Quick story…just because
Thursday, Feb 2, 2006
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Apparently the male readership wasn’t sufficiently rebuffed with that last post. There is no way to tell how many male readers there are, but I will say that a solid 25% of the Contact Form users are male. And about 99% of them begin their note like this, “My wife reads your site, but…” What a cover.
So, I asked my husband, “Would you read my site if you weren’t married to me?” I did not think this was akin to asking, “Do you think I’m fat?” and apparently he didn’t either. He answered, “Well…noooo…probably not…but you are entertaining sometimes.” I decided not to ask right then if I looked fat in my last month of pregnancy too.
Since a few of you commented with your birth tales and delivery dates, I thought I’d take a minute to recount our Christmas baby’s story.
It was Christmas Eve, my due date, and some of the family had come over to eat take-out Chinese and open presents. Everyone left in the early evening for the Christmas Eve service. I stayed behind, having labor symptoms. My husband went as well, as he was the associate pastor at the time (and we didn’t cancel services whenever someone had a baby or, say, Sunday happened to be Christmas 
).
I wasn’t sure what to expect, being this was only Baby #2. She decided to wait for full-on labor until 8 p.m., the exact moment the Christmas Eve service had ended. The timing was so good that my husband didn’t believe me when I called. But he “came to” real quick after I said a few words.
We went to the hospital as soon as he came home. I was nearing transition, but labor stalled when we got there. (All my kids apparently know that a germ-filled hospital is not the greatest place to make their first appearance. So they just refuse. Every time!) This was a problem because my OB still had a bike to put together in his garage before Christmas morning. He was a nice guy and all, but looking back, pitocin and artificial rupture of membranes–ARM—probably wasn’t necessary. This would be my shortest labor by far, as anything under 12 hours would prove to be record time for me in the future.
She was born around 3:38 a.m. in just enough time for the good doc to make it home, put together a bike, and brew some strong coffee. My husband got his tax advantage for the year, I got breakfast in bed, and the world got a little more spice in it with the arrival of our girl. But that’s a story for another day.
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I read your site…sssshhhhh…don’t tell my wife.
We have 4 and every labor has been an adventure, especially #2, who we thought was a girl. After enduring 2 on-call OB’s, the third MD finally delivered the child about 6:30am or so one chilly March morning, and as I’m standing over his shoulder I see “the package” - stunned, I simply say “Honey, it’s a boy…”. She, in her haze, just makes an unintelligible “oooghh” noise while my mother-in-law reacts as if she just figured out she had crickets in her jeans, racing out the door to tell all those gathered outside.
And that’s how we got our one and only son. He’s a peach, but his 3 sisters are pretty neat too.
Comment by Damon (February 2, 2006 @ 3:35 pm )
I’m definitely female — enjoyed your story! That’s awesome!
Comment by Anne (February 2, 2006 @ 8:39 pm )
Does this dress make me look fat?
I’ve been vicariously through pregnancy and in the delivery room a few times. So, that sort of talk doesn’t scare me
Comment by Ron (February 3, 2006 @ 12:44 am )
Fat??????Don’t worry about it! I was huge. Partly my own fault I admit. At 27 weeks, we went to Spain for a ‘last’ couple holiday. Flight attendant says ‘excuse me but I have to ask, are you pregnant’? I smiled and said ‘yes’ I thought….what, did you just think this was fat??!!
During the summer, I was still a bit big and wore a shapeless dress (shame on me) and had a comment about will this be your first child……and recently a lady from another church phoned to book my husband to preach. She had recently seen me at a meeting and commented that I was blooming and when was the baby due? What do you say to that? I informed her that I had had the baby and I would just go and get David.
Never mind hey. The weight is going and I look forward to putting on my lovely clothes again soon………….util the next time………………..
Comment by Susanna (February 3, 2006 @ 5:25 am )
hahahaha!
Are you actually trying to drive away male readers? (I know my husband would never read your blog–but then, he rarely even reads mine.) Do you think it’s improper to read a blog written by someone fo the opposite sex? I have wondered. . .
Loved your aside about cancelling church on Christmas Sundays. I think you are a real theological soul mate to me. What kind of church do you go to? We used to go to a Covenant church, which gave me theological conniptions on at least a monthly basis (the church was actually petty sound, but the denominational powers above it were not). Now we are at a Southern Baptist church, which is a lot more comfortable, at least in their willingness to be obedient to scripture. But often it feels too man-centered to me–all about “Oh, poor God, if we don’t get out and save all these people who are going to Hell, then He will be so sad disappointed on the last day, because of His great love for mankind.” I mean, I believe we need to be a witness, and particularly that our lives must reflect the glory of God. But when we try to do the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, I think we are treading into dangerous territory. We may even end up falsely assuring people that they are saved when no spiritual work has taken place in their hearts.
Anyway, God is the one who is sovereign and in control.
To pick up on your childbirth theme, I think we are called to be midwives to new believers, to be there and gently aid as the Holy Spirit does His work. We aren’t necessarily called to pull out the spiritual pitocin and forceps to hurry things along.
I have a feeling that I’ve gotten off topic . . . . (?)
Comment by ruth (February 3, 2006 @ 2:04 pm )
Ruth -
“To pick up on your childbirth theme, I think we are called to be midwives to new believers, to be there and gently aid as the Holy Spirit does His work. We aren’t necessarily called to pull out the spiritual pitocin and forceps to hurry things along”
I love this! I hope it’s okay if I borrow your analogy - I’m pretty sure I’ll be looking for ways to bring it up in conversation!
Comment by Shannon Miller (February 3, 2006 @ 5:49 pm )
Great story, Amy.
And how gracious of you to birth quickly enough for the dear doctor to get home to his garage.
Comment by Karen (February 4, 2006 @ 2:22 am )
amy, would you be willing to share your thoughts on the whole hospital thing? It’s just about the only birth-related decision I don’t have my mind made up about…I’ve had three hospital births, all different, all pretty safe and pleasant experiences, especially given that #1 was a retained placenta, #2 was induced after two weeks overdue and “measuring large” (he was 9lb 14oz) and #3 was greeted with a shot of antibiotics at about 2 min. old because of group B strep and meconium in the water. I’d love to try a home birth with a midwife but still wonder if that’s not exercising wisdom since I’ve had (minor) complications. Just wondering what your thoughts on the topic are…:)
Comment by stephanie (February 4, 2006 @ 11:59 am )
Ruth,
Sorry for taking so long to answer you; I’ve been off-line lately.
No.
We are members of an ARP church, which stands for Associate Reformed Presbyterian. It is 1/4 mile walking distance from our house, which we love. Of course, the views reflected here are not endorsed or condoned by the ARP, just so you know. Any embarrassment belongs to me solely, and any glory to God.
And Ruth, put in a good word for me to your husband.
Stephanie wrote:
I think that’s a decision that needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. For us, it is not a decision up for debate, since around here, midwives do not do homebirths. Instead, they practice under an OB in a local practice or birthing center. FWIW, I was burned really badly by some midwives at an Orlando birthing center during a second trimester miscarriage.
There aren’t any birthing centers within 60 miles of here; it is my opinion that traveling that distance monthly, bi-monthly, and weekly is more dangerous than if I just had a birth in a local hospital. (I feel that the “risk” of a car accident, however minute, is probably greater than what I’d encounter by staying local.) So, when you are left with my options, it isn’t something I really think about too much.
However, I know that some women feel strongly about these things one way or another. Like a lot of things, there are always pros and cons to consider. The only thing I would say on the subject is that these decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, trying not to allow your preferences to over-cloud good judgement. I also want to note that I don’t think this subject is a moral matter, as some would like to make it.
Comment by Amy Scott (February 4, 2006 @ 1:52 pm )
You are right Amy, where you give birth is not a moral matter. Pregnancy and birth do have their associated risks, although they are natural processes. I wanted a home birth, but was taken in and induced as pre-eclampsia was detected. I have no idea what I will do next time.
Stephanie, take the advice of the professionals and only do what you feel comfortable with. I almost felt like I should have a home birth and had some how failed if I did not because of what some friends had said. But my baby boy and I were safe and well. It also depends how close you are to emergency help if you should need it.
Comment by Susanna (February 4, 2006 @ 5:33 pm )
Being a former labor and delivery nurse, doing a homebirth and two birthing center births, Iave to toss in my two cents! (I have seen both sides of the story)
There is no “right” way or place to birth a baby. What is your birth philosophy? How can you have a philosophy if you don’t have any information? Get yourself informed, then decide what is important to you! Read in the box (Girlfriend’s Guide) read out of the box (Ina May’s Guide). Back to the two cents: there are two sides to every coin! Find a health care professional whos philosophy jives with yours.
end soap box.
Amy, your musings brighten my days. Thanks!
Comment by Megan (February 4, 2006 @ 8:46 pm )
Ya’ know, there are a few of us guys lurking around here…
Comment by rev-ed (February 4, 2006 @ 11:45 pm )
Amy,
About putting in a good word to my husband–I did read him your GPS story, and he loved it. It was right up his alley. He’s an electrical engineer turned sales and marketing professional for a small software company. I have a feeling that he would hit it off with your husband the rocket scientist. I’m a little confused–is your husband a rocket scientist AND a pastor?
My husband and my oldest son tease me that blogging is a sin. But I know if YOU blog, it isn’t!
You play piano at a Reformed Presbyterian church? The Reformed Pres. church in our area teaches that it is wrong to use instruments in worship. I never quite got that. (?)
Comment by ruth (February 6, 2006 @ 12:39 pm )
Amy…
I loved reading your Christmas baby birth story. Our ninth baby, a little girl, was born at home on Christmas Day in the evening. What a precious day and memory that is. Blessings to you and your family. May the LORD encourage you and guide you in the days ahead. Kegel! remember to Kegel tons(!) as you prepare for birth and post partum… —pamela
Comment by pamela (February 6, 2006 @ 10:47 pm )
Ruth, At the time of our second baby, he was a pastor. He was at the church for 9 years (actually, more like 20-something…just on staff for 9 years) which spanned time before we got married and then a couple years after. Now, he does the rocket thing.
[cough, choke]
Someone can correct me here, but I believe it is the OPC (Orthodox Pres. Church) that forbids instruments and only sings Psalms.
Comment by Amy Scott (February 7, 2006 @ 4:22 pm )
Our OPC in San Francisco adhered to the Regulative Principle but it isn’t across the board in all the OPC churches. The RPCNA is one denomination that also adheres to it. I’m not sure which others do as well.
Comment by emily (February 7, 2006 @ 4:29 pm )