What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Thursday, December 31, 2015

In the Hospital





















I had hoped for a homebirth this time around.  I tried my best to find a homebirth midwife for months after finding out I was pregnant- but the only one within two hours was certified for NY and not for PA.  She was in the process of getting her PA licensing but it wouldn't be done until early December at best.  So I got regular prenatal care with a hospital midwife with the hopes that the certification would go through by the time Tiddle would come and we could switch to a homebirth last minute.

I called the week before Tiddle arrived and the paperwork still hadn't come through.  It seemed the Lord wanted to me to have a hospital birth after all.

This was a bit of a stresser for me, having been seven minutes shy of delivering on the highway last time and feeling quite sure that it would happen this time around.  Waiting for Matt to get home from work (an hour drive at best) and then a trip to the hospital (45 minutes at best) seemed like a highway baby might be inevitable if the labor was a short-lived as my previous one.

Praise God, He worked everything out perfectly.  Matt had taken the week off of work so he was home- and there was no need to wait for his hour-long commute to bring him home when it was time. And, despite the drive, we made it to the hospital...though it was a pretty intense drive!

I had had several nights of serious contractions that we thought were 'it' but after HOURS, they eventually stopped.  It is a very discouraging thing to believe you are in labor only for all progress to stop.  By my due date, I was very despairing indeed.  Tuesday the contractions began as they had several times before.  Around 11ish, Matt and I were playing checkers and eating tomato soup when I realized that when it was my turn, I was having a hard time concentrating on my next move.  I may or may not have won that game.  We may or may not have even finished it.  I don't really recall.

We called Matt's parents at 1:30 to come and get the children.  My contractions were five minutes apart at that point and very painful.  I didn't care if it was false labor at that point.  I just needed to go for my own sanity.  We left to go to the hospital.  We forgot the diaper bag.  We forgot the carseat.  We remembered the camera. ;-)

We arrived at the hospital and started for the elevator the very moment Matt's twin brother John (who works at the hospital) was walking out of the very same elevator.  I could barely concentrate on anything through the pain of the contractions but I remember thinking at the time (and have thought many times since) how the Lord used that moment to ground me in Him.  It was one of those small things that pointed so clearly to His perfect timing...every thing, every moment is determined and ordained by Him.  John could have left seconds before.  We could have arrived seconds later.  But....the Lord.  He used John to remind me that everything was going just according to His plan, which was a great comfort to me.

We got up into the room after a very hurried wheelchair ride to labor and delivery!  The nurse was practically running I think.  My eyes were closed most of the time but I remember opening them twice.  Once to see a nurse.  Once to see the on call midwife.  Just a glance at their faces.

And Ineke was born 15 minutes later.

The nurses all couldn't believe I had delivered just 15 minutes after arriving.  I couldn't believe I had made it to the hospital!

She was 8 lbs 15 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long.  Everyone who has seen Ineke has said she is a nice, big baby but after Judah, she seems like a teeny little doll to me.  Joy!

She was a champion nurser from the get-go and a champion pooper too but because Ineke was born so speedily, I had bleeding problems and she had choking issues from the amniotic fluid left in her lungs.  It was a bit worrisome in places but all has been made right at this point and we are both doing very well.  Very well, indeed.

The children are over the moon.  The boys had wanted another boy pretty badly so I was worried that they may be disappointed- but one look at their faces as they held their little sister calmed any fears of that.  Not sure they could have been more smitten!

And that is the story, though short and sweet, of how Ineke came to be!

12 comments:

Ulli said...

Beautiful photos and birth story. But I disagree with your last statement. Ineke came to be in your hearts long before she was ever in your arms!

Bonnie said...

You and your speedy deliveries! And that my dear, is probably why the Lord ordained sweet Ineke to be a hospital baby. While you all were safely in His hands of course, the peace of mind knowing that all necessary emergency personnel etc. etc. we're right at hand instead of an ambulance ride away I'm sure was at least at the back of Matt's mind : ). Sniff her for me, I miss that smell so badly! Love all the pictures!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! What a story! So happy for you! Christina

Unknown said...

Beautiful! What a story! So happy for you! Christina

Unknown said...

Oh, those are such beautiful happy faces! I'm over joyed for you. Thank God for your precious, darling Christmas gift. :)

Regina said...

Congratulations Rebekah! What a beautiful, absolutely perfect little bundle of joy you have there! I love her name too! :)

God Bless,
Regina

MameyJane said...

You and your family radiate JOY! She is beautiful and I'm so happy for you all!

~Amy, a looong time reader

terricheney said...

Oh happy day. If you're accepting requests, kiss the sole of each bitty foot for me. That is my favorite part of baby, lol. She is beautiful, looks like another mini Matt. I am so pleased for you all to have her home before Christmas.

Rosemary said...

A beautiful story, indeed.

rebecca said...

What a beautiful baby! I'm glad you made it on time. I am not scared of a surprise homebirth but I am of a surprise highway birth!

Unknown said...

Wow! How amazing! I've NEVER had a baby come fast! Thanks for sharing! How did you come to pick her name? Curious minds want to know. :)

Abigail said...

The girls pestered me all day yesterday until we sat down together and lingered over these pictures. We were sad not to see her in person on Sunday, but these were the next best thing! She is a dear, little thing, and I love the joy bursting out of all of these pictures. Welcome, Ineke Rose! So glad you and your mama are safe and happy!