The Birth story and pics

our little monkey.

With his name sake, named after my dad. Ranel

My Birth Story,
Begins with a strong feeling to attend my husbands family reunion a week before the due date of our first baby. The reunion was to be held at a boys camp in Arizona. We had heard that first time moms deliver late most times. So living in Maryland at the time, we made arrangements to have the baby in Henderson Nv. at my brothers house with the midwife who attended my mom at my and my sisters birth.
My sister in law, Eve who is married to my brother Renaun in Henderson, opened their home in planes for me to have a home, water birth there. (she had all her kids, 4, at home and a dula her self.) so things were set to have the baby August 15th when we got back from the Lawton reunion, 6 hours away. We took some precautions for if the baby were to come early at camp we would want Eve to be there and my mother. so they came along with us to the reunion.
We got there Monday about 6pm, met up with the family had dinner, unpacked and things. But by 10 pm i was having a few contractions. As i had before three days ago, which had stopped that night so i hoped things would be the same.. I tried going back to bed hoping they would go away. Well …. they didn't, it was time, i was up most the night and by 3 a.m. i couldn't sleep. i told myself i would wait till morning to go and talk to eve, we have time. As morning came i began to be excited that things were happening. We timed the contractions and they were 1 and half min. apart. She was like Asenath your in labor, yep. so we packed up and headed out, my mother called my midwife back in Las Vegas and got her a plane ticket to fly out, but she had to also drive 2 hours to get to us.
We drove to Payson Arizona and got a hotel. it was ½ hour away from camp. There was a hospital and Eve was ready and willing to deliver the baby if need be. When we go to the hotel i jumped in the shower that eased the pain and then to the Jacuzzi that happened to be in the bedroom next to the bed, which was very convenient for a water birth, it was deep and nice. (yes we cleaned it before and after) Being in the water helped a lot with the contractions it slowed things down and by two my midwife, Dixie Story, made it. She had me get out of the tub and walk around. I was at 6cm at this time and two hours latter at a 9 with a lip and she let me get back in the tub. I remember being out of the tub was the hardest to handle i kept asking when i could go back in the water. She said at a 10 but she let me go bake in when i was at 9cm. she had to work the lip open and then i could push more activity. I pushed for 2 hours and 25 min. and then Peter was born. I was able to relax and talk in between pushing, and as the pushing was hard i was glad i could be doing something to help the baby along and get through it. His shoulders got stuck i wasn't scared but i remember hearing Dixie telling me to keep pushing and she was there pulling at him. He came out just fine after that and i just got two stitches in side.
I was so happy and cryed when they gave him to me. All went so well, I felt so blessed that day. How everything worked out so well. I am so grateful for every one there and those praying for me and thinking about me. I could not have done it with out the Lords blessing and my dear husband. I believe I bruised his hand but he was right there each step of the way. :)
We are so grateful to have little Peter Ranel Lawton, 8 ½ lbs. 21 inches, apart of our life. Its a Miracle.