Roman’s Birth Story

 “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming.” – Romans 8:18

My favorite story.

My whole pregnancy, I prayed that God would allow me to go into labor on my own. I wanted to avoid being induced and I wanted so badly to experience my water breaking on its own. Research shows that only 10% of women have their water break without a doctor’s interference so I wasn’t getting my hopes up for that one.

On Tuesday, January 12th, Colin (my sweet husband) and I met with my doctor to check on my progress. My due date was just 3 days away. I went in with high hopes expecting great news, but left disappointed along with an induction date for the following week. My body hadn’t made any progress, I was barely dilated and up to this point in my pregnancy I still hadn’t experienced any contractions which made me feel like he wasn’t anywhere near ready to come. It felt like I was going to be pregnant forever. Yikes.

The next day, on Wednesday – I walked, walked, and walked as if it were going out of style. Later that evening, Colin and I went to take a tour of a new gym and while we were in the waiting room I kept telling him I felt like I had a bowling ball sitting on my legs. There was so much pressure and it was quickly increasing.

We returned back home and started eating dinner, I stood up to go grab something from the kitchen and out of nowhere it happened. My water broke. My heart was racing and the adrenaline rush was unlike anything else! We rushed to grab our pre-packed hospital bags and prepared to head out the door. The contractions began and I could barely make it down the stairs. No amount of “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” books or research could have prepared me for what a contraction felt like. Everyone told me that I would just know when it was the real deal, and oh were they right. I couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough.

We arrived to the hospital and everything happened so quickly after that. I was put in a wheel chair, wheeled up to my room and began signing my life away (or so it felt!). I changed into my delivery gown and they strapped my belly up to a monitor. The sound of that sweet little heart beat filled the room, and there was something so comforting about being able to hear it and to know there was the greatest reward on the other side of all this pain.

The nurse wheeled in a bassinet with a newborn sized diaper, hat and swaddle blanket laying on top. Seeing that empty bassinet knowing our tiny angel would soon fill it was all the motivation I needed. The contractions intensified and all i could do was breathe and focus on one at a time.

FYI, there’s nothing better than chewing on ice chips during labor.

Thankfully my momma was in town staying with us so she was able to be at the hospital with us and kept the rest of the family updated while they were on their way from Florida. She was praying over me constantly and reading me text messages of prayers that other family and friends were sending to her. The Lord’s presence in that room was so very evident and as I clung to His word all my fears were put to rest.

I was progressing rather quickly and it was obvious this baby was ready to enter the world. It didn’t take long for me to reach 4cm and once I did, I received my epidural and was 100% pain free. It was the best decision for me and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I am so, so thankful for modern medicine.

A couple more hours passed and the nurse came in to check me like she had done several times since being admitted, but this time was different. After checking me she says, “You’re ready! It’s time!” Then everything seemed to happen so fast and became a beautiful blur after that moment. Nurses in and out, the lights had changed and were now brighter, my doctor entered the room and they started preparing me to deliver. All I could do was cry. Not because I was in pain, but because the wait was finally over and I knew my whole world was about to change. I was so ready.

My husband was holding my hand like he had been doing most of my labor and kissed my head as I got ready to push. It was 2:10am when I started and by 2:26, 16 minutes later – Roman Isaiah Clark was born. He was placed on my chest and all we could do was just stare at this new little person. Our little person. He was the most gorgeous thing we had ever laid eyes on and I knew at that moment I was forever changed. My heart wasn’t prepared for this kind of love. We serve an amazing God.

                     Roman Isaiah Clark

Born on January 14th, 2:26am. Weighing 7lbs 3oz, 20 inches long.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. – James 1:17