Wow

Moo
August 11, 2006
9:35pm 7lb 7.4oz 20"

Wow, just about sums up life since my birthday. If you haven't guessed by the change in ticker at the top of the blog, our baby daughter is here. In fact, she made her appearance the day after my birthday! Pretty much I headed to the clinic as usual for my weekly check-ups, but when the midwife examined me to see how my cervix was progressing, she looked up with a shocked expression and said, "I just don't quite know how you're keeping this baby inside. You're 5-6cm dilated. Are you sure you're not feeling any pain." Now remember, the maximum is 10. I was already pretty much half way to delivering the baby and no contractions. The staff at the clinic were in shock, and so were the nurses at the Women's Center at the hospital when I walked up to the ward and checked myself in.

By the time J got there with my hospital bag there was still no action, so I told him to go home, get a shower, change out of his work clothes and I'd call him when my midwife came and broke my water to speed things along. We timed it right and he got back at around 5-ish just when she was ready to get started. The contractions started soon after she broke my water, but they were bearable. So to speed things along J and I trooped up and down the hallways. We made the nurses happy because I agreed to test out their new telemetry system for monitoring labour progress. By 7:00pm the contractions had really started to wring me out so I gave in and asked for some pain meds. I was too far along and expected to delivery too quickly to get an epidural. Instead, I got a very nice cocktail of 3 different narcotics. After that the catch phrase was "pleasant"... well, at least until the contractions stepped it up again and I said, "Okay, that's not pleasant."

Now this might gross some of you out but the best thing I heard in the labour room was one of the nurses saying, "No you can't go and poo, we don't want the baby's first swimming lesson to be in the toilet." If I hadn't been feeling another cramp at that moment I would've rolled off the bed laughing. Pretty much, that meant it was time to push! All in all, I can't complain. I got the order to start pushing at 9:20pm and Moo was born a scant 15 minutes later. Afterwards one of the nurses commented, "Wow, you sure must have a guardian angel up there." My reply, "Actually, yes I do." Thanks Moms.

So for now, J and I are here adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. He goes back to work tomorrow, and Moo has an appointment with the pediatrician, so it will be a day of firsts for both of us. For more pictures of our bundle of joy, click the Pictures link to the right. Ciao.