Isaac's Birth Story

I am so sorry for those who have been waiting to read this. I honestly think about finishing it every single day and each day passes without it being done. Over and over. I can't believe it's already been three weeks since my beautiful, sweet boy was born. Our home is filled with so much love and happiness, amidst all the tears. I can't believe I've lived this long without Isaac in my life. In his short life so far he has changed me, given me purpose, and altered my entire perspective on life. I love him with my whole heart and soul. If this is even a glimpse of what our Father in Heaven feels for us, I cannot even begin to fathom the kind of unconditional love that He must have for us.

My whole pregnancy passed by in a blur of excitement and changes. It seemed like 9 months had never gone by so fast, at least until the last two weeks or so. Everyone had always told me the last trimester lasted as long as the whole pregnancy, but for me it all went by really quick until I hit about 38 weeks. I felt a change in my energy levels decrease, an urgency in my desire to get my body back, and an overall unshakable anticipation regarding the unforeseeable near future events that would take place. Our goal was to make it to the new year in hopes that we would qualify for paid maternity leave through my work, but we had no idea if we would make it, and when he would actually make his grand entrance. We had a minor hiccup only the Thursday before the new year when we went to the doctor for my 39 week checkup and my blood pressure was high. Dr. Asay was concerned and wanted to have it tested again, along with some blood work. We ended up "passing" and were able to go home with strict orders to take it easy, and I honestly believe it if my bp hadn't have gone down we would have been sent to the hospital that night. At that appointment we scheduled to meet again on the 3rd if he hadn't decided to come by then. We also talked about possible induction dates, which at that time would have been the 6th or 7th, but that would all be decided on the 3rd.

New Years Eve we waited in anticipation as we hung out with Austin's family, counting down the hours as we celebrated together. As soon as we made it to midnight, a sigh of relief washed over me and I felt extremely blessed. The Lord truly knew I needed the time with Isaac and we needed the financial security that the new year brought.

The next few days came and went, passing his due date on Jan. 2nd, and once again we were back in the doctor's office. I was a little anxious not knowing how far dilated I was or when to expect to be induced, but also in utter belief that we were so close to having our baby boy here. Dr. Asay checked me out again, found that I was at about 1.5 cm and then basically said, "Well, tomorrow's my induction day (each doctor in the office has a day of the week that they schedule their patient's inductions and here's was the next day), do you want to have a baby tomorrow?" Honestly, it threw me for a freaking loop. I knew we had talked about being induced that weekend, but I had no idea she was going to want to do it the next day! However, Austin and I looked at each other and nodded our heads that we did in fact want to have our baby the next day. I was in utter disbelief as we finished the paperwork and talked the plans over for the next day. Our baby boy was coming! And sooner than I thought!

We left the clinic and ran some errands and while we were out I called my mom. I told her we were having the baby the next day. They had basically been on call to head up here whenever things started to progress anyway so when my dad got home that afternoon they prepared to drive up. We completed our errands and headed home so that Austin could get ready for work. While he was at work I sat at home making sure everything was as ready as could be. I also sat in anticipation wondering and imagining what the next day would be. I had been preparing and studying, but I honestly had no idea how my body would react or what to expect since I had never had anything more than my wisdom teeth taken out. I was filled with anticipation, but also excitement.

After Austin came home from work around 11 we went to bed. We were supposed to show up at the hospital at 6 am so I set my alarm for 4:30 and tried to get some rest. However, sleep did not come easily and sometime between 2 and 3 am the pain got severe enough that I couldn't sleep anymore. I started timing the contractions and they were about a minute long and about 5-7 mins apart for a half hour. By 3:30 I was up and woke Austin up. I told him what was happening and we started getting ready to go to the hospital. Austin gave me a blessing right before we left and in it he stated that everything would be ok and that I would feel at peace. It was interesting that after all of the anticipation and apprehension leading up to giving birth that when everything actually started happening I felt extremely calm and at peace.

We arrived at the hospital around 4:45 and because I was going to be admitted at 6 anyway they just put me in a room right away and started getting everything set up. I was still in a quite a bit of pain and even though I was only at a 3 they said I could ask for an epidural at any time so I requested it and sometime after 7 the anesthesiologist finally came in. Once the epidural was in I was in pure heaven and was able to sleep. They said that since I was progressing on my own I wouldn't need any pitocin at that point. They checked me again and I was about the same so they just let it play out. Amy was my nurse and she was absolutely wonderful. Since she works the day shift she knew Austin's mom well so it was fun to talk with her with Karen there. Karen was supposed to work that day, but was put on call so she hung out with us. I slowly progressed as the day wore on so eventually they gave me some pitocin to speed up the contractions. They kept moving me from side to side, but he was being pretty stubborn and really only seemed to like it when I was simply lying on my back.

Around 1 pm my family arrived, which was awesome, but I was still only about 5 cm. We all hung out and they came and went for most of the afternoon into the evening. I was hoping for a max of 10-12 hours of labor, but 4:45 pm came and went. And by 6 pm my nurse Amy ended her shift and my night nurse Courtni showed up. Things progressed well through the next hour and they started prepping for delivery. My sisters stayed in the room behind their books and facetimed my brother. They cracked me up with their side comments and it was funny to have them there without them actually witnessing anything. Around 7:30 I was instructed to start pushing. Delivery was hard. It was painful as my epidural started to wear off right at the hardest part. Dr. Asay had a hard time getting around his head because of his thick hair. She said she had never seen that much hair on a newborn. After about an hour our baby boy finally made his entrance into the world! Isaac Layne was born at 8:46 pm weighing 8 lbs and 5 oz and measured 21 inches tall. He had the darkest hair and eyes when I first looked at it, but absolutely beautiful!

I had been so focused on my breathing and pushing that when he finally made it out and they put him on my chest, I lost it. I still tear up just thinking about it. It was such a sweet and tender moment for me. I felt like that was the moment that everything in my life led up to. In that moment I looked up at Austin and everything just felt so perfect. How had I ever lived without my sweet boys in my life? There are so many more feelings that were in my heart that are so indescribable and that are so sacred to me. Everyone had told me, but until I experienced it for myself I had no idea how it would feel. But bringing Isaac into the world alongside by best friend and love is tied for the best moment of my life with being sealed to Austin. I love our family and our sweet baby boy. He is the best thing along with his daddy that has ever happened to me. I am so blessed with the life that I have been given and I'm grateful for all the hardships, the wrong turns, the lessons learned, along with all of the blessings that have led me to exactly where I am.

It's been three weeks since my baby boy entered the world. These last three weeks have been exhausting and have stretched me in ways that I never would've imagined. I have a purpose and a new role in my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world.