Birth Story of Hannah Margaret

Hannah Margaret
August 1999
8 lbs 6 ozs

It's funny how life unfolds. After having 3 beautiful daughters in five years I found myself a single mother. The marriage wasn't a healthy one and I wanted to show them how beautiful life could be and how to value themselves and I had to do that by example. I really thought that I would have a small family of three and that I would be happy with that. As usual my plans were upturned with a surprise when I met a wonderful man who loved me and my girls and we decided to make a new, healthy family together. We married in June of 1998 and in November were expecting a baby, his first, my fourth.

The pregnancy was a special time for all of us. The girls were excited to have a new baby around. Rob spoiled and pampered me and we all anxiously awaited the arrival of baby Hannah. We found out we were having a girl at our 20 week ultrasound and celebrated with a trip to the zoo. Don't ask me why the zoo, but it was a special day.

The baby was due in August and I barely survived the heat of my first TX summer. Luckily we had friends with pools and had air-conditioning. Finally August came and I was ready. My family was out visiting and on the last weekend before my Dad had to fly home I really hoped we would have a baby. After a full day Saturday we went to bed with everyone hoping it would be that night. She wasn't due for a week but the other girls were all a little early so I felt like there was a chance.

Early in the morning I woke up with contractions! I think it was around 4am. I excitedly woke up my husband and said this may be it. It took about 1/2 an hour for us to be convinced and then we quietly snuck out of the house and drove the 1/2 hour to the hospital. By the time we got there I was having contractions every few minutes and wasn't enjoying it one bit. We went upstairs and told the nurses we were there. A very nice nurse showed me to the LDR room and Rob ran out to repark the car in a legal spot. I changed and climbed up on the bed where he found me when he returned a short time later. Since she was "sunnyside up" and I was having back labor being on my hands and knees was the only way I could cope. The nurses tried to be very helpful but frankly I found their questions bothersome and the IV a real pain. I refused to move so they had to try and stick me with my hand supporting my weight. I ended up bleeding all over the floor but since I didn't want to have an IV in the first place I didn't feel very badly about it.

My husband was a wonderful support. He wiped my back and encouraged me and tried to intervene as much as possible. I was working hard and soon it was time to deliver. The doctor came in and insisted that I turn to my back so I reluctantly did. We pushed for what seemed like a long time and finally out came Hannah Margaret. She was born a little after 7am and no one was even awake when we called home to let them all know! She was 8lbs 6ozs and very sweet. After her birth she was able to stay with us the whole time. We spent one night in the hospital and Dad did get to see his newest grandbaby. Rob slept on the couch or next to me on the bed all night and it wasn't really very restful for any of us. Hannah cried a lot that first night and I was eager to get home where we could really rest. Of course we were thrilled with our new baby and it was so special to see her be greeted by her big sisters but again a hospital birth was lacking in some of the freedom and comfort I would have liked. Maybe next time we will be brave enough to try something different!

Well, after reading and enjoying so many birth stories I am happy to have had a chance to share mine. I was blessed with quick labors and so have short stories but hopefully someone will find something useful or entertaining in them.