Friday, February 11, 2011

Elijah Erik Edmundson






Born: 7:05pm, February 10, 2011
5 lbs 11 oz
18.5 inches
Miracle

I want to first say how amazing my sister is. . .I'm going to "geek" out on how amazing she is and how she is soooo very strong.

Today, she was induced for safety reasons and she started to labor in the morning. By 1 ish when I got there she was in pretty active labor. I was allowed to stay in until the end and I was so thankful to be a part of it as long as I was allowed.

When I walked in my sister was laying by the window and having level 3 (pain wise) contractions. She smiled up at me and I smiled down at my beautiful sister. We chit chatted but she'd had a rough night and needed sleep. And Erik was watching over her lovingly. Nothing much was happening so after an hour or so I went down to do some homework.

I went back up around 5pm and she was pacing the floor and the contractions had increased. The room's mood had changed. There was a seriousness in the room but at the same time a peace that came with the "hee hee whooo" of my mother, Erik, and Bethany as they all breathed through her pains. My eyes teared up as I watched my sister painfully lean against the bed.

I'd never thought about wanting to be in the room or needing to be there for any of the births in my family. But I am SOOO glad I got to be there this time, even if I didn't see the actual birth. Just being there to share in the process. I got to give my hair thing up for my sister, run and get a spoon for her so she could eat some ice, and I got to warm up her Penicillin drip :). I got to observe such a miraculous process.

I have to say that it was very hard to watch her in pain and later to hear her in pain. As Jasmine said, "That sounds funny".

Bethany took it sooo well. Breathing, moving, and relaxing. And she did it all drug free. Not that she didn't want it but the team who was with her today helped her get through it without it. Amen! Even as a nurse studying and learning about these things. . . I am so proud that she didn't use an epidural. And I have to say this. . . the doctor and nurse who you are with makes the difference. Bethany felt like she was at the end of her ability. At this point she was about to have Elijah but she felt so far off still. The doctor kind of encouraged her take the epidural but when he left the nurse told Beth she didn't need it. She could tell, after 20+ years, that Beth was almost there. So when the Anesthesiologist came in she said she'd be there if needed but they all gave Beth the time. And Beth did. No tears. No Epidural. All her and Erik (and my mom). Amazing.

It does frighten me though. . . my sister's pain tolerance is like . . . mountains higher then mine.

Birth, labor, pregnancy, mothers, fathers, sisters, life... it amazes me. I am in awe of it all.

Thank you Lord for this healthy new creation and thank you for watching over my sister.

I love you Bethany Faith Edmundson. You amaze me and I am so glad you're my older sister. I hope I can be as strong as you someday. May the Lord bless you and your family.




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