Phoenix Lashel Dawson

Phoenix Lashel Dawson was born January 27th at 3:13 a.m.

She weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. (Perfect size)

10:30 Wednesday night I decided to take Castor oil to see if it really did what my mom claimed it would.

I stayed up until 12:30 helping Thayne finish a homework assignment, and other than feeling a little sick from still burping the stuff up, I didn't feel any different when I fell asleep.

Taysia woke me up at 1:00 asking for a drink. While heading back to bed I felt like my water broke, but after rushing to the bathroom I found that I was bleeding... lots!

I woke Thayne and called the hospital. They told me to come in ASAP because blood in the amniotic fluid is a very bad thing (which I kind of figured out on my own.)

My first contractions started at 1:15. We arrived at the hospital at 2:00. (what is with middle of the night deliveries for me???)

Glenn was waiting there to take the kids! (I don't know what I would have done without Glenn and Amy! Especially being willing to come get the kids in the middle of the night.)

He helped Thayne give me a blessing, because quite honestly, I was terrified at this point.

When we got to Madison Memorial everyone was waiting for me. (It was kind of nice to feel so well taken care of.)

Thayne filled out the paperwork while they hooked me up to the monitors and gave me an IV.

When I found out that I was already 8 cm, I told them to get the Dr there ASAP.

Dr Watson arrived about 15 minutes later. I was dilated to 9 cm. He broke my water which was clear (thank goodness! Apparently the bleeding was just from me dilating too fast or something)

After a few more contractions I was ready to push.

I wish I could say the pushing was a piece of cake like with Taysia, but it wasn't. Phoenix was face up, so instead of the pushing being a relief, and change of pace from the contractions. It was awful. She put so much pressure on my spine, and felt like I made no progress, it was all I could to to keep trying.

20 (give-or-take) minutes later Phoenix was born, (2 hours of labor, start to finish... a new record for me) she was healthy as can be. I must have said 1000 prayers of thanks, and still do, that everything turned out okay, and that she was healthy, and fine. I know I couldn't have done it without prayer, or my wonderful husband who stood by me, and helped me through the entire thing.

So, for anyone who may question whether or not Castor oil works... it does. Whether it was what made my labor only 2 hours or not, I don't know. I do know, however that any shorter labor and I will be tempted to camp-out at the hospital for the last month just so I know I will be there when I deliver. :) I am just glad Thayne was home, and that we got there in time.

The whole birth experience (minus the pushing) was wonderful. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to have an epidural, and thanks to everything progressing so fast, I didn't. It might sound crazy, but I would definitely go through it again to hold this beautiful little girl! I could hold and snuggle her all day. Her soft, perfect skin, little smiles when she is sleeping, beautiful bright eyes, and incredible sweetness is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I don't know how I got so lucky to have two beautiful girls, a handsome little boy, and a wonderful husband, but I thank my heavenly father every day for all that I have been given, because it is so much!