We didn't make it through the weekend! :-)
I woke up on Saturday morning to some contractions. Nothing that would make most women head to the hospital - pretty irregular and not too intense. But, after a couple hours, we decided that we had better not risk it. We canceled our brunch plans with friends, left our sweet boys (who had been off the wall that morning and the evening before...their little bodies knew this baby was coming!) with Miss Fina, and hopped in a cab to the hospital. Only one contraction in the taxi - phew!
We were told, upon arrival, that the delivery ward was full and that we'd have to wait. So, we waited for an hour or more in the lobby, and finally were brought into a delivery room. (And yes, we did wonder during the wait if we should still go to brunch!!!) We were very grateful that this was baby #3 as we found we had to advocate for ourselves on a few things - NOT being put on a pitocin drip, not immediately lying down and being strapped to monitors, etc. Once we convinced the nurses and on staff doctors that I really did not need to be induced with pitocin and that my doctor had agreed to breaking my water and letting the labor come, things went well. We waited another hour or so until they were ready to break my water (when my doctor was close by!), which they did at 2:05pm. That brought on the real labor pretty quickly. And, at 3:30pm our precious little baby was born!
I remember looking down and seeing his beautiful, dark hair and being completely entranced and amazed! For me, the labor process is a most sacred, spiritual experience. One of passing through darkness and pain and suffering, giving blood and water and breath and spirit, to bring an amazing, tiny child into the world. I can't quite describe my feelings of awe for the process and experience.
And relief that it's over!!! :-)
The music that each of children is born to is always very important to me!
This time, it was a list of some of my most beautiful, supernal, peaceful, tender favorites on loop:
Pilgrim's Hymn - Stephen Paulus
Cantique de Jean Racine - Gabriel Faure
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Poston
3 Nocturnes: No 3 Lullaby - Daniel Elder
Ave, Verum Corpus - Imant Raminsh
(If you're wondering, Beau was born to Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen...our boy of eternal light! And, Lewis, our Christmas gift, was born to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker.)
After he was born, and Mike got to cut the cord, they put him right on my chest. That was that. He just stayed there for a good couple hours! In the US, they do respect having skin to skin contact right away, but then it always felt like they were constantly taking the baby away for different reasons. Here, he just stayed, peacefully sleeping on me and nursing when he was ready. It was lovely!
In general, I feel like they value a little more privacy and quiet in the labor process. We were surprised that the nurses often seemed to be out of the room as I labored. It made me just a bit nervous, in fact, since I know how quickly things can go and didn't want to find myself alone when it was time to push! And, after they were finished cleaning up after the birth, they also just left us. It made for a very peaceful beginning.
We weren't able to have the boys come to meet their brother that evening, as it took quite a long time before a post-delivery room opened up for us to be transferred to. But, I was feeling rather weak and depleted, so probably just as well. I did get to chat with my dear friend, Charlotte, with whom I had set up a phone date for that afternoon anyway. That was very special! And, as the time differences slowly lined up, we were able to catch most of the family to give them the news and introduce them to our sweet, little boy!
His stats - He weighed 7lbs 7oz (3.51kg) and measured 19.7in (50cm).
(That's just 2oz bigger than his brothers, who had the same birth weight. I think my body has an eject button when it hits that weight!!!)
Here are some photos from the first hours after David's delivery.
The next morning (after a terrible night's sleep!), the brothers got to come and meet their new little baby! It was really fun! They were both so excited and amazed at their little baby brother. We had a really nice visit. Of course, after a couple hours or so, they were a little too wired! We sent them off to a friend from church who had graciously offered to have them for the day. It was a perfect, happy, fun distraction for them.
Here are the boys visiting!
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| Gotta watch out for those big brothers! |
Then at about 5pm, we were discharged. It was rather fast to leave the hospital - not something to be sought after, in my mind! But, we had decided that we would sleep better in our own, comfy bed without nurses popping in all the time to check my temperature, check my blood pressure, check the baby's temperature, offer to shower the baby at 4am (What? No! Go away...he and we just fell asleep! He doesn't need a middle of the night shower after his evening bath!!!). It was just a little hectic making it home, me still quite fragile, and the boys so excited. But, we did sleep much better that night!
Mike was home on paternity leave for the week, so we entered a happy week at home adjusting to life as a family of five!
Here are some photos of David from Monday - his third day with us...about 48 hours after birth.
And, at the end of that Monday, we felt strongly about what to name him.
His name means "Beloved" "Who is like God".
David is Norah's maternal great-grandfather - David Richard Lewis. It is a very strong family name. We also have long felt a strong attachment to King David from the Old Testament. We love that he was energetic, passionate, artistic, and empathetic, and always loved the Lord, and that through his lineage, the Savior was born.
Michael is, of course, for David's father. I can't think of a more amazing man to name our third son after. I'm so grateful to have him as a role model, care giver, and friend for our boys.
We can't express how much joy little Davey had brought into our home already! We are completely in love!!!
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