Birth Story of Jenna Nicole

Jenna Nicole
December 1992
7 lbs 4ozs

After the birth of my 2nd daughter life was a whirlwind. I was treated for cancer and slowly recovered, was busy caring for my young family, and doing daycare, and going to school. Add to that the fact that we bought our first home, and were very busy in our church and you wouldn't think I would have had time to get pregnant again. The Lord had a surprise for us though and I was thrilled to find myself expecting again in the spring of 92. The pregnancy was delightful and I felt "normal" again, which was a real gift to me.

Toward the middle of the pregnancy the baby's heart rate was irregular. Because of this we were sent for a series of ultrasounds and stress tests for the duration of the pregnancy. I thought this was pretty neat (once I knew she was okay) because I hadn't had any during the other two. It was really fun to see the baby growing and wiggling and to actually see arms and legs and a little mouth. It was during one of these ultrasounds that we found out we were having another girl. That was different too since the other two were a surprise. I was happy about having a girl. My husband was disappointed, for the third time, not to have a son.

The months passed quickly and before I knew it we were in December again. My husband's grandfather died and all the family came from around the country for the funeral. We were busy preparing for that and we weren't thinking much about having a baby since she wasn't due for three more weeks when (surprise) early in the morning I was bathing my girls and my water broke, all over the place. I was so surprised and at first thought I had peed my pants. I quickly got the girls out and dressed and then changed myself. I wasn't having any contractions yet so I drove them to my mom's house and she took Dani to Kindergarten for me and kept Sierra with her. Meanwhile I was trying to get a hold of my husband who was at work. Finally I got him and he came home and took me to the hospital.

We arrived around 8am and I still wasn't having any contractions. The nurses checked me and said they didn't think it was my water and that I was only dialated to a 2. Fortunately my doctor was there for another delivery and he disagreed (knowing my history of quick births) so I was given a room. He had decided that pitocin would get things moving. I didn't argue. So I went to change and my husband went down to the parking lot to get our stuff (we didn't even bring it up in case we weren't staying.) I remember putting on the gown and looking at myself in the mirror thinking this was my last minutes of being pregnant. I had mixed feelings. I was thrilled to see my new daughter and at the same time reluctant to give up the special closeness of a baby nestled under my heart where I could always protect her.

Anyway, while I was thus waxing nostalgic I had a contraction and boy did it hurt. A few minutes and a few contractions later I was in bed and ready to get the show on the road. (without the help of pitocin) Again everything was a blur as I road out wave after wave of pain with no time in-between to catch my breath. Within an hour I went from 2 to 10 and we were ready to push. I gave a push and the doctor said "I see hair, and boy is there a lot of it." Another push or two and she was out. She was my smallest at 7lbs and 4ozs and had long, jet black hair all over her head! Cute!! Welcome Jenna Nicole into the world.

Again I spent the day in a high of contentment and happiness as I helped bring a new life to the world. It was really wonderful. The next morning we went home and needless to say missed the funeral. It was nice that all the family was there to greet the newest member and I think it took some of the sting out of death. The circle of life seemed to unfold before us as we said good-bye (for now) to one loved one, and hello again to another.