Lorelei’s Birth Story

Lorelei’s Birth Story | Saint Francis Hospital Greenville

We were expecting to have this baby early, I got checked often throughout this pregnancy because Everett (#2) came soo early! My pregnancies never went beyond 37w1d (with Olivia) and so when I got all the way through 37 weeks, and then through 38 weeks pregnant I was just amazed. But so anxious and ready to meet this third baby of ours!! We did not find out the gender, we never have and probably never will. After doing it the first time, we absolutely love the experience of having a surprise at delivery with each babe.

We decided to get induced!

I was feeling really anxious, and just felt really ready and decided we should go ahead and induce. Looking back I think I would have liked to waited it out. I had never been that pregnant and was slightly worried about going further. Induction was scheduled 3 days after my birthday, despite praying and waiting for a birthday baby for myself.

Baby #3 was our tie breaker baby, we have a 6 year old girl & 3 year old boy and they both said that this baby was a girl!! And they were right!!

Lorelei Amelia was born 2/13/24 weighing in at 7lbs 13 ounces, 19 inches long at 13:33. She’s our perfect 3rd baby surrounded by lots of 3s! We thought for sure she was going to be our biggest baby but she was runner up to big sis Olivia!

I wanted to do it naturally without the epidural and I made it to 7cm and decided I couldn’t do it, one of the biggest mistakes. I have felt such guilt over the induction and the epidural since, I know God allowed everything to happen the way it did for a reason but I just don’t love that I feel like I didn’t have control over everything going on when I could have. Slowly I am working through it but also just so incredibly thankful for a beautiful healthy baby girl.

Epidural Disaster

Going in I was really wanting to avoid an epidural, and I did really well up until 7cm. The nurses kept coming in asking if I wanted it and Nick was starting to not feel well the further along I got. I got to 7cm and decided I needed help, I was panicking about it getting worse for pushing and that I couldn’t do it. I had just simply been breathing through the contractions and trying to listen to my playlist before it got agitating to listen. So we called for the epidural, the doctor missed the space and had to go back in. That was awful, sitting through it twice and then him saying I could have side effects was incredibly upsetting.

Then as soon as it was in, before the medicine was put in I knew I needed to push. I could sob thinking about it at this point. I wanted to do it myself so badly. Thinking now I wish I would have just said take it out, but I just couldn’t think through the pain. And on top if it Nick was feeling sick like he was going to pass out and had to leave my side.

Pushing

Once I laid back down from the epidural disaster I knew I had to push. So they were getting set up and just a couple pushes later here comes our very PURPLE baby girl!!! She was crying and doing great! We weren’t quick enough to get a photo. But she was the most purple I have ever seen on a baby before. Like an entire lavender colored baby.

Everything was perfect with her. I was relieved. So thankful. So Blessed.

Sadly I had a horrible migraine soon after delivery that lasted through our first week. On the plus side it went away when I laid flat. That was the damage from the epidural. They tried to do a blood patch that worked for a few hours and then didn’t. But I am just thankful nothing lasted beyond a week.

Lorelei is already so calm and chill. The big kids absolutely adore her and were thrilled to find out they were right about her being a girl!! I am still shocked that I went almost to 40 weeks. We were scared I would go into early labor the entire time.

Thank you Father for a beautiful baby girl, our 3rd baby born 3 days after my birthday. She’s a perfect fit for our family.

I hope you loved hearing Lorelei’s birth story and it inspires you in your journey.

P.S. Having a 3rd might make you want a 4th!! HAHA

Enjoy Lorelei’s first portraits in the hospital!