Hey ZOE!

I had several conversations with Zoe, our new baby girl, telling her it was time for her to come out leading to the day. Y'all by the end of my pregnancy I got asked many times if I had pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes, because my legs and feet were so swollen. I looked like Miss Piggy and my hips felt like they would break at any moment! Let's just say my short stature and short torso don't make for physically easy pregnancies. I also had contractions for a full 3 weeks leading up to her arrival, so I tried everything to speed up the process. However, God and Zoe had another plan. Nothing worked! On April 1, 2019, my doctor stripped my membranes to get the ball rolling since I was already 3 centimeters dilated. This means she took her hands and scraped my cervix, and it did not feel good! I was then scheduled for an optional induction due to my distance from the hospital and fast deliveries.

Although I was later told that my induction would be pushed back a day, I just had a feeling our Zoe would be born on the 4th! Our wedding anniversary is on August 4th, so I just had a feeling that 4 would be the number we were working with. Shaun went to work that morning, so when I got the call from the hospital to come in, he rushed home and we were on our way to the hospital. His driving had a way of causing my contractions to worsen and sent me into active pre-labor.

As we were being prepped for Zoe's arrival our nurse, Nurse Karen, talked us through the process. She was very honest and did not pressure me into any certain direction. She was very personable and made it a great experience even with all my theatrics (lol)!

I went in not wanting an epidural, because that was my plan with Maddison that did not happen. The first time, I went into the hospital screaming, "GIVE ME THE MEDICINE!" Everything happened so fast that by time they gave me the epidural it was time for me to push. I literally pushed twice and Maddison rolled out, so I was upset that I didn't just do it naturally. This was something I felt I just needed to do or at least try. However, Karen advised me to be prepped for an epidural just in case I changed my mind, but that never happened!

I can say I have been blessed with quick deliveries! My doctor came in and broke my water, and within 2 hours it was time for me to push. It came out of now where! At one moment I was only at 4 centimeters and went to use the bathroom. The next thing I know is the contractions are excruciating and I feel Zoe pushing on through. At this point, I about ripped Shaun's clothes off and bit his sweatshirt trying to get through the pain. Now I know I never again want to feel a head coming through my Lady V but glad I accomplished that goal of mine.

Our Zoe Elise (Fulness of life promised of God) was born on 4/4 in delivery room 4! One of the biblical symbols of the number 4 is God bringing all things into alignment or completion, and this is so fitting for us in this season and in this year. The names we name our children and how we raise them will always point back to God and the purpose He's given them before they were conceived. We find it no coincidence that our 'Life Promised of God' was born on a day that signifies God bringing all things into alignment.

Check out the Life With the Perrys Vlog on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cwqh14r23Vc

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