Baby J's Birth Story

Surprised to see that our bundle of joy arrived a little early? Well, we were too. I know many of you have been asking for the story so here's what happened since I last left you an update. We've been extra busy with doctors visits and getting settled, but I'll get there!

Friday Afternoon/Evening-January 16th

My blood pressure went up over where Dr. A wanted it to be and I was having very strong but irregular contractions so we called the doc. She asked us to go ahead and head over to the hospital so they could monitor me and baby J. We were sent to the triage unit of Labor and Delivery and arrived there around midnight. It was discovered that my blood pressure was very high and I also had a fever. They ran a lot of blood work and told us we would have to wait for the results. They did an ultrasound on J and he looked great. They hooked him up to fetal monitors and his heart rate dropped pretty low at one point, but overall he was handling everything like a champ. I was given some Tylenol and and IV and they were able to get my fever down and my blood pressure regulated. The doctor said I was about 1.5 cm dilated, but not in labor. My blood work came back negative for the preeclampsia, but my white blood cells were up so it was determined that--lucky me--I had a stomach virus at 37 weeks pregnant! We were released from the hospital at 5am on Saturday and sent home exhausted.

Saturday morning/afternoon/evening-January 17th
I woke on Saturday and proceeded to get very sick again. I had a fever and the chills. Another call to the doc was made and she said we had to get my fever down in an hour or I would have to go back to the hospital. Nurse A did a fabulous job and had me drinking lots of liquids, taking my blood pressure, taking my temperature and basically waiting on me hand and foot. Daisy also refused to leave my side and literally slept with her head on my feet the entire day. We got my fever and blood pressure down a little and I slept on and off for most of the day even though the irregular contractions continued. Around 6pm, I got sick again and my fever shot back up. Dr. A was called and she said I needed to spend the night at the hospital and receive IV fluids. We packed our bags again for the 2nd time (I insisted on one last shower, just in case) and hailed a cab in the 8 degree NYC January cold.

We arrived back at the hospital and ended up on the same floor. This time we were put in a small birthing room where they wanted me to spend the night. It was deja vous. I was hooked back up to the fetal monitors, more blood was drawn and I was given another IV of fluids to try to keep me hydrated. J was a little stressed out by the situation--I can hardly blame him as I was starting to have my own issues. I had a fever, my blood pressure was really high and I was having extreme cramps and contractions. The nurse told me most of them were gastro related and not showing up on the monitor. They checked me and I was only 2cm dilated and they said I was not in active labor, it was just the stomach bug causing the pain. I was not a happy camper thinking that I was going through this much pain and would have to come back to this place in just a few weeks to do it all over again. On the other hand, I did not really want to have a long labor and delivery while I was sick. I said a lot of prayers throughout this process! The pain continued to worsen and when they asked to use the scale from 1-10 to rate the pain, A joked I would say it was a 27. He said I should just get a tylenol for the pain. I did not think he was very cute at this point. =) I told them I needed an epidural for this kind of pain, but the nurse kept reminding me I was not in labor. I told them I had never been in this much pain and insisted they check me again. The nurse did a quick swab test to determine if my water had broken and the look on her face said it all. Within a few minutes the chief resident was in my room telling me that I was indeed in labor. NO KIDDING EVERYONE!! I will never let A forget that he told me to take tylenol for my labor pains. =)

I asked for the epidural and everyone felt so badly for me that my room was upgraded to a larger birthing room and the anesthesiologist was immediately called to administer my epidural. I told him I loved him and I truly meant it. The whole thing was surreal as the realization hit me that I had not eaten a thing all day long, I had a stomach virus and I was now in full blown labor. The upside, I was leaving the hospital with my baby this time! I said so many prayers in those moments asking God to please bring me a healthy boy and an easy delivery. I was so weak I just wasn't sure I could deal with a long labor and the stomach bug. After the epidural was in place around 10:00pm, A made follow up phone calls to our parents who were surprised to learn that our trip to the hospital to for an IV was now the real deal. The nurses and doctors told me to hang tight and reminded me that 1st babies normally take a long time to come. They said they would probably have to put me on some pitocin since my contractions were so irregular. My doctor was given updates by phone during this entire process and was now "on call." decided to go get a sandwich and I was feeling so much better when the epidural started to kick in. I spoke with my parents and was starting to get very excited and nervous. A said he wanted to go home and walk the dog, but I told them that really was not a good idea as we had no idea how long this could take. Little did we know...

After about an hour, I started to feel extreme pressure. I told the nurse and she said that was normal. I'm really not loving this nurse at this point. A few minutes later I told A to go back and get her that this pressure was not normal. Why wouldn't anyone believe me? =) He was in the hallway when I started screaming at the top of my lungs for someone to come in the room and help me because this baby was coming. That approach got a little more attention if you ever happen to be in this predicament. The chief resident ran in and checked me and...I was FULLY dilated. I'm going to throw in one more "I told you so" here just because this is my version of the story. It was complete chaos in my delivery room. The anesthesiologist was called in to give me a top off on my epidural (God bless whomever called him.) Dr. A was called and I told them that was nice, but I was not waiting I needed to push because Mr. J was ready. They told me she would be there in five minutes and I really needed to not push. God bless the sweet Jamaican nurse on my left who told all the nurses and docs (I think at this point we had 6 in the room) that they should not make me wait any longer. I started pushing and it was like a scene out of movie as Dr. A ran into the room. She laughed and said "M, I sent you here for an IV, not to have a baby tonight." I asked her if this was going to take 2-3 hours of pushing (that is what it took most people I know.) I also asked her if he was too big and would he be able to fit. She laughed and told me this would take 5 minutes and yes, he was going to fit. She said, in fact, I could reach down and feel his head! That was a moment I will never forget. I suddenly became giddy, rejuvenated and so excited. All thoughts of stomach virus and the awful pain were so far from my head. I knew I was mere minutes from meeting my little angel. God granted my prayer request and I pushed for about 10-15 minutes with a wonderful cheering section. A was having the time of his life and the whole atmosphere in the delivery room was one of amazement and excitement. Baby J arrived into the world at 12:12am on January 18th with a healthy scream. Dr. A told us he was extra special because it was officially now her birthday too! Tears ran down my face as they told me he looked great and congratulated A and I. The nurses and doctors said my delivery was one for the record books. Everyone that checked on me during my stay at the hospital had heard "the story" and expressed their amazement. The whole thing was pretty crazy. My Dad asked me if I could have made it any more dramatic, but I reminded him that was just the way I liked it. Ha! A and I could not be happier to have our precious son here, exactly three weeks ahead of schedule. We are extremely blessed and grateful.