Miss Olivia Burke Stange: A Birth Story

I found out I was pregnant in late July and I was both shocked and extremely excited! I waited a few days to tell everyone else, including Ken, because the test line on the pregnancy test was so faint. About 20 tests later I decided I could wait no longer. I sent Ken to Eckerd's pharmacy to pick up my prenatal vitamins and he came out looking rather confused! We told my parents that night and then his soon after.  From there the news spread.

Although Olivia was due on March 26, 2004 when I went to Dr. Cooley on Monday, March 8, 2004 for my weekly appointment she said I would not last the week. I was excited but not optimistic-I was ready for her to be here because  9 months is a long time to wait for something so incredible. 

On March 11, 2004 at 10:00 AM I was at home when I went into labor. I called Ken first and then my mother. We decided I better call the doctor to make sure I was really in labor. I was told to proceed to labor and delivery at Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center where Ken and I had reregistered only weeks prior. 

Ken came home from work and mom cancelled her court dates-I was checked into the hospital and checked for signs of labor-they admitted me right away :) We thought she would be born on the 11th however she had other plans. 

After 26 hours of long, but not painful, labor and with my mother, Ken, and my aunt Donna by my side I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl at 12:41 PM on March 12, 2004. She was 6 lbs. 13 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches long. We named her Olivia Burke Stange and she has forever touched our lives.