Abigail Megan Shaw’s Arrival

Giving birth is one of those moments you never want to forget, at least in my experience. So in an effort to preserve my memory for myself and my posterity I will relive my beautiful experience through words, as best I can (for that reason it will be lengthy).

Abigail was due January 11, 2010. I had a very healthy pregnancy and was very blessed that Abigail didn’t come weeks early like Spencer did. We had a wonderful Doctor (Thomas Judd) who answered our numerous questions and calmed all of our fears. As time approached Abigail’s arrival our Doctor brought up the option of induction. He told us that my body would of course have to be ready for induction; I would need to be dilated and effaced to a certain point in order for the process to work. Brady and I discussed this option and through prayer and a blessing we decided it was a good option for our family.

There were many reasons we decided to try induction this time. Brady becomes very anxious and nervous about the idea of getting close and going over the baby’s due date because of his family’s experiences. Both his Mother and Sister delivered still born babies due to similar complications related to delivering at full term. While we both understand that the devastating complications they experienced, which can be hereditary, do not pass down through the father we wanted to avoid any of those complications as much as possible. The doctor explained all of the benefits of induction and we saw many personal benefits in our decision as well. It would allow us to be prepared mentally and physically for delivery and it would allow our family to be present for such a beautiful occasion. While all of these factors played a part in our decision, our decision was ultimately based on the answers we received through prayer.

So after our appointment on Monday, January 4th my body was in fact ready for induction and the doctor gave the okay and even recommended it, so we went ahead and scheduled an induction appointment for Wednesday January 6th at 7:00 AM. We called our family and gave them the good news. Both of our Mom’s made arrangements to come up to be present at the birth and to help out. As you can imagine the following hours consisted of cleaning, organizing, packing, and some relaxing.

The morning drive to the hospital was completely different this time around; we were relaxed, packed, and ready to go, we even had our camera this time. My mom drove up from California the night before and stayed at our place. She was able to watch Spencer that morning, which was a blessing. We arrived at the hospital at 7:00 AM and the nurse (her name is Allie, she is amazing!) checked me and I was already dilated 4 cm. I was already in labor! I was having contractions the night before, but it was nothing new for me because I was having contractions pretty regularly most nights. I didn’t experience any form of contractions with Spencer until the delivery, so this was a major difference this pregnancy. I started having Braxton Hicks contractions late in my second trimester, which didn’t hurt at all. Then starting in my third trimester I was having contractions that I could actually feel, they felt like heavy menstrual cramps. We were all surprised that I was already dilated 4 cm; even the nurse was surprised because I was scheduled for an induction. I felt especially grateful that we decided to be induced. Having the induction scheduled allowed for my Mom and Verna to come up for the delivery and it gave us the opportunity to be that much more prepared. What a blessing! After the nurse checked me and hooked me up to the monitors and IV’s I was set to go, by this time it was about 8 AM. The contractions came pretty fast so I decided to ask for the epidural. When the anesthesiologist administered the epidural when I delivered Spencer I was having very painful contractions that were back to back, so I wasn’t even paying attention to what he was doing. This time, I wasn’t having as painful of contractions yet so I was a little nervous about feeling the epidural. I don’t know why I was nervous because it didn’t hurt at all; in fact the insertion of the IV into my hand hurt more than the epidural did. I was grateful to have the epidural because I was able to relax and focus on the miracle that was about to take place.

I was progressing pretty fast, about 1 cm an hour. It looks like I will continue to have fast labors. With Spencer I was in labor for 6 hours and this labor was about 6 hours as well. My progression did taper off at one point because my water did not break on its own. The nurse told me that Doctor Judd would come in to break my water and that my labor would probably progress pretty quickly after that. By this point Verna was in our room and my Mom and Amber were on there way to Danae’s house to drop off Spencer. Danae was so kind to watch Spencer for us; I am so blessed to have many great friends. (Side note: Danae said that Spencer and Camryn played together beautifully. She said that they would even hold hands as they walked around. How adorable!)

My Mom and Amber arrived at the hospital shortly after the Doctor broke my water. It took Doctor Judd a few hours before he was able to break my water due to other deliveries, the nurse said my labor would have been even shorter if my water broke on its own or if the doctor broke it sooner. I was dilated 7-8cm for quite awhile waiting for my water to break, by the time Doctor Judd came in to break my water I know I was dilated about 8 cm. Only a few short minutes after Doctor Judd broke my water I was feeling an enormous amount of pressure. We called the nurse in and sure enough I was dilated 10 cm, 100% effaced, Abigail had descended and I was ready to push. The pressure I was feeling was new to me because I didn’t feel this pressure with Spencer. It was a strange sensation. Of course the pressure came on strong every contraction and I felt the urge to push. It took Doctor Judd a few minutes before he could come in the room to deliver Abigail. So In the meantime a few other nurses had come in and set up the room for delivery.

Emotions were running high at this point. I still remember the feelings I experienced before, during, and after giving birth. I can still hear the sound of many voices chattering with excitement and the “click, click, click” of the cameras. Before delivery I was feeling anxious, emotional, nervous, excited, and curious. During delivery I was feeling relieved that everything was going smoothly, I was focused on pushing, and I was very emotional, tears were already filling my eyes with joy. Brady was right by my side and was encouraging me throughout the whole process. My Mom and Amber were behind Brady and by my side and Verna was on my other side watching the labor. It only took a few pushes before Doctor Judd had Brady take a look because Abigail’s head had crowned. Doctor Judd then had me push one more time with as much effort as I could muster. He then pushed on my stomach and out popped Abigail! She was beautiful! I was crying with joy and so was my family. It was one of the most spiritual moments I have ever experienced. I am so grateful that my family could be there during the delivery and experience that special moment with me. Abigail Megan Shaw arrived at 2:15 PM on January 6, 2010 and weighed 6lbs 15 oz and was 18.5 inches in length. She looks just like me in my newborn pictures, and it looks like she might have my hair color! We will have to wait and see what her hair color will be after this hair falls out, we can’t wait!

Our stay at the hospital was wonderful, I love, love, love the Orem Community hospital and the staff. They are so caring and helpful. There were a few surprises on the last day at the hospital. My Dad flew up and surprised us! I was emotional as all new mom’s are and was so surprised and beyond thrilled that my Dad came up to see us and baby Abigail, there were tears! My Grandpa Pendleton also came to see us at the hospital; Abigail is the first Great Granddaughter on my Mom’s side of the family and even on my Dad’s side. The last surprise was that Brady and Spencer bought me a precious gift that I will forever cherish. I am so grateful that our family was able to stay up here and help us out, it was a true blessing. I had a wonderful birth experience and we are so excited that Abigail is finally here! We love our baby girl and I’m so excited to see her personality develop.