At the Hospital



Some thing to make mom more comfortable -
fuzzy socks, her Hello Kitty blanket, and the
teddy bear that was on hand when she was born.



We were given instructions to check in at 6:30 a.m. in anticipation of 12 to 24 hours of induced labor.  Managed to make it by 6:45 after calling ahead to make sure there was room available.  I’m not sure what your mom would have done had they told her she was going to have to wait again.  But no, they told us we were expected, so off we went with loads of stuff, including an air freshener set to dispense a ‘relaxing moments’ scent into the air - our version of aromatherapy.  The nurses commented on it all day.

Once we got your mom settled in and the dreaded IV put in (which she was much more nervous about than she ever was about the idea of childbirth), the nurse explained the procedure for starting to induce.

At 8:15 a.m. the first tiny dose of Pitocin was given.  The plan was to up the dose every 30 minutes and watch the contractions.  If they started coming too hard and too close together, the dose would be backed down.



Watching the contractions increase



At 11:00 your mom was given the option of having a light breakfast - something we didn’t think she’d receive.  This was also about the time that the first ‘get your attention’ contractions started to happen.  Your mom alternated between dozing as much as possible and watching Chicken Run and episodes of Tom & Jerry.

At 12:30 her doctor happened by and decided to break her water.  This started much harder contractions, mostly felt as ‘back labor’.  By 1:30, with contractions about 2 minutes apart, she was uncomfortable enough to request her epidural, which was given by 12:45.

Thank you, Jaime.

The change that happened was almost immediate with her sitting up, happy and chatting away.  Within about 30 minutes her blood pressure had dropped enough that she was given oxygen.  Her heart rate increased significantly with each contraction, so a good portion of the afternoon was spent listening to the little alarm on the monitor ‘beep’.  Once her blood pressure evened out, the oxygen mask came off, and we just kind of ‘hung out’.  Her friend, Lacey, also showed up around this time and stayed until she needed to head to the theater for her final dress rehearsal.  She told you to ‘wait’.  Little did she know…

Epidurals are our FAVORITE!!

The nurse checked your mom at 4:30 and announced that she was a ‘solid 7’.  Carley was coming through town, and since your Aunt Heather had come down with a cold and wasn’t going to be able to come to the hospital, we gave her one of the coveted ‘purple bracelets’, allowing her into the delivery room.  She jumped right in helping with back rubs, as the pressure in your mom’s back was getting pretty intense.

At 6:30 the doctor dropped by again to check on the progress.  His question, “Are you ready to start pushing?  Because the head’s right there,” took everyone by surprise, and there was a sudden flurry of activity trying to get the room, and your mom, ready.  Carley opted to stay, and I had just enough time to send a quick text letting people know what was going on.  Your mom even sent a text to her friend!  As soon as they sat her up, she was very comfortable again, chatting and joking around with all of us.

The nurse (Clarice) gave her a quick run-down of how she should push.  She stationed herself on one side, with Carley at the other.  I took the shoulder position.  Here we were expecting 2 to 3 hours of pushing, but lo and behold, after 3 or 4 good pushes, and only about 15 minutes later, there you were!

You immediately let out a wail and began pinking up.  With Lacey gone, I was asked if I wanted the honors of cutting the umbilical cord.  I was a bit dubious at the thought, but decided to go ahead and do it.

Check out your mom's stylin' bright yellow nails!

And there you were, 8 lbs and 14 oz of pure joy, 20 ½” long and with a smattering of light brown hair.  After your initial cry, you quieted right down and were given to your mom, who was just beside herself with joy to see you.  You stayed there, quiet and content, until the nurse came to move you over to the warming bed.  You had a vice-like grip on your mom’s finger and let out another wail when they took you away.



You did NOT want to let your mommy go!

 Once the nurses did all of the poking and prodding they needed to, you were returned to your mommy and settled right in.  You were alert and so quiet!

Getting to know Mommy.

Meeting your Amma.

After some time hanging out with Mom, they got your ready for your first bath, which I had the honor of giving to you.  And even with this new experience (which was SUPPOSED to make you really mad), you just hung out under the warmer and watched what was going on.



Getting ready for bathtime



No hospital garb for you!