Ammon's Birth Story Part 2

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Ammon's Birth Story Part 2

We drove through a snow storm to get to the hospital. It turned out to be a huge blizzard and while I spent the next several days in the hospital, there were apparently thousands of people without electricity. The plan was for me to start the medication to dilate me over night and then start the induction the following morning. The baby was expected to arrive around 11:00 the next morning.

Getting checked in was routine. Putting in the IV took several attempts, which I didn't like. Andrew brought his new dart board with him and threw darts and eventually I settled down to rest and tried to sleep.

At some point the nurse came in and mentioned that the baby was having problems. They asked me to rest on my left side to see if that would help. I was feeling increasingly lousy. I got to the point where I couldn't keep warm. I was just shivering uncontrollably. I wasn't really experiencing any pain, just felt really terrible. I remember thinking that this wasn't at all what I had expected labor to feel like.

After lots of nurses coming in and out of the room, and some blood technicians coming to run some labs, I was told that the doctor was on his way to the hospital. They said that they were concerned about both me and the baby and they needed me to deliver right away. I never dilated more than one cm.

I think that by this time I was only vaguely coherent. I remember them telling me that depending on the results of the blood work, they might have to give me a general because an epidural would be too risky. I knew it was the wrong thing to do, but I secretly hoped they would have to put me out. I just felt too miserable to be conscious for any more of this. Sadly, my wish was granted and I was wheeled into surgery where they had me count backwards starting at 10. I might have gotten to 8...

Before going into surgery, I made Andy promise me that only he could hold my baby before me. I didn't want any other family members swooping in and holding my baby before I had a chance.

The next thing I remember was someone saying, "She's waking up! Quick! Have her hold the baby before she falls asleep again!" My eyes weren't even open, but I felt the baby being placed in my arms. I didn't really have the strength to hold him, though, and he was quickly taken back. At that, the family felt Andy's requirement had been met, and they eagerly passed my precious Ammon around. Someone was feeding me ice chips. I choked on one, felt the excruciating pain of the incision as I coughed, and fell back into a drug induced sleep.

Read the final post about Ammon's birth here.

2 comments:

Heather HDecember 28, 2011 at 3:40 PM
I always like reading other people's birth stories, its amazing how different they all are. Yours sounds a bit scary, but funny that you holding the baby while basically unconcious "counted". :)
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MichelleDecember 31, 2011 at 10:20 AM
What a huge sacrifice to bring that amazing boy into the world!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.