It began at 5am on December 8, 2010. Little did we know Momma Bear & Daddy Bear were about to experience a wave of emotions over the next 8 days.
We arrived at Henry Medical at 5am thinking that the show was gonna start promptly...not so much. Labor didn't start till 7:30am when Dr. Lopatine broke my water and started me on pitocin. I definitely went into this experience wanting to go all natural. So much so, that the doctor basically told me I could go home, as he was extremely busy with many deliveries. Ha. Let's just say, in the moment, I was not very fond of him. But, I must say, he was great for the rest of the experience.
I was soooooo slow to progress...that I literally thought I would be in labor for at least 24 hours according to my mathematical calculations. Thankfully, I was not...only 17hrs!
By 3:30pm, I had dilated 4cm...and, it wasn't the pain that did me in...it was the thought of not having the strength to push when it came time.
Bear was not responding well, as his little heart was showing signs of distress. Tammy, who came on at 7pm, was a wonderful nurse. She actually delivered my girlfriend's little girl and she told us how incredible she was. So, we requested her and got her!
Regulating the pitocin, while trying to produce stronger contractions, was really messing with Bear. Let's just say he was perfectly content without being induced and probably could have waited just a little longer to enter this world. I know, son; you tried telling me over and over again. Through all the natural methods we used to get you here...I should have left the hospital that morning, but your Aunt Stacey wasn't going to be real happy with me. She took off several days of work so that she could be at your birth and so did your Gigi.
At about 8:30pm, I had dilated to 5.5 cm. YAY! Like I said, I was very slow to progress. :) The good news...at 11:30pm I was complete! WOOHOO! Aside from being on oxygen and concerned about my son's heart rate, I was extremely calm and in control. I had a few practice pushes with Tammy & then Dr. Lopatine came in at 12am for the special delivery...9 pushes and 20 minutes later Barington Stephen Sheneman was born! Well worth the long hours of labor! He weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz. and 19.5 inches long. It was by far the most incredible experience ever. To see my husband's face was priceless. He never left my side and watched the entire process till the very end. I do remember this comment coming from his mouth, "Baby, we can have 15 of these things if you want..." As I was getting stitched up. Ha. Right.
From there began the roller coaster ride. I will not detail every minute but will include the major details.
Shortly after his birth, his blood sugar levels were extremely low. My girlfriend, Melissa, who is a NICU nurse just so happened to be working in the nursery that shift. She actually gave Bear his first bath and took care of him for the few hours that remained on her shift. She was a blessing!
It was that morning that we were informed he would be heading to the NICU as he was not getting better. From there we were told he may have Down Syndrome, no ear canals, fluid on his brain, possible coarctation (heart related), heart murmur and eventually would have an issue with his sodium being too low.
Needless to say, Trey and I curled up in the hospital bed late that evening and cried out to God. We were both completely overwhelmed by the series of events that had transpired...could you blame us? Once again, the devil set out to steal our joy...but we rebounded and continued to press on in prayer believing for a completely healthy baby boy.
With many prayers going up on behalf of Bear, we were told that he did not have Down Syndrome and his brain scan was normal. After 4 cardiologists looked at Bear's heart, we were told that he was good to go and there was no reason to follow up. The prayers of the saints were being heard and the Lord was working it all out. Thank you, Jesus! After recovering from the low sodium levels which ended up being a fluid issue...nothing more and nothing less...we were given the green light. It's time to go home!
The ear issue will have to be looked at by an ENT & a cranial-facial surgeon, but this momma already believes that he can hear and that it will just be a cosmetic fix. I will continue to keep you posted and definitely appreciates any and all prayers.
"We are over comers by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony."
Sometimes we just need to tell the devil...that he has already been defeated!
By Grace Alone,
Jenni
