Well she’s here…she came hard and fast. I woke about 7:30 with fairly strong contractions but sent Sidney to work anyway as I’d been having somewhat regular contractions off and on for a couple days.
By 9/9:30 I was calling him back “Come home NOW!” **laughing** They were SO strong and powerful.
Called the midwives about that same time and she was excited. Said she’d call the babysitter and get her kids taken care of and head over. Fortunately she’d left all her equipment here from when they came the other day. Turned out Brianna came much faster than any of us anticipated. She was born at 12:15 yesterday afternoon after only 3 hours of strong active labor….and less than five hour labor total.
If we’d tried for a hospital birth I’m sure she would have been born on the side of the road without any preparation or equipment or anything. As it was, with the home birth, I was still able to deliver in the birthing tub, midwife on the speaker phone talking my mom, Sidney and I through the entire process while Paula (12 year old sister) watched Evan and Heather (10 year old sister) brought towels and blankets for us. My mom was the actual one who caught the baby….so awesome.
Everyone is wonderfully perfect and I feel MUCH better with this one than I did after Evan…and even then his birth was easy compared to many I hear about.
She is 7lbs 5 ounces and 19 inches long. Not quite as long and skinny as Evan was. Her head was only 13 inches compared to Evan’s 14 1/2 inch around head. She was also nearly born in the sac…..my water didn’t break until she was crowning which was a blessing from God considering how intense and powerful the contractions were…the water gave both of us some cushion. We named her Brianna Joy and she was born at 12:15. My hubby was the only one with the presence of mind to check his watch. **laughing**
It was a very intense labor but even at the most intense point I just kept thinking how powerful it all felt. Rather an awe inspiring experience to realize how much power really is able to be created in me. A definite confidence boost in many ways…..and it didn’t feel like _I_ was being powerful….just that I was allowing the power to work in me. I wonder what daily life would be like if we allowed God’s power to work in us more often.
She hardly cried at all and seems to have a rather “take it all in stride” personality…which she will need with the rambunctious and LOVING big brother she has. She is already used to his big boy hugs. *grin*
Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know she’s arrived. Pictures will follow soon but right now my hubby is strongly hinting that it’s time for me to be lying down again. I can post more details later for anyone who’s interested. 🙂
Blessings,
Angela <><
ariellejuliana
Date: May 5th, 2006 06:43 pm (UTC)
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That sounds like such a wonderful birth! Congratulations! And welcome, Brianna!
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:05 pm (UTC)
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Thankyou!! It really was a wonderful birth. After three days of mild “nothing is happening” contractions and having the midwives spend one night and two days just hanging out it was WONDERFUL to KNOW that these contractions were bringing the baby…….such an awesome feeling.
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(no subject) – ken_sucks
From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:03 pm (UTC)
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Actually it’s WONDERFUL since it helps keep the contractions from being as painful and also decreases the stress on the baby with each contraction. As intense as these contractions were I’m very glad the water had’t broken yet! **laughing**
Incedentally, it’s also very common for the water to not break until during transistion or even later for a second time mom….it’s only if you have a care provider who purposefully breaks the water early in labor to “help move thigns along” that you have to worry about it. Less than 10% of ALL mothers (and fewer of first time moms) have rupture of membranes before active labor.
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(no subject) – ken_sucks
From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 12:17 am (UTC)
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Oh man…don’t even get my started on Hollywood births! **laughing** You know I can soap box if you get me started. *wink*
And yes, everything is WONDERFUL.
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From: simply_amber
Date: May 5th, 2006 07:33 pm (UTC)
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Congratulations!
And what a wonderful birth story! Thanks for sharing.
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:06 pm (UTC)
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Just wait until you see the pics. She looks just like our son did…her daddy is already worrying. 🙂
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(no subject) – aatraa
From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:06 pm (UTC)
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Thanks!!!
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From: gloriamom
Date: May 5th, 2006 10:39 pm (UTC)
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Congratulations, you guys!!! That is awesome. BTW, I love the name (especially the middle name) as you know I used it myself about 25 years ago. Again, glad she’s here and healthy.
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 12:15 am (UTC)
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It suits her. I told Sidney the powerful labor was my own fault for naming her “strong woman” (Brianna) and he just laughed. But JOY is definately right! 🙂
And, by the way, Congratulations to YOU and your coming Joy as well! *big grin*
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From: gloriamom
Date: May 6th, 2006 02:00 am (UTC)
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Thanks!! I’m absolutely thrilled!!! I didn’t know “Brianna” means strong woman. How cool. *Hugs* to you.
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 03:06 am (UTC)
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It actually has two meanings….Gaelic meaning is “strong” and the Hebrew meaning is “gracious”…which I just absolutely love. That is in my mind the balance of a perfect woman….strong and gracious….Plus of course the joy of the Lord….(big grin)
I’m sure you are thrilled! I’m thrilled for them also and have been praying for April and Babe daily.
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From: joyfulnoiz
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:02 pm (UTC)
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Woot! Congratulations! And a big welcome to Brianna!
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 12:16 am (UTC)
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Thankyou!!! She is quite the little charmer and already has daddy wrapped around her finger.
Grandma Gloria alternates between spoiling her and spoiling Evan. 🙂
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From: sweetspirit
Date: May 5th, 2006 11:29 pm (UTC)
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I’m so glad I could be there to see her, even if I didn’t quite make it for the actual birth. Like you said I shouldn’t feel to bad since the Midwife didn’t even get there for the birth part 🙂
She is gorgeous! She definitely seems to be a very content baby too!
YAY for baby Bri joining us all outside of mom 🙂
And what a story she will someday be able to tell about her birth!
I love you babe and can’t wait to see you all again.
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 12:18 am (UTC)
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She will definately have a history of strength to draw on for future times…..Guess I need to get going on those scrapbooks more now. 🙂
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From: mythrilwyrm
Date: May 6th, 2006 09:28 am (UTC)
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Felicitations!
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 10:11 pm (UTC)
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😀 Thank you
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From: charv
Date: May 6th, 2006 01:16 pm (UTC)
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Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! What an aesome birth.:) Welcome, lttle one!
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 10:10 pm (UTC)
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Thankyou!
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From: audb
Date: May 6th, 2006 03:55 pm (UTC)
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Can’t wait to see pictures and to meet her very soon. =)
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 10:10 pm (UTC)
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You are welcome any time!!! 😀
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From: tek_cilla
Date: May 6th, 2006 06:54 pm (UTC)
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Oh wow!! Congratulations. I’m glad everything went well.
I was thinking about you yesterday because I was in Wichita Falls…strange.
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From: faithbookqueen
Date: May 6th, 2006 07:27 pm (UTC)
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Only 45 minutes away….next time you’re this direction you should stop by!
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From: tek_cilla
Date: May 8th, 2006 02:50 pm (UTC)
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It was a last minute thing or I might have had my brain together enough to plan that! Hope to see pictures of your little darling soon…
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From: youranna
Date: May 7th, 2006 02:03 am (UTC)
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Ang! That’s AWESOME!! Congrats!! Man..I wanna see her! when your in town next give me a call so I can come see you and the babies 🙂 (i’m about to get a cell..so i’ll e mail you the number when I get it)…
I’m glad your doing well! Can’t wait to see pics!! I know she’ll be beautiful!!
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From: emilie1024
Date: May 7th, 2006 03:58 am (UTC)
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Congrats, congrats 🙂 Can’t wait to see the pictures!
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From: alienspy
Date: May 8th, 2006 10:22 pm (UTC)
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Wow! Things seem to have gone really well, I’m so happy for you and your growing family! 🙂 I hope we can see some photos soon… Congratulations! xox
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From: calcgoddess1183
Date: May 15th, 2006 03:04 am (UTC)
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omg, her name is Brianna Joy and my name is Bryanne Jolene!! Similar names!!! Congrats on the new baby!!