December 26, 2013

Dear Nina,

This is the story of your birth... no disgusting details, just the order of events that led to your glorious entry into the world.

December 25
10:50 pm
I laid down in bed and felt your feet move way up under my ribs, and from what I remember there was a really big bump sticking out just below my ribs.  Then I got into bed and felt a little trickle, and when I looked there was indeed a little puddle of "water."

11:00 - 11:45 pm
I was in a bit of denial and disbelief as I sat on the toilet, trying to decide what to do first.  I checked the Sprout app to see what I should toss in the "hospital bag" and I checked the apps for United, AA, and Delta to see what flight your dad could catch from Cincinnati back to Houston.  I also sent a text to Dr. Stern and to Nina B. to possibly get a confirmation that it was in fact time to go to the hospital.

December 26
12:00 am
I woke up Grandma and Poppa to tell them that my water broke.  Grandma said, "Phil, feel her stomach."  Poppa said, "I don't need to go to the hospital; I have to go to work."  In a few minutes Grandma was dressed and we were on our way.  My contractions had definitely started, and when I used the Sprout app again to time them they were about two to three minutes apart, lasting a minute each time.

12:30 am
We checked in at the St. Luke's ER, confirmed my registration, and went up to labor and delivery triage.  The ER registrar was a nice guy that was sure his shift would end before I had a baby...

After being officially admitted I called your dad.  There was no answer on his cell phone so I woke up Nana and Papa in Cincinnati to let them know you were on the way and your dad needed to book a flight.

1:00 - 2:45 am
In triage I was two centimeters dilated, and contractions were still consistent.  The nurse, Amy, was great: she was calm and made everything clear and understandable.  I turned on Enya to relax, put on my hospital gown, and focused on breathing slowly.  I felt a need for number two, and when the nurse checked I was at seven centimeters.  The contractions were coming faster and stronger so they called Dr. Stern.  By the time he arrived it was hard to rest between contractions, and I was squirming and wiggling through each one.

I kept my eyes closed and tried to concentrate on anything I could remember from the HypnoBirthing class.  Before I knew it, bright stage lights were on, a lot of people were around, and they were telling me it was time to push.  They told me things like "Take a big breath, hold it, use it to push... Push harder... Don't vocalize, use it to push..." And all I was thinking was Just reach in and grab it!  Take it out! 

Then after a flash of searing pain they were handing a baby to me.  You were crying out loud and looked perfect.  Your cord was so thick, and Grandma was right there to cut it.  They told me you were a girl, and I really couldn't believe it.  I got to see the nurses weigh and measure you, starting checking you and cleaning you, while Dr. Stern took care of me in my final stages. 

What I did not fully realize at the time was that your dad called again to check on us right as you were coming out. Grandma put him on speaker phone, and one nurse said you turned your head toward it just after you were born, when you heard his voice. 

So, five weeks early, Christmas night, as a surprise to everyone, that's how you came into the world.

More in love than ever,
Mom