Answered Prayers!

On Tuesday January 9^th my water broke at home around 9:30 pm. We headed to the hospital and were admitted around 1am. I was only dilated to one cm so they started me on a drug called Pitocin to get things moving.  After several hours, I was contracting but unfortunately still wasn't dilating any further. I even sat on a birthing ball for two hours hoping to speed things up. No dice. This baby was obviously in no hurry to make his/her big debut. The baby’s heart rate was a bit of a concern throughout labor as it dropped and spiked with my contractions and position changes. I stared at the monitor constantly praying that he/she was going to be alright. I was really uncomfortable as the contractions got stronger so the doctor gave me a drug called Nubain, (she recommended to delay the epidural as there was a risk it might slow my labor down).  Some ladies may love Nubain but I learned that I am absolutely not one of them. It was terrible! I instantly felt dizzy, nauseous and it did very little to take the edge off of the contractions.  After 3 more hours the nurse checked me…I still wasn't dilated any further and I was in major pain. I think the nurses must have felt bad for me because they finally ordered the epidural. The anesthesiologist instantly became my new best friend (however I wasn't very nice to him due to my current condition).   It was not my finest moment but thankfully he had a good sense of humor. I immediately felt more relaxed and after about 3 hours I felt lots of pressure. When the nurse came in to check me again I was dilated to 9 cm! Woohoo! If my entire lower body wasn't numb I’m certain I would have jumped up and done a celebratory dance at that point! So much for the epidural slowing things down. It had been over 28 hours and I was exhausted to say the least. I remember looking at Chad and telling him that I had no idea how I was going to have enough energy to push our little one out. The good news is I didn't have to worry about it. Apparently part of God’s birth miracle includes an automatic overdrive feature for mothers. When it was time to push I remember a rush of excitement and it was like my body just knew what to do next. Chad was an amazing coach! He encouraged me the entire time, took me to the restroom about 100 times, helped hold my legs while pushing and kept me focused. After 30 hours of labor at 3:39 am on Thursday January 10^th 2013 we were blessed with a healthy baby girl, Miss Piper Tova (means God’s goodness) Wagner! The moment they placed her on my chest and I looked into her very alert little eyes my heart melted. Chad and I immediately fell in love with her in the most indescribable way. I remember Chad looked at me and said “I wasn't prepared for a girl!...but I just love her!” It was the most amazing experience ever.  As the nurse took her to get her measurements I watched Chad dote over her. At that moment I flashed back to earlier days of our journey where I shed tears at the thought “what if I never am able to experience birth” or “what if I can’t give Chad the child we both so desperately long for”. I had to continuously push those fears out of my heart for years and replaced them with hope in the Lord. And on January 10^th in His perfect timing He blessed us with our very own miracle that has and will forever change our lives in the best way possible. For anyone who thinks that God no longer performs miracles…I must challenge you and refute that He absolutely does! I experienced one first hand! We’re forever grateful and looking forward to the future for our new family!

Miss Piper Tova Wagner

7 lbs 6 oz & 21.5 inches

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 

Counting down...

9 days until our due date….Ahhh!!! I must admit Chad and I both thought that baby Wag’s would make an early debut over the holidays but clearly we've been proven wrong. No 2012 tax break for us, but that’s ok. The anticipation and excitement are certainly building up at this point. Will we have a baby boy or baby girl??? We'll find out soon! We had a doctor’s appointment yesterday and received a terrific report. Praise God! Baby is still in a head down position, heart rate is strong at 150 bpm, my weight is on track and lots of baby movements going on. We found out at our appointment a few weeks ago that I tested positive for group B strep. But no worries it’s nothing to be concerned about. It’s just a bacteria that I am currently carrying. It’s actually commonly found in 25% of all healthy adult pregnant women without any symptoms. As a preventative measure I’ll receive some antibiotics via an IV during delivery to prevent passing it to baby Wag’s. The doctor estimated that the birth weight likely won’t exceed 7 lbs 8 oz. That sounds good to me! Apparently that whole “nesting thing” has kicked in. I might have a small obsession with laundry these days. I may as well just wash one outfit at a time as we wear them. Every closet has been reorganized at least twice. I've packed and repacked the hospital bag more times then I'd like to admit. And while many other husbands were watching bowl games over the holidays poor Chad graciously cleaned carpets. I love that my husband just rolls with my insanity at this point. He’s truly amazing and is going to be the best Dad!

So as we approach our due date I've had quite the realization…I’m going to give birth soon! Yikes! I know that probably seems like a no brainer, but up until now I really haven’t given that part too much thought (maybe because I didn't want to freak myself out). I know this will surprise a lot of your considering what a planner/control freak I am, but Chad and I didn't take any of “the classes”. So in an effort to prepare, I looked to my copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and a plethora of YouTube videos for breathing/pain techniques. Needless to say, I’m not sure those were the best resources. Ha! However, some of the videos I stumbled upon were highly entertaining…ok downright hilarious. Then all this talk of labor stages, positions, c-sections, episiotomies (umm…OUCH!) are enough to make a pregnant girl’s head spin. So I've decided that we’re going to go into labor the same way we started this journey…trusting God! After all, birth is truly His miracle and He has prepared my body for it. I've educated myself appropriately and the rest is up to Him. I’m confident that He will work through the doctors/nurses to ensure that Baby Wag’s, Chad and I have a safe delivery and that we’re all healthy as we begin a new chapter as a family together!

“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world”. John 16:21