Jamison... the story of the day(s) you were born!

OUR LITTLE ONE IS HERE!  He's ADORABLE!  the story of how this came to be is neat and I wrote it down so we can retell it in the future with details.  It's long, but I broke it into chapters.  Enjoy!


before

The first part of the first day

 

So on Thursday, June 13, (J’s due date)- I took care of stuff at home then stopped at Melissa’s and said hi to my parents.  In the afternoon I went to Spencer’s work around 1:30 to see him officially receive his Bronze medal for placing 3^rd in the nation in all his CIRA testing. Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor.  He would have received it at the annual Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference in Chicago, but it was just before the baby’s due date, so he opted out and Tom, his boss’s boss, who is a member of the board at this conference, presented the award there at the office. We joked about how Jamison was coming fashionably late, and wanted to make an entrance!

 

It was a huge honor Spence received- go SPENCE!   His boss, Nick, was hilarious with the photo shoot he did, taking pictures of Tom and Spencer for the board newsletter.  He tried to be all professional photography- ish and it was funny because overall the presentation ended up being love key.  You’d have to meet these guys.

We had martinellis to celebrate and then I hurried out (late for my appt ) and I walked across the street to my Doc appt.  I had driven Spencer’s car and parked it at his building  my parents were there to meet me, having taken my car.

 

DOC APPT

It was really fun to see my parents at the doctor’s for moral support, and when we were called in and Dr. Daneshgar saw us, I introduced my parents, mentioning that my dad is a n anesthesiologist.  Dr. Daneshgar then said that for sure Dad was probably encouraging me to get an epidural.  I confirmed this and said I was going to do that.

He said that my blood pressure was still really high and that it had been all wekk.  I was also having mild headaches, a sympton of preeclasmpsia (along with high bloo pressure.   Id’ also been watching for blurred vision) He said that he was sending me to the hospital, with a note for Dr. Nassir, the Doc on call, that my bloodpressure was high, he feared preeclampsia or gest. hyperstension, and I should be induced jus to be safe.  I was at 40 weeks. So that was the best option.  I was super excited!  The day had finally arrived!!! He got things started a little by starting to strip my membranes, and then away I went with the note!!

 

 My parents drove me over to Spencer’s work- the front driveway type area and I called Spence.  ‘They are sending me to the hospital to be induced.  My blood pressure is high.’ I had veen told earlier – starting week 38, that I needed to watch this- lower satl, take it easy- rest on Left side half hr inmorning, half hr evening… id been doing that.  My blood pressure had otherwise been normal thru preg except maybe abut 5-6 monyh mark one time.

I asked Spencer how much time he needed.  I knew that he had been leaving all his projects this last week in a state where he could take off… he’d been on call all  week to drive me to the hospital.   ’10 min,’ he said.  Whee!!

 

He came down with his stuff- one more baby gift and his computer, and we headed over to where I’d parked his car.  I explained more about what the doctor had said and we talked about what we had to do before going to the hospital.  We’d head home, change clothes and pick up our bags that were already packed and then stop briefly at Ralphs for a few things.

DRIVE TO AND CHECK IN AT HOSPITAL

 

We were on our way to the hospital in rush hour traffic but luckily we made pretty good time!  Spence dropped me off and parked, then came to meet me so we could go up to labor and delivery together.  We got to the desk and there was this man complaining to the nurse on behalf of his wife who wanted to be admitted but had been refused.  I started breathing deeper and dramatically… trying to plead my case a litte and hop the line of one. Spence asked if I was having a contraction and I winked at him.

 

The nurse wrapped up with the fellow ahead of us and she took my I.D and insurance cards, filling out the necessary forms.  She then explained that they had  aunique situation at the moment.  They had no beds!! – they were so busy, everything was full, but we culd wait in the hall.  We walked thorugh the doord to the labor area.  The staf were friendly with us saying hi, but all they could do was pull up a chair and it was me and another pregnany lady who was at 30 weeks waiting to be able to get a bed and lie down!  The other lady I guess said she had no cervix left pretty much.  She’d need to have an emergency c section.  We waited a little longe trand everyone in the staff was friendly as theywalked by, greeting us and applolgising.  A third lady then came in whith her husband to wait.  They then said there was a spot that opened in Labor delivery… they;d skip triage and said I was next… The nurse who brought us right into Labor Delivery was named Ashley.  She was hilarious and fun/ Nurse Ashley. She checked my blood pressure and did a few tests.  She said they;d admit me and sent my urine to test for protein- if there was then it could mean I had preeclampsia.  She and I chatted a lot and she shared a few tips and breathing techniques, when to ask for epidural, and just about herself too when I asked. 

She showed Spence how to unhook the blood pressure cuff and heart monitors so I could use the restroom when needed easily as my stay progressed.

 

She tried to reach our doctor but by then it was a little after 6:00 and from 6-7 the doctors are doing their reports of their work for the dya and cant be reached.  So we played  a bit of a waiting game. She reported to the next nurse about what was happening with us.  She Gave her email to me saying she wouldn’t be back for another shift in a while and was sad she’d miss seeing my baby!  She said to send picsJ

 

 

Our next nurse, Genevieve, kept things moving along.  They finally reached the doctor on call- it had taken a little while because there was some questi as to who WAS the doctor on call- they’d changed the schedule.  It was not actually the doctore I expected, it was a completely new one in the group tha ti didn’t know about.,  He said to first make sure the baby was not breach.  Nurse

 

 

 

 

 

found somoen to bring in the equipment for the ultrasoundsand a resident to take care of reading the ultrasound.  They took the ultrasound and said he was vertex.  I couldn’t really tell much more that tat since he was so squished in there….Yes we could go ahead and induce.  Good news!

 

The urine test came back for protein… none… so it was gestational hypertension I had, not preeclampsia.  Phew!  The blood pressure cuff kept checking me every 15 minutes or so and I had to make sure my arm was straight.144

 

We were happy we were admitted and happy that they got a hold of the doctor and were going to start inducing… but there was a lot more waiting ahead!

 

The first part of the inducing procedure was to use something called Cervidil to get thigns moving along.  It’s like a tampon and sits in there for 12 hours.  By now it was 9pm.  So we bunked down for the night.  I slept fairly well and watched a few movies in the morning.  Our next nurse was Jocelyn.  Genevieve told her proudly that I was independent and could unhook and rehook myself up to go use the restroom.  One time though, when I used the restroom and brushed my teeth, I guess I pushed my luck, because they came nby to see what was taking me so long to hook back up, and if everything was ok.  Mostly though it was a handy and helpful thing.  Spencer mostly took care of the unhooking and rehooking, recuffng… but if he was out I was independent.

 

DAY 2

I watched a few movies in the am and docs kept coming in and out.

 

They checked me at 10am or so and the cervidil had moved things along so they gave me an hour break before the next procedure and I was allowed to have a ‘regular diet’  yum!  Spence brought me an omelet.mmmmm.

 

My parents came to see us and it was great to visit with them.  This helped me to keep a positive attitude and hang in there during this unexpectedly long wiat time.  I had hoped they’d see the baby but they had to fly home that afternnon, so we talked about when they’d come next.

 

The doctor’s started me on Petocin and along we continued…

 

Early in the afternoon I told Spence how I felt like my body had let me down by not going into labor naturally and by having high blood pressure - I said if t weren't for these things we would not have to stay here in limbo!

 Everyone said I just had to hang in there. Nurse Violet  was super steady and awesome. She layed out the facts.                                                               

 

The doc showed up and said that if things did not progress we would have to do a c section…( however, that was a long way off.)  If it came to that, he said it would be partly my decision and partly his.

 

Soo…

I rally started visualIzing then and thinking open thoughts.  I wanted to meet my baby!! I was also praying. We were so close!

 

They Broke water- again a resident was located and she came and took care of it.  It was a satisfying gush.

LABOR

I started feeling the contractions and when the nurses walke din one time I was laughing.  They thought that was pretty crazy that the contractions made me laugh!  It wasn’t the case, though.,.. hah… Spence had just said something funny;)

The contractions started coming more often and stronger.

 

Spence snuckin jello from the cafeteria when they ran out in the labor delivery area!

At this point things were feeling uncomfortable and I found comfort in listeneing to Jamison’s heart beat from the monitor.  I asked them to turn it up and it not only drowned out other beeps, it also gave me a comforting focus.

Epidural, ‘Epiduaral when 4-5 level pain is what they recommended.’  So I asked for one… it took a while getting it all started with me because there was a patient who had a breakdown in --her epidural medicine had suddenly stopped working!  The doc came tho and did a fine job!

 

The pain still got quite stong though and so I pushed the button for stronger dose too and then doc came to up it a little more bc pain was still really relaly  bad!!

Artound this time Violet was one of the nurses who was middle aged and affrican American and so so sweet… one of my faves!  She had stayed on past her shift bc they were so busy, and was just there present in my room during this time as things really started happening.

 

DAY 3

It was the middle of the night andit was so nice to have my nurse pretty much constantly in the rrom because Spence was asleep.  She was working from the computer.

They had me get settled in a side postion with my legs up and said to let me body do its’ thing.  Nurse Dawn was the one in charage and she said to tlel her when the contarctsions started to be to the point wehere there was a constant pressure.  This was called  bearing down.  At one point they also had me with an oxygen mask.  During this whole time we would also hear new babies being born every 2 hour sor so!! Thered be a cry and it was so cool!

 

ACTIVE LABOR/

PUSHING

 

Now I said it was a constant pressure- so they set things up in the room for delivery.  I was starving as I’d had only broth, jello, ice pops and juice for the last 14 hours.  I kept asking for food and they kept saying no.

they had me Start pushing, andi did for a while, Spence and a nurse holding my legs.  It was about 4 am.  They said to push like i was pooping.  They said to go with the contaractions and to breathe.  Iawas really focused and I also knew about those poop muscles because they are the ones I use when I sing.  They’re low and STRONG.  they called the doc and he came over- lives close by.  He ws pretty chill and hands off,  and was actually there for longer than usual.  I guess he’s usually just there the last ten min before delvieery.  I was doing a good job pusning but the length o time it took will be explained later.  He was a little laid back, letting the resident and med student do a lot of the work. 

 

There was also a baby care lady there in case of problems, so there seemed to be a lot of people.

 

After pushing for  a while the nurse said she could see the head!  Spence looked and saw it too.  So exciting!  I asked for a mirror and then a little while later was able to see the head myself.  It was so incredible!  Seeing his dark hair and a fair bit of it gave me great motivation to keep pushing.  I got a little tired at times, but was mostly focued and totally excited to see the little one.

 

I pushed for 45 minutes and they had me dictate when the contractions were happening because the machine was a little delayed.  The epidural had worn off just the right amount so I could gfeel them… the timeng worked well/

 

 

The doc said- after about 40 min that they’d need to ge tout the vacuum to suck him out.  Just then  I said I felt like throwing up.  Nurse Dawn got a bucket and away I went three times.  ‘And that’s why we don’t eat!’  Then they said they didn’t need a vacuum after all.  Puking has the same effect.

 

I guess it took a little lnger ppusing because he was posterior.  Sunny sifde up./  they don’t tell people theat in the moment because it can be discouraging. They let you know after the baby’s in your arms.

 

 

Doc said, in the final stage, I’d tear for sure and he’d snip me.  I shook my head.  One more push, I said.  I wanted no delay and I also thought that maybe I wouldn’t tear.

 

 

 

WELCOMING HIM 4:44 am

Suddenly there was another little person in the room.  They held him up for a moment, facing me, and he blinked and looked around, crying softly and just a little.  I was amazed at how present and perfect he was.  He was a complete little miniature person with every part to the finest detalil.  He was so sweet with a whole personality all his own.  I was in awe. Spencer cut the umbilical chord and they rushed him over to me for skin to skin time.   We looked at our son for the first time closely and fell in love.  He was so alert and seemed to appreciate that we were talkin to him because everything was so new.  We talked and told him where we were and that we were so glad to meet him.. he looked up at us in a friendly way with his big blue eyes.  We cuddled and talked and Spence and I sang, ‘you are my sunshine.’  We bonded and noticed how his hands were so big! He was our Liittle Guy fresh from heaven.  I had worried for a moment something was wrong beacseu he had not cried loudly like I’d expected when he came out, but it was just that he’s so chill!  It was such a beautiful, spcial time to get to know Jamison. That’s when Spence said, ‘yes, Jamison,’ and we decided for sure that this was the name that suited him.  We smile and talked and got to know each other.  He was so awake and adorable and little.  We examined his perfect fingers, toes, ears, mouth, nose… laughed at his bundle of hair, smiled, had lot sof eye contact, and enjoyed every second.

After an hour that flew by= of our smiles and joy and rapture, they took his weight- 8.64, hright- 21.5 in, and gave him a shot and eye drops.  Then tey bundled him up, offered congrats, and we prepared to head to post partum.  They sewed me up while we were bodngin with Jamison, becayse I’d torn, but I hardly noticed that they were doing this.,, I was so in love with my baby!  Again there was a change of shift right as we were changing rooms, but we got everything settled alright. (mostly)

POSTPARTUM

Nurse dawn ordedd me a turkey sandwich but it was takng forever!  I was STARVING!  I also needed ice because I was in pain from tearing!  It took a while to settle in completely with a new shift right at the moment we moved to postpartum , but they worked quicklyand did their best.

I ende up waiting 4 hrs for food and

About 1 hr for ice (some immediate but couldn’t have it on wheelchair so onec in room I had to wait forever!.)

 

BUT the food they brought was my fave!  BREAKFAST! French toast!

 

This was  a time of incredible excitedment and wonder as we spent morr time with our baby and leanred how to care for him. I oculd barely walk, but I didn’t really need ot goa nywere.

They broughy us a huge gift basket and apologized that we had to wait for a bed when we first arrived at the hospital!

We called family and shared the happy news.  We learned so many things and met many more great nurses….

Early that afternoon Puentes came to meet him and it was so special to introduce him to some of his family!  The boys were not admitted in as theyw ere under 12 and not siblings, but Spence brought them candy in the lobby.

Day 4 (Sunday)

At one point in the night they asked if I wanted them to take him to the nursery so I coud get some sleep.  I finally agreed since I was super tired.  We settled on a time when they’d bring him back… it was a little past the time and I missed him!  I asked fo them to bring him back…. It was nice but a little funny, They said,’you were fine in there but Mommy misses you so we are bringing you back.’

Another time when they took him for his other tests they said to him as they brought him back, say hi… and he wnet ‘ah!’  ADORABLE…. He was being held up towards us. 

Sunday was really special as we continued to tell family the news AND it was Father’s day!  Our first full day with our little one.

The previous day I didn’t really get out of bed but today I took a shower and in the early evening we took a stroll out of the hospital room.  We pushed Jamison in his little bed and walked along the hall.  As we turned a corner I saw someone who looked vaguely familiar.  I suddenly recognized her and said, ‘Sarah!’  She was one of my coworkers and she and I were 2 of the 5 pregnant ladies at our work- the two with the closest due dates.  I couldn’t believe it!  It was wonderful to see a familiar face.  As we blathered on about our deliveries and babies we realized they were born exactly 1hour and 45 min apart from each other on June 15!!  WOW! 

Day 5

We again had to wait around for the pediatrician to come discharge Jamison.  But… in due time, we got everything packed and we were suddenly…

 

TAKING HIM HOME!

 

Finally we were dischargfe and they took off the enormous ankle bracelet he had on (which would sound an alarm if he was taken past a certain point in t he hospital) and we put him in his cut elittle white outgit and got him in his carseat.  We had to hustle a little becuas eonece again it was almost 7 and time for the change in shift.

As we were wheeld or walked- depending – out the door I saw ashely at the desk chatting with the receptionist!  I said hi to her and she came down the elevator with us, laughing and talking and sayin how cute Jamison was.

after

We settled him into the car and went home!

J thanks doctors and nurses ashely genevieve, Jocelyn Joy Robbim Violet Dawn Jovie Anna Jocelyn