A Journey of Trust and Grace: The Birth of Ariella and the Strength I Found

When I think back to Ariella's birth, I'm  flooded with so many emotions. It was a whirlwind of highs and lows, moments of joy and fear, and a whole lot of things I never saw coming. 

 It all started on February 20th, 2025, when I went in for a routine blood pressure check at the Gabrielson Clinic. I wasn't expecting much - I just thought it was another normal appointment. Boy, was I wrong. When my blood pressure came back high for the 3rd and final time, the nurse told me that I needed to head to the hospital that day. BIG shocker for me. She was basically saying I was going to be induced that evening, or that they were going to begin the induction process. It felt surreal. One minute, I was preparing for my regular appointment, and the next, my world was changing completely. Tears immediately ran down my face. The anticipation had snuck up on me - hard. 

By the time Matt met me at the hospital (after I packed my bags in a bit of a daze), I was already feeling overwhelmed. I didn't know what to expect. This is my first pregnancy, obviously, and the uncertainty  of what was about to happen was terrifying. But I was ready to meet our baby girl, no matter what. 

The induction process was long - about 30 hours in total. I was in a lot of discomfort, and the idea of getting her out was the only thing keeping me going. After reaching 5 centimeters on my own, I opted for the epidural. It helped me relax a bit during the long hours of waiting. Through it all, my husband was my rock, never leaving my side, and offering his support. I couldn't have asked for a better partner. 

Funny story - Once the epidural kicked in, the only thing I really wanted was the cold ice cubes the hospital provided. Sadly at the moment, the machine was broken. That made for a sad wife. Later on though, Matt ended up finding me some ice cubes to suck on and I was the happiest human on the planet... over stupid ice cubes. How pathetic, right? Wrong. 

When Ariella finally made her grand entrance  on February 22, 2025, weighing 7 lbs 6 oz, I was filled with an overwhelming mix of emotions. We chose her name right then and there. Ariella Lynn Dannen. Her middle name is my late Grandma Sharon's middle name, as I wanted to honor her through my daughter. Come to find out, we weren't even near the end of the roller coaster ride. Our sweet babe struggled with her glucose levels, as I was struggling too - with breastfeeding and the toll it was taking on my mental health. 

In the midst of it all, I made the incredibly difficult decision to stop breastfeeding. I'd always imagined myself nursing my baby, but the pressure an strain of it all were too much. The impact on my mental health was intense, and I knew I needed to make a change for the sake of both of us. 

I ended up staying in the hospital for a few extra days - but not in the maternity ward. I was admitted to the mental health unit, which is difficult for me to admit, but there I was able to get the support I needed to process everything and take care of myself. I definitely didn't want to go. The thought of leaving my newborn daughter was heartbreaking, but I knew it was what was best for me and ultimately for her too. I'm so thankful for the people who stepped in to help care for Ariella while I was away. Their support made all the difference. 

In hindsight, I can see that taking that time for myself was one of the best decisions I could've made. It allowed me to heal, mentally and emotionally, so I could fully embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood ahead.  I felt God's presence through it all, guiding me, reminding me that it's okay to ask for help and trust the process. His grace carried me through some of the hardest moments, an I'm so grateful for that. 

Looking back on those early days, I'm grateful for the support I had, the strength I found in myself, and the love I have for my little girl. It wasn't easy, but it was ours - a beautiful, messy beginning that I'll always treasure.