Introducing...
Owen Greene James
Born. April 16, 2010 at 12:11am(missed being a tax baby by 11 minutes)
7lbs 11oz and 20"
Birth Story
(It's the long version and more for my own memory so won't be offended if you don't read it)
Tuesday, April 13th I was sure that my water was leaking. We loaded up the car. Had someone come to watch Gavin and headed to the hospital. At the hospital we were escorted into a triage room where the nurse did all the preliminary paper work, monitoring and questions, then I waited for one of the 2 resident doctors to come and check and run the necessary test to decide if my water had in fact broken. The moment the resident walked into the room I instantly did not have a good feeling. He seemed arrogant in a I've got something to prove way. When he heard who my midwife was his tone changed even more and it appeared he had something out for her. When he asked the me what progress I had made and when I was last checked. When I said I was at 3cm and 75% effaced he laughed and said "who told you that?" I said my midwife Sara and the nurse said "hey buddy Sara doesn't give that stuff away easily she is very conservative." He just rolled his eyes and said we will see. When they did the speculum test they have you cough to see if fluid comes out. Both times I coughed the nurse said "Oh that is suspicious." They left the run the test and I could tell the nurse didn't like this guy either and was second guess him. They came back and said nope your water hasn't broken. We will get you discharged. The nurse came back and said "I was sure it had so I made him show me the test results." So we get all check out and head to the elevator. The elevator stopped and let guess who the resident doctor in. He was holding two styrofoam boxes of food and said "I am glad I didn't have to check you in I was getting hungry." SERIOUSLY! I was so shocked I just stared at him until the door opened on our floor. As we got into the car I had another large gush of fluid enough to fill the pad I was wearing. I didn't know what to do. Honestly, hindsight I should have marched back in there and asked to be checked by someone else but I had just been checked and had a feeling that anyone who checked me would back the other medical staff. We went home. I decided that since my next appointment was Thursday I would just monitor things and make sure I didn't run a fever and that the liquid stayed clear. On Thursday I explained what happened to the other midwife (mine had just left town that morning farthing my fury toward the "good doctor." She was upset for me. Even if my water hadn't broken he had really poor bedside manner. She ran another test. When I saw her come around the corner to come tell me the news the look on her face said it all. My water had broken probably two days ago. My heart sank and my eyes welled. This isn't how I wanted my delivery to go. I asked what my options were. I didn't want to be induced but I knew deep down I didn't have a choice. Hearing her say it just broke my heart. I took a deep breath and waited for Mike and Gavin to come back from the rest room to tell them the bittersweet news. We would be having a baby that day.
We headed home and relived Tuesday night. Loaded up the car, got Gavin settled with our wonderful friend Deb and headed back to the hospital. After calling my Doula(labor assistant), Alexandra we headed to Arby's upon her prompting that I should have a last meal since they usually won't let you eat once you are in the hospital. We arrived at the hospital and while checking in with a large birthball and a suitcase in tow guess who walks up the "good doctor." First words out of his mouth "what are you doing here?" Ummm let's see 9 months pregnant, carrying a birthing ball and luggage. Oh I don't know I just like it here. REALLY! I calmly looked at him and said "my water broke...two days ago." He quickly responds "No it didn't we were just talking about that." I just looked at him knowing that no amount of arguing with him could convince him. He just walked away after that.
Alexandra and I just getting settled in the hospital.We were escorted to a birthing room and assigned a very sweet Christian nurse who was wonderful. I was instantly thankful for Mike and Alexandra who started music right away and soon they were laughing and making me laugh and I was beginning to accept that this was going to be it. I was going to have my baby and even if this wasn't the way I wanted it I needed to just accept this and prepare to meet my miracle. Once I was hooked up to monitors and enough cords to make me feel like a leashed dog I was given my first dose of antibiotics. Then we started a small dose of pitocin. We all hoped that I would only need a jump start. It didn't work out that way 3 hours later I was having strong contractions every 2 minutes but I had only progressed to 6cm from 4cm earlier that day.
Using hypnosis during a contraction.The pitocin contractions were much more intense that any I experienced with Gavin or had been experiencing on my own earlier that day. Everyone including myself expected my labor to go quickly and with that assumption in the air I began to feel anxious. Shelley (midwife) asked if I would like her to "stir things up" and try to get things moving more quickly. I agreed. I just wanted out these contractions were different than they were with Gavin and I couldn't imagine staring down hours of this. She stripped my membranes and tried to break my water further which didn't work because it was already broken as much as one can break their waters. After that very uncomfortable procedure I received my second dose of antibiotics and we upped the pitocin level again and things really did pick up. The next 2-3 hours were miserable. We had a shift change and got a new nurse whose name I didn't get until after delivery but she was wonderful and had attended other hypnobirths so was great at giving me the cues I needed when I needed them. I remember during transition (apparently this is very typical) asking for the guy that had the drugs to come back. (Side note: He said if we ever needed anything he would come back. At that Mike said "Ever? So if I need him next week when I stub my toe he would come huh?") I was quickly informed that the baby was about to be here and I couldn't have drugs now then everyone says "you're doing great you don't need drugs." Oh really! Soon the room was buzzing with activity as the staff prepared for Owens impending arrival. The pushing part was nothing like I remember it with Gavin this was harder and more painful. It was kind of funny because at one point I lost focus and almost the entire room was chanting "breath the baby out you can do it just breath him down." Fortunately, the pushing phase went quickly before I knew it he was out and put up on my chest where he began to crawl up my chest to try to nurse. It was amazing! Until we realized his cord was too short and would need to be cut before he could make his journey. Once that happened he finished the climb and I help him latch on and at that the midwife commented "He nurses like a 3 month old! I've never seen a new baby nurse like that before." He hasn't let go since. We call him a chow hound the boy loves to nurse. If he isn't nursing and anything moves to close to his mouth (like a hand) the poor kid is frantically trying to latch onto it. He went in for his circumcision and had gained 3oz in one day which is amazing to me since Gavin had weight gain issues and sometimes it took him close to a week to gain 3 oz.
Just after the cord was cut.He is beautiful and sweet and we all love him dearly! Ok so maybe Gavin still totally ignores him and whoever is holding him but he is coming around. When Owen cries he will quickly say "Don't cry baby Owen." He will be a great big brother once he gets used to the idea.
Mommy and the boys.
Daddy and his boys.
Our Growing family.Gavin is holding the motorcycle toy that Owen gave him.
We have received so much love and support from friends and family and we are grateful! We are truly blessed! I thank God daily for my little family and all our friends who are like family to us as well!
