My son Drayden was born on October 10, 2016! His due date was October 14th, so he was full term. He is now one month old. I was planning on sharing his birth story soon after birth, but life happened and I wasn’t expecting to experience so many emotions. Drayden’s birth did not match my birth plan, but a healthy baby boy was born in the process and that is all that matters.
So let’s get to it. On October 7th & 8th, I was exhausted. I slept sooooo much. I assume my body was preparing itself for labor. My husband was working the night shift that week and on the 8th I text him that I felt different and to be by his phone in case I go into labor. Well I didn’t go into labor that night but soon after he came home on the 9th, labor happened. I called my doctor because I thought my water broke, but I wasn’t sure. She told me to come in. As soon as I hung up the phone, contractions started. I couldn’t believe it. I had not had any Braxton hicks contractions throughout my pregnancy so I had no idea what contractions would feel like. They were INTENSE! The first few were okay, but they became super intense and very close together real fast. They started off about 5-6 minutes apart but very quickly that turned into 2 to 3 minutes apart. I just knew I was dilating fast! We needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I took a shower while they were further apart and let hubs rest during that time. I mean he had just worked a 10 hour night shift. He needed to rest as long as he could. I woke him up and said okay now you can get dressed and pack up the car. Everything was already together by the door.
Now by the time I got in the car, the pain was becoming more & more intense. I was breathing through each contraction and remembering what I learned in my lamaze class. I really wanted to give birth naturally with no medication. Once we made it to the hospital around 1pm, they hooked me up to see the contractions and definitely knew I was in labor. My parents made it to my room & at this point the pain was almost unbearable. I just knew I was about to enter the transition phase. They checked me to see how much I was dilated and she said I was 4 centimeters…I was in disbelief. ONLY 4 CENTIMETERS?! Then why are my contractions coming so strong & so close together?? My doctor couldn’t answer that question. They asked me if I wanted an epidural. I said YES! This is unbearable and I’m only 4 centimeters. I thought I would be further along than that. I felt defeated already. Hubs tried to talk me out of it (I asked him to do that) but in the end, I got the epidural. I felt sooooo much better. I could actually enjoy this process with my family. But as each hour passed, I began to regret my decision. I was wondering why things were taking so long. The day has come & gone, my baby should be here by now. Then at one point his oxygen levels began to fall. I was scared. They gave me an oxygen mask to put on to help with it.
Around 1am (12 hours after arriving to the hospital) my doctor said she would give it 3-4 more hours for me to fully dilate until we had to have a c-section (I was stuck at 8-9cm for HOURS and it would not budge). Throughout my pregnancy, I told her how I did not want to have a c-section unless it was absolutely necessary. She understood that so I knew that it was the final option. I had my worship music playing. I was praying so much for a vaginal delivery but I always ended my prayer with “but thy will be done Lord. I just want my baby boy to arrive safely and be healthy.” When she came and checked the last time, no additional progress had been made. She had to get the ball rolling on the c-section. I cried. I cried a lot. I prayed. I prayed a lot. But I understood what had to be done.
Thankfully my husband was there through it all praying with me & encouraging me along the way. We had a healthy baby boy at 6:04am on 10/10/16. He was 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and 20 inches long.
During the time I was praying prior to getting the c-section, I dozed off at one point. I vividly remember hearing God ask me if I trusted Him or if I trusted my plans. Then I woke up…of course I trust You Lord, but I really wanted my birth to go like this. We did it the right way. We are married and we have You first in our marriage. We prayed for this child. You gave us this child. Why can’t you give me the birth I want too? I could see that I wasn’t fully trusting Him…I was only trusting Him with MY plans…not with His.
So maybe you are about to birth something (a business, a ministry, going back to school, etc), but the process isn’t going how you envisioned. Will you still trust God anyway, even if it doesn’t look how you expected it? Even if it is going to hurt a little more? Even if you have to get cut? Even if it lasts longer than expected?
Keep your eye on the promise. Other than prayer, remembering that my son would be here at the end of all this kept me going. Trust God over your circumstances, and never forget the promise He has given you even in the face of adversity.
Jesus loves you & I do too!
xoxo Disa B.
Inspirations by Disa 