Asher's Birth Story

I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions consistently through the end of my pregnancy.  Some were quite painful, but they never were consistent.  On Sunday, June 23^rd, I had ward council and then it was ward conference and I had a meeting with the Stake after the meeting block.  I had hoped that I would not go into labor until after my meeting. 

I started having fairly consistent contractions during sacrament meeting and I timed them and they were about 10-11 minutes apart.  I kept thinking, this might be labor….however, I still had meetings to attend!  During the next 2 hours of Primary, my contractions were getting quite painful and closer together…but I was too busy to time them.   I decided to still have my stake meeting, and then I would go home and time the contractions.

I got home about 1:30 pm and was starving so I ate lunch.  Then, I decided to get in the bath to work through the contractions and time how close together they were.  My contractions were coming 2-3 minutes apart so I told Nathan it was time to head to the hospital.  Luckily, Aunt Megan had flown in a week before so she was already on duty for the other three kids.

When we checked into the hospital at about 3:15 pm, I was dilated to a 5 and the contractions were becoming quite painful.  During the labor, I threw up two different times.  I was regretting eating so much for lunch!  When Dr. Proctor came into check me at about 4:30, I was dilated to a 7 so she broke my water.  The contractions started coming back to back and were so painful.  A little after 5 pm, I was dilated to a 9 and in such pain.  My plan was to do this labor all natural without any pain medication.  It was so intense, but I did it! 

I started pushing a little before 5:20 pm and only pushed for 3 contractions.  At 5:23 pm, Asher Jacob Parker was born.  He weighed in at 8 lbs 4.6 oz, was 21 inches long, and his head circumference was 13 ¾ inches.  He had a full head of dark hair and a dark complexion.  He was just perfect J

It took us awhile to commit to Asher’s name.  We finally decided that Asher fit him.  He is the perfect ending to our family.  We are grateful he is here.