Journal Excert: Paulette's Birth...

Taken from my small red Journal, page 61....Feb 11, 1980



In Sacrement meeting today it was mentioned we should write down for our children what happened during the time of their birth. So here for you Pauli, is a Journal entry I had written. I believe Dad also wrote in his journal....


Yesterday, Sunday my body seemed to be heavier than ever. My legs and feet were so swollen, my bad foot was at least 3 times its normal size, because the baby was so low.


I rested normally through the night, til about 3:00 am when I woke to a very strong contraction. I went back to sleep and about one hr. latter I had another strong contraction. I semi-slept as they continued to increase in intervals. About 5 am, I was pretty sure I was in labor, however I did not want to go to the hospital (Baptist) until I had received a priesthood blessing. I worried because of my age and wanted everything to go well. I have always asked for a Priesthood blessing with each of my children, and know that all has gone well because of it.

In Jennifer's case the cord was wrapped around her neck and Dr. Eldon Hamblin was quickly to relieve the problem and Jennifer's life was spared. Gene also had to be turned.

I noticed my contractions slowed down to about 30 minuets apart. I woke Lynn about 6:00 am, and asked who he knew could come and give me a blessing this morning, as I was sure I would be in the Hospital before noon. He called Bro. LeRoy Black, our former home teacher, whom we love dearly. He said he could be at our house about 7:45 am, which was good because the kids, Michelle (13) and David (11) left for school just after 8:00 am.

I called Nancy Woods, my friend, and informed her I wasn't going to wait til she got back to work on Thursday night, as she worked on the OB floor at the Baptist Hospital.

I tried calling Teina Richens, and found her not at home. I called Polly Hrenchir, who also works on the OB floor and asked her if she would watch Jennifer (3 1/2) until she could get hold of Teina who was to watch Jennifer. Polly informed me that she was working tonight. ( we had made plans if I came in when Polly was working, she would slip out, go across the street and get both of us chocolate fudge sundays with cashews on top, at Mary Coles.)

Bro. Black came between 7:45 and 8:00. My contractions then moved rapidly to 3 to 5 minet apart. David prayed that mother would get feeling better. I thought that was sweet of him. We sent the kids off to school as soon after 8:00 as possible, finally getting Michelle out of the house, I didn''t think she was going.

About 8:10 I managed to sit on the arm of a frontroom chair and called to Lynn that I was afraid we were too late! as the contractions were continuous now.

We took Jennifer to Sis Hrenchirs and headed for the Hospt.

Very slowly I made my way from the car almost to the emergency room door, when I was greeted by one of the helicopter flight doctors with a wheel chair. He said "You look like your going to have a baby!" I very much agreed with him. He wheeled me right down to the Labor room. When I was concerned about Lynn finding his way, the Dr. informed me his partner would bring Lynn down. I thought that was sure nice of them to do that.

Dr. Marcise Frarrar was called as soon as I was checked. As I heard his voice I said I guess we are both wrong. meaning the date the baby was to come. All through the nine months we have kind of had a difference in opinion, as to when the baby was due. The first date Dr. Frarrar gave me was the 15th of February, which sounded about right to me. Then he thought the baby was bigger that 3 months along. He then said it would be between 15 Jan to 1st of Feb. Knowing how I carry my children I said no it will be in Feb. When I wasn't ready in Jan, Dr Frarrar changed it to the first part of Feb.. about 2 weeks before due date, he changed it again to Feb 18th. I still held out for Feb 15th. When he asked me why I said Feb 15th? I said because it was the first date he had given me. He then said that date was just a guess. So when the baby came 4 days early, I was surprised because I have seen all the due dates on my kids, except this one. So we were both wrong. It was kind of fun to poke at each other, and others too about the due date, namely Nancy, and if the baby was a girl or boy.

Nancy had said Dr. Frarrar had put on my Hospital chart, I would be coming in Jan. I told her she better indicate " mother said Feb!" Dr. Frarrar also puts what he thinks the baby will be on the chart. Nancy said he had been right 11 out of 12 times so far. I felt good about that because he had indicated all along, except for 1 time that the baby was a girl.

I remember going to Primary insurvice one month, and the ladies asked what has the Dr. said? my response was a disappointed "Its a boy!" which brought a round of lafter. But the next week Dr. Frarrar was back on my side again, as I really wanted a little girl.

I was having a hard time, and still trying to relax so labor would go faster. The only thing I have had with the rest of my kids was a hypo towards the last. The "In fad" today is to do everything naturally. Birth, breast feeding, and sometimes no doctor.

Dr Frarrar asked me "Your not going to do this naturally are you?" I said No Way! I was experienced after 4 others to know what I was in for, and not foolish enough to turn down help. He gave me a ceverial block, which takes allot of the pain out of the contractions and does no harm to the baby. Its like being numbed in the mouth when you see a dentist, but has no other effects, such as sleepiness or spreading out of the area.

While I was in the labor room which seemed to be about 15 minets, Lynn and Dr Frarrar talked about caring for BEES!!

I was taken to the delivery room, when I heard a familiar voice from the doorway, it was Nancy. She just couldn't stay away. She stayed in the Hospital until after the baby was born.

For me delivery was rough. I think allot of it is due to my age.

In the delivery room they keep us for about 30 to 45 minets after birth, to make sure mother and child are doing fine. I didn't get to see my baby born as I had my eyes closed and concentrating on pushing. I didn't get to see Jennifer be born as there was no mirror in the delivery room.

After Pauli was born and she was in a warming bed, with a special light, because she was johndes.
meaning her liver needed a little extra help. Lynn spent about the next 30 min. playing with her right in the delivery room. I saw in his eyes a look which I had not seen for a very long time. One of humbleness, love for our newborn baby. a sweet, sweet look and feeling which lasted most of the day.
Nancy came in and congratulated me on our sweet little girl. I even got to hold her in the delivery room.

My roommate, Joni Simpson, took 3 pictures of Pauli with a Polaroid camera, when she was about 3 1/2 hrs. old. Lynn took these home to announce to the kids, they had a new baby sister.

Polly Hrencher worked down in the delivery all night, so I didn't see her until just before she was ready to leave for home.

Just before Pauli was born Dr. Frarrar asked me how much my other children weighed at birth. I told him 8 to 9 pounds. he said "looks like you've got another one!" Pauli was 8 lb and 9 oz, 21 inches long. Born at 10:19 am. She was beautiful. Born with dark hair and her skin was dry. The only one I had with dry skin. her little hands look so dainty, they were so thin with long fingers. I though it was just fitting for a special little girl. Pauli has what they call a little rosebud mouth, perfect and sweet. She had her eyes open allot in the delivery room, and she was born with a good pair of lungs.

One of the nurses wrapped Pauli in a warm blanket and gave her to me while I was still on the gernie, a movable table. Pauli was so soft and sweet I could hardly believe my Father in Heaven could have given me such a great blessing.

Lynn stayed at the Hospital most of the day. I called a few friends from our ward to let them know. Linds Woods, Gayle Whetton, Polly Hrencher,Teina Richens, Mary Mattox, and Muriel Wright.
We also called Kathy Walker and left word with her for Lynns family. We also called Lynns grandfather, Murvel Walker.

Latter in the afternoon we called my Dad, at the rest home. He seemed a little depressed, but by the time we delivered the news, I believe it brightened up his day.




February 12, 1980

Lynn brought Michelle, David and Jennifer to the Hospital to see the baby. Baptist Hospt has a set time for the kids to come and hold their new baby. I believe its from 1 to 2 pm.
I had Pauli with me. As the kids came in they put on Hospt. gowns, and Lynn did too.
They were all so proud to hold their baby sister, Lynn took some pictures.
The nurse paid us a complement saying she didn't even know my family had come, because they were so mannerly, and quiet.

We took Pauli home on Valentines day.