My doula, Laura, suggested I write down Bobby's birth story, not only to record it but also to help complete Patrick's story and the journey I took to get there.
With Bobby, I had a much more laissez-fair approach to childbirth. I read the standard pregnancy books, but nothing that focused on childbirth. I knew I wanted drugs and figured that I didn't need coaching...women have been birthing babies forever- I didn't need to take a class to learn how. I used an OB practice that had 6 physicians and used one throughout my entire pregnancy until the last month or so when he recommended that I visit with the other doctors in case one of them ended up delivering us. At my 40 week appointment, I casually mentioned to the doctor I was seeing (not my own) that I was considering an induction if Bobby hadn't made his appearance by his due date. She immediately scheduled me for September 8, 2008- four days after my due date.
I remember talking to my sister a few days prior to my induction. She said to me, " well, I guess that means that you'll be a mom by Monday". I hadn't thought of it that way and honestly, it freaked me out a little.
My induction was scheduled for 7:30 am Monday morning. Jacob and I got up, I took a shower and did my hair and make-up and we headed to the hospital. When we got there, I changed into a gown and was hooked up to the monitor and given an IV with a Pitocin drip. The doctor on call from my practice was not my doctor, but it was okay since I only saw him maybe 3 times throughout my entire labor. I labored for a little bit but the contractions quickly became painful. I got up to use the restroom and as I was walking back to the bed (with Jacob's assistance), my water broke. Once I got back to the bed, I knew I would need an epidural so the anethesiologist was called and the drugs were quickly and uneventfully administered. I continued to labor. I honestly don't remember much. I was put on oxygen at one point and made to lay on my side. Bobby wasn't doing well either. At about 5:15-5:30pm, the doctor recommended a c-section. He said, "we can do one now before it's an emergency or we can wait until it is one". We agreed. How could we not when given those options?
I was taken into the operating room and Jacob was told to wait. They almost forgot about him but thankfully he found us. The anesthesiologist administered more pain medication and they began the procedure. At 5:58pm, Bobby was born. The doctors held him up above the curtain so I could see him and then began weighing, measuring, and cleaning him up. Jacob stood next to me the whole time, holding my hand. We were both crying. The epidural made it feel like I couldn't breathe, but I was told that it was a common feeling, I was actually breathing. They started to take Bobby to the nursery. I made Jacob go. He didn't want to- he didn't want to leave me by myself, but I didn't want Bobby to be alone. He was so small, he needed his daddy. So Jacob went with him - he was the first of us to hold him.
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| Proud Papa |
I was taken to recovery, where my mom and my mother in law came to see me. Finally, Bobby was brought to me and I was able to hold him for the first time. He was so small, so new, so perfect.
My life started that day. Our life. This wonderful, crazy, fun filled, exhausting life that I love so much.
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