Friday, July 17, 2015

Pregnancy & Labor: Taylor Milan Lindsey's Birth Story



Introducing the world to our little princess, Taylor Milan Lindsey! 

First, how did we come up with her name?

While me & Cornelius were courting, we used to joke and make stick figures creating our little family. The first stick figure was a little boy named "Logan," the second, a little girl named Taylor. And.. there was a third & I think we are going to adopt him/her! :) 

So, as we searched high and low for girl names, we couldn't agree on one name. It's crazy how many people you realize you know when it comes to choosing names! :) So, we were sitting at Houston's restaurant and I said.. remember our stick figures? The names? Cornelius smiled & said "TAYLOR!" Yes!! That's it! The name we've always loved and had peace about. So, with further research, I checked out a few more things. 

Taylor definition: Transferred use of the surname derived from the Anglo-French taillour (tailor), which is from the Old French taillier (to cut).
Milan definition: "Gracious" 

So, as we paired it together, we figured that God would use Taylor to graciously share the word of God which CUTS deeper than any two edged sword. She will be used to share Christ in a dark world as she shows people how important it is to CUT out anything that isn't like Him. :)

So, onto my birth story!

If you read my birth story with Logan, that I had a ROUGH, long labor. The doctors had been measuring Logan for awhile and found that he was a big boy so a C-section was always a possibility in the back of my mind, EVEN with my birth plan. I ended up having a C-section with him but I was open to a VBAC (Vaginal birth after C-section) and so were my doctors. We agreed that we would continue to monitor the size of Taylor to determine if we were going to try for a VBAC. So, we went to our 33 week doctors appointment and Taylor was measuring 6 pounds and 11 ounces! Whoaaa! ANOTHER big baby! My doctor was shocked, she said, "And you don't even have diabetes! You just have BIG babies!" So, she suggested that I schedule a C-section because obviously, we tried that whole vaginal birth with Logan and he didn't come after 27 hours because he couldn't fit in my pelvic wall. Hey, some women are smaller down there and I just happen to be one of them that births big babies!


39 weeks & one week later with Taylor! 

So, I told the Lord that if for some reason, I go to into labor before my scheduled C-section at 39 weeks and a half, that I would go for the VBAC!

Welp.

On Tuesday, July 7th, ONE day before my scheduled C-section, I went and got my hair done (the photo above), I got a manicure and a pedicure. That morning, I noticed that I was having contractions, REAL contractions (not braxton hicks) and they were about 10 minutes apart. So, I continued about my day and they became more spread out. Then, at 6pm - the contractions were every 10 minutes until 2AM. I'm thinking.. wait, this isn't normal. My contractions are getting closer and closer together! The other part of me was thinking, "WHY LORD!?" We had PLANS to go in & get a scheduled C-section! Why are we adding extra tests?!" lol! So, then the contractions started to come every 5 minutes for an hour! Those contractions were PAINFUL! Whew! So, we rushed to the hospital and shockingly, I was already dilated to 6 CM! We were shocked! With Logan, I never went into labor and the fact that my body was going into labor was a sign to me to let it run it's course.

Until.. 12 hours later.

Lots of contractions and I was still only dilated to 6 CM! The doctor continued to check my cervix to see how far Taylor was from my cervix and we kept running into the same issue, her head wasn't dropping.

It couldn't fit. Again. 

Welp, I tried Lord. And about 18 hours later.. the doctor said to me, "Heather, we've been here before, Taylors experiencing some stress from contractions -  what do you want to do?"

C-section please, sir. 

Did I want another one? Um, who wants their abs cut open and a child ripped out of them!? lol! Of course I didn't but it wasn't about me! It was about the safety of Taylor! To me, it was a tiny sacrifice to get her here safely!

1 hour later on July 8, 2015 at 4:10pm, we were holding Taylor in our arms! She was a perfect 9 pounds and 2 ounces and 21 inches! When I heard her cry for the first time, I cried happy tears! Gosh, my little baby girl is here! I have a DAUGHTER! A mini me! There's so much I want to teach her. There's so much I want her to learn! 

So, I'm a breastfeedin' mama and right when we went into the recovery room, they let me latch her on! She latched RIGHT on and started nursing! I was so proud of her! I had just finished nursing Logan about 5 months prior to giving birth so, it's like my body already knew the drill!

But, things didn't get much easier after that. 

They noticed that her blood sugar levels were low. They said it was common with larger babies, so they sent her down to the NICU. I had no idea that it was like a baby prison down there! Of course, the nurses were awesome, but I felt like it robbed the freedom I wanted to just take my baby girl with me to my hospital room. I had to get buzzed into the back to see her every 3 hours as I nursed. The first day, I took a wheelchair to go see her, but by day 2 of my c-section, I was walking around. Although my amazing husband would have wheeled me all over the hospital, I tend to be a bit independent and if I'm nursing her on demand or every 2-3 hours, there's a chance my hubby was out grabbing food or even sleeping and I didn't want to bother him. So, as I sat on the 7th floor, taking mini- naps, I would calls to go downstairs to the 2nd floor & feed Taylor. So, up & down, up & down. We prayed for baby girl's quick recovery & that we could take her home with us when we were scheduled to leave the hospital. Talk about exhausting!

Thank GOD that after 24 hours, her blood sugar levels were stable and then they wanted to wait another 24 hours to make sure they remained that way. Sadly, they pricked her every 3 hours to make sure. Although I understand their precaution, I hated that she had to go through those things just days after birth! So, we were pretty intentional about spending hours and hours of skin-to-skin and nursing. Shoutout to my hubby who was right there, present and always active!

Logan came up to the hospital every single day and spent a few hours with us each day! We did the "gift" exchange and told Logan that his little sister bought him his little superhero toys! He was so excited! :)

Finally, we were able to take Taylor home and we got discharged at the same exact time! She was in the NICU for a total of 2 days.

What have I learned? That God's will isn't always what we think. Obviously, I prayed, believed the best but I learned that I cannot control every thing that happens to me, but I can control my response towards it.

Now, back at home-- I'm pretty intentional about resting, walking and getting back into the swing of things. I'm not good at just laying around for hours and hours. I love to be active, work, and run errands but I understand that my body needs to heal! So, I've been in the house dealing with cabin fever BUT I'm enjoying all of this snuggle and bonding time with my Taylor. Never will I have just days and days and days of constant skin-to-skin and laying around together. I'm going to soak up every single moment!

Will we have more?

Long answer short, NO. lol! My prayer is that the Lord will close my womb and that we will be able to adopt a couple babies! :) I have pretty big babies, my pregnancies are usually pretty hard on my body and labor & delivery is a hot mess! My prayer is that the Lord will allow somebody else to do the work & we get the baby via adoption! :) Hey, I'm adopted so I support adoption 100%!

And now, we are a family of four and my heart is seriously exploding. I LOVE being Cornelius's wife, Logan & Taylor's mama! Our hearts are so at peace and we are THANKFUL that God chose us to be parents of 2 precious babies!

Taylor and Logan are getting along quite well and Logan is SUPER helpful. He even tried to explain to me that he needed to nurse Taylor. (blank stare). Hey, he's only 2 years old! lol!

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement along the way!

God loves you all like crazy,

Heather Lindsey
Our first family stroll with Taylor! She's one week old!

I love my family! 

45 comments:

  1. This is beautiful and thanks for the reminder about "it's our response that matters" to his will.

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  2. God Blessings Heather. ...I had a scheduled cs 4yrs back. ...Wish you good recovery

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  3. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your experience, Heather. Our first son was a vaginal birth, but now that I've had my uterus cut on via a myomectomy, it's a fair chance that I'll have to deliver future babies through C-section. Your story is an encouragement to God always having our best at heart regardless of our plans. Blessings to your growing family of 4!

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  4. This is beautiful. ..May God continue to keep and uphold her... congrats

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  5. I loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing... You're absolutely right, things may not always go according to how we think they should, but we bow to His will, that is perfect! Our story is so parallel, our daughter's name is even similar, Milani Andrea :) Anyway, just sharing some love <3 Blessings to you all and the newest little Lindsey :).

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  6. Congratulations to you and your family! God is awesome.

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  7. "Mama, I need to nurse Taylor" lol Logan is the cutest! Congrats :-) xoxo

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  8. CONGRATS! She's simply adorable! I can feel your excitement! God Bless you and your Family! 😊

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  9. Thank you for sharing your birth story; you are always so giving and I know your transparency is a blessing to many. Congratulations on the new addition your family; your baby girl is absolutely gorgeous! 😊 God bless you all! Love you with the love of Christ. ❤

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  10. Thank you for sharing your birth story; you are always so giving and I know your transparency is a blessing to many. Congratulations on the new addition your family; your baby girl is absolutely gorgeous! 😊 God bless you all! Love you with the love of Christ. ❤

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  11. Congratulations and enjoy this precious time with your family. God bless and keep you. Thanks for sharing your birthing story.

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  12. Congratulations! You are such an inspiration and your ministry truly blesses me. Logan and my first born are 2 months apart and Taylor and my second born are 3 months apart. I too had 2 c-sections, so I feel your pain (literally). Sending love and healing prayers your way!!

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  13. Wow! Such a blessing! GOD is GOOD! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! Wishing you and your family the best of GOD's blessings! I know our faithful GOD will continue to cover you all with grace! Thank you for spreading the word of GOD and being so encouraging to others :)

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  14. Congratulations Heather...God bless you and your family!

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  15. Congrats hon. Pretty inspirational . I pray the Lord will continue to bless and guide you. You have shown great work through Him...in reaching out to people and sharing and preaching His words. Continue the awesome job.

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  16. Hey Heather! I'm so happy for you. You explain things with so much detail. Girl I felt as if I was there. I too had a c-section with my first son. My last two children by the grace of God were v-backs. I prayed and had faith that God would give me the chance to do vaginal birth. Sometimes its his will and sometimes he has other plans but all in all, the babies are healthy. I pray your daughter and family will continue to grow in Christ and most of all be an example of a true example of holiness and love. God bless you heather you are such an inspiration.

    Love Bev

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  17. Birth is truly a miracle and a true gift 🎁 from God as I gave birth 20 years ago to my only child a daughter and I thank Him daily.. A ♀ possess great strength and we are such amazing creatures who bears it all.. my daily walk with The Lord has brought about great peace knowing when I'm lost He guides me right back on track and knowingly He's going to continually do the same for you..Welcome to this world Taylor 🎉 🍼

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  18. Congrats! I see you all adopting two girls

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  19. I have a question. What are your thoughts on contraceptives? I know the Lord opens and closes wombs but isn't it good to be cautious? Is it wisdom or taking matters into my own hand.

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    1. Honestly, those added hormones make you crazy! lol! I can't do birth control. I'm just going to track my ovulation!

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  20. I was told that pedicures trigger labor that may have been why you went into labor early. Beautiful story.

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  21. I am hopeful for d fruit of d womb its been 4months in marriage I know God will bless my home with babies

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    1. I pray he does too. In the meantime enjoy your hubby. Congrats!

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  22. aaawww, such an amazing story.Got to love Heather's candor and transparency. blessings to your family :)

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  23. Wow I'm sooo impressed I pray God in his infinite mercies continue to make your heart at peace always and forever.
    You and your family are blessed its soo evidential

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  24. Congratulations 🎊 Heather. You are truly inspiring. God bless you and your family real good!!!

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  25. So glad to see God answered your prayers. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Blessings to you and your new family!

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  26. Thanks for sharing ma'am. Congratulations again. You have such a lovely family and you are a big inspiration and blessing. God bless you all. 😍😚

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  27. Beautiful ☺☺

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  28. Beautiful beautiful journey!! Thank God for your cute little family unit. I pray God's grace never departs from your family. I am TTC and your journey encourages me that God will make it all beautiful at his own time xx
    B

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  29. She's so pretty. Congratulations to The Lindsey's!❤

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  30. Congratulations and cheers to you on a successful birth of your babygirl!

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  31. Logan nursing Taylor...hahaha

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  32. I'm married (for less than 2 years), don't vhave kids yet but my husband and I have picked out their names already :) And pray for them to be delivered on God's perfect time.

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  33. Gosh!!! You are such a woman of God. I am convicted to letting God's will reign. I don't knw how you do but you are a God sent. Been following you since you were pregnant for Logan.. you have influenced my life so much.. you'll never know how much you've blessed me until the day of Lord. Jesus. God bless you and your family and grant you the desires of your heart

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  34. Congratulations Heather!!! You deserve ALL the blessings God has for you! I pray your children will be a light to others wherever they go, just like their parents. Blessings on blessings on blessings for you !

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  35. Congratsssssssssssssssssss! She is sooo beautiful! God bless you guys! <3

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  36. Congrats on your beautiful blessing.

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  37. Congratulations on the new arrival! My husband and I are hoping to conceive soon. Very timely reminder of remembering to trust God's perfect timing and the fact that he's always in control even when things don't go as we plan.

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  38. Beautiful . May God continue to bless you and your family.

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