Introducing Max the Magnificent; Part 1

We have officially entered into the realm of parenthood. Grab the burpie cloth and shield yourself from the “automatic sprinkler”…..because this is going to be one heck of an adventure!

It was Tuesday the 17th, and time for our 39 week prenatal appointment. Riding the elevator, we found another pregnant couple beside us. The girl rested her head on her husband’s shoulders and I found an expression of discomfort spreading over her face. On closer inspection, the husband was carrying an over night bag. They were on their way to have their child.

Upon arriving to the 3rd floor of the hospital, you come to a fork in the hall; to the left are the doctor’s offices, to the right, Labor and Delivery. We always turn left. The laboring couple turned right. I silently wished them well in my thoughts, as I watched them quickly disappear around the hall following the flying storks adoring the walls.

“Just think, we’ll be turning down that hall like them soon,” I said to Jeremy.

I never would have thought those word would be more true.

The doctor performed a membrane sweeping, a routine procedure at this time in pregnancy. She mentioned that it may speed up labor, it may not. Now, since this was my first pregnancy, I expected to go past the due date, no matter how hard I hoped the baby would come early, so I half expected it to work. And, I also expected when I actually did go into labor, for labor to last over 10 hours or more.

Boy was I wrong on both assumptions.

By that afternoon, I began feeling what I assumed to be contractions, although I had no clue if that was actually what I was experiencing, as they weren’t all that painful, just kinda crampy. I began to time them, which were roughly 10 minutes apart, but nothing very consistent. I shrugged it off.

By that evening, Jeremy and I went to grab some quick dinner, since we were still shopping around for cars and were going to test drive later that night. But, while at dinner, the so called contractions were coming more frequent and becoming a little more uncomfortable. Jeremy began timing them. 5 to 7 minutes apart. Jeremy couldn’t finish his dinner. Although he remained calm, I could tell the realization that this was it, was drastically settling upon him.

We headed home and decided to get everything ready to go to the hospital. And, of course, the paranoid person I am, asked that he do some quick cleaning around the house. After all, if this was it, I didn’t want to come home from the hospital to a disarrayed home! Reluctantly, Jeremy quickly straightened up and got everything ready to go, grabbing cell phone chargers, overnight bags, a little personal hand held fan (which saved my life that night) and the camera. We were on our way.

We reached the hospital around 10pm, just in time for me to lose my dinner in the parking lot. That was fun. The contractions were starting to get fairly painful, and we moved more quickly, only to pass another laboring couple walking around outside.

“Good luck,” the husband said to us in passing, as he supported his struggling wife.

Boy, was it that obvious I was in labor? I still was in half disbelief that this was truly it.

The next few hours were a blur. The contractions were becoming very painful, and upon admittance I was already 4cm. They asked if I wanted any drugs or an epidural.

“YES, please,” I replied.

They hook up an i.v. and the sedatives they admitted kicked it within seconds. My eyes felt heavy and next thing I knew, I entered into either sleep or unconsciousness (which I have no clue), only to awaken in a surreal fog for each excruciating contraction.

Three hours pass of this, and the three bags of i.v. fluids needed prior to the epidural were fully pumped in me and the epidural cart finally entered the room. But, before they administered it, they tell me to roll over to my side as my blood pressure was dropping and the baby’s heart rate was dropping. I do so, clenching on the rails of the bed through yet another insane contraction.

“I feel like I need to push,” I panted.

So, they check me out.

“You’re 10cm, you’re ready……no time for an epidural now,” the nurse replied.

“What?! No!” I cried. I completely freaked out. I was so terrified of the pain that I broke down in a panic. Both Jeremy and the nurse became stern, as they recognized my impending break down and forcefully told me to “stop it!” and “focus and breath”. In my painful fog, I almost felt offended. After all, shouldn’t they be on my side and comfort me?

It was a good thing they did. Three very quick and painful pushes later, Max Orion was born at 1:05am, weighing in at 7.5 pounds and 19 inches. Even being a slight shade of blue in the beginning, he passed all his scores. Ten fingers, ten toes and cried like there was no tomorrow on the warming table.

Only a mere couple months ago, I predicted he’d be born on this date. Something about a Full Moon, if I recall. Did I call it or what?

The rest of the night was a dreamy blur. The sedatives were still circulating my tired and worn body, but I held my baby and it felt wonderful. First thought was that he looked just like Jeremy. My eyes were heavy still, and with each labored blink to stay awake, family appeared. I recall telling everyone as we entered the recovery room that Jeremy was to hold him first before family ravaged him.

It was amazing and incredibly emotional to watch the look on Jeremy’s face when he held him.

Yeah, that was all worth it.

Things are never simple

It’s a week from the due date. Everything we need has been purchased, assembled, washed and tucked away in cubby holes, baskets and drawers. The apartment is more or less straightened up. The hospital bag is packed and waiting to be grabbed at the last minute. Everything is great and ready to go…..

...Almost….

Just when we think life is pretty good and exciting, it get’s even more ‘exciting’.

Jeremy’s beloved car has basically turned into a pile of metal scrap. Just this last week the engine light turned on while a clicking nose began. After taking it to the dealer, they gave him the sad news that there was a major issue with the engine and the parts and labor would cost close to $10,000…..more than the car is even worth.

This was not the news we wanted to hear days before our impending bundle of joy enters the world. This really hit Jeremy hard. This car was his pride and joy, a piece of machinery he worked hard to get and loved to drive over the years. This was going to be our ‘family car’ and we looked forward to many more years of its use.

Not anymore.

I really have to look at this as just one of those things that unfortunately happens in life (although Jeremy’s having a harder time coming to that point of view). I think what makes it difficult, is not only that we had both cars paid off for and didn’t have to worry about another expense, but the fact that the timing is unbelievable. We shouldn’t be stressing about finding a new car when we should be getting excited about the baby coming.

Needless to say, the excitement and happiness of baby has been undercut by worry and stress in this household.

What’s funny is, I’m usually the pessimist when it comes to life in general, but in this situation, I feel like I’ve stepped into the optimistic role. Perhaps it’s simply not to set my worry and stress gears into overdrive like I normally do (although, if that speeds up labor…). God has blessed us with so much in our lives, and I think we need to focus back on that. Our theme since high school has always been His timing for everything in our lives, and this is just one of those things we need to remember that we will get through and overcome. Focus on the solution and not dwell on the negative. Easier said than done, as always.

So, here we are, quickly researching and test driving new cars, in crazy summer heat, and me ready to pop. I loved watching all the sales people's reaction when they asked when I was due. You’d be glad to know I didn’t complain about waddling in the heat and maneuvering in and out of endless cars…..too much.

We’ve narrowed it down to a couple of cars, so hopefully in the next day or so, we’ll have a new car to welcome the baby in. What a spoiled baby this kid will be!

Gotta love how life keeps you on your toes!

What birth plan?

As I gave my last farewell embrace, I drove away from my job Friday afternoon with a bitter sweet lump in my throat. Yes, I know I’ll be back in a mere few months, but I couldn’t help but feel just a little sad for leaving the people I see and work closely with on a daily basis. Blame it on the incremental hormones…..

But, on the other hand…..waking up today, Monday morning, without the alarm ringing in my ear, was a breath of fresh air. I think I’ll do just fine.

Unfortunately, I’ve come down with a cold. And summer colds are the worst. Don’t even mind being nine month pregnant on top of it. Needless to say, it’s been a pretty lousy start to my so called ‘vacation’.

So, what does a sicky do all day? Watch horrific day time TV, in between taking naps with the cat, of course.

While lounging I subconsciously turned to TLC, which happened to have a few episodes of Baby Story, a show where a couple is video taped before, during and after the birth of their child.

Now, is this really smart for me to be watching right now? Only a mere couple weeks away from my own due date (but crossing fingers for sooner)?

Watching these happy and casual woman nonchalantly nudge their sleeping husbands awake to rush to the hospital, only to transform into a scary, growling in pain creature, with a camera documenting every point of view (literally).

One lady in particular had a rough time, laboring for hours upon hours. She uncomfortably walked up and down the hospital halls and crawled in and out of the birthing bath. After hours, she finally gave birth to a baby girl, right there in the bath. A tummy churning, yet amazing thing to watch on this show. Although, I don’t think Jeremy so much liked bringing his eyes from his laptop just in time to watch that birth.

All the books and all the research online says to create a birthing plan. I know some women are adamant about how they want their labor experience to go: Drugs or no drugs, just their husband or the entire family to watch, candles, music, shadow puppets, contemporary interpretive dance….. the list can be anything.

Now ask me if I’ve made a birth plan.

Nope.

My idea is this: It’s not about this ‘romanticized’ idea of how I want my birthing experience to be. It’s not going to be this glorious time in my life. It’s probalby going to be one of the most difficult times in my life. But, it’s not about me. It’s about whatever is needed to produce a healthy baby in the end. That’s all that matters.

That said, I can hope for an easy labor, but I’m not closing my eyes to the very real idea that it’s going to be insane. I’m keeping an open mind. If I need drugs and the epidural, bring ‘em on! If I end up needing a c-section, that’s ok too. I don’t pass up the novocaine, simply because I want to experience the joy of my wisdom teeth pulled out.

All of these things are not going to rob me the experience of having a baby.

As someone told me once, you don’t get an award for being super labor mom. Because in the end….who cares? If in the end, someone is sad or upset that labor didn’t go the way they planned, then they’re missing the whole point of why that little baby is in their arms in the first place.

Now, all that being said, do you think the hospital would mind if I just took a shot or two of tequila during the labor?