Timeline of Adam's Birth
(Mommy's version)
Adam John Schenk
Born: Thursday, Sept, 25, 2003 at 5:51 p.m.
Weight: 8.0 lbs.
Length: 21 in.
A few weeks before: I had two nights that I was SURE I was in labor. I had back pains from 4-6 one morning that stopped soon after I got up and started the day. The next time, I had pains almost all night and they continued a bit into the morning. So, I was more than ready when they actually started for real!
Wednesday, September 24: We had a doctor's appointment. Dr. Austen said I was almost 3 centimeters and offered to do something like separate my membrane in hopes that it might help. (I was so ready to have you at this time!) We also scheduled to have a stress test on Monday in case you didn't come.
Thursday, September 25: Daddy & I are having breakfast, when I start to feel pains in my back. I think they are contractions, but by this time I am seriously doubting myself.... so we wait. Daddy is supposed to go to a conference at DPS, so he can leave a little later for work than usual. He is about ready to leave, but as he is saying goodbye, I have another contraction, and he decides to stay home. I have pains every 15 minutes like clockwork. We call Grandpa Bovitz & tell him to get everything ready. (He, Nonna & GG are coming over to watch Noah while we are in the hospital.) Aunt Jody stops by to see our progress.
I ask Daddy if there's anything we need to do before we go to the hospital. He says he's like to get the van fixed (we had JUST bought it and were having starter problems!). Since the pains were still 15 minutes apart, I figured I could have a pain, jump in the van, drive it over, and then not have a pain until we got there. It worked! I had to call Daddy in to talk to the man, though, as I was having a contraction while trying to explain the problem (and Noah was sleeping in the car).
The pains get closer together... but then farther apart. Dr. Austen has encouraged us to labor as long as we can at home... so being the good patient I am... I listen to her advice and hang out for awhile. (I will not do that again! For future mothers out there... go early & get medicated!)
At about 12:30 or so, we headed over to the Winters' house so Noah could take a nap. (He was staying with Uncle Fred until Nonna & Gpa could pick him up.) The pains started to get really bad so we headed to the doctor's. Dr. Austen checked me out, said I was 6 centimeters, and sent us on to the hospital. We call Grandpa and tell him the news. He is on his way to pick up Nonna from Cincinnati where she is at a conference.
I get to the front desk while Daddy parks the car. The lady asks me to wait, because the check-in lady is busy at the moment. I sit in the chair and have a few contractions before they finally call me back... but wait! The next lady asks me to step in her office to fill out some paperwork. She asks me to sign my name, but I tell her I need to wait until this contraction is done. She says, "Oh, did you want to go back now?" Duh.
We get in a labor/delivery room and have to wait for the nurses. (Are you sensing a pattern here?) The nurses finally get there and ask if I want an epidural. I say (loudly and firmly) NOW! But, then we have to wait for the anesthesiologist to get there. (Aunt Jody arrives, and she even assures me it was a LONG wait for him.) As we are waiting, the nurse (this was possibly her first delivery!) tries to put my IV in. It takes her 3 tries and two of my arms to get it right. OUCH! The pains are IMMENSELY intense now. I am screaming at Daddy, "Why?", meaning how can the pain be so intense. I just couldn't believe there was that much pain. It hurt!
I FINALLY got the epidural. Daddy & Aunt Jody both stayed in the room with me... and neither of them fainted! I thought the pains would be over right then, but was surprised to be able to feel several pains after that.
At around 4:30 or 5, we finally settled down enough to play cards. I won the first hand of gin. All of a sudden, 3 nurses rush in the room. They ask me if I can turn on my side. I laugh at them, because my body is pretty numb at this time. They tell me I have to move to give the baby some air. They move me and strap on an oxygen mask. I get pretty freaked out at this time. (They tell us MUCH later that Adam's heart rate had dropped. He was probably laying on his umbilical cord.)
Around 5:30, it's time to push. This goes smoothly, but everyone laughs at me because I had put on the birth plan that I did not want to see the baby's head as it was coming out. Adam is born at 5:51. We get to hold him for the first time. Aunt Jody takes pictures. Daddy cuts the cord.
Adam has to have a blood test because I didn't have the strep B antibiotic long enough. (You need it 4 hours, and we were only in the hospital for 3 1/2.) Not only did he pass that with flying colors, but he got a 9-10 on his Apgar... a score the nurse does not give very often. He was perfect :)