Thursday, February 6, 2014

~The Birth of a Miracle~ Part 1

So, I've been working on this post for a long time.. I wanted it to be perfect. But I know that I will edit it many, many times. :)

The week before was a stressful one. I was trying to finish up everything at work and on Thursday the 12th both C & I were overwhelmed with if we were going to have my membranes stripped or not on Friday the 13th. I had decided early on I did not want Pitocin because I have a bad reaction from it. But the more we both thought about it the more we both got uncomfortable with the idea of stripping my membranes. Just unsure of the unknown. Will I go quickly right after they're stripped? Will it even work? What if B & C aren't here? Am I seriously starting to come down with a cold?? Yep, I started feeling like I was getting sick and this was the confirmation I needed. So, we decided it would be best to induce on Monday the 16th.

Of course, I was a wreck that whole weekend. Running around getting last minute things done, laundry, house work, etc. But Sunday night rolled around and I was calm and relaxed. I was able to spend that evening with Nick. I was able to ponder on my whole pregnancy, my whole experience, my amazing year that I had with this miracle and I also thought about how much closer C & I had gotten. I sat and thought about how much stronger this experience has made me. And most of all how much I cherish and love my family. How lucky I am to have each and every one of them in my life.

At this point, we weren't exactly sure when we were getting admitted. They told me it could be as early as 6:30 am, but as late as 6:30 pm & to keep my phone close by. Well, of course I couldn't sleep I was full of excitement, nervousness, sadness and happiness! My phone rang at 5 am asking us to come in at 6:30! Got showered, ready and was out the door!

I knew this was going to be an amazing experience for not only Nick & I, my family, B & C and their family but also for the staff at my hospital. This was there very first Surrogacy experience! The nurses were absolutely amazing!! So loving and caring. And they had so much excitement in every one of them! :) Of course, I got there on time and got checked in. Immediately got all cute in my gown and climbed into the bed. I was so mad because I forgot to have Nick take one last belly pic. :( By the time we got the paperwork and vitals out of the way it was already 8 am. I had sent Nick home to help get all 6 of my kids get ready & off to school. B & C were going to join me about 8:30 am.

Lets do this!
~Nick & I~
At 8 am they got my IV ready and started Pitocin. The nurse (Melanie) checked me and unfortunately I was still at only a 2!! Seriously, after this rough week I had and those contractions? Still only a 2.. Okay.. so we wait... B & C joined me about 8:30 and I had barely started feeling minor contractions. It felt so good to see them!! I had to work hard to control my emotions. I just wanted to hug C forever!!! We waited so patiently for this day and here we were, awaiting the arrival of this beautiful little boy! Nick came back at 9 and by this time I could feel the contractions pretty good, but not unbearable. My nurse Melanie checked me again about 9:30 a.m. and guess what.. Nothing!! Still only a 2. At this point I knew it was going to be a longer labor than I anticipated. But might as well savor these last moments as a surrogate, right? :) My best friend Linzee also showed up to cheer me on and to take some unforgettable pics for us! Thanks Linz! xoxoxo

Introducing the Amazing & Loving B&C!
~The Whole Team~
My Beautiful, Amazing & Supportive Mother in Law!
Melanie, my favorite nurse out there!
She was as excited as we were to experience this Miracle!

My doctor finally showed up a little after 10 a.m. and decided to break my water. Wow.. apparently my water was bulging but unfortunately my uterus was really back there? OUCH!! I couldn't believe how much it hurt! I was practically climbing up the back of my bed! As tears rolled down my face Dr. K tells me.. "Well, looks like you are a 3!" A freaken 3?? Seriously.. Okay, Alvina.. You can do this.. Just take a breath and relax.

Finally at about 12 p.m. I decided I'd had enough.. I opted to get the Epidural! My Anesthesiologist was "amazing!!" I started feeling the Epidural pretty quickly. Woot Woot, what was I thinking.. This should've been done "wayyyyy" long ago! About 2 p.m., my nurse checked me again and thank goodness I'd progressed! Not much, but still progressed! I was now a 4! Honestly... I thought I was going to be here all night!! So I decided to nap! :) At about 3:30 p.m., Melanie checked me again and hooray more progress! I was now a 5 & finally 100% effaced!

Patiently awaiting a Miracle
The Boys being patient
About an hour later at 4:30 my nurse comes in, and I told her I had pressure.. I was hoping and praying to at least be a 6!! Well, guess what???!!! I was a 9 almost a 10, Melanie paged my Dr. and told him "Do not do that C-Section! She's ready to push!!" o_o The second I heard her say this.. I lost it! Was this really happening? Was what we worked for, for over a year finally here? Were we going to witness the Birth of this beautiful little boy?? Was my journey coming to an end? I immediately started crying and was so overwhelmed with emotions, I could barely control myself. I just squeezed Nick's hand and hugged C and Linz! I wasn't ready for this?? As long as my labor had lasted, I wanted it to last a little bit longer.. Why?? Was I scared of the delivery? Scared my journey would be over? No.. I was scared to find out if I would feel that emptiness everyone around me thinks I may feel... I thought to myself... "Get control of yourself Alvina! You've worked so hard to get here. You should be Proud! Believe in yourself. Know how lucky you are to give such an amazing gift to B & C!" And with that.. I gave it my all and started to push!

I pushed, and pushed and pushed some more, lots more! And nothing.. "Come on Baby Boy, lets go. I'm finally ready! Your Mommy & Daddy have been waiting for such a long time for you! We want to see that beautiful little face and hear that beautiful little cry!" I took breath after breath, waited for the next contraction and would give it my all again.. I could hear all those amazing nurse's, Linz, my mother in law & Nick cheering me on. I know I was so close, but after 20 minutes of pushing... I was exhausted & weak. I have never pushed so hard in my life! I took one more long deep breath and pushed and with that we witnessed a Miracle..


 C's first reaction to the sight of her baby



C's face speaks for itself
She was handed her baby boy!











He is beautiful.. He is big! My first intuition was to look at C's reaction, it was beautiful! It was everything and more then I anticipated. This is what I worked so hard for and it was worth every second, if not more! :) Everything was Priceless! Everything was Perfect! I sat back, held Nick's hand and enjoyed and savored this moment. It was a very special moment, one I will cherish forever.


 Linzee also savoring this moment

Showing him off!

B & C looked so proud! C brought him close to me and thanked me! It was a 
very emotional moment for all those involved.





He was born at 4:50 p.m. They weighed him and he was a whopping 
8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long! A very healthy little boy!


Proud papa moment!

Proud parents, absolutely love this picture!

The moment I finally got to hold this handsome and precious little gift. I was overwhelmed. He was perfect! He melted my heart and put an instant smile on my face!







~He's worth it all~
Little K meeting her brother for the first time!

Grandma C (I love her by the way!) meeting baby A for the first time.

Grandma C, Thanking me a million times! Such an amazing lady!

I just have to say that he was worth it! His beautiful little face just melts my heart. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely would! This experience has been so amazing. Something I will cherish for the rest of my life! I know there was someone who brought us together at that exact moment in our lives. I am so grateful for this opportunity in my life and I am so grateful to B & C and our families for the support and love they have shown us. I never would've imagined the amount of support from my family, church, friends, co-workers and honestly even strangers. I am so blessed.. This experience has certainly changed my life for the better. It has given me a stronger testimony of my Faith and my beliefs, it has made me a better wife and a better mother. If you ever have this opportunity in your life, take advantage of it.. I promise you it can only change you for the better!

Alvina ~

11 comments:

  1. beautiful story and a job well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you "one faux mommy"! I am really starting to miss the writing.. May have to continue.. :)

      Delete
  2. OMG! I am crying!! That reaction of C was priceless and so beautiful!! Bless your heart Alvina! This is something I would do possibly after I finish having my kids! You gave a family a miracle and that is something a lot of people would not do. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leah.. sorry it's been so long since I've replied. Thanks so much for your kind words, they really mean a lot to me! Yes, C's face is priceless. I'm so grateful I have these amazing pictures to look back on and remember that exact moment! If you ever have the opportunity I'd say do it! It is a beautiful blessing! (mwah)

      Delete
  3. beautiful i would never be able to do that

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brooke, I once said that! Haha :) Thanks so much for reading my blog!

      Delete
  4. Thank you for sharing! I am just starting the process to see if I am a suitable gestational carrier for a friend of a friend who started menopause at 27. I am beyond excited about the chance to make her dreams come true!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa.. Please keep me updated. I would love to follow your journey or answer any questions you may have. :) Wow, you sound amazing! Doing this for a friend makes it even more special. It will bring you two together more then you could ever imagine!! Please feel free to email me anytime! (((hugs)))

      Delete
  5. I couldn't express enough the love I have for you, your courage to give our friends such an amazing gift of life is so selfless. You are an amazing strong woman! The look on Carola's face in the pictures as she see her son is so priceless and brings tears to my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sher! Thank you so much for those beautiful words! I couldn't have been more blessed to be able to do this for two more deserving people! They are amazing! This journey has bettered me in so many ways! Thanks so much for your love!
      xoxoxo

      Delete

  6. Nice blog ..! I really loved reading through this article..

    Thanks for sharing such a amazing post

    keep blogging...

    Dr.Padmaja Surrogacy centre is the best Surrogacy centre in Hyderabad India. For more info click best Surrogacy centre

    ReplyDelete