Karis’ Mercy Hospital Birth Story | Yukon Oklahoma Birth Photographer
Mandy is a first time mom, self-proclaimed wannabe insta-mom, who loves all things girly.
“Karis is our sweet little love. Karis is our first born, weighing 7lbs 12oz.”
Mandy had an induced labor with a vaginal birth at a hospital, born in the midst of storms and tornadoes …
“We had a scheduled induction scheduled for 5/6/19. We got bumped a little late and went in a little later that evening. They started my induction on 5/7 and Karis arrived early morning on 5/8.”
“The induction took way longer than we expected, waiting to get to the point that Dr.V could break my water was a whole day affair. We were hoping Karis would join us on the 7th but she decided to make us wait a little longer.”
“When we met our night shift nurse I told her that I hoped we had a baby on her shift. It was an interesting night to say the least – thunderstorms and tornadoes. There was actually a tornado warning the night that Karis arrived.”
Can we say “WOW?!?!”
Mandy’s experience with contractions went a little something like this…
“Contractions were the worst. The actual worst. I opted for an epidural as soon as I could since I knew that it could be a while. There was actually an error and I got skipped in line so by the time I got my epidural I was DYING.”
“I handled the contractions moderately well until it got to the point of not having a break between them. It was like one would end and immediately the next would start, and I was just weeping.”
“While I was going through labor I was just ready for her to be here, it was so long (now I know that it wasn’t actually, but at the time it felt like forever) and I was so over the waiting. I expected to be a lot more of a handful than I was. I was actually moderately laid back throughout labor.”
“We had gone through a childbirth class, I brought oils, and a bunch of random stuff but honestly none of that helped with anything. The only things that were of any use was my laptop because I just watched movies. LOL.”
Sometimes the oddest things can bring comfort.
“At my birth was my mom, Josh, and Stephanie. Nothing really helped me focus (but I also didn’t really feel the pressure or need to focus). We were betting on what time Karis would arrive (don’t tell but my brother was the closest). And honestly I just kept trying to keep things light. I went into the hospital on 5/6 at 10pm and Karis arrived at 2:36am on 5/8.”
Thankfully for Mandy, everything she experienced was totally worth it…
“We went in, waited all day, watched a lot of Disney movies and brought our very own princess into the world. The waiting sucked, but getting the most beautiful girl here was worth it.”
All the waiting certainly paid off!
“I pushed for about 10 minutes and then it ended up that Karis was rotated slightly and the nurse wasn’t sure she could rotate her. We then stopped pushing and waited for Dr.V (the nurse thought he’d need to use the vacuum to rotate Karis).”
“Once Dr. V got there and got ready I think I pushed for another 10 minutes or so and she was here! I pushed well and honestly that part is a blur.”
“I asked if she was supposed to be that color LOL. I was just so excited that she was here. I was also TERRIFIED – being my first little love it seemed like all of sudden a lot of responsibility.”
“I was also HUNGRY – like starving. I was really proud of myself though for handling the labor and delivery as well as I did. I was ready for some rest.”
“Josh started crying and was just so happy to meet his girl. Josh cried, our parents cried – honestly the pictures describe their emotions more than I ever could.”
When asked about what she learned through this experience…
“I thought it would be a lot faster, and I thought I would be a mom-zilla, but honestly it went really smoothly. Getting our girl (and all her hair) while virtually pain free (after the epidural) was the best part.” For pain relief, people can check out this information from a pain medic in Alabama
“We also put on eye of the tiger the moment before she was born and that was something fun and special (She was born to the song Who Says by Selena Gomez).”
“Spending so much time in a hospital bed was the worst part. By the time we went home we had been in the hospital 5 days and I was OVER IT. I learned that I am stronger than I even thought and that God blessed us with the best girl despite all my fears.”
This is truly a touching story and we are glad Mandy shared it with us. Congratulations to her and Joshua on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Karis.
