November 11, 2013

Week 38 - Introducing Genevieve Lark

Week 38
November 4 - 10
A week I will never forget. 

My intuition was right. I was certain I would go into labor before my due date. Many people told me that that is what all moms say, but I just knew she was coming early. Monday morning after my 38 week prenatal, I started to go into labor. Contractions moved from 10 minutes apart to 6 minutes apart by that night. I labored at home all day Tuesday and Wednesday with constant contractions at 5-8 minutes apart. On Thursday morning things started progressing. After 30 minutes of pushing, Genevieve was born at 3:57 pm on Thursday, November 7th in our bedroom. She was 6 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long. That's the short version of the story.

Here is the bump progress from start to finish:

Here are some bullet points from the experience:
-We had an extremely long labor. 
-I had a lot of challenges to overcome.
-I have never worked so hard in my entire life. The strength that was required of me was so deep, I am still in awe. I never knew I was that strong. 
-I experienced the lowest lows and highest highs, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
-I had to release all expectations and ideals for the birth (like not having a water birth).
-There were moments when we considered transporting to the hospital.
-I have never been so in love with Michael and his constant support. He never left my side!
-My birth team are my heroes.
-I am forever grateful for Jennifer, my midwife, and Mary, her assistant. They believed in me and walked me through every contraction.
-We brought our daughter into this world in a safe, comfortable, sacred space.
-My home means so much more to me now that it is the place we birthed our baby.
-Even with the intense challenges, I would choose a home birth again.
-We are now a family and we are so in love with our daughter.
-I will never be the same. 

I am in the process of piecing together the labor and birth, working through the timeline (4 days is a lot to remember), trying to find the right words to use and really allowing myself to feel all the emotions involved in birth. I will share the details once I have properly given this experience the time it needs to process.

But until then..... here is our baby girl! 
Enjoy the pictures. We are totally, absolutely smitten. We have the best baby in the world. She is so peaceful and snugly. Every day we fall more and more in love. 
Genevieve's first picture
 
Genevieve,
Welcome to this world. You were worth every moment of the last 9 months and every second of the last week of labor. You have made us a family. Our hearts are so full. 
The journey is just beginning. 

3 comments:

  1. Aw. This is so precious beyond words. What sacred moments! Many blessings to you three!

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  2. This is so sweet! And I'm so impressed by you Merrill!!! 4 days of labor????! Goodness, you're strong. Thanks for posting this!

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  3. Just incredible! Looking forward to hearing the full story when you're ready to share. Congrats!

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