A Miracle

Tuesday Evening Duane and I enjoyed a party at our friend, Irene's home. Shortly after arriving home, we decided to extend the party late into the night. We packed up our bags (and computers) and headed off to Prentice Women's Hospital. I was having contractions spaced about 5 minutes apart, was three centimeters dilated, and fully effaced (in non-Dr. lingo, I think that means ready to push out a baby)

Here is my Pre-labor dance:

First I was admitted to "triage" at about 10pm - which is a nice place where nurses decide if you really ARE going to have a baby, or just indigestion.

My doctor wanted to make sure before coming in that I was in labor, and suggested that I walk the halls for 2 hours. - And off I went.

During those two hours, I walked around Triage listening to "Radio Lab" by WNYC--it's my new favorite podcast about science and other cool stuff.

Then I discovered why they call it "LABOR".

At about 1:30 AM My water broke, and my contractions started coming 3 minutes apart.

Duane was right there by my side as the contractions progressed, and I gained immense respect for all mothers around the world.

When I was dilated to 4 centimeters, the nurses still weren't answering our calls, and Duane went out to the desk to discover that almost everyone on the floor was upstairs helping with an emergency C-section of a lady with twins.

The last hour between 2 and 3 AM, before going up to labor and delivery, was intense, and included lots of tears. My contractions sped up quite a bit, but Duane's calming presence made the difference.

Finally we were taken up to labor and delivery, and after another 1/2 hour, I was given some pain relief through an epidural.

JOY


I was in a much better place to prepare for PUSHING...

Which happened after a short 6 hour interlude of dilating the rest of the 10 centimeters. I could feel pressure, but very little pain, and I was grateful for the chance to store up some strength.

They gave me an IV and an Epidural (an IV in the spine)

When it was time to push, we had several people in the room:

• Susen, (the nurse with short white hair pictured at the bottom of this post), who was talkative and had 30 years of experience delivering at this hospital,
• Elaine, the nurse-in-training who was very sweet and ran to get ice chips when we needed them,
• Dr. Blumenthal - arrived for the "active phase of pushing" (when the baby is coming out) and was very encouraging and supportive, and
  
• Eric, a Labor and Delivery Resident who opted out of a C-section oppourtunity to stay with us through the labor (I would like to think it's the jokes I was cracking through the labor, but I think he was just a very kind guy that both Duane and I connected with) .

Because of Hospital policy, I cannot show any of the active labor here, but needless to say it went

SPLENDIDLY

Dr. Blumenthal and Eric coached me as I pushed at every contraction. I could feel the pressure of our baby (RELLA MAY) coming down the birth canal (what a FEELING) and was able to see her come out from a mirror that our nurse had brought in.

And Dr. Blumenthal complimented me on my strength in pushing. The entire labor was short for a first timer.

Rella May was born at 10:45 AM on Wednesday Morning, Jan. 27th


Since then we have been recovering (I did have stitches, but very little tearing) here at the Hospital where everyone has been so kind. I think the nurses adore Rella just as much as we do.


Miracles DO happen!!!