Zeke's Arrival

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our second son, Ezekiel John.  He is amazing and we are so grateful for the Lord's care.

Here's the story.

On Zeke's due date, at about 10:30 at night I noticed that the Braxton Hicks contractions that I had been having for weeks, seemed to be rather consistent and keeping me up (doesn't take much).  So we sorta timed them and they seemed to be close together.  We are no experts, so we took off to the hospital...a bit early.

I was 1 cm dilated. BumMER!  Apparently they were just Braxton Hicks contractions.  They weren't doing anything significant to open up the uterus. Anyway, John went back home to get some sleep and attendants showed me to my room.  Everyone was thinking that it would move along quickly since this was my second child.

John came back early with no real news to discover.  I had gotten some rest, but the contractions were consistent.  I was busy practicing my breathing, no matter how unpainful they were, because that's how I need to roll.  John came and went as needed to work on house stuff and our imminent move. I prayed, through practically every one contraction.  Didn't care how silly I looked. This was a stark contrast from last time.  I have experienced what it's like to go through labor using my own efforts- not cool.

So, on this went all day.  I was monitored and things were slowly (emphasis there) progressing.  When I discovered I was only 4.5 cm dilated at 5:00 in the evening I cried. This is where I was losing hope. I took a bath and I noticed the contractions were harder, but I was tired.  So, the epidural was administered. I made sure to tell the physician that the typical German half dose in the name of "still feeling the need to push" was not going to work for me and that to "bring it on." John left again, to put Keane to bed because he hadn't seen him all day.

True to Sara's pain tolerance level.  I still felt the contractions.  I received the epidural at 6:00 and when the pushing contractions came I had no problem identifying them an hour or so later.  "I want to push!"  John barely made it back in time to see his baby boy delivered.

Your OB Gyn here in Germany doesn't necessarily have to be at your delivery at the hospital.  Ours doesn't even work at a hospital. I had requested one Dr. to oversee when Keane was born and I only saw him at the end, with an annoyed look on his face, I might add.  This time he showed up for the birth, in a Superman-ish, sort of way.  Zeke's head was somewhere other than where it should have been and I was struggling to push him out. In flew the Dr, minus the cape, saw the distress, and took charge.  I thought he was going to break my ribs by pressing with both of his forearms on my uterus. He commissioned John to hold my head up, a couple of pushes later through, "I can't do this" sentiments, Zeke was born.

Ezekiel John Varghese
Born November 23, 2010
8:18 pm
8.97 pounds

Comments

Katie Barker said…
What a beautiful boy!
he is SO CUTE! i love his sweet face. Congratulations. i am glad God brought him safely here and that is it over.

love you sara
Amanda said…
he IS so cute!! Praise God Sara!!
Kelly Glupker said…
Congratulations! I love hearing birth stories. Thanks for sharing. You made me giggle a few times throughout. :) Glad everyone is safe and healthy!