Mothers say they never forget the details of their baby's birth day. I hope that it is true and the events of February 19, 2012 will be forever etched in my memory. It will always be a point in time that marks the before and after; when our lives changed and we became a family of three.
H, here is your birth story.
After a long week of work, your Daddy and I were ready for the weekend. Your official due date was a week away and we had big plans of finishing up last minute to dos before your arrival. On Saturday morning we took a three mile walk. I felt some tightness in my mid section during our walk, but I figured it was more of the typical aches and pains that accompany nine months of pregnancy. Later in the day, I took a break from making freezer meals and got a manicure and pedicure. That night, your Daddy cooked dinner and we enjoyed what was our last dinner as a twosome and went to bed.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling an intense desire to finish the freezer meals. I forced myself to stay in bed and get some rest. Around 3 am I began to feel some cramps in my back. Again, I dismissed the pains. Around 5 am, I began to have a sneaking suspicion that your arrival was imminent.
Your Daddy made us blueberry pancakes for breakfast and my back pains became stronger and more regular. I took a shower and curled my hair all while taking breaks because of the pain. Around noon, we decided to call the doctor. My doctor was not in that day. The doctor on call told us to come in, but said it was unlikely that I was actually in labor. Baby H, your mom knew better at this point. My pain was intense and I knew that when we got to the hospital they would not be sending us home without a baby in our arms.
We called your grandparents. Grand Mar and Pappy had just finished lunch at a Chinese restaurant and their fortune cookie told them "thrilling times were ahead." Yes, thrilling times were certainly ahead.
After we drove over what seemed like every pot hole in Northern Virginia, we got to the hospital and found out that I was very far along in the labor process. Much to the doctor's surprise I was 7 cm dilated. We got settled in to our room and in just a couple of hours it was time to start pushing. The doctor and nurses were pleased with your progress and predicted a speedy and easy delivery.
You had other ideas. Your heart rate started dropping and after numerous attempts it would not come back up. The doctor told us it was time for an emergency C-section.
Now, throughout my entire pregnancy I did everything I could do to avoid a C-section. I took classes, I read books, I exercised, and ate well. This was my first lesson of parenthood -- some things are out of my control.
I was whisked into the operating room and by the time your Daddy and I said the Lord's Prayer twice, you were born -- pink, healthy, and beautiful.
At 6:25 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012, we became the Campbell family of three and our lives have been fuller since.
Be sure to ask your Daddy to tell you the story about us leaving the hospital. It is a good one.
Love,
ReplyDeleteGrand Mar