Birth Story

Saturday May 12, 2012

7:30pm - loss of mucus plug – ewww! Alex still needs to go to work tomorrow morning – hope the baby doesn’t come tonight!

Sunday May 13, 2012

12:30pm - pink show – Alex gets called at work…OMG! “how far apart are contractions? Nothing consistent yet? ok…will be home soon!”

Monday May 14, 2012

2am - contractions start; gradually decrease from 8 mins to 5 mins.

3am - wake up Alex, start packing bag, fixing carseat; setting up baby monitor; wrap present for Elise from baby

4:30am - go back to sleep.  Sporadic contractions throughout but longer stretches than before.

8am - Elise wakes up. Alex finishes being on call – now officially on “vacation”, phewf!  Do morning routine. Take car to dealer for oil service and tire change.  More sporadic contractions 10 to 20 mins apart.

5pm - Walk to park to help move labour along – Momma poses for photo shoot (see previous blog post)

9pm - Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai come over to watch Elise after put to bed.  Discuss when to go to hospital, contractions are regular and at 5 mins intervals.

11pm - Head to hospital.  Busy night on the baby floor.  No beds available in triage so hang out in waiting room.

11:30pm - Get a bed.  Nurse checks, not sure if water broke so calls doctor. 

Tuesday May 15, 2012

1am - Dr. Cescon comes to check and decides could be either 1-2 cm or 6-7 cm dilated.  Likely a long night either way because first vaginal birth.  Epidural decided, need to wait for anesthesiologist and delivery room.

1:30am -Transfer to room from triage.

2am - Getting ready to go onto the bed.  Nurse asks if I need to use the washroom first.  Figured it would be a good idea, heard stories of messes during delivery. Sudden strong contractions start while on the toilet…Alex tells me “WHATEVER YOU DO, DON”T PUSH!!” I go lie down on the bed instead.  Overhear nurses say room is not ready for delivery yet, don’t know where doctor is and no time for epidural.  Abby is coming now!

2:20am -Trying very hard not to push by breathing through contractions.  Swat nurse’s hand thinking it’s Alex when she applies pressure on my belly during a contraction.  Dr. Cescon teaches how to push and we practice between contractions.

2:56am - Abby is born after a 4-5 contractions.   Beautiful baby and quick delivery!  3 areas of second degree tears, stitches done while Abby does immediate skin-to-skin.

First time Elise meets Abby.  Elise is SO excited to be a big sister now!

Proud grandparents x2 now (well, technically x4, but 2 locally, haha!)

Abby’s first kiss (and last ‘til she’s married if dad has anything to say about it!)

First family photo…kinda.