Faith Lynn Winters

Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to write it all out while it was fresh in my mind.

If having four children has taught me anything it is to “Expect the Unexpected.” I am known for being a lady with a plan and believe with my whole heart that God has used every single pregnancy, labor and delivery of mine to humble me and prove that He is in charge. I may have had ever labor experience there is and I’m not going to pretend that I have all the answers, because I don’t. But I do have one piece of advice for expecting Mom’s. While it is wonderful to have a plan, be prepared for things not to go the way you planned and don’t let fear consume you. You have the strength to overcome whatever comes your way. A quick review of my history of previous labors… Baby #1 Nevaeh Marie Winters – This “little one” decided she wanted to cook extra long. So doctors induced my labor at 41 weeks. I labored for 26 hours, pushed for over 2 hours when doctors urged me to consent to a C-section for the safety of the baby. I had never even thought of or considered a C-section. So I was consumed with fear when the doctor mentioned surgery. The surgery was successful and turned out that the reason we were having trouble delivering was because she was 11 lbs 5 oz! Baby #2 Trinity Elise Winters- Nevaeh was only 3 months old when I found out I was expecting this little lady. Doctors immediately decided for me that C-section was my only option because of there only being an 11 month age difference. Being that I had experienced a C-section already I wasn’t nearly as afraid this time around. I did feel cheated in a way from not getting the “exciting labor” experience. She was born on her due date and was 7lbs 5oz. Baby #3 Selah Desirae Winters- We had a 3 year age gap between Trinity and Selah so we fought hard to find a doctor that would let me deliver VBAC and found the ever wonderful Dr. Vera Stucky. Selah however decided she wanted to “cook” a little longer too. So we had a scheduled induction at 41 weeks. I planned on things slowly progressing as they did with my labor with Nevaeh but the second they administered pitocin my contractions came fast and with a vengeance. Luckily I opted for an epidural and after a grand total of a 17 hour labor Selah entered the world at 9lbs 2 oz. So induction ending in C-section, scheduled C-section, successful VBAC with aide of epidural, so what’s missing? Oh the “Hollywood,” barely made it to the hospital, get out of my way the baby is coming now experience. So here is story of how Faith Lynn entered the world. Thursday May 3rd. I had been experiencing pre labor contractions for over 2 weeks, mildly painful and was having them more consistently all day Thursday along with some mild cramping. Jason came home from work just before 10pm and I was having mildly painful contractions 10 minutes apart. We debated whether or not we should go in for fear they would send us home as they did the week before. We called and they said it was fine to come in to be checked. So we the left the house after 1030pm and while on the road, literally only 5 minutes into the drive, my contractions started coming faster and stronger. I started breathing harder and Jason started driving faster. We got to the hospital, parked, wheeled to the 4th floor and set up in an exam room about 1115pm. The nurse checked me and I was 5 cm fully effaced and my contractions were less than 2 minutes apart. Then a hard contraction hit and oh boy it was a “fun” one. I remembered from my Lamaze class that standing and holding your spouse while breathing through a contraction was helpful. So Jason helped me to my feet and another one hit, it didn’t help. I nearly fell to the floor. The nurse came into to take me to our room, at this point my contractions were merely seconds apart and I tried my best to breathe and relax but could not get on top of the pain. I had every intention of getting an epidural but there was no time. The nurses were still trying to get the room prepped for delivery and my bed wasn’t even fully put together. I made it to my room and barely got into my bed when the mother of all contractions hit. At this point I was starting to become a little delusional because of the pain. I started shouting to the nurses that I felt the need to push, they were frantic and told me not to and focus on my breathing. But the next contraction came, I took in a deep breathe and out came a wail! It scared Jason, myself and everyone in the room. I would have paid money to see the faces on the women who were in the rooms next to mine. I wouldn’t be surprised if they started asking their nurses for pain meds if they weren't already hooked up already. This baby was coming and she was coming now! I didn’t know up from down at this point, I heard my Mom and sister’s voice, my husband was by my side encouraging me and that was what got me through this. There were a few more contractions, a few more screams that I’m sure the entire hospital heard, then with one final push my water finally broke and Faith Lynn entered the world. The second they put her on my chest the pain melted away. She was born at 12:04 am, that’s right active labor started after 11:15pm and she was born about 45 minutes later! Faith weighed in at 8lbs 1 oz and measured 19.5 inches.

Because of how rapidly labor progressed I was over whelmed with fear. I repeated over and over that I was so scared. The pain came so quickly and intensely I just couldn’t get the upper hand. But now that I have gone through it and have had a 100% drug free delivery I can say, while painful, it can be done. Our bodies know what to do even though we may be too afraid to accept it. I had an amazing support group who coached and supported me along the way and I now have a happy and healthy baby girl. I have always been pro epidural because of my fear of the pain involved with delivering a baby. If you feel like you are going to be pregnant forever or feel like you are going to be in labor forever, don’t be afraid, that baby is coming out one way or another. If you have the intention of a vaginal delivery and you end up have a C-section, don’t be afraid, you have the strength to get through it. If you have every intention of having pain medication during delivery but run out of time, don’t be afraid, you have the strength to get through it. I was afraid, no I was terrified and don’t want that to be the experience my fellow Mommy’s to be to have. Take comfort in knowing we are given the strength to get through this.