Giving Birth To A Warrior

Okay! Labor and delivery, story time!!! *TMI Warning* Parts of this go into detail, proceed with caution!

Right before the adventure began

I was scheduled to be induced on Sunday August 6^th at 7 PM. We arrived and the excitement began! I had been tested weeks earlier for GBS, a type of bacteria found in the digestive tract which can sometimes contaminate the birth canal and infect the baby during birth. So I was put on antibiotics for that, both before and during labor, so that Loriana wouldn't catch it on her way out. However, I'm allergic to the penicillin, so they gave me vancomycin in my IV. But guess what?!? Yup! I was allergic to that too. My hands and scalp became very itchy and I was given a Benadryl pill. After that adventure, around 9 PM they finally inserted the medication that would start my labor, behind my cervix. Two hours later, the contractions were 1.5 - 2 minutes apart! But I went the rest of the night only 1cm dilated, and I developed a fever which indicated I was allergic to the inducing medication as well. So that had to be taken out, but thankfully contractions continued even without the medication. I still was not dilating more though, and by early Monday morning I needed to be put on oxygen because Loriana was running low.

Around 7 AM things got a little more interesting! They inserted a balloon that would slowly fill with water and help me dilate up to 5cm. With that in there, the contractions got very intense and I was tired and hot, and that caused me to throw up! At that point I gave into the pain and asked for the epidural! By 9:30 AM I couldn't feel a thing! The balloon fell out, which indicated I was 5cm dilated and hopefully things would speed up from there. They broke my water at 10:00 AM, and contractions were strong and frequent, even though I couldn't feel them. Fifteen hours later I was just not dilating any more and my princess and I were tired and in distress. By around 2:20 PM it was decided that it was best to have a c-section, and I had peace that it was what God had perfect plans for. I was so scared though....with my pressure a little high, my princess tired and all that had happened beforehand I was so scared that something would go wrong and being on that table would be the last thing I would live. I know the chances were almost impossible but that was my biggest fear. I even told my husband, “If anything goes wrong with me promise me you'll be by our daughter's side the moment she is out!” I began to hear saws and feel pulls and tugs, then one doctor pushing the top of my belly downward (I felt all my insides being moved around). Then I heard a small cry and the doctors saying, "looks like a girl to us!" Immediately tears ran down my face, and then they showed her to us. My tears continued as they took her to be weighed and cleaned up.

Born 08/07/17 at 3:47 PM, 6 lb 9 oz, 19.5 in

Then Daniel was called to go with our princess, and I prayed. I asked God to grant me my life, and then told the devil to back off that I was not gonna believe his lies, I was not gonna die. As they were closing me up I threw up again. Our princess was taken to the nursery to have her oxygen levels checked. After and hour she was brought back to us in our recovery room, then taken to meet the family for about 10 minutes because she needed to be taken back to make sure her oxygen levels were regulated. I was so anxious to finally have her with us!! By around 10 PM she was good to go and with us again!!

Meeting the family before taken to the nursery

Showered, oxygen levels regulated and finally back with mommy & daddy

I've heard crazy labor stories and I was expecting one of my own. Just not as crazy as it went! But through it all I keep my worship music on, and when it got hard I would just focus on praising God. When I felt the enemy attack during all the hard times (allergic reactions, extreme pain, needing oxygen, etc), I would command him to back off. That me and my daughter were children of God! When I did that my blood pressure would go up a lot but as soon as I would praise God it would go back down! Let me tell you!! Bringing a child into this world is hard!! Bringing a child of God that was chosen from the womb, called my name, now that is a battle!!! I could see angels fighting for us. I could see the devil not happy that another child of God was coming to this world to stomp on him! To put him under her feet! To defeat him with the power and authority that God has placed into her hands!! I could see how Loriana Andrea (meaning warrior) was really a warrior!!!

This healing process isn't easy. Not being able to do much on my own, not even go and pick up my baby when she would start crying, or change her diaper, or get to the washroom on my own. But I am beyond, BEYOND blessed with the most amazing husband that has not only been caring for our princess but has been doing double the work by taking care of me! Paying attention to doctors instructions, helping me shower and change, run to pick up our daughter and help me position her so I can feed her. Ugh, the list goes on for everything he has been doing! Brings me to tears that I deserve such love!!!

Not to mention my mother and best friend being by my side all those hours of labor. Massaging me, praying over me. Fighting with me!! They were truly amazing!!! And last but not least, my in-laws being supportive and attentive every hour as well, all those who took the time to visit us. To encourage us. To love us! To bless us!! The love is amazing and truly truly appreciated! Again I am in tears and forever grateful to my Heavenly Father!

Stay tuned for a link right here to my husbands video blog, telling his side of the story *Coming real soon*