The phrase is usually "to make a long story short," however with Rachel, though we waited a long time for her in pregnancy, her arrival story is nothing but short. VERY short...and very quick. So, we'll tell the whole story.
We anticipated having Valerie induced at 7am on July 24th. Here's Val's final photo at the house before we left for the hospital.
The hospital was apparently slammed the night before/morning of, so they postponed our labor induction until 11am. Here's Val prepped and in the hospital shortly thereafter.
The induction began at approximately 1:50pm. At that time, Val was 3cm dilated already. Here's what that looks like!
The laboring began, and the intensity of contractions gradually built until approximately 3:20pm, when Val's water broke. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of that...further, those who would desire pictures of that event have something wrong with themselves (that's nasty, guys...seriously)! At around the same time, the doctor examined Valerie, and found that she was still only 4cm dilated. Due to the increasing pain of the contractions, Val asked for an epidural (which never came...more on that below!).
The epidural preparation took a little while, as the medical staff was being located to perform this procedure. Right as the epidural needle was being inserted, Valerie felt Rachel's head begin to arrive. To almost all medical personnel present, this was deemed improbable, since not even 1 hour earlier Val was only 4cm dilated. However, Valerie was right, the epidural preparation was ceased, and after approximately 4 or 5 pushes and more pain than she had ever experienced in her entire life, Rachel arrived! Valerie was quite simply AMAZING in persevering through much more than she anticipated, and God is inexplicably merciful in allowing for the entire process to be short and endurable. We all praise Him for this remarkable day!
So, the VERY short of the already short story is this: Total Labor Time = 2 hr. 21 min.; Total Pushing Time = less than 5 min.; Statistic of the Day = 4cm to baby in less than 1 hour. Yeah...if we are planning on having any future children, we're going to have to go from early labor to the hospital faster than Uncle Ben's minute rice!
Enough of the story...here are some more pictures of our sweetheart!
Caleb is simply fascinated by her. He has seen other babies before, but for some reason he seemed to know that this one was different from the beginning.
He is still learning how to act around her, but one thing he has absolutely no problem doing...giving her kisses!
We thank you all for your consistent prayer and encouragement during our time carrying and delivering Rachel. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to being an unbelievably blessed family of 4!
7 comments:
oh, praise God! it reminds me of when Josh met ellie! he was love at frist sight...and after today, it was good to remember that sweet time! :)
Val - way to go girl! i don't want to sound corney, but I am so proud of you! What a woman of strength! Might you have number three with no drugs??
I hope you might think about sharing what the Lord was teaching you through that labor!! If not with the world, maybe just me! :)
I love hearing from moms about their birth stories!!
CONGRATS!! May you be blessed!
Congrats Jason and Val! She's a cutie. =)
OMGoodness.....I am so happy for all of you. She is so precious and the picture of Caleb kissing her, put tears in my eyes. When my sister had her first, she pushed a total of 2 times and out popped Travis. Way to go Val. You were made to be a mom. LOL :P~ Blessings to you all.
Faith and Love, st :p~
Congrats Drapeau Family!! The Jacobs are so happy for your new little bundle of joy! She is adorable! I'm sure Caleb will take good care of his new little sister! Many blessings <3
Congratulations! She is beautiful! My friend Melissa had a similar birth story for her second baby! I guess second ones come fast. Looking forward to lots of posts and pictures as she grows up!
Woot! Love the story. Congratulations on the arrival of Rachel. Glad to hear that big brother is settling into his role well. Hugs and love to you all!
I'm so excited for the 4 of you. Congrats! I was in Dallas the past week and just saw your blog. Sorry I did not respond sooner. I can't wait to meet her. PLEASE tell me when you are in York again!!! Miss ya and Luv ya:)
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