The
day of my baby’s due date came and went. It was a Tuesday, and I had absolutely
no signs of contractions. Since my mom
was in town for the supposed baby’s birth, Bjorn and I were able to go out for
a final date night. We saw Intersteller at the movie theater. I felt kind of
sick to my stomach and knew that could be a sign of pre-labor, but Bjorn felt
sick as well so it was more likely something we both ate. We went to bed that night a little
disappointed. We both had to work the
next day and our doula/friend was going out of town for Thanksgiving. Things
were not going as planned. Happily,
baby A heard our pleas and decided to join our family Wednesday morning. I woke up around 3:30 in the morning with what felt like
normal pregnancy discomfort. I wasn’t able to go back to sleep and finally woke
Bjorn up at 4 am. He was excited I was
having contractions, but to me they still didn’t feel “real”. It didn’t feel like when I was in labor with
Gabriel, so I didn’t believe it. We ate breakfast,
showered, and watched The Office. Bjorn finally convinced me to call in sick to
work and I began to believe we were having a baby TODAY. By 6 am my mom woke up (Gabe slept through
everything) and I could definitely admit I was in labor. I was having strong
contractions, but they were manageable.
We called the midwife and decided to head to the hospital. By the time we had finished packing our
hospital bag it was 6:45 and I was kind of starting to struggle. I was very
much looking forward to the nice labor tub of warm water the hospital would set
up for me. Before leaving the house, my
mom, Bjorn, and I knelt and said a prayer for everyone’s health and safety as
we prepared for the eminent arrival of baby A.
It was a sweet, calm moment I hope to never forget.
The car ride to the hospital was the
worst part. I think I must have been going through the transition phase. I was so uncomfortable and the contractions
were very painful. I wanted to die. Bjorn was driving through red lights and
speeding up to 100 mph on the freeway…. We made it to the hospital in record
time. Friend/doula Megan met us at the hospital entrance and helped me inside
while Bjorn parked. It was wonderful
timing on her part. I tried to “check
in” but starting having strong
contractions instead, so I was directed to a room. The nurse Laura started the
patient check in procedure and tried waiting while I had contractions close
together. She asked me to put on a gown and monitors… after the next
contraction (she was trying to be patient).
I finally told her- “they’re not stopping!” The super strong contractions were only seconds
apart. I kept trying different yoga
positions to get comfortable and breathe deeply. All of a sudden I felt a big gush and could
feel my baby’s head pushing on my pelvis.
Nurse Laura checked me and sure enough it was the head- ready to come
out. Bjorn and Megan were both great and supportive and helpful and everyone
stayed calm and told me I was doing a great job. Nurse Laura called for some help when I said
“I have to push!” The sensation was overwhelming; I had to push this thing out
of me!! And I knew once I did it wouldn’t hurt anymore. That was great
motivation. To my surprise everyone said
“ok!” and so I did.
With four pushes Baby A came out and nurse Laura caught him and placed
him on my chest. I was so relieved it was all over (so I thought) and so happy
he was so healthy. He was beautiful to me, already. Even with newborn yuckiness
all over him. Bjorn was impressed with
me, mostly. And Megan handed me a chocolate protein shake. Very thoughtful of her and much appreciated. A bunch of doctors and nurses then arrived
and helped clean everything up and give me a couple stitches. A few minutes later someone noticed the baby
was having trouble breathing so they tried whisking him to the newborn crib in
the room. To everyone’s surprise, he was
still attached to me! No one had thought to cut the umbilical cord yet (there
was a LOT going on). Some nurse and
somebody else hurried and grabbed scissors and tied and cut it, then sucked out
Aidric’s nose and mouth. (I think he just came out so fast he didn’t have time
to have all the gunk squeezed out of his lungs as he would if he came out slowly like is
supposed to happen). They handed him
back to me and put a blanket over us and all was well. I just sat in awe for several minutes. Being stitched up without anesthesia was no
fun, luckily it was a small tear.
Eventually we traveled up to our recovery room. I was on an adrenaline high and wide awake
and hungry. They had food for me, and cold packs and heat packs and everything
I needed and wanted. It was great being
pampered. Bjorn and Megan kept congratulating
me as I held our perfect (though nameless) newborn, marveling once again at the
miracle of life.
