Friday, January 7, 2011

Significant January Event: The Birth of Our Son

Eight years ago today, David and I held our newborn son for the first time. I was due to deliver on January 6 and, if I didn’t go into labor before then, I was going to be induced on the morning of January 8th. We asked my mom to come on the afternoon of January 7th, so someone could stay with our 4 year old daughter while I was in the hospital the next 2 days. Before she arrived, David and I went to our last doctor’s appointment and the doc said I could possibly go into labor on my own that evening. After the appointment, we walked around Walmart for awhile and I was having major Braxton Hix contractions (or so I thought). I was actually in labor at that time and didn’t even realize it because there was no pain, only pressure. After supper that evening, the contractions increased and I was having them 2-3 minutes apart, still without any pain. David and I questioned whether or not we should head in to the birth center or not. My mom thought it was a good idea, but David wasn’t too sure since I wasn’t having any pain. I was puzzled as well because I had never gone into labor before on my own and didn’t know what to expect. As we debated, here is the e-mail David sent out to a few family and friends:

January 7, 2003 (Tuesday) - Hello, It is Tuesday night at 7:30 pm. We went to the doctor today and Vicky is at the brink of delivery. He said she is 100% effaced, and dilated to 4-5 cm!! He said that we should get the car packed, because it would not surprise him if she went tonight. He also said that when she goes into labor, we should not mess around and get straight to the hospital. He said that she will go very quickly. He even said that if we get delayed in leaving, we should have some clean blankets and..... (well, he lost his train of thought, due to my interrupting him).
Ever since this morning, she has been having the Braxton-Hicks contractions. They have been getting quite regular ever since the appointment, and at times are 2 to 3 minutes apart, however, there is no pain yet. She said there is only pressure. So, we are sitting here wondering, is this the real thing, or is this false labor, or is it still the Braxton-Hicks.... 
So, the car is packed, Vicky's mom is here to watch our daughter, and the countdown begins!! If she does not go overnight, we will be at St. John's at 7:00 tomorrow morning to get induced. 
Wait a minute....  
Ok it's time to go. We just got off the phone with the Birth Center and they said it is time to come in!!
-Dave 
What he didn’t mention in the e-mail is that, the doctor he talked to on the phone scared the daylights out of him! She said, with how far dilated I was, and how close the contractions were, he better be ready to deliver that baby in the CAR! LOL. So, we headed to the hospital (with the song “My Deliverer is Coming” by Rich Mullins playing on the radio) and arrived in our birthing suite around 8:30 that night. Our son was born at 11:42 p.m. He was 8 lbs, 13 oz., and measured at 21 ½ inches.

5 comments:

  1. Knowing you both...this was funny! I can see both of your faces! Oh, God is good!

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  2. Just checking, but did the pain ever come? I am sure it did! Thank you for sharing this story! I am impressed by all that you remember. I know I have 4 kids, but the details are kinda fuzzy. lol I am sure I could come up with some of the details if I were to ponder them. Again thanks for sharing your life with us Vicky! I like getting to know you and your family!

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  3. Kelly, I didn't actually start to feel any pain until right before they did the epidural. That was at 10:00 p.m. Then, I didn't feel anything at all. Basically a pain free delivery! I do remember quite a bit, actually, but if I ever forget, I'm grateful to have my journals to read! :-)

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  4. That's a great story! Thanks for sharing :)

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  5. That sounds similar in certain ways to how it was with Ryan! It was three weeks early with him, but I too was having regular contractions 5 minutes apart, no pain, for a long time. We called my parents and went in to the hospital. The doc wasn't convinced I was actually ready to deliver, and almost sent me home. I knew if we went home we'd just end up going back--I just wanted to stay and get on with it! Luckily they agreed to keep me, and I was indeed in labor after all. It took a while but Ryan made his appearance!

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