Emily's Birth Day

Our calendar was marked for Little Tink’s due date, October 20, 2012.  However, we were unsure when she was really due to arrive.  Nelson and I had been anticipating our sweet angel’s arrival with great wonder.  We often discussed what she would look like, when she would come, and what the day would be like when she did come.  Some of what we imagined came true, while other events were surprises.

Little Tink’s story begins on Sunday, September 23, 2012.  The day began as usual preparing with Nelson and me preparing for church.  For the past few weeks, I had had some intermittent contractions, but nothing regular.  As we arrived at church and sacrament meeting progressed, my lower back started to ache.  Since the pain was consistent without changing intervals, I thought I had just slept funny.  I tried to push the pain away, but it continued to increase throughout the day.  Sometimes it was more intense than others, subsiding in the afternoon for a while.  Tenderly, Nelson continued to check-in with me about my pain and asking if I wanted to go to the hospital.  I continued to push away the idea as I was afraid the hospital would send me home for false labor. 

As we prepared for bed, I felt an even greater sense of pain and a loss of my bladder control.  For the past few days, I had felt at times I was “leaking.”  However, I was not certain.  As I lay down, Little Tink kicked and I sensed a “pop.”  I rushed to the bathroom, although I had already been a few minutes ago, and water gushed out.  Within minutes, the pain in my lower back transferred to my abdomen.  The pain was frequent while increasing in duration and intensity.  Anxiously, I awoke Nelson and said, “I think we better go.”  He quickly sat up, got dressed, and helped gather our things in the car.  Meanwhile, I was nervously considering how our life was really changing now.  Little Tink was on her way!  There was no more time to imagine this new life we dreamed of, her fairy tale was composing.

On the way to the hospital, Nelson was a great driver, but I lost focus as the navigator during a contraction.  As such we became a little disoriented from our usual route, especially in the dark.  However, we soon found the hospital and maternity entrance.  When we entered the nurses asked, “How can we help you?”  I said, “I think I am in labor.”  Part of me wanted to say, why else would I be here? They showed us to a room.  In the room the nurses monitored my contractions, discovering they were three minutes apart.  I was not sure if my water broke, so they did some different tests.  After which, they told me I was dilated to a 4.  The intensity and frequency of the contractions continued to increase quickly.  I was hoping for an epidural soon, but the process to be admitted was a bit slow (we aren’t certain why). 

Finally, the labor and delivery nurse, Clara, came for me.  We arrived in our room around midnight understanding that the anesthesiologist was on his way.  I don’t think I am a wimp for pain, but these contractions were becoming quite sharp.  I greatly anticipated the epidural.  Once it was administered I felt so relieved and could enjoy the delivery more. 

After the epidural, Clara checked me again.  It was now about 3:00 am.  I was then dilated to a 10 and 100% effaced.  WOW!  Pushing would have to wait as I had tested positive for Strep B and needed some antibiotics.  She quickly began to administer the antibiotic.  Nelson and I visited and tried to sleep knowing changes would be coming quickly.

Around 4:30 am, the antibiotics were complete and things were ready for me to push.  We were hoping our doctor, Dr. Linnerson, would be able to administer the delivery.   However, he wasn’t due to arrive to the hospital until 6:00 am.  At this point, Nelson could see Little Tink’s head.  The nurse exclaimed, “She has a lot of hair!”  They brought in a mirror so that I could see.  I was a little hesitant, but it was really neat to see.  I pushed for about an hour all the while anticipating hearing her first cry.  At 5:40 am her little squeal was heard.    

 

For months, I had dreamed and wondered what it would be like to see her for the first time.  I was worried they wouldn’t let me hold her for a while, but that was the first place they put her – right on my chest.  Witnessing her arrival was a miracle.  As I saw her for the first time in my arms and heard her cry, it seemed heaven and earth connected.  I felt not only her sweet spirit enter the room, but guardian angels.  They seemed to swoop down around her and me – a touch of pixie dust.  I think they were showing her the way to earth’s Neverland adventure.

The hospital we delivered at emphasizes “skin-to-skin” care.  As such, I held Little Tink for the first 20-30 minutes.  She cried most of the time, which made me a little nervous.  I kept asking the nurse if everything was okay.  She reassured me that her crying was perfectly normal.  Nelson was able to help with the footprints and weight check.  He was so excited about seeing her and took many pictures.

The magic of Tink’s arrival continued as I witnessed my sweetheart Nelson hold Little Tink for the first time.  It seemed the glisten in his eyes spoke of his delight that he was a Daddy!  This precious gift from heaven was ours to have and hold forever.

Little Tink was beautiful!  Even though I had wondered what she would look like for so long, she was just what I imagined – a perfect angel.  I think time stood still the moment she was born.  In some ways I felt it was surreal – I was a Mommy!  I wanted to capture everything about her – the sound of her cry, her sweet smell, and the presence of every feature.

 

 

 

Emily is the little angel of our home.  We love cuddling with her, examining her miniature features, singing songs, gaze at her dark eyes, and watching her find her tiny thumb.  It is hard to imagine life without her.  She brings glistens of pixie dust to our home each day.  Emily is our “Happy Thought.”