Apparently there were many other babies who decided to be born this same weekend and we were able to get the last Labor and Delivery room at Mama's work. Pressure waves were 5 min apart and Mama was dilated to 4 cm - things were looking like they were progressing pretty well with the exception that all the waves were concentrated in her back. Back labor is not for the faint of heart....
The pressure waves kept going steady and got progressively stronger, however Mama was not dilating as expected. She got tired. And hungry. And more tired. 18 hours in, she felt like she couldn't keep going. The doctors were talking about adding pitocin. Mama was really struggling with all the back labor. Thankfully, the Doula had an idea. We all suspected that Aravis was not in a great position (posterior or sunny side up) so we did a maneuver, which led to a very strong pressure wave, which immediately broke Mama's water (all over Daddy's pants and shoes), which led to Aravis crowning. Mama was quickly rushed over to the bed, holding Aravis' head, and got on all fours just in time for the charge nurse to rush in and catch her! What a dramatic ending to such build up! (Labor like her oldest brother and delivery like her younger brother!) She was healthy despite her cord being wrapped around the neck, but luckily her little arm and hand were in between to keep from choking her. Travis came on October 15th at 11:20 am.
Aravis' name comes from the heroine in the story of The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis as a part of the Chronicles of Narnia. Aravis flees an arranged marriage upon her talking Narnian horse Hwin and later becomes the Queen of Archenland. She is known as a skilled story teller and strong female character. Antoniette comes from the line of women in her family. Aravis' great tante was named Antonie. She was the younger sister of her great Oma who only lived into her 20s. Her Oma was supposed to have Antoniette as her middle name, however something was amiss in the paperwork when the birth was registered and Oma became Antoinette (like the french queen). When Mama was born, she took on the name of Antonie for the middle name. Now that Aravis is here, she will continue the namesake with Antoniette.
Not sure if Aravis' presentation into this world, including the supermoon and her namesake has indication as to her personality and future. We hope that she will be a strong, intelligent, and independent woman in a time when women can be valued as such. At a time when a woman might just be president of the United States. At a time when women's voices are now being respected and valued.
