Delivery Day

It was 3:30am, April 11th, and almost like clockwork I was up to run to the bathroom like I did every night at the same time for the last nine months.

This time offered a little something different.  As I made my way across the room, I felt something that had me wondering if I had waited to long to get up, or could it possibly be that my water had broke.  I knew in the back of my mind it was the later that was happening, but I was in such a state of shock I couldn't believe it.  In disbelief I called out to Jake to tell him what was going on.  His response: "If you think your water broke you are probably right", he was pretty proud of himself for not questioning my judgment, so proud that he drifted back to sleep.  :)

I was excited, but at the same time a little annoyed that I wouldn't be able to labor at home like I had wanted.  Even after all the contractions I had been having through the pregnancy, there were very few at that moment.  Visions of pitocin were running through my head, something I was sure I didn't want.  I phoned the hospital, took a shower and gathered up my gear, and we were off.

There was no traffic, it was Sunday morning at 5:30am, and still dark.  It was calm and quiet as we made our way down the road.  That was until the largest raccoon I have ever seen decided to jump in front of our car.  That was the end of him, as shivers ran up my spine, so gross!

After arriving at our destination, they hooked me up and confined me to the bed.  No walking for me since every time I tried to walk a huge gush and a mess would be left.  They dangled the word pitocin almost as a threat if I didn't get the show on the road, and soon.

Thankfully I kicked into high gear and didn't need it.  Phew, that was close.  :) 

There were worries over the low placenta that was causing bleeding and clots, worries over the little guys heart rate, it was slowing a lot during contractions, which led to discussions of a C-section.  Oxygen was my next step as the Dr. waited to see if the heart rate would go back to normal.  It didn't ever recover, but at that point it was time to deliver.  As I pushed the second push the doctor had a worried look on his face and told me to stop.  I looked over at Jake, and it was clear something was wrong.  The cord was wrapped twice so tightly around his neck that he couldn't be delivered without being cut free, after that, one more push and he was out.  At 2:14 my little 6lb 10oz., 19.5 inch baby boy was born. 

You could hear a pin drop in the room, the doctor, nurses, were silent, more importantly though, Johnny was blue and wasn't breathing.  It was like everything was moving in slow motion, and the look on Jake's face spoke a thousand words.  I held my breath, and tears streamed down my face as I waited for a cry, for some sign of life.  It seemed like a lifetime before we heard the precious sound of his little voice, but the cries came and I took a deep breath of relief.  It would be almost 2 hours before I could hold him, there was still a sense of uneasiness in the room, he was labored in his breathing. 

Finally, he was where he belonged, safe in my arms.  He was very upset, and still grunting, we had him skin to skin and I did everything I could to calm him down.  He was so beautiful, a mini version of his daddy, perfectly formed.  Absolutely precious, no other way to describe him.  Finally he was calm enough for his brother and sisters to see him. 

They couldn't contain their excitement!     To be continued....