birth story of Elizabeth Ann Judd

Our last photo as a family of three, taken January 30, 2013.  

All of our prenatal care was done at a local hospital where we live in China. At the first appointment the doctor told us that because we were foreign and our beliefs/customs are different that we could find out the gender of the baby (which isn't normally allowed).  However, when the time came for the ultrasound, we could tell the doctor doing the ultrasound was very uncomfortable telling us.  She told us she couldn't see clearly, but James suspected that he saw what looked to be a girl on the screen.  I also suspected that if it were a boy, they would have told us.  But we didn't know conclusively so we were anxious for the birth so we could finally know the gender of our baby.

On Sunday, January 27, we were speaking at a Global Impact Conference.  I had contractions throughout the day and we thought the baby may be arriving.  And then the contractions stopped.  And then on Wednesday, more contractions.  And then they stopped.  And then on Thursday we had our weekly appointment with the midwives and I was having some contractions.  They checked me they process had started.  We thought we may have a baby that day....and then the contractions stopped.  Friday...same story.  Saturday (Feb 2) the contractions were a bit stronger, a bit closer together and seemed to be staying around.  

We went to lunch with my dear friend Stephanie and her family who were in town from Wichita. She had a home birth with her son (not pictured) just a month ago.  This is last picture of me before the baby came.  

The contractions continued throughout the afternoon so sometime in the evening we decided to call our doula, Elena, since she would be driving from Stillwater.  And of course, after she was here for just a little while....the contractions stopped.  We decided to just try to get some rest and see if they would begin again.  Sometime while we were resting they did indeed return but were still between 10 and 15 minutes apart although getting stronger.  We were beginning to think that Elena had made the trip for nothing.  Then, sometime after 3 am, my water broke.  The contractions immediately went from 10-15 minutes apart to about 3 minutes apart.  We called the midwives, got in the car, and drove to the birthing center.  

We arrived at the birth center about 4 am.  Our midwife, Yvonne, arrived about the same time as us.  We used the same midwifery service as we did with Catherine, but they have 3 practicing midwives who rotate who is on call for the births.  We were blessed that it worked out that the same midwife who attended Catherine's birth was there for this one as well.  

Yvonne, her assistant Nikki, Elena, and James helped me through the next four hours through the contractions which seemed easier for me this time around, and the delivery which seemed more difficult. We had also found out at one of our ultrasounds in China that the umbilical cord was wrapped  twice around the baby's neck.  Our midwife suspects this may be the cause of the stop and start labor I was experiencing (baby getting stressed so labor stopped) and the comparatively more difficult delivery.  The cord was actually wrapped THREE times and baby's shoulder's couldn't quite rotate during the delivery.  

At 8:12 am, our little GIRL was born!  Here are our first moments together.  

 James and I had solidly decided on a name if we had a boy, but a girl required further deliberation.  After an hour of two of spending time with her, we decided on Elizabeth Ann Judd, named after James' great-grandmother (Enid Elizabeth Anderson) and my aunt (Athenia Ann Davis, who has always gone by Ann).

Here she is!  7 pounds, 19 1/4 inches

 Our dear friend and doula, Elena Barton, who attended to births of both of our girls.

The three of us waiting for mimi to bring in big sister Catherine.

Without being asked or told, Catherine kissed Ann.  For a girl who is very sparing with her hugs and kisses, this act melted a hormonal momma's heart :)

Mimi with Ann.

 Grandpa with Ann

We ate breakfast, took a shower, spent some time falling in love with Ann, and letting the siblings get acquainted.  

Our first picture as a family of four:

After resting for just a bit at the birth center, we came home.  (and by home, I mean the Steward's house). And later in the day, the New Mexico grandparents arrived to meet her.

Now we are busy spending our days (and nights) adjusting to having a newborn again...and it's rough. But we love our daughters and are so thankful to God for blessing us with them.