It's easy to remember the day Beth was born for she was our first. John and I had been at my parents the night before having dinner. I wasn't feeling well because I had been to the doctor that day (Oct. 23) and he was putting me in the next day (Oct. 24) to be induced. I was having major back labor and feeling awful. But Mom made my favorite dinner of steak, baked potato and salad so I could have a good meal before the "big day." Unfortunately, I didn't feel like eating so as soon as John finished his steak we left. I got in the bed as soon as we got home because I just felt really bad and I needed to get some sleep before the next day. I started having some pains but wasn't sure it was "labor" pains. Now, we took all the classes and had all the info on having a baby. But, until you actually are in labor for the first time and someone verifies that fact, you're not sure. Ladies, you all know what I mean. You can be the most prepared for the blessed event but until you actually experience it firsthand, you are clueless!! As the pains got closer, I told John to get ready. I called my doctor and was told to head to the hospital, it was 10:15 p.m. My pains were about 5 minutes apart. We got to the hospital and I was put in the wheelchair and taken to Labor and Delivery. Once there, I was put in a room, given the LOVELY gown to put on and got in the bed. John had to wait in the waiting room until I was prepped. During all of this I was having pains fairly regularly. A nurse came in to get some info from me. I answered all her questions then she asked me one more.........."You don't remember me, do you?" Now, I'm in pain like I've never felt before and this nurse is expecting me to remember her from somewhere!!!! She did look familiar but I couldn't place her. She said, "You were in the popular group so you probably don't remember me." All I could think of was grabbing her and saying "Get me some pain medicine NOW!!!" But she continued on, "I was in your senior English class." "O.K., yes, your name is Gerry", I said. She responded, "You don't remember my last name?" Finally I'd had enough and said, "No, I'm sorry I don't because I'm in labor and it hurts!" She got the point after telling me her last name, and said she was finished with her shift and the night staff would be in to get me prepped for delivery. Thank you, Gerry. Now what happened next was not pleasant. I must have pissed off Gerry because the night nurse didn't come in. I kept waiting and waiting not knowing what to do since this was my first experience at this. I put the pillow over my mouth every time a pain would hit. Being a nice person I didn't want to disturb anyone else. After an eternity, my doctor came in to check on me. The next thing I knew, he was yelling for the nurse and letting her have it for not having me prepped. Gerry didn't tell this nurse I was actually there. She mentioned my name but the night nurse assumed Gerry was referring to the board showing I was to be induced in the morning. No one on the night staff knew I was in a room in labor!!! The nurse asked why I didn't call someone and I told her this was my first baby and I didn't know what in the heck was going on. The one great thing that came out of this was I was too far along to have the dreaded ENEMA!! I had heard horror stories about having them. Next came the epidural. I was dreading that long needle with everything in me but by the time the guy came in to give it to me, I was begging for relief! Once it took effect, I was feeling just fine. Off to the delivery room, I finally saw John for the first time. He was sitting at my head as the doctor was telling me to push. Next thing I knew, a baby was crying. I was so excited when he said, "It's a girl!" 7 lbs. 6 oz.; 19 1/2 inches long; born at 1:32 a.m. I looked at John but he wasn't sitting at my head any longer. I asked the nurse where he was. She said when the doctor said it was a girl, he got up and left the room looking a little green! We were all thrilled and the first thing I said to my mother was "We can buy dolls now!", which was a joke because Beth NEVER liked dolls! The next 2 days were a blur. Evidently I was having a reaction to something they were giving me. I was telling guests that I knew the girl in the bed next to me because we skated on my grandfather's pond together. I didn't know her from Adam!! Then someone asked me if my stitches hurt and I told them "You mean where I stuck the fork in my foot?" Everytime I looked at John after I said something, he was cracking up laughing. I knew something wasn't right. The nurse wouldn't leave me alone with Beth because she was afraid I would drop her on the floor. Everyone got a big laugh at my expense. It was finally determined that the pain meds were making me "looney tunes." I wouldn't let John leave me because I didn't know what I would say to the next person that walked in. On the third day, everything was back to normal. Yes, we got to stay in the hospital 3-4 days after having a baby. It was a luxury! Now to our precious Beth........ you always think your own baby is beautiful. BUT, Beth had to be pulled out with forceps and she had scratched her face with her long fingernails. My mother put it best. "She looks like one of the Coneheads from Sat. Night Live!" Her head was shaped like a cone, really, it was. She was scratched all over her face, so she wasn't the most beautiful baby you've ever seen. We've told her this, she has seen the pictures and understands. But she was ours, she was healthy and we loved her at first sight. We were thrilled and blessed. Even though John wanted a boy, she has ALWAYS had her dad wrapped around her finger since she was tiny. I look at Beth today and am overjoyed for the experience she and Ben will have with this first baby. I can repeat everything about my knowledge of childbirth to them, but until you experience it firsthand, you won't understand what a miracle it is. It is a blessing from God. He knows the path little Elliotte will take because He has "knit her together in her mother's womb." I for one, can't wait to see this beautiful creature God has created. And yes, she will be beautiful to me, no matter what she comes out looking like!
Until next time, look for your blessings and give praise to the Father. Love to all.
Beth, 2 days old. We both look like we've been through it!
Beth, 4 weeks old and beautiful!
I guess the birth of Kyle and I will be in your next blog?
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