Jan 29, 2009

Amelia Grace's Birth Story

Struggling through 2 miscarriages made this pregnancy all the more special. We knew that God would bless us with one more baby it was just a matter of time.

We found out that we were expecting our 3rd baby in May. It was a cautious time. We were afraid to celebrate; afraid to be too hopeful that this baby would stick around and complete our family. But we were lucky and in August we found out that the baby was a sweet girl. She was completely perfect and healthy.

As we neared the due date, I hoped that this baby would make her entrance on her own, but sadly our due date fast approached and we had no signs that she would make an appearance on her own. At my 39 week, 6 day doctor appointment we made plans to induce the following Monday.

We were really comfortable with knowing that the baby would be induced. We had done it two times before. We made that known journey to the new birthplace at the hospital. The rooms were so nice and big! The Nurse started all of the intake information at 7:30 am. An IV was started and the pitocin was started around 8:30. CNM, Cindy Perkins came in to chat with us at 9:00 am. I was dilated to a 5. She broke my bag of waters and there was merconium in the fluid. We were a little worried, but the midwife assured us that it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It was very thin, a sign that it was older and much less worrisome. The contractions got progressively stronger, but I was determined to make it this time without an epidural. At 11:00 am, my contractions were so strong and piling up on top of one another. I asked to be checked to see how dilated I was. I thought that if I hadn’t made much progress, I would go ahead and get the epidural. I was surprised to learn that I was at 9 and almost complete. I knew that I could make it.

After a few more minutes, I felt the urge to push. They quickly set the room up for delivery and the midwife came in. I pushed a few times, but there was a lip of my cervix left that prevented her from moving into the birth canal. I pushed with a squatting bar, in the bathroom and on a birthing ball. She was facing at an awkward angle. The midwife had Archie stand behind me and wrap his arms around my stomach. With each contraction, he lifted up on my belly and the baby to get her in the right position. After 3 contractions, he could feel that she had engaged; he could only feel my stomach. I got back onto my side and pushed 4 times and she entered the world. The midwife suctioned her out and Archie cut the cord. She was on my stomach for a few minutes and my first thought was that she looked exactly like Gavin. Amelia Grace Cameron was born at 12:27 pm on Monday, January 29, 2007. She weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz and was 21 inches long. Her apgar scores were 9/9 and she was completely perfect!

Gavin has taken his role as big brother very seriously. He loves to hold her and tells everyone that “she’s mine.” Silas cried the night that she came home. He said that he was just so happy to have her here and that he loved her so much.

She is most certainly a welcome completion to our family. Archie is smitten with his beautiful daughter and I am so happy to have my precious baby girl!










11 comments:

Mindy said...

Happy Birthday Amelia! Love the picture of her sucking her thumb.

floreksa said...

Happy Birthday Amelia!

Shannon said...

Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are a true joy in your parents lives!

Laura said...

Happy Birthday Amelia!

Goodness Lisa, I had tears in my eyes reading her birth story. And a bit of laughter about her "completing" your family. Apparently Mr Tucker had other ideas. ;)

Catey said...

I can't believe that sweet child is 2 already! She is such a doll!

~LL~ said...

I remember the heartbreak you and archie went through. I remember praying SO HARD for you....when we found out on our visit to NC. How fun was that?

anyway, I'm so thrilled that Amelia AND Tucker made it into this world. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Katie said...

Happy birthday, gorgeous! I loved reading your birth story, made me momentarily lose my mind and want another baby :)

Sam said...

Beautiful birth story!!

heidi said...

Happy Birthday!!!

brenna said...

Lovely birth story. Happy Birthday to Amelia!

Amanda said...

Oh my gosh such a chunker... so cute.