The delivery with McCoy went pretty smooth...I started having contractions the day before, but nothing consistent. I woke up at 4:30am on Thursday morning still having contractions and they continued for an hour, about 5 minutes apart. I told Russell it was time to get our bags and head to the hospital! I suppose I should tell you, from the beginning of this pregnancy, I had decided I wanted to deliver McCoy without any drugs. There were a few reasons behind my decision, but the main one being I just wanted to see if I could do it. My doctor was all for it and completely supportive...so that was the plan. We get to the hospital and I was 5cm dilated and the contractions were getting stronger. After trying a few different positions to get comfortable, I found that walking around and leaning over the bed worked best to help alleviate some of the pain. So anyway...the labor ended up taking about 3 1/2 hours from the time we got to the hospital til McCoy was born, with about 20 minutes of pushing....and if you will allow me to brag on myself just a tad...by the grace of God...I was able to deliver my sweet baby boy, epidural free. The moment he was born was full of joy and relief. He was here in the world and he was perfect. God knit him together and created him for a specific purpose. Isn't it amazing to think that God decided before time that this world wasn't complete without McCoy Snider Nichols. Russell and I are so incredibly thankful for him and for our girls...God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams.
When I was reading up on natural childbirth...I saw where some women had music playing in their rooms to help relax them. I thought that was a great idea and I knew immediately who I wanted to listen to...her name is JJ Heller and she is a christian singer/songwriter. She has kind of a folksy, bluegrass sound, which I love. The one song that I wanted to hear again and again is called..."I get to be the one." It goes like this....
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| Well Hello little baby, your eyes have never seen the sun... |
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| you should know little baby... |
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| that I am the lucky one. |
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| I get to be the one to hold your hand. I get to be the one. Through birthdays and broken bones, I'll be there to watch you grow. I get to be the one. |
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| Don't feel alone now, little baby. Do you hear me singing you a song... I can't wait to show you, little baby how to crawl how to walk how to run. |
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| How does someone so small hold my heart so tightly I don't even know you I love you completely. |
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| I get to be the one to hold your hand. I get to be the one. Through birthdays and broken bones I'll be there to watch you grow. I get to be the one. |
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
Thank you Father, that Russell and I get to be the one....for Marissa, for Allie and for McCoy.