Right now - she is sleeping. Actually, she's been doing a lot of that lately. But whether she is sleeping, eating, playing or snuggling, my daughter Heidi Elizabeth Foster is the most precious, beautiful little thing I have ever seen. My husband Tim and I have been more than blessed to have this little angel in our lives.
Just yesterday, Tim and I were discussing how the last three years have brought so many changes and blessings. In 2008, we got engaged in China. In 2009, we were married in Switzerland and now, in 2010, we have started on the amazing journey of parenthood.
Heidi's birth was such a big event for me. I have to admit that even though I had taken a six week course, done my EPI-NO exercises and had read as many books as I could get my hands on, I was still a bit apprehensive about how it was going to go.
Friday, March 5th, Tim and I went to the doctor around 11:00am for my final check-up. At the appointment, our doctor told us that he didn't think the baby would come before the weekend. After the appointment, Tim and I grabbed a burger lunch at the California Grill. Tim went on to work and I jumped on my bike to go and see my friend Gill.
When I arrived at Gill's flat, I got off my bike and felt a gush of water down my legs - to be honest, I thought I had just been unable to hold my pee back (being 9 months pregnant puts a lot of pressure on your bladder). I decided that I should probably just go home, so I hopped back on my bike and rode home. The same thing happened when I got to my flat. I started to think that maybe my water had broken. I decided to wait it out - and in the meantime - I was grading English papers that students in my class had written.
Tim had to work late and I had a work social function that I had to go to, so I got dressed up and made my way over to Gracie Kelly's Pub. I had been told by my friend Chanda that I should drink a Prosecco right around my due date to get the ball rolling. So, having promptly ordered my baby-come-sooner-bubbly, I sat down to discuss life with my colleagues. After I finished my drink I stood up - and - guess what happened? Another huge gush, but this time it didn't stop!! My jeans looked like someone had put a fire hose to them!
I quickly snuck (or sneaked if you're an English freak) out of the bar and, texting my husband to say that I thought my water had broken, rushed home as fast as my little legs could carry me. When Tim got home, we had dinner and discussed whether or not we needed to go to the hospital. I wasn't having any contractions, but Tim had read that if your water breaks, you need to go to the hospital within 24 hours so that you don't risk getting an infection. I'm so glad my husband remembers this stuff!
We called the hospital and they asked us to come that night, so after finishing a cup of tea and calling our parents, our friend Markus came and picked us up to take us to the hospital. We ended up sleeping at the hospital over night, while the midwives monitored my contractions. Throughout the night I was having 7 minute contractions, but nothing too intense.
By 10am the next morning, our doctor decided that because of the risk of infection, we needed to induce. Inducing means that they force the contractions and it can be more painful than natural contractions. I was able to go about 7 hours before I needed some pain medicine. Basically, until about 5pm, I was very strong mentally, even though the contractions were strong, I was able to do my breathing and Tim was very helpful in pressing against my back during the contractions to alleviate the pain.
With the help of the pain meds through a drip, I was able to go from not believing I could deliver to being able to handle the situation again. Things seemed to be progressing until about 7pm when the doctor said that my cervix was closing back up. It had dilated to 8cm, but was now back to 5cm. Without an epidural, he said, I would risk having a C-section if my cervix didn't open up soon.
Although Tim and I didn't want to do an epidural, we knew that it was probably the only option. And, in the end, the epidural was amazing! I ended up taking a nap, to regain some strength. The great thing about the Epidural was that again, I could feel the contractions, but I could handle the pain and I could stay positive and relaxed.
The most exciting part about the birth was the pushing. It was the realization that my baby was about to be in the world. Even though I had no pain, I could feel the baby moving forward with every push. The doctor had me feel the baby's head with my fingers. It was so surreal! Then the doctor said that we were only about three or four contractions away. It was insane feeling the baby come out, first the head, then the shoulders, then the rest of it's body.
As soon as I heard the cry, I looked at Tim, "What is it? What is it??" He laughed and said, "Hold on, I can't tell!!" and then someone said, "It's a girl!" The next thing out of my mouth was, "Wow, that was so worth it!"
And, it has been sooo worth it. I had no idea how much I would enjoy motherhood. We are now on day 19 and I couldn't be happier or more thankful to God for my precious baby girl. I'm so lucky.
You can see more pictures on my facebook page or videos by going to my youtube.com channel.
