Nora's Birth Story

Nora Kathryn was born August 13th at 2:22 a.m., and what a great day it was.  As everyone knows, I planned so much for this delivery, that I was going to make sure that it would be a memorable, enjoyable experience for me, and Chris.  It was everything I expected, but not as I planned.  I woke up on the 12th with a "bloody show", and no contractions.  With that, I was determined that she would be born within the next 24 hours.  So, I set out to walk my butt off.  Evy and I went to a parent/teacher conference to set her up for the year, and then went to Opry Mills to walk and shop.  During this time at Opry Mills, I started having contractions that were harder than the braxton hicks, but not consistent, and not hard enough for me to think I was in active labor. 
Later that night while we were eating dinner at home, Mom called to see how I was doing, and to see if Evy could spend the night with her.  I took her up on it, just in case. 

Around 10:00 that night, contractions got closer together, and harder.  I called my doula, Amy to let her know what was going on.  She told me to start timing the length of the contraction, then call her back.  The contractions lasted about 35- 45 seconds long, so I called her back, and she told me to just lay down, and try to get some rest, and call her when they got around a minute long. 

Around 11:30  they were about 3 minutes apart, and around a minute in lenth, so I called her, and she drove out to check my progress.  Once she was here, she checked my dilation, and I was already 10 cm, and Nora's head was low.  She said," oh, let's get ready to go to the hospital!" 

Long story short- I thought I was going to have Nora in the car, but made it to the hospital just in time to push her out within a few minutes!!  It was amazing!!  I never at any point thought that I wanted drugs, or that I had made a mistake to have her natural.  It was such an incredible event.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to video any of it, because everything happened so fast.  We forgot our camera, and my aunt Cheryl, who was going to be there, would have never made it in time. 

I have a few people to thank for all their encouragement, and help during the time of my preperation of having Nora naturally.  First, I have to thank Joey and Amy Pippin for introducing me to the knowledge of home birth.  Without  them, I would never have known about a drug free birth.  Amy was also my amazing doula.  Stacie Funk for allowing me to be apart of her water birth.  Brenda Causey, for giving me all the info on a drug free hospital birth.  And Lauren Lockhart for her added advice on both home births and hospital drug free births.  My husband, Chris for just following my lead on wanting to do this in the first place. 

I would encourage any woman who wants to get pregnant, or is pregnant, to explore your options, and do your research. 

Thanks to Joey Pippin for taking maternity pictures of me and Evy, which I will post soon, and Angie Gambill for taking beautiful newborn pics of Nora. 

 

Nora's Birthday - Coming SOON!!

I know, I know...I haven't updated my blog in such a long time.  Well, there is so much to tell!  Where do I begin?  As everyone knows, I'm expecting my second and final child, Nora.  I am 37 weeks as of today, and feeling very anxious to see her.  This pregnancy has been such a roller coaster ride for me, and Chris, that I feel like I'm ready to just throw up! 

We started to "try" to get pregnant about two years ago.  When I finally did get pregnant, I was so sick, that I was starting to wonder what I had done!  With Evy, there was morning sickness, but nothing like this.  Terrible migraine headaches for the first four months, about 5 out of 7 days, plus morning sickness, is what I experienced.  Needless to say, I was no picnic to be around.  I do feel sorry for Evy and Chris. 

Nora developed normally, and by the time I was feeling well, around 6 months along, I started thinking about how I wanted to bring her into this world.  Almost a year ago, I was apart of videoing a home birth.  Before doing this, I thought it was the craziest thing I ever heard of!  Why would any woman want to put herself through so much pain, and not to mention, risks of putting the baby's life in danger!!?  But, after really opening my mind to it, I accepted it, and was very curious. 

I believe that God puts people in your life for a reason, and after experiencing this way of birthing, it opened my eyes.  The mom was so overjoyed, and the baby was thriving.  It was amazing.  I left that house early that morning feeling empowered.  I had just experienced something most women would never even view or think about.  Now, don't get me wrong, every birth is a miracle, and special in it's own way.  But, from what I had experienced from having Evy, and seeing the dramatic shows on birthing on TLC or Discover, I thought all were the same.  You go to a hospital, they put an IV in your arm, and you get drugs to numb whatever is going on.  Sometimes, it results in an emergency. 

I didn't want the same ole' same ole' birth.  I knew this would be my last pregnancy, and I wanted to experience it to the fullest.  I am a baby when it comes to pain, but this was different.  What I saw the night of the home birth is what I wanted!  I started doing my research.  But how could I convince Chris?  He would think I was CRAZY!  I had heard about a documentry that was released a couple of years ago called, The Business of Being Born, and I bought it.  Chris agreed to watch it with me, and boy was I glad!  It was very informative, and I highly recommend it!  It just shows the pros and cons of natural childbirth vs drugged induced births. 

Natural doesn't mean having a baby at home.  This was not in the cards for me, even though I wouldn't mind it, but our insurance became a problem.  So I did the next best thing.  I fired my old OB, and went to the Vanderbilt Midwives Group.  They are a team of midwives that work under an OB at Vanderbilt.  I will have Nora at the hospital, but with a midwife instead of a doctor.  I also have the option to do a waterbirth which I plan on doing.  Vanderbilt is the only hospital in Nashville, that has the least interventions, and are very pro mom and baby/no drugs.  I have also hired a doula, to help me manage my pain before I arrive at the hospital, and help me through transitions during labor. 

What does Chris think about all of this?  He's rolling with the punches!  He wants what I want, and seems to be happy with all the decisions.  It's been tough for him to understand, but he's doing a great job just supporting me.  My family for the most part is supportive.  Most of my friends look at me funny when I tell them what I'm doing, but I know this is the right thing for me.  With all that said, please pray for us that God will help us have a healthy birth, and happy baby too!   

BTW...the pics of Evy and my mom were taken yesterday when they went with me for my weekly check-up.  They were hearing Nora's heartbeat for the first time.  Priceless! 

To see the home birth video that I edited go to the "Screening Room" tab on this page, and click on the 5th video on that page. 

Evy's 3rd year video

I finally finished Evy's 3 year video!!  Every year since she was born, I've put together a highlight video of the year with Evelyn.  This year's took a little longer due to my pregnancy.  I shot some of the footage with this certain song in mind.  The rest is just "filler video" that I shot when we went to Disney, or her at gymnastics, or whatever event that was going on at school.  Don't forget to have your volume up, and check it out!! 

Click To Play

 

 

Evy's new toy

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 I flew to Virgina over the weekend to visit one of my best friends, LeeAnne.  I got to stay with her and her fiance', Craig in their beautiful home in Ashburn.  LeeAnne is not my typical friend.  She showers me with gifts and cards for no reason sometimes, and since Evy's been in her life, she's starting to do the same with her.  She is known to me only as, "the crazy card lady".  I love her, and for this, I videoed Evy with her newest present from her Aunt LeeAnne.  She loves it of course, and it is driving me crazy!  I hear it in my sleep!  Thanks LeeAnne!

It's A GIRL!!!

We went for our second ultrasound last Thursday, and found out that Miss Evy is having a baby sister!  She got to go with us to the "viewing", and I'm so glad I decided to take her.  They had a big screen TV on the wall for everyone to see well, and also did some 3D images with it.  I had a bad experience with the last two ultrasounds at Baptist, that when my doctor was scheduling the appointment, I expressed how I was not pleased with their techs.  So he sent me to INNER VISION on Murphy.  I LOVED IT!!!  They were very friendly and included Evy in everything.  So.....We've decided to call the baby Nora, and I'm not sure what her middle name will be, so we're open to suggestions!!!