from conception to Birth

From conception to Birth

My little Miracle.

Introducing:  Amarisa Hope De Leon, our newest edition to the De Leon clan.

Every child is a miracle from God, but this precious little one is a miracle to us.
This precious one was a surprise. With my husband being on certain medications, we knew it was unwise to conceive.

Yet, on January 12, 2014 I found out that I was expecting another baby.  Although this little one was a surprise to us, she definitely was not to God.  I was excited, afraid, overwhelmed, and not sure what the Lord was doing.

I wrote out my feelings in my diary.

January 19, 2014

Dear unborn little one,                 

It's been one week since I found out I was expecting you. I wanted to share you with someone so I told daddy (of course) and your oldest sister... She was thrilled.

I was at Walmart. You know those bins in the isles that sell little odds and end? Well, Walmart was selling dye free liquid Benydryl in those bins for 88 cents. I put one in my cart... It was a great deal. My eyes fell on the little pregnancy test in the bin.

Now, I had no idea you were starting to grow in my tummy. I bought that little test, but I really had no idea why.

After returning home and putting everything away, I took that test... I'm still in awe.

The little line showed up that you were here.

You see little one, I am 41. You are my 11th child.

Many people might frown on me being pregnant. No one will say it out loud, but I'm sure they will think it.

Not because of you dear child, but out of concern for my health. I get that too.

This is Sunday January 19th. I heard that today is unborn awareness month.

Well, I am very aware of you. I'm thankful for you. I want you to know that you ARE wanted and I'm already in love with you.  But most of all God is aware of you.

Hi, from the womb!

16 weeks and a little human uniquely made by her God.

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.-Psalms 139- KJV

God already knows what you look like and how you will be formed. This a great comfort to this tired mama, because i know no matter what God made you special and unique…no one else is like you.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
The older I get, the more aware I am of the miracle of conception and birth. How much has to work perfectly to form a created being that nine months from now will enter this world.

 You were conceived out of two people who love each other very much and a mommy who happens to be very fertile.

It's to early to know if God lets me keep you near my heart or if He want you close to His.

Either way, you are loved.

Mommy

Carissa and Autumn's selfie during my labor. :) Edit by Carissa: We were bored and being silly and none of our friends were awake. And tired;) which sort of came out as silliness ;)

36 weeks pregnant. This was one week and 6 days before she was born.

There are more little letters written to our little miracle baby. Maybe I'll share those some day.

My last baby was born via c-section because she was a breech baby that refused to turn.

As much as possible, this baby I wanted to have naturally. After discussing my pregnancy with the  OBGYN that delivered my other 5 babies, I realized that I had to find a new doctor and hospital...one that would allow me to try a V-bac. My doctor would have loved to deliver this little one, but the local hospital is not insured for a V-BAC.

Through much searching I found 4 CNM's that practice at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center that would allow me to try a V-BAC.

That brings us to our Blessing Day!

On September 5th I was not feeling well. I thought I had a touch of the flu.

After 9 pregnancies, one would think that by now I would know the signs of labor, but no...I thought I was sick.

By noon, I had made myself very familiar with our green bathroom. I started having contractions every 30 min sometimes 15, and 10. They did not really hurt, I still thought I was just tired and did not even think that this was THE DAY. By 3:30pm, I realized that I had better call my husband because maybe this was THE DAY and he should have a heads up. :)

I emailed by babysitter to alert her of the possibility of us going to the hospital.

We had decided months ago that I was going to allow my three older girls to watch the birth.  I told them they were to be seen and NOT heard. They were already packed and ready to go. I started gathering my things together still not really believing this was "for real".

All the sudden at 4:00pm, labor really started with contractions 5-7 min apart...but not hurting much. We left for the hospital at 5:00.

By the time all 5 of us got in the car and started the 90 minute drive to Columbus, the contractions were harder and 2-3 min apart so Michael was going 90mph at some points. The cool thing is someone took our car to fix it and we had their car. IT WAS A NICE CAR!!! BUT Michael did NOT want to have this baby in their car. :) He was remembering the time our number 6 baby WAS born in the van in front of the hospital.

When we got to the hospital I was 5cm dilated and 60% effaced, the babies head was not right on the cervix but was actually  a little crooked.  I labored very slowly.

I had prayed that this labor would be fast, quick, and safe. I was not looking forward to labor...who ever is?  But I kept picturing in my mind the tiny newborn prize at the end.

For the next 7 hours  the contractions stayed 4-5 min apart. God did not answer my prayer for a quick delivery, but he did give me Grace for a easy delivery.

Even though the contractions were 4-5 min apart, they were not excruciatingly painful. In fact, I could talk and walk through them. However, I also knew that until I was dying in pain, this baby would NOT be born. But in the meantime,  I had rest between them.

At 8:00pm, I was only dilated to 7. I think that without my dear husband, I would have given up by this point.  (like that is possible) I am so grateful for his love and devotion...

Having a midwife in the hospital has the advantage of having her the entire labor process. If fact, I truly believe that I would have labored longer and ended up with a c-section if she had not been with me.

Until the babies head was on my cervix straight, she was not going to be born. Because of this, my midwife had me labor in various positions to turn baby around.

In the meantime, the girls were taking selfies trying to pass the time QUIETLY! :) Melody was quietly reading.

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Finally at midnight, she was in the perfect position and the contractions suddenly became horrible. (Which was good). As I hit transition, and had that "I can't do this anymore" moment,  the midwife had me roll onto my side.

3 minutes before baby is born.

Amarisa Hope 6lb 11oz. 19 1/2 inch long

Two contractions and one LARGE push later, our 11th baby was born Earth side at 1:18am Saturday morning.

She had a lot of vernix on her because she was born early.

Daddy's 7th little girl!

Big sister Charity

Mercy so proud.

Serenity is soo excited for this bundle of joy.

Stephen couldn't believe how tiny his little sister was...

Timothy was the most excited about Amarisa. He hardly slept the night she was born because he could not wait to meet his new sister.

The next three pictures are of the big girls. This was Saturday about 4:30am. Amarisa had been born at 1:18am. They had been up all night with me at Amarisa's birth and had not slept yet.

Carissa

Melody

Autumn is the best "second mommy"

After a 24 hour stay in the hospital, Amarisa and I came home to a houseful of excitement. I am enjoying every tiny part of her! Praise the Lord for all His gifts!