The birth of Titus!

As I prepared for my appointment early that morning on December 27th, I told Mike, "Pack the car like we aren't coming home."

I was 41 weeks, 2 days.  My parents were here visiting, helping with our two and three year old, and hoping that I'd go into labor 'one of these days!'  I was really hoping that at my appointment my midwife Terry could strip my membranes, then we could go walking at the gym to get labor going and then bada bang, bada boom!

Well, I wasn't too far off but things didn't go as my mind had prepared. (Of course!)

For months, I thought labor was any day.  I had braxton hicks contractions and was 4cm dilated for weeks.  I also had expectations that labor would start in the night like it did with the other two!  The labor and delivery nurse inside of me laughed at my expectations, but they were still there!

My appointment that morning started as 'planned'.  And bonus- I was 6cm, 100% effaced and a +1 station!  Terry striped my membranes, but then we needed to monitor baby before we left to go walking since I was over 41 weeks.  Baby ended up being 'sleepy' on the monitor for the first 20 minutes.  My midwife was a little concerned, used the word 'induction', but then baby 'woke up' as we talked.  We decided we would go walking for a bit and then would come back to be monitored after lunch.

Mike and I went to a nearby mini mall, walked back and forth several times, while debating on what to do next.  Induction was not my 'plan.' BUT my parents were at home with our kids and a snow storm was imminent.  One of my greatest fears with this pregnancy was the ride to the hospital.  Living 25 minutes away and having a history of fast labors, I knew that when labor did start that I would need to go in right away!  Add a snow storm on top of that and it could be quite the story/ride.

I really didn't know what to do or what the right answer was as I prayed.  After a series of calls back and forth with my midwife, she finally said, "My gut says we should have you come in to be induced."  While I agreed and felt some relief that the decision was made for me, an induction was still not my original plan and still brought me fear.

We arrived at the hospital and I was quickly greeted by my old co-worker, Lea.  After she said that she was going to be my nurse, so many fears released.  Lea has been working as a labor and delivery nurse for several years. Her knowledge is incredible, but even more than that, her compassion and care for her patients is noteworthy! Also, the coordinator working was Jaci and she had been at my other two births! I knew that even though this induction wasn't what I was hoping for, that things had fallen into place.

The oncall midwife came in to break my water just before 2pm but she couldn't find a bag to break!  She suggested I go walking for a bit and then she would come back and try again.  I liked the plan because it gave me more time to prepare for the induction!

We walked the halls for quite a while and starting feeling like I was having real contractions here and there.  It surprised me since I really hadn't been induced yet!

I decided to lay down for a bit before the midwife came back.  I texted my mom at 3:47pm "Contractions are getting stronger."

Our friend and birth photographer arrived as I was lying down. Mike went to talk to her at the door, telling her that she could probably go to the waiting room for a while.  I remember getting sooo frustrated in my head that he was saying such a thing!  I yelled and yelled at him (he couldn't hear me for whatever reason). When he came back to me, I told him to get her back in my room now! (The emotions are wild in labor!)

I then got up to sit on a birth ball.  I remember that position is where the contractions got serious and it felt like labor began.  It was right before 4:00 pm!  During each of my labors I don't like touch or talk, so it was at this point that Mike became my water boy and quiet support.

My midwife Terry came in to let me know that she was heading home, as the snowstorm had hit!  I was sad to have her go, but also knew it was for the best and I would be in good hands.

I started getting more and more uncomfortable so Lea suggested the tub, reminding me that it worked well for me with my second baby.  I don't think I was in the tub too long and starting to moan, when Lea said, "Heidi, you let me know when you need to get out."  I replied, "I don't know what I'm feeling."  Her next comment was, "Heidi, how about I get the midwife to check you."

Midwife Erin came in to the bathroom and checked me as I sat in the tub!  I was 10cm!  Time to push! I didn't want to get out but knew that I needed to.

When I finally got out of the tub, I tried to push on the birth ball for a while.

I knew my best pushing was going to be in the bed where I could grab my legs and pull them back so I made my way there about 4:45pm or so.

I pushed a short time and at 5:00 pm our second BOY was born!! Our smallest baby at 7lb 11oz!

After delivery of the placenta, we quickly fell into thanks to God for taking care of both Titus and I during the delivery.  You see...I had a low lying placenta during my pregnancy but was cleared for a vaginal birth.  The place where my bag of waters broke was RIGHT next to my placenta. My delivery would have been a lot more scary (and bloody and an emergency) had it broke any closer!

After another painful and long repair (my babies always tear me up!), I was able to breastfeed and cuddle my new, fussy but precious BOY!

Titus Robert was named after the Biblical name Titus and his grandpa Robert (my dad).  We loved the name Titus when I was pregnant with William, so when I got pregnant again, it quickly became a favorite!  Titus means 'pleasing' and 'title of honor.' We love the book of Titus but particularly like these verses and pray Titus would be a man of integrity.

Titus 2: 6-8
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

William's Birth Story

Another pregnant day was in the books!

As a crawled into bed, a week overdue, I noticed a new text message.  My heart skipped a beat as it was from a friend that was awaiting the arrival of her little one as well.  I opened the message to find pictures of a sweet little boy, Wilson.  The name they picked was so close to our boy name, which sent me down a train of thoughts.  

Mike and I said our goodnights and I continued to lay there looking at his pictures.  My thoughts wandered to my own baby that was wiggling inside.  I wondered if it were a boy or girl, I wondered when it would make its own debut, and of course I wondered what kind of birth story this baby would have!

I finally turned off the lights around 10:30pm. I thought, if baby weren’t coming tonight I should at least get some sleep.

I tossed and turned. Right side. Left side. Up to pee. Back to left side. Up to pee again. Right side. Semi-right side. Up to pee. Back to left side. On my head....ha!

Ugh. This was going to be a long night!

This scenerio continued several times before I started to wonder if something was going on.

And then it hit me.  A contraction.  Not a braxton hicks contraction.  A REAL, 'I need to breath through this' contraction.  I looked at the clock: 11:37pm.

Two minutes later another hit, although not as strong.  "Hmm, could this be labor?”

I sat there on the side of my bed.  My husband fast asleep.  Madeline, 14 months old, sleeping soundly in her crib.  I thought about all the things I needed to do if this was indeed labor.  

I needed to call my sister, Stacey, to come over.  I needed to finish packing.  I needed to make sure everything was set for Madeline.  I needed to…

Whew.  Another strong contraction grabbed my attention.

Within 10 minutes, I had 5 contractions.  I decided that it was probably labor, but I still wasn't certain! You would think after having been a nurse on labor and delivery for 8 years AND being on my second rodeo myself, that I would KNOW!  

I finally rang up my sister.  I asked her to come sleep on the couch, even if this wasn't labor.  I knew it would take her about 25 minutes to get to our house, so I figured that would give me time to figure out what was going on.

I got off the phone, had another strong contraction and decided I better wake up Mike!  I had decided to wait to wake him up until I was pretty sure I was in labor, as he had told me that once I started contracting, he was pushing me out the door IMMEDIATELY.  (If you didn’t know, my first labor was only 3.5 hours and Mike had a hard time getting me in the car to go to the hospital!!)

"Miiiike. Hey Mike,” I said softly.

A groggy, "Yes?"

"I think I'm in labor."

"You THINK you are in labor?"

"Yes."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, I think I'm in labor.  I'm having contractions every couple of minutes."

"Oh." Followed by silence and still no husband getting out of bed.

"Mike?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to get up?  You probably should pack the car."  I say it with more push and urgency.

"Ummm. So, you ARE in labor or you just THINK you are in labor?"

"Um, I'm pretty sure.  And I think you should get up."

"Ok."

At the time I was irritated about this conversation, but now I can laugh at it.  Mike had just fallen into a deep sleep when I woke him!  As he packed the car he even asked if we could stop at a gas station along the way to get an energy drink for him.  I think my face (and the contractions) gave away the answer.

Stacey arrived at our house just in time.  I knew we needed to get going out the door.

The ride to the hospital was so different than my first baby.  Really the whole labor was different since it started with contractions instead of my water breaking.  Contractions were more like 2-5 minutes apart versus the every 1-2 minutes apart that I had experienced with my first.  So I remember this ride more and had time to think about what was to come!

We called the labor and delivery unit on the way to let them know that I was coming.  My old co-worker Jaci was coordinating that night and answered the phone.  I was so grateful, as she was there when Madeline was born too :)

We arrived at the hospital just after 1:00am. I was greeted by my birth team.  Another old co-worker, Natalia, was my nurse, Erin was my mid-wife, Jaci was coordinating (as stated before) and my friend/photographer Kari was there to capture the experience!  What a great, Godly team that the Lord provided for me :)

After answering a few questions, Erin checked me.

"I'll call you 4 centimeters, 100% effaced and -2 station," I think she said.  

4?!  Did she get that right?  

I was already 4 in the clinic so I had hoped to be more.  A feeling of disappointment came upon me.  I was hoping to just come in and have the baby quickly again. (Last time I was 9 upon arrival.)  I began to think about my birth options.  Maybe I’d need an epidural this time.  Maybe I should have waited longer to come in.  Maybe, maybe, maybe….

My thoughts were interrupted when Natalia asked if I’d like to try sitting in the whirlpool.

Yes.  I’ll start with that and go from there.

Over the next hour-ish, I labored in the tub, never really able to find a position that felt good to me.  I finally decided to get out to use the restroom, and the whole process felt like an eternity!  As I sat on the toilet, a feeling of disappointment again swept over me.  I no longer wanted to do this naturally.  If I wasn’t making much progress, I wanted an epidural!

I requested that Erin check me.

“Oh Heidi, you are complete!  You can start pushing if you’d like or you can just listen to your body.”

Oh boy.  Oh NO!   I had set my mind on needing an epidural.  I really thought that I wasn’t dilating much.  And now I needed to push this baby out without any help?!  

“I don’t think I can do this!”  I knew I wasn’t going to be able to get an epidural, but I just had to say that.  The contractions were so intense but I didn’t have the desire to push yet.

At this point I had a huge mental block.  Like I mentioned before, my contractions were far enough apart that I had time to think about my situation and who was all in the room.  And while I appreciated everyone that was there, I was nervous about pushing.  You see, I KNEW I needed to have a bowel movement before baby would come down.  But I didn’t want to.  I wanted to get up to the toilet, but I knew I physically couldn’t at this point.  Every movement hurt!  I now know how all the women I’ve coached through labor, have felt over the years.  I cannot count the number of times I heard, “but I don’t want to poop!” And I would say back to them, "Just poop already!"

Finally, I couldn’t take it any more.  The pain was too intense to keep laboring.  And I started to push. And Push.  And PUUUUUSH with all my might.  My body emptied every bodily fluid and then baby’s head came sailing down.  

I think I pushed around 20 minutes, but I really have no idea.  Maybe it was 40.  Maybe it was 10. Who knows!  All I know is that when I really started to push that there was no going back!!

“Ok, easy pushes here.  The head is coming.”

There was no ‘easy pushing’ for me.

I launched baby out at 2:54am and found myself staring at testicles!

I then heard Mike say, “It's a boy!  It's William!”

I was definitely in shock.  I not only thought we were having another girl, but I was constantly trying to prepare Mike for another girl.  Whenever Mike talked about the baby inside, he used “him and he” and I would always correct him with, “you mean her and she!”

I ended up with a ‘unique’ tear again so we called in the OBGYN, Dr. Kemper to do my repair.  You see, Mr. William came out ‘superman’ style with his hand up by his head.  He was also 8lbs 11oz!

And with that, we had ourselves a precious little BOY!   And another 3.5 hour, natural labor in the books!

William Steven Vetter.  I grew another heart the day he was born.  He was named after Mike’s two great-grandfathers, William Vetter and Wilhelm (William in German) Behnke, and Mike’s dad, Steven.  All great men of great faith.  There is a story passed down of William Vetter.  He was a farmer.  He once saw a hail storm heading towards his fields.  He prayed and asked God to spare his field.  He watched as the storm approached and literally went around his field, damaging other fields, but leaving his untouched!

We pray that our little William will have that kind of faith in our Lord Jesus!  We are so thankful for our sweet boy :) He is truly a gift to our family.