Olivia Grace Parry

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our little miracle, Olivia Grace Parry, born December 31st weighing 9 lbs. After a very long labour...im talking Monday till Thursday, she decided to make her grand entrance. We knew from the word one of my clients gave before I knew I was pregnant that she would be born before the end of the year, and would be healthy. But as the end of the year approached and the hospital was insistent that I was just experiencing false labour, we began to doubt. Finally, early morning on Thursday December 31st, I rang the hospital, again, and demanded to come in. I had been having contractions since that Monday and was tired. They told me to come in, but that they were probably going to send me home as they thought it was false labour because the contractions weren't consistent (being between 3-5 min apart and stopping every now and then). However, when we arrived I was 4 cent. dilated, and the contractions never became consistent. Unfortunately, after 10 hours in the water, I wasn't able to give a water birth because Olivia wasn't in the right position to make me dilate fast enough ( probably why I had contractions since Monday). Anyways, be 2:11 in the afternoon on the 31st she came into the world. Now, I thought the labour was the hard bit. But, actually, after all those sleepless days of labouring.... we faced more sleepless days and nights when we arrived home. Its been really tough adjusting to life with our baby. The dr said its usually toughest for those who have struggled getting pregnant because your expectations are harder. I think for me, breastfeeding has been the hardest thing. Its been very tempting to just switch to formula...as I would be able to get some sleep, and my breasts could heal from the torture of feeding ( Ive had sores and mastitis which is an infection causing you to have flu like symptoms and severely painful breasts). But we have gotten through the worst bit , well thats what everyone keeps saying. God provided us with one of the pastors wives at the church who is a pediatrician. She came along every day and night to check on Olivia and I and to encourage me with my breastfeeding. We would not be where we are without her. Chris' mum also stayed the night during the first week when things hit an all time low with my breastfeeding and I had to express for a week. What a help... and we were able to get a good nights sleep which does a world of good for you. But, like I said, chris and I have gotten through the worst bit and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven't managed to get dressed everyday, but my pjs are comfy and I cling to the fact that I know I will be able to one day.