Written by ktmom15 on April 28, 2016

Tyler Ann, my First Born! (First Birth Story included)

After a healthy 40 weeks of pregnancy, I gave birth to my first child. She came out kicking and screaming. Letting us know from day one that she was a determined one. And even though she was born with three holes in her heart, she has never let anything get in her way of accomplishing her goals in life.

Tyler’s birth story:

Tyler was my first pregnancy. So, I really had no idea of what to expect.

I had “morning” sickness all the time. I was a petite 103 pounds when I got pregnant, and even though I was nauseous all the time, I managed to gain 25 pounds during the pregnancy, which I lost almost immediately after giving birth. I attended one childbirth class recommended by the women’s clinic , and never went back because it was too weird. I found out I had gestational diabetes, and was put on a high protein diet. The pregnancy was actually pretty easy. I went on with my busy daily life, working full time and attending college full time.

I didn’t know what contractions would feel like, so I went into the hospital a week before my due date thinking I was having labor. I was sent home.

I did not have an assigned doctor, but went to the women’s clinic, often seeing a different doctor each visit. So, when I finally went into the hospital with actual labor, I was assigned a student doctor. I was told I needed an epidural, I felt like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I, also, was given an MMR vaccine during my pregnancy (which I didn’t realize I didn’t need. I found out many years later that the MMR vaccine was what triggered my autoimmune disorders). But, I did everything the medical staff told me, trusting them to know better than myself.) I was NOT prepared for pregnancy or birth.

The epidural made one side of my body super heavy, and the other side felt every contraction and pain. It was a very awful feeling. I was only in labor a little over six hours, and I pushed three times, and had a beautiful 8 pound 3 oz. baby girl.

Sadly, the student doctor took forever to give me one and a half stitches for the small tear I had. It took hours for my feeling to come back in my one side.

Baby Tyler was born with several holes in her heart and was sent home on a monitor. No one helped me with breastfeeding, and I went home. I took my baby girl home, and then took her to the clinic pediatrician and they gave her shots. I told them I was having some issues nursing her, so they sent us to the local Le Lecha League. I went to one meeting and saw older children breastfeeding in public, and felt very uncomfortable. So, I never went back.

I didn’t know anyone who could help me with breastfeeding, so my mom told me to call my aunt. She told me how to express the milk, and how to feed my baby. For the most part, we figured things out as we went. It was a stressful first year, learning how to be a mom, nurse, and caring for a baby with a heart condition. But, God was good, and we learned and grew.

By the time she was five, she knew everything, or at least she thought she did. She said to me several times a day, ” I know, mom.” And gave me a look that said, ” I don’t need you to tell me.”

She has always had a love for the Word of God, and telling others His Gospel message. Before she had even started school, she was leading complete strangers in the park to Truth in Jesus Christ.

School was a challenge for her, but that never stopped her from working hard.

By the time she was ten, she knew that she was going to live her whole life for the Lord.

By the time she was 13, she was challenging her dad and I on our beliefs and walk of faith.

By, the time she was fifteen, she she was going out with CEF as a missionary, and changing lives for the LORD.

She has grown changed and become one of my very best friends. She has a beautiful voice that she uses to worship Yehovah God. She is a leader. She is a gentle and loving woman of God.