Our sweet Asher Christian joined us two weeks ago, and we’ve loved being able to introduce him to family and friends. You guys have shown us so much love each time we’ve had a new baby, and this time is no exception. We’re thankful for all the meals, congratulations, and prayers. You all are our village, helping us raise these kiddos!
I had an OB appointment on Monday, November 27, and I thought I might be leaking amniotic fluid. I was really hoping my doctor would send me over to have the baby that day, but no such luck. The test for fluid came back negative and Asher was still happily kicking around inside. I had been expecting Asher to be born any time…for like two weeks. I was not a happy pregnant woman those last few weeks. (Derek might argue that I wasn’t a happy pregnant woman for much longer than that…).
I woke up the next morning and still thought I was leaking fluid, so I called the doctor and they had me come in. This time the test quickly came back positive and they sent me over to labor and delivery.
Eli was already at preschool, so Derek dropped Mercy off at my sister’s house and headed to the hospital. I got started on pitocin and antibiotics for group b strep around 11:30 that morning, and Asher came at 7:42 that night, November 28.
Pitocin contractions are no joke. I wanted to get an epidural before the pitocin started and before my doctor came in and broke my water (I guess I just had a small tear, but the bag of water was still intact), but the doctor said to wait. So she broke my water and then I got an epidural maybe an hour or so later. The details are kind of fuzzy for me, but Derek probably has a better idea of the timeline and what happened.
We got a new nurse at 7, and she came in and checked me and said she’d be back around 8:30. I figured that meant we wouldn’t have a baby until after then, so Derek went to go get some dinner. Shortly after that, the doctor came back and checked me and said she thought the baby would come in the next 30 minutes. I texted Derek and told him to still go ahead and get his food. Probably less than 5 minutes passed and I texted Derek again and told him to come back because I thought the baby was coming. He left his order and came back, the doctor came in and got ready, and Asher was born after I pushed through two contractions.
Asher has nursed well from the beginning, has gained weight well so far, and sleeps okay. We’re now trying to get on a better schedule and start some bottle feedings, so hopefully we’ll get some more sleep soon. Overall though, Asher is a pretty easy baby, and I feel blessed that he’s doing so well.
Elias and Mercy are both so sweet and gentle with Asher, and we’re adjusting to being a family of five!