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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Birth Story Part TWO.



{part one here} Next thing I know, I'm sitting in the hospital's security vehicle, in the beginning of the snow storm... wondering... is this what I think this is..... 
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I close the door of the vehicle and wave goodbye to the nice gentleman. "Good luck miss! You picked a good day to have a baby!" he hollers. I knew he meant the snow storm. I knew he meant that it's safer I'm here than on the roads. But my mind went elsewhere. In that moment, all I could think about was what this day meant. Would this be the day I give birth to my son? Would I really truly hold him outside the womb, today? Is this the first day of a new life for me and my family?

Will December 26th, the day after Christmas, forever be a memory and celebration of our son's birth?

I walked through the hospital doors to find out.

Holding my belly, waddling my way to the front desk, a panicked, frazzled woman runs by me, grabs a wheelchair, looks at me, and says "Maybe you need one of these as well?" "No thanks, I reply."  I'm okay. Really.

But the woman that she had grabbed the wheelchair for? Clearly wasn't. She had those large chucks underneath her. She was moaning. She was begging for the front desk lady to hurry up and take her upstairs. "I'm about to have this baby right here, right now, if you don't hurry up I will push this baby out!" Now if that didn't get that lady's attention, I don't know what would have. Her eyes lit up like saucers and she just about stumbled over her own feet trying to run the my-water-broke-and-I'm-ten-centimeters-ready-to-push-lady upstairs in the wheelchair.

"I'll be back for you ma'am shortly" she yells out to me. I'm fine, I say, under my breath. Really.

And in that instance, I truly was. Because hearing that woman say she felt like she had to push? Well that just about stopped any kind of labor I had and made me, for a moment, want to run out the door. In a way... I wasn't sure if I was ready.

I felt like time was going by so slow. I talked to Andrew on the phone, who was on his way over, but it was brief and at the time I didn't know exactly what to think of all this. He, on the other hand, was a bit frantic. Unsure if "this was it." Trying to remember to grab all the bags. Five too many.  I imagine, probably trying to prep himself for what was to come.

And although I should have been focusing on whether or not it would be go-time, my mind could only go to my "to-do list." Do I have this done. Did I remember to pay this bill. Did I say all my I love you's ? Did I give enough kisses. Did I do this, or that, or .....

 Knock knock Becky!! You may be a mother-of-two today!

"Ma'am. Are you ready to go upstairs?" And just like that I snapped out of it. Yes, I am. Wheelchair? No thanks.

I was placed in the triage room where I was surprised to find the same nurse that delivered Elliana. I knew that if I were admitted though, she wouldn't still be here. For two reasons. Shift change was in less than an hour. And two, she's triage today. But regardless, I can't tell you how comforting it felt to finally see a familiar face that brought back memories of the best day of my life. The birth of my daughter.

She placed the sheet on me. We talked about the last birth. Checked my contractions. Remembered how fast everything went with Elliana. Cervical check time. Joked about how quick this one would be.

And the moment of truth.

I was hoping to hear 6cm. 7cm. 8cm. Anything, but,  "4-5." Which is just about where I was at my cervical check a week and a half prior. I felt a little beat down at that moment. Certain that this meant I was going home. In this storm? Absolutely not, I thought. There was no way I was going to be sent home in the biggest storm of the year. Another "false alarm?" How many more can we have?

But those weren't the words that I heard. My nurse came back with the biggest smile on her face, "You're staying!"

Immediately, tears filled my eyes.

I called Andrew right away, who was already on his way, and I still remember word for word what I said to him. "How does December 26th sound to have a son?"

He also was as surprised, and kept saying over and over again "Are you serious? Are you sure? Really?"

And just like that, I walked across the hall to the Labor & Delivery room, knowing that there were only a few hours left of me being pregnant. Just a few hours left of us being a family of three. Just a few hours left before our lives were about to change.

We didn't call anyone right away. Once Andrew arrived with our bags upon bags full of stuff, we decided to get situated and talk to the doctor about the plan of action before we even made a single phone call.

And then the conversation that Andrew and I hadn't had before started. The conversation on calling our families and whether or not we would have people in the room. Actually, I think it was a given that my family would be there. Andrew never thought otherwise. And if I was to be completely honest here, I never did either until that very moment. And in that moment? Something hit me. For whatever reason, I just wanted it to be Andrew and myself. Not because I didn't  want my mom and sister there. Not because I wasn't happy with my first birth experience where we had 5 people in the room. Not because I wanted to be selfish and have this moment to ourselves.

Okay, maybe that is the reason. In my heart, in that moment, I just wanted to share this experience with my husband, Andrew. The two people that made this bundle of joy. The two people to watch him come into this world. Just me and him.

And looking back? It was the best decision I ever did make.

So the phone calls were made. "We're staying! We're having a baby today." Texts were sent. Pictures were uploaded.

This was it. Today... we were having our baby. Our second baby. And there's no going back now.

Part III, the final part, tomorrow.

21 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, cannot wait for part three! This is beautiful Becky! I love the analogy of how you two decided for it to be just you two in the room. And a snow storm??? Oh my goodness, how epic!

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  2. These are SO good!! I'm beyond anxious to read part 3. Congrats again - he is SO adorable! I love that it was just the two of you.. so intimate in such a memorable moment.. beautiful. <3, Amy

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  3. I have loved reading your birth story. Our third delivery was the same way. It was just my hubby & I. I loved that it was just us

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  4. Oh my gosh! I have tears in my eyes!! SO beautiful!!!!! Can't wait for the last part of the birth story!!!!

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  5. I'm DYING to hear the end... I mean... I know how it ends haha but I love the way you tell your story! I think it was so cute you just wanted you and Andrew there. A special moment with the two of you. If I didn't have it before, I've definitely caught the baby fever now! Haha

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  6. You write so well that I am on the edge of this very uncomfortable hospital recliner ready to hear Part III like I was when I read the Twilight Saga lol!

    I had to laugh out loud when you was like no thanks with the wheelchair and it was for the lady with chucks behind you bwahaahahah that would so have been something I would have done!

    I am so glad that you decided to make it so intimate with just you and Andrew! I can't wait to read more!

    As I was reading you getting in the emergency vehichle and the guy wishing you luck I thought of Grey's Anatomy lol you write that good girl so hurry up and post part three for me mmmmkay lol!

    love you
    Sums

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  7. I loved reading this!

    And like you, my first delivery had my mom and grandmother in the room but my second was just my husband and I. It was the best decision we ever made. It was such a special time for just us. After Savannah was born it was just us until everything was cleaned up then it was Camren's time to meet his baby sister. Just the 4 of us for about 20 mins. Then, we let family in. I felt bad at the time in many ways but looking back, it was the absolute best decision ever. That is when Camren and Savannah's first bond happened and they adore each other. I know it was the right decision!

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  8. Oh my goodness this is so beautiful, I'm tearing up and I can't wait to read part 3!!

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  9. I read part 1 and part 2 today. VERY beautiful birth story! Can't wait to read part 3.

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  10. Lady, you keep making me cry! You are SO great at documenting your story and I just love to read it. Beautiful.

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  11. Such a beautiful story! :) Can't wait to read the rest :)

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  12. I am so enjoying this beautiful story. I cannot wait until tomorrow. I had tears in my eyes when you shared your first words to Andrew about having a son on December 26th. Simply the sweetest thing.

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  13. OMG! This is giving me goosebumps! I love all of your pictures! Can't wait for the next part!! :) Congratulations!

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  14. Love this.. and LOVE the pictures.. seriously who was taking these? Love the details and the simplicity of the pictures.. perfect!

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  15. Every single "part" gives me goosebumps!! This is the most beautifully written birth story I have ever read. Although I have never met you and your family, I definitely feel like I know all *4* of you. You have such a gift. Thank you for sharing all of these personal moments with us :)

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  16. Such a good story, being born in a snow storm is the best {I was born in one:)} it makes a fun story. Congrats again.

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  17. I love all the details. You tell the story so perfectly, I can feel how you felt!

    I think it's sweet you chose to just have you and Andrew there. Makes it special!

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  18. Beautiful pictures! Did you have a photographer in the room with you or how did you get all of them?

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  19. New follower here! I'm so excited to read Part III!

    We're getting ready to have our first little one any day now and this just makes me even more excited. Plus, I know what you mean about wanting it to be just you and your main man in the room. That's our plan too :o)

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  20. Oh I just love the new squishiness! Congratulations on a beautiful day and a beautiful story. Isn't it just the greatest?

    New follower from GFC blog hop. I'd love for you to check out my birth story! The link is in my sidebar.

    www.mamacase.com

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