Ainsley Shay Dopp
Born August 9th, 2012
@ 2:30 pm
7.0 lbs
18 in long
In the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, UT.
18 in long
In the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, UT.
We want to publicly announce the arrival of our second beautiful daughter, little Ainsley Shay!
Ainsley was born in the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, UT on August 9th, 2012.
I believe a lot of you are curious to hear Baby A's birth story, as it was quite different from what we experienced with Miss Sydney T. I, first of all, have to testify again how God truly is in control when it comes to bringing a new baby into the world. I don't think childbirth should ever be seen as anything less than a miracle. This time around, I was determined to have a childbirth experience the way I pictured it: naturally. I don't know why, but I personally felt like I needed the natural childbirth experience; personally, I do not like being out of control or in the dark on anything happening to me, especially in a hospital. There are certain things about the modern way of having a baby that
bother me. For example, when Sydney was born, I felt so out of control.
(You can read about Sydney's Birth Story here.)
I wanted to make sure I would successful go through labor without an epidural, so I made Kory take a Hypnobabies class with me (emphasis on made ;) ), even though we had already taken a Hypnobirthing class when I was pregnant with Sydney. Also, I wanted to hire a Doula (birthing coach) because I felt more comfortable with my goal if I had one. I didn't have hardly any contractions with Sydney (except for strong Braxton-Hix contractions, but nothing I couldn't handle), so when I was given the epidural, I didn't know what I was missing. Not to say that what I was missing was anything great since contractions are not the most comfortable thing in the world. But the fact that I didn't know what my body was doing or was even capable of doing was the part that bothered me. Secondly, I wanted to avoid unnecessary interventions. For example, getting an epidural with Sydney's birth caused my blood pressure to drop every half hour, causing me to feel lightheaded. It even scared the nurses enough to give me oxygen at one point: something I preferred not to experience. It turned out great in the end, but I was not comfortable with the idea of not having control of the situation or an understanding of what was happening.
I wanted to make sure I would successful go through labor without an epidural, so I made Kory take a Hypnobabies class with me (emphasis on made ;) ), even though we had already taken a Hypnobirthing class when I was pregnant with Sydney. Also, I wanted to hire a Doula (birthing coach) because I felt more comfortable with my goal if I had one. I didn't have hardly any contractions with Sydney (except for strong Braxton-Hix contractions, but nothing I couldn't handle), so when I was given the epidural, I didn't know what I was missing. Not to say that what I was missing was anything great since contractions are not the most comfortable thing in the world. But the fact that I didn't know what my body was doing or was even capable of doing was the part that bothered me. Secondly, I wanted to avoid unnecessary interventions. For example, getting an epidural with Sydney's birth caused my blood pressure to drop every half hour, causing me to feel lightheaded. It even scared the nurses enough to give me oxygen at one point: something I preferred not to experience. It turned out great in the end, but I was not comfortable with the idea of not having control of the situation or an understanding of what was happening.
Just as a warning...I go into a little detail here, so I hope it is not uncomfortable for you. But consider yourself fairly warned. ;) Ainsley was due on August 3rd. I wanted to see if my body would go into labor on its own, so I decided to wait at least a week overdue if she didn't come beforehand. I also wanted to have my preferred doctor there, Dr. James Lamoreaux. The next day he was On-Call at Timpanogos Hospital was the 9th. He supported my decision in going naturally as well as breaking my water before even considering Pitocin, so I wanted him there if possible. (Can I just say that going a week over my due date drove me CrAzY because I was SO done with being pregnant!!! So hard for me!) I also wanted my favorite nurse there, my aunt Sheryl Flanary. :) I wanted her present because she has had many natural childbirths and supported me and helped me feel more comfortable through the whole experience. Luckily, she was there the whole time! I checked in to Timp. Hospital at 11:00am on the 9th and they broke my water at 11:30am (by Dr. Melendez). The Doctor said I was already 4.5-5 cm dilated and it was likely that just breaking my water would jump-start me into labor, however, if it didn't work, I needed to consider other forms of induction (aka Pitocin) if I end up waiting 3 hours with nothing happening. I walked up and down the hallways a couple times trying to induce labor myself then returned to my room where we watched the Olympics for a while. I was bouncing on a birthing ball when I felt my first large contraction: it was about 12:30pm. It got exponentially harder from there...(haha).
I was blessed to have the only natural birthing room that Timp. Hospital provides, meaning there was more space and even a jacuzzi in the room. I spent some time in the tub and some time in the extremely squeaky rocking chair. If it wasn't for the squeaking, I probably would've spent more time in it, and if it wasn't for the hard tub floor that hurt my knees, I probably would've spent more time there too. My contractions felt like they were slowly getting worse and worse and Kory said they were consistently 1-minute apart for the following hour and a half. Since they were getting worse so quickly, I felt like I wouldn't be able to finish without an epidural. My Hypnobabies CDs and Kory's encouragement successfully got me through each pressure wave they were coming so fast that I felt like I was getting worn down quickly. Sheryl assured me that they wouldn't get any worse until the very end. Well, I thought "the very end" was still going to be hours away (at least 4-6), but instead the end was only 30 minutes after she told me that.
Up to this point, I was spending a lot of my contractions leaning on the ball or bedside with my knees on the floor--it was the only position that was semi-comfortable. I was on the rocking chair the moment I hit Transition (the last stage of labor), but I didn't realize it. I felt like my contractions were just getting stronger and stronger and Sheryl had lied to me, so I finally told everyone (Sheryl and Kory) that I officially wanted the epidural. Before then, I would tell Kory in between contractions that I wanted the epidural and he would say, "Are you sure?" and I would say, "I don't know...maybe". ha. :) But this time, I was sure! That particular contraction was so powerful, I officially decided I was done and giving up on any pursuits to have a natural childbirth. Sheryl said, "why don't we just check you first and if you are not progressing, we'll get you the epidural." This was the first time I was checked since the Doctor broke my water. Sheryl checked me and said I was already at a 7 and the baby was coming within the next 30 minutes probably! I told her I needed to go to the bathroom right then and couldn't lay on the bed any longer. (Lying on the bed was the most uncomfortable position for me during labor.) At this moment, Sheryl knew to get on the phone and call Dr. Lamoreaux. After going to the bathroom- where nothing happened (because I really didn't need to go)- I found myself on the floor again when the most powerful sensation to push came. I cried out, "I'm pushing!" and I was, because the feeling was so strong, there was no way not to push. I heard Sheryl in the background telling Dr. Lamoreaux, "This baby's coming right now...Yea, you're gonna miss it!" I pushed for that one contraction then Sheryl made me get on the bed. From there, I stayed on my hands and knees because it was the only comfortable position for me. From there, I pushed as hard as I could during contractions when I couldn't help not to and slowly eased her out in between when I had more control. The feelings and urges I had are really hard to describe. I could tell when her head was out and I could definitely tell when her body came out as well. Twenty minutes after being checked at 7 cm, little baby "A" was born: 2:30pm (2 hours after feeling my first contraction/ 3 hours after breaking my water). I give credit to my Aunt Sheryl for delivering my baby because Dr. Lamoreaux was present in time to put his gloves on and catch the baby's shoulders. Sheryl helped me through the whole process and kept me from tearing, which was a concern for me from the beginning. Partway through the pushing stage, I even yelled out to just give me an episiotomy because then it would all be over faster. I'm glad now that they didn't give in to that! (I had an bad episiotomy with Sydney and it was a very long (about 5 months) and uncomfortable recovery.) Sheryl was sweet and patient with me because she knew I really didn't want to be cut if I didn't need to be. I give credit to Sheryl also because she was the only one who was there through my entire labor to know what my body was going through and what was probably going to happen. The doctor, bless his heart, was there in time to deliver the placenta and give me one stitch. I appreciate all that Dr. Lamoreaux and Dr. Melendez did, but I realize now that the Nurses I choose are more important than what Doctor is present. Lastly, my doula didn't even show up! Haha, poor Marie wanted to be there, but unfortunately for me she was caught up helping another woman through her labor and delivery. She showed up about a half hour after delivery feeling horrible that she wasn't able to make it. She would've been there if I had not delivered in only 2 hours! A 2-hour labor is pretty much unheard of. Bless her heart as well, she tried to be there. I am glad I was able to prove to myself that I have more power than I thought I did. Kory, luckily, was my strength and Sheryl was my angel in creating my success.
I am so glad I decided to have a natural childbirth! This was a wonderful experience. I proved to myself that I am able to accomplish anything with the Lord's help. He made childbirth a natural experience for a reason and I am glad I got to experience it in its pure form. I also understand now the purpose of an epidural, haha. I am not against getting one in the future, now that I know what I am missing. I know what my body is capable of and that the mind can be stronger than the body. I am also so happy that I got to experience the whole thing without a single needle or prick. Unless it is medically necessary, I feel no need to have a needle in me. Again, having a baby naturally was very difficult but definitely worth it! I recommend everyone doing it once so they know for sure what they are capable of overcoming. I know God has made every woman stronger than they think they are. I have felt it.
We still didn't have a name after we saw her, but we knew it would be either Aleah or Ainsley. A couple weeks prior, I had slipped and called the baby Ainsley when I was talking to Sydney about her. I brushed off the experience until Kory did the same thing after the delivery. He was talking to his dad on the phone and said he would let him know later how little Ainsley was doing. Then he corrected himself and said "or Aleah". I looked at him in surprise. From that moment, I knew her name was meant to be Ainsley.
I was blessed to have the only natural birthing room that Timp. Hospital provides, meaning there was more space and even a jacuzzi in the room. I spent some time in the tub and some time in the extremely squeaky rocking chair. If it wasn't for the squeaking, I probably would've spent more time in it, and if it wasn't for the hard tub floor that hurt my knees, I probably would've spent more time there too. My contractions felt like they were slowly getting worse and worse and Kory said they were consistently 1-minute apart for the following hour and a half. Since they were getting worse so quickly, I felt like I wouldn't be able to finish without an epidural. My Hypnobabies CDs and Kory's encouragement successfully got me through each pressure wave they were coming so fast that I felt like I was getting worn down quickly. Sheryl assured me that they wouldn't get any worse until the very end. Well, I thought "the very end" was still going to be hours away (at least 4-6), but instead the end was only 30 minutes after she told me that.
Up to this point, I was spending a lot of my contractions leaning on the ball or bedside with my knees on the floor--it was the only position that was semi-comfortable. I was on the rocking chair the moment I hit Transition (the last stage of labor), but I didn't realize it. I felt like my contractions were just getting stronger and stronger and Sheryl had lied to me, so I finally told everyone (Sheryl and Kory) that I officially wanted the epidural. Before then, I would tell Kory in between contractions that I wanted the epidural and he would say, "Are you sure?" and I would say, "I don't know...maybe". ha. :) But this time, I was sure! That particular contraction was so powerful, I officially decided I was done and giving up on any pursuits to have a natural childbirth. Sheryl said, "why don't we just check you first and if you are not progressing, we'll get you the epidural." This was the first time I was checked since the Doctor broke my water. Sheryl checked me and said I was already at a 7 and the baby was coming within the next 30 minutes probably! I told her I needed to go to the bathroom right then and couldn't lay on the bed any longer. (Lying on the bed was the most uncomfortable position for me during labor.) At this moment, Sheryl knew to get on the phone and call Dr. Lamoreaux. After going to the bathroom- where nothing happened (because I really didn't need to go)- I found myself on the floor again when the most powerful sensation to push came. I cried out, "I'm pushing!" and I was, because the feeling was so strong, there was no way not to push. I heard Sheryl in the background telling Dr. Lamoreaux, "This baby's coming right now...Yea, you're gonna miss it!" I pushed for that one contraction then Sheryl made me get on the bed. From there, I stayed on my hands and knees because it was the only comfortable position for me. From there, I pushed as hard as I could during contractions when I couldn't help not to and slowly eased her out in between when I had more control. The feelings and urges I had are really hard to describe. I could tell when her head was out and I could definitely tell when her body came out as well. Twenty minutes after being checked at 7 cm, little baby "A" was born: 2:30pm (2 hours after feeling my first contraction/ 3 hours after breaking my water). I give credit to my Aunt Sheryl for delivering my baby because Dr. Lamoreaux was present in time to put his gloves on and catch the baby's shoulders. Sheryl helped me through the whole process and kept me from tearing, which was a concern for me from the beginning. Partway through the pushing stage, I even yelled out to just give me an episiotomy because then it would all be over faster. I'm glad now that they didn't give in to that! (I had an bad episiotomy with Sydney and it was a very long (about 5 months) and uncomfortable recovery.) Sheryl was sweet and patient with me because she knew I really didn't want to be cut if I didn't need to be. I give credit to Sheryl also because she was the only one who was there through my entire labor to know what my body was going through and what was probably going to happen. The doctor, bless his heart, was there in time to deliver the placenta and give me one stitch. I appreciate all that Dr. Lamoreaux and Dr. Melendez did, but I realize now that the Nurses I choose are more important than what Doctor is present. Lastly, my doula didn't even show up! Haha, poor Marie wanted to be there, but unfortunately for me she was caught up helping another woman through her labor and delivery. She showed up about a half hour after delivery feeling horrible that she wasn't able to make it. She would've been there if I had not delivered in only 2 hours! A 2-hour labor is pretty much unheard of. Bless her heart as well, she tried to be there. I am glad I was able to prove to myself that I have more power than I thought I did. Kory, luckily, was my strength and Sheryl was my angel in creating my success.
I am so glad I decided to have a natural childbirth! This was a wonderful experience. I proved to myself that I am able to accomplish anything with the Lord's help. He made childbirth a natural experience for a reason and I am glad I got to experience it in its pure form. I also understand now the purpose of an epidural, haha. I am not against getting one in the future, now that I know what I am missing. I know what my body is capable of and that the mind can be stronger than the body. I am also so happy that I got to experience the whole thing without a single needle or prick. Unless it is medically necessary, I feel no need to have a needle in me. Again, having a baby naturally was very difficult but definitely worth it! I recommend everyone doing it once so they know for sure what they are capable of overcoming. I know God has made every woman stronger than they think they are. I have felt it.
We still didn't have a name after we saw her, but we knew it would be either Aleah or Ainsley. A couple weeks prior, I had slipped and called the baby Ainsley when I was talking to Sydney about her. I brushed off the experience until Kory did the same thing after the delivery. He was talking to his dad on the phone and said he would let him know later how little Ainsley was doing. Then he corrected himself and said "or Aleah". I looked at him in surprise. From that moment, I knew her name was meant to be Ainsley.
After it was all over, for the next week, I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and joy. It was the strangest thing, but I was so happy that it brought to tears when I smiled! I prayed that that feeling would never go away. It was like I had captured a piece of heaven and trapped it in my body. It was so powerful and so wonderful, I didn't want to let it go. It was the sweetest thing I have ever experienced. Sadly, however, life catches up to you and you begin to feel stress and the weight of the world again. But, I will forever be grateful for this experience and forever be able to look back on it and revisit that marvelous and joyful moment. Babies truly are sent from heaven and motherhood is truly a divine calling.
Some of you may know, that I have chosen to do a pattern with my children's names: Each kid will be named after someone real that they can look up to (first or middle name). With Sydney, it was both her grandmas = Teresa. With Ainsley, it was much more difficult to find a middle name that fit. I debated between Ruth, Elisabeth, and Easter from the Bible. Nothing seemed to click or sound right. I feel silly trying to explain why we decided to name Ainsley after me, using Shay as the middle name, but I'll simply leave it at that it just sounded cute together. :) Also, that hopefully I can be the mother Ainsley needs and that I can live a life worth looking up to. I have set a goal to do so.
