, where I was 4cm dialated and 100% effaced. Since I was only 38 weeks and 1 day, they wouldn't do anything to assist labor other than stripping my membranes. So off I went to try and enjoy one last weekend before giving birth. I felt like I'd been in labor with braxton hicks contractions for well over a week, and my induction was scheduled for Wednesday, March 30th, so I really figured that I wasn't going to deliver on my own. Friday I layed low and Saturday went to the annual Chasco Fiesta Parade in New Port Richey. I schlepped Abigail and lunches for quite some distance but enjoyed the day of sunshine, beads and parade fun. Abigail had a great time and it was really important to me to spend fun time with her, since I knew that once Amelia arrived, life would be a little hectic for awhile.  We spent Sunday preparing for family pictures and a picnic at Moon Lake park in the afternoon. I was having hard braxton hicks contractions all day, but again, nothing I hadn't been having the last two weeks. I felt good, a little tired, but finished out the day at the park with my rather large family. Pictures were a huge success, as everyone was able to make it and even though I was still pregnant, at least I was up front and pregnant enough that little Amelia made it into the portrait!

Once I got home, I was exhausted and decided to give Abigail an early bath and bed. She was tired and didn't really have a nap that day either. Abigail was sound asleep by 9pm and I was laying next to her. Ken & I had our nightly talk and prayer session while putting Abigail to sleep. About 10:15pm I decided to get up and get something else to eat, and make one of my dozen or so trips to the bathroom for the night. That's when it all started. While trying to get out of bed, I felt a pop and then immediately was wet with hot liquid. I knew my water had just broke. I thought my grandmother was right outside the door, but she wasn't, so I waddled out to the kitchen, leaving a trail of dripping amniotic fluid behind me. There was so much of it! I couldn't believe it! It just kept gushing! Then all of a sudden I had a REAL contraction! Wow! There was a difference between the bh contractions (although they were pretty intense and uncomfortable) and the real thing! I called my friend Laura, who was taking me to the hospital, and my boyfriend, Ken (who met me there) and then my mom. Within 20 minutes, I had already had a dozen or so contractions and they were about a minute and a half apart. I was still praying to get to the hospital in enough time for an epidural, because I was not looking forward to a natural birth. Bring on the drugs! During the 15 minute ride to the hospital, the contractions intensified rapidly in strength, duration and shortened the time between them! We barely got into a room and I was 7cm dialated already. The midwife had already been called, but they weren't sure if she would make it or not. The contractions were one on top of another and very painful. It was obvious I wasn't getting an epidural and I lost control and focus with the pain. I begged for other drugs and a nurse ran to get something for my IV. However, my friend yanked me back into reality, as there wasn't time for any type of drug, as the baby was crowning already & I was pushing on my own! Still no midwife, but 2 strong pushes and Amelia came out anyway! She wimpered a little, but no real cry. Her scores were fine and she appeared lethargic, but healthy! She had such a precipitous birth (2 hours from water breaking to birth!) that she didn't have time to recover. Amelia Faith Wagner entered the world at 12:13am on March 28th, 2011. She weighed 6lbs. 13ozs. and was 20.5 inches.

By 3am we were both cleaned up, our visitors had left and we were settled in our room for the night. While she nursed a little that night, it was clear her little birth had exhausted her beyond belief and all she wanted was to sleep, sleep, sleep! Which was just fine with Mommy! Welcome little Amelia! You are already so sweet and have so many people in love with you! I love you so much already! You round out Abigail and I just beautifully and I promise to love you forever!

Amelia Faith Wagner