Welcome Brandon
Henry!

Born
10/5/07

At 11:11
P.M.

Weighing 9
lbs 1 oz

20 inches
long

Brandon with Heidi (7); Brandon with Caleb (nearly
6); Brandon with Heather (4) ; Brandon with Warren (nearly 2)

Just minutes
after birth, my easiest birth so far. Long Birth Story Details Below.

After weeks of false labor, my midwife,
Kimberly, scheduled me for an induction. All 4 of my previous babies
had had help coming into the world. I finally gave up hope that I
could ever go into labor on my own. I had my choice of any day the
next week, but I had a difficult time choosing. No one day felt any
better than the others. I finally settled for Monday, Columbus day,
since it was Darren`s day off. Later, Kimberly called me at home and
said I could have the baby Friday (tomorrow) if I wanted. Scheduling
for that day made me feel very uneasey, even though it was the day
Darren and I had decided weeks earlier would be the nicest day for
having a baby. I kept my appointment for Monday.

Friday morning about 6am my contractions
started up again, just like they had off and on for the past few
weeks. Except, this time, they felt a little crampy. I also felt an
urgency to get things done. So I rounded up the kids and we started
cleaning. I cleaned the kitchen and took a rest. Cleaned the
bathrooms and took a rest. We all pitched in to clean up the sewing
studio and adjoining playroom. The kids even took turns vacuuming for
me. I rewarded them with sweet tarts. After that I needed a nap. I
went up to bed and Heidi made lunch for everyone, cheese chunks and
grapes with toast. She even managed to keep the kitchen clean. I
slept a little and when I awoke my contractions were about 6 minutes
apart. I climbed in the jacuzzi tub at home for a back relieving
soak. While there I was able to contemplate that I might actully be
in labor. I called my husband who suggested I call Kimberly, “oh,
yes—good idea.” Kimberly said I was most likely in early
labor, a new experience for me, and that when my contractions were
4-5 minutes apart to go to the hospital. I told her I was afraid they
would send me home with a false alarm. She said she would make sure
that didn`t happen. It finally hit me. I was having a baby that
night!

I felt a small amount of motivational
panic. I started repacking the hospital bags. I tossed in a blow up
bath pillow (best idea of the whole day) and a hand held fan (second
best idea of the whole day.) Then I packed home school bags for the
kids to take to grandma`s. I called my mom to let her know I was in
labor. She wondered when she should get the kids. I told her my
contractions were 6 mintues apart and she came right over. I switched
the laundry and straightened up the living room. By then my
contractions were 5 minutes apart so I called my husband. He said he
had one more tax return to do and then he would leave. “How
long will that take?” I wondered. “15 minutes,” he
assured me. So I dumped 3 loads of clothes on our bed to fold. I
stood beside the bed folding clothes when I realized my contractions
were 3 mintues apart. “Faster, faster,” I thought. I
wanted those clothes folded and put away before I had to leave. It
all sounds so silly now. I got the clothes folded, but was too
serious in labor to do any more work. I had to have the house quiet,
no TV, no music. It was time to concentrate. I called Darren. I let
him know it was real and as soon as he could get here it would be
time to go. I could tell by his voice, that he didn`t know if he
should believe me.

We got to the hospital around 7:30. I
needed Darren to do the talking, I had other things to think about. I
was completely effaced and dialted to a 6 by then with a bulging bag
of waters. It all seemed so wonderful to me, to actually be in labor
with my water in tact, without medical intervention. God is so good,
and I have since found out how many people had been praying for me
that exactly that would happen. About 8:30 I started shaking
uncontrollably. I asked Darren to pray for me. “Out loud?”
He wondered. We both have a very deep faith, but we have been bad
about keeping it private from each other. After he prayed, I felt an
incredible peace and an ability to relax away the shaking. About
9:00, I climbed into the hospital jacuzzi. The bath pillow made it
very comfortable for me. When each wave of contractions hit me, I
felt my whole spirit singing, “Give thanks with a grateful
heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He`s given
Jesus Christ, his Son. And now, let the weak say I am strong, let the
poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Give
thanks.” I felt the Lord very near to me. I knew his hand was
on my body and on the tiny life within me. I felt no fear only peace
and thankfulness. About 10:00, I felt a incredible urge to get out of
the tub. Kimberly checked me and accidentally broke my water. I was
an 8. By then I was very hot even though a few minutes before I was
freezing. That fan sure came in handy. I was waiting for transtition
to start. I was talking to myself about not fearing the increased
amount of pain, waiting for those contractions to come right on top
of each other with no rest in between. I then became nauseated and
the consequences of that got me out of the most difficult part of
transition. About 11:00 I just couldn`t sit there one more minute, so
the nurses helped me to my side. Big mistake on my part! By this time
I should have recognized the sign of being completely dilated
(inability to sit still) and just waited for the pushing contractions
to start. As soon as I got on my side, those strong pushing
contractions started. I do not enjoy pushing on my side, so had to
move again. I got in a semi squattig position with the support of
pillows and the hospital bed. I felt very peaceful and in control. I
asked Kimberly to help me not to tear. I was determined to listen to
her and follow her guidance of how fast to push etc. She coached me
very well, and I was in complete control of my body. That HUGE baby
was born very easily with just a few pushes. For the first time I did
not require any stitches after a birth. Praise God! I am fearfully
and wonderfully made, and that my soul knoweth right well.

Thanks Kimberly!