Andrew's Birth Story

Today we came home with our new addition, Andrew Thomas. Thinking over the past couple days, I am so in awe of God's goodness and mercy during the labor and delivery. Chris and I showed up at the hospital on Thursday morning thinking that we were headed for a "boring" and probably uneventful delivery (Like the delivery of any baby is every boring! But, compared to our first two middle of the night births, this one seemed a lot less exciting).

So, after having my water broken by the doctor around noon, and getting an epidural a bit later, I began having very strong contractions. "Won't be long now!" we thought. Because of the epidural, I wasn't aware that I was having a five-minute long contraction. The nurse noticed that Andrew's heartbeat was rapidly decelerating, and rushed into the room along with a couple of colleagues. The doctor was called, and came over with surprising speed from his office across the street. Meanwhile, Andrew's condition was not improving. Dr. Reutinger had Chris dress in surgical scrubs, and told me that if the drugs they had given me to stop contractions didn't work quickly, I'd have an emergency c-section. I was quickly taken to the operating room to prepare for surgery. Although this wouldn't have been an ideal situation, we knew that God was in control, and Andrew's safety was our main priority.

After a couple of scary minutes, we were told that Andrew was better, the drugs had worked! Thankfully, we returned to our original room. We still didn't expect to wait another five hours before delivery, but were so relieved that Andrew was doing well, we didn't care! Finally he arrived at 5:44 p.m., perfectly formed and made. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful blessing.

Psalm 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well... All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Andrew meets his big brothers for the first time!