The only thing about it that is predictable is that it will happen. And Irma certainly did not plan on going into labor for six days when she was expecting her first child! But she persisted, believing in God’s timing, day after day. She and her husband decided to switch from a planned home to hospital treatment after days of intense contractions and no development past 4cm.
She made progress over night, met her lovely boy the next morning, and delivered the baby with the help of an epidural, pitocin, and numerous position modifications recommended by her doctors.
Even with the epidural, Whitney urged Irma to keep incorporating movement and position changes into her labor. In order to aid in opening the brim of the pelvis, she and the nurses assisted her into a side-lying release position.
Irma had a cervical lip and measured 9.5 cm as the sun rose. She continued to push while midwife Whitney worked to shrink the cervix. Irma resumed sitting after a brief period of pushing in order to get some relaxation and allow gravity to continue to lower her.
Irma: After six days of labor, we were all eagerly anticipating the arrival of Irma!De La Drake I prayed for the Lord to give her strength to keep going. Likewise, I held her hand.
The fact that he was covered with meconium, despite the fact that her water had been broken the day before, came as a complete shock to everyone. But Irma could hear him from across the room because he was weeping and moving around.
Irma and Xavier tried breastfeeding for the first time with the assistance of their nurse when things had calmed down.La Drake: She’s an incredible woman; it was astonishing to see the amount of strain, suffering, and stress she endured in order to give birth. She is the mother of our son, and I am so grateful to have her as my wife.
Irma: We don’t receive enough credit for the labor that women do. I’ve been in the Navy ten years, but nothing compares to having a . This was the hardest, most honored achievement in my book.
