Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Birth of My Best Girl
This is the birth story of my daughter, my second child. You may not believe it. Sometimes I don't believe it, and I was there! I do hope you enjoy it.
As background information, let me tell you that my first birth was a breeze. Although I had not felt any contractions, I was already 5 centimeters dilated at 39 weeks. My doctor was concerned that I might not make it to the hospital when my labor started; so she sent me over to Labor and Delivery, started an epidural and pitocin, and my son entered the world 7 hours later. While I realize many women would not have preferred this type of birth, it suited me just fine. I like things to be planned, and I am also an epidural kind of girl. I guess I figure that the baby goes home with me no matter what, so why not skip as much pain as possible (for those of you who feel differently, that is just fine with me - this was just my preference).
Fast forward two years and nine months. I am nine months pregnant with my second child, and the doctor has scheduled me for an induction on October 27th. In the week leading up to the 27th, I had many contractions. They were very regular, but they always stopped. On the night of the 25th, they were coming at five minute intervals, but they stopped after about 30 minutes and were not painful. I went to bed.
At about 3:50 A.M., I woke up in pain. The contractions were much stronger, and I knew I was in labor. All the materials I had read stated that contractions should be every five minutes for one hour before going to the hospital. I waited about 10 minutes, but the contractions were strong enough that I told my husband we needed to go. He called his mother to come stay with our son, and I attempted to get dressed.
Unfortunately, my dressing was hindered by intense contractions about every three minutes. I also kept having to make trips to the bathroom. At one point I thought about the hours that would be ahead of me, and I prayed "God, I don't know if I can do this. Please let this be over quickly."
A few minutes after 5 (only a little over an hour later), we headed into the garage. As I walked down the steps, I had the sudden sensation that an accident had occurred. I realized that my pants were wet, and I felt a strong desire to go back to the bathroom. My husband was urging me to get in the car, but I told him "I have to go to the bathroom, and then I have to change my pants!"
Almost immediately, I realized that I did not need to use the bathroom, but instead, a baby was coming! I told my husband to call 911. My husband handed the phone to my mother-in-law, who had arrived to care for our son; he then directed his attention to me. He asked me to lie down (on the garage floor), but I couldn't. I couldn't move. I put my hands onto the side of the car, and I delivered a baby right there. Thankfully, my husband caught her (all his years of playing baseball payed off).
I heard her cry, which made me feel relieved, but I really felt like I was in another world. The only words I remember speaking after the instructions to call 911 were "She's attached to me!" (this was to my husband when he started to walk off with her). I could hear my mother-in-law talking hysterically to the 911 operator, and I knew that my husband tied off the umbilical cord with a shoestring and wrapped my best girl in a towel. However, when the ambulance arrived ten minutes after she was born, I was still leaning against the car having contractions.
We were transported to the hospital where my best girl was treated for low blood sugar (minor problem), and I finished the rest of the birthing experience. This part was probably the worst because I was so aware of the pain and the adrenaline was no longer pumping. I had to be stitched up without the benefit of pain medicine, and I almost jumped off the table. I apologized to the nurse for being a wimp and she gracefully replied, "Honey, you just had your baby in your garage. We don't think you are a wimp."
I will try to wrap this up with a few more things that were very memorable to me about this experience. First of all, I am a very private person. No one would have been in the delivery room with me except my husband and necessary medical personnel. The fact is, however, that my mother-in-law was standing behind me for my entire performance. Later, I said, "Oh! We don't have any pictures from my best girl's birth!" My mother-in-law laughed and said, "I do! It is permanently etched in my brain!" My mother-in-law also gets the award for cleaning the garage. Amazingly, in my trance-like state, I never even noticed all the loveliness that must have been there, but she cleaned it all before we came home.
I also remember all the phone calls. When you deliver your baby in the garage, word gets around (I got calls from as far away as Hawaii and Italy). Everyone I have ever known, and even people I didn't know, heard my story. Some of my close friends thought I was joking, but I had the 911 tape to prove it!
The final thing I remember most is the prayer I made in my bathroom. Be careful what you pray for! I asked for the birth to be over quickly, and God granted my request. Perhaps I should have specified that I wanted it to be over as soon as I was in the presence of anyone with some kind of medical training!
We enjoy this story now, and we are so thankful that everything worked out fine. My daughter is still not old enough to understand the circumstances of her birth, but for several months my son asked all my pregnant friends if they were going to have their babies in their garages. I think my husband, who was very calm during the entire process, is over the trauma as well (but I did get a very nice Christmas present that year).
Through it all, I learned three important lessons: I could have gone to the hospital in my pajamas; I will live with my OB during my ninth month if I ever have another baby; and I don't get to plan everything in my life!
As background information, let me tell you that my first birth was a breeze. Although I had not felt any contractions, I was already 5 centimeters dilated at 39 weeks. My doctor was concerned that I might not make it to the hospital when my labor started; so she sent me over to Labor and Delivery, started an epidural and pitocin, and my son entered the world 7 hours later. While I realize many women would not have preferred this type of birth, it suited me just fine. I like things to be planned, and I am also an epidural kind of girl. I guess I figure that the baby goes home with me no matter what, so why not skip as much pain as possible (for those of you who feel differently, that is just fine with me - this was just my preference).
Fast forward two years and nine months. I am nine months pregnant with my second child, and the doctor has scheduled me for an induction on October 27th. In the week leading up to the 27th, I had many contractions. They were very regular, but they always stopped. On the night of the 25th, they were coming at five minute intervals, but they stopped after about 30 minutes and were not painful. I went to bed.
At about 3:50 A.M., I woke up in pain. The contractions were much stronger, and I knew I was in labor. All the materials I had read stated that contractions should be every five minutes for one hour before going to the hospital. I waited about 10 minutes, but the contractions were strong enough that I told my husband we needed to go. He called his mother to come stay with our son, and I attempted to get dressed.
Unfortunately, my dressing was hindered by intense contractions about every three minutes. I also kept having to make trips to the bathroom. At one point I thought about the hours that would be ahead of me, and I prayed "God, I don't know if I can do this. Please let this be over quickly."
A few minutes after 5 (only a little over an hour later), we headed into the garage. As I walked down the steps, I had the sudden sensation that an accident had occurred. I realized that my pants were wet, and I felt a strong desire to go back to the bathroom. My husband was urging me to get in the car, but I told him "I have to go to the bathroom, and then I have to change my pants!"
Almost immediately, I realized that I did not need to use the bathroom, but instead, a baby was coming! I told my husband to call 911. My husband handed the phone to my mother-in-law, who had arrived to care for our son; he then directed his attention to me. He asked me to lie down (on the garage floor), but I couldn't. I couldn't move. I put my hands onto the side of the car, and I delivered a baby right there. Thankfully, my husband caught her (all his years of playing baseball payed off).
I heard her cry, which made me feel relieved, but I really felt like I was in another world. The only words I remember speaking after the instructions to call 911 were "She's attached to me!" (this was to my husband when he started to walk off with her). I could hear my mother-in-law talking hysterically to the 911 operator, and I knew that my husband tied off the umbilical cord with a shoestring and wrapped my best girl in a towel. However, when the ambulance arrived ten minutes after she was born, I was still leaning against the car having contractions.
We were transported to the hospital where my best girl was treated for low blood sugar (minor problem), and I finished the rest of the birthing experience. This part was probably the worst because I was so aware of the pain and the adrenaline was no longer pumping. I had to be stitched up without the benefit of pain medicine, and I almost jumped off the table. I apologized to the nurse for being a wimp and she gracefully replied, "Honey, you just had your baby in your garage. We don't think you are a wimp."
I will try to wrap this up with a few more things that were very memorable to me about this experience. First of all, I am a very private person. No one would have been in the delivery room with me except my husband and necessary medical personnel. The fact is, however, that my mother-in-law was standing behind me for my entire performance. Later, I said, "Oh! We don't have any pictures from my best girl's birth!" My mother-in-law laughed and said, "I do! It is permanently etched in my brain!" My mother-in-law also gets the award for cleaning the garage. Amazingly, in my trance-like state, I never even noticed all the loveliness that must have been there, but she cleaned it all before we came home.
I also remember all the phone calls. When you deliver your baby in the garage, word gets around (I got calls from as far away as Hawaii and Italy). Everyone I have ever known, and even people I didn't know, heard my story. Some of my close friends thought I was joking, but I had the 911 tape to prove it!
The final thing I remember most is the prayer I made in my bathroom. Be careful what you pray for! I asked for the birth to be over quickly, and God granted my request. Perhaps I should have specified that I wanted it to be over as soon as I was in the presence of anyone with some kind of medical training!
We enjoy this story now, and we are so thankful that everything worked out fine. My daughter is still not old enough to understand the circumstances of her birth, but for several months my son asked all my pregnant friends if they were going to have their babies in their garages. I think my husband, who was very calm during the entire process, is over the trauma as well (but I did get a very nice Christmas present that year).
Through it all, I learned three important lessons: I could have gone to the hospital in my pajamas; I will live with my OB during my ninth month if I ever have another baby; and I don't get to plan everything in my life!
Labels: Life Lessons, My Best Girl
27 Comments:
I'm laughing out loud! I still remember answering the phone in my kitchen and you saying that you'd had her... in the garage! I had to sit down! Since you were still being seen to, it was the briefest of conversations and left my mind reeling with how it all happened until I talked to you later that afternoon to get all the details. I still love that story!
Did you say "IF" you have another baby??? That's a big improvement over "NEVER"! I want another niece or nephew! :-) We told Emily's birth story to our L&D class before Matt was born - needless to say it made quite a sensation!
Rucha
Wow! I just delivered my 5th on Jan. 27th. He was born in a hospital though!! :) Great story!
Thats a great story! I love stories like that! And thats the reason I am doing this contest! Thanks for the good laugh! There was even a hint of tears. My family loved it, too, and laughed when your husband tried to walk off with the baby!
OH MY GOODNESS. That is one of the most interesting birth stories I have ever heard.
For the third one, I really would live with the OB if I were you. :)
First time here, visiting from boomama.
"Be careful what you pray for! I asked for the birth to be over quickly" LOL
What a story! When I had my son, he was in the hospital nursery with a baby that had been born at Texaco, but I think this story beats that! :) I love the way you told it, too!
GREAT story! I loved it!
Made me smile. :D
Wow, an amazing birth story! How cool is it that you can see everyday where your daughter was born! A special place indeed.
Wow, that is amazing. And hilarious at the same time, although I'm sure it was anything but at the time.
Thanks for visiting my blog, btw.
That is an amazing birth story. Thank you for sharing it. I've always heard of people who don't make it to the hospital, but I don't think I've ever read an actual story where it happened. Glad everything turned out okay.
Uhmmm... yea, That one is a winner! ;) And you're still funny about it... way to keep a sense of humor. And yes, I'm always careful what I pray for! Especially after hearing this story. Congrats.
Tammy :) :) :)
whose "you don't have to look behiond you constantly" word of verification for the day znqmm
It's always good to watch what you pray for! lol If you're worried about not making it to the hospital next time, you can always plan to have the baby at home... it worked for me (I'd have baby #2 in the car otherwize)... and maybe you could even permanently mark the spot where she was born :)
Good luck!
This is the best birth story ever. Honestly. After two inductions, I might like an impromptu garage performance - but I won't pray for it!
I am laughing. I am crying. That was the best birth story ever!
Thanks for the lesson - I will head STRAIGHT to the hospital, jammies and all!
How in the world did I miss this gem?? Good thing it was a garage and not a carport- the whole neighbor hood would have seen! :)
This is AWESOME!!!
Gives new meaning to, "Honey, there's a delivery for you in the garage!"
I'm so glad you posted that picture and the link to this story today. Otherwise I might not have ever read about your best girl's birth!
Oh, my goodness. That is the most exciting birth I have ever heard...Wow, girl, I don't know if I would have been so calm through it all. But you are right, prayer will get you through anything.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings on your weekend and always.
I just got thru saying, "Oh my gosh!" I then said, "Darling, I've got to read you something!" To which my husband replied, "Oh my gosh!"
That is amazing but I'm so glad it didn't happen to me. We have to force my babies out every time. You have my utmost respect !!;)
You and my cousin ought to get together for a chat, she had her second daughter in the bathroom in almost the same manner you gave birth to yours in the garage!
Quite the story - I'm sure it will be a real surprise for your daughter to hear the first time!
I have to say, that is the BEST birth story I have ever read! I even had to read it outloud to my husband (sorry!) WOW!
Oh and the similarities between our first births is striking. I was 5 cm at my last appt. with my first son (also had pre-eclampsia too though), got sent over for induction, had baby in seven hours exactly. (And I'm an epidural girl all the way too!!)
Your garage story though... Oh my goodness. That is seriously harrowing! My husband would not have stayed calm. He would have probably said something ridiculous like, "Can't you cross your legs?!" LOL!
Wow! How did I miss this story?? You are a very, very brave woman. I'm so impressed with the way this was handled all the way around. And I'm very grateful for your mom-in-law and her ability to "think" of and clean your garage for you.
Wow, I'm speechless! This is the most amazing birth story I've heard! I've delivered 2 and am due with #3 in July ... I'm scared, LOL. I was in labor 6 hours with #1, 3 hours with #2, and now I'm worried! LOL! Kudos to you for handling it so well!!
What a wonderful story!! God knows and his timing is perfect! :) I love hearing birth stories, they are so powerful and amazing. I could retell my own over and over though not everyone wants to hear it that much. lol
Thank you for sharing.
What a great story! Loved reading it and hadn't seen it before. Have read your blog quite a few times, you read several that I visit regularly...like my sister Stacy, Judi, etc. and Vader's mom where I popped over from today!
That might be one of the best birth stories and I can see why you got calls from all over!
That is AMAZING! Thanks for sharing. Every birth story is truly different.
I've never heard a story like that before! WOW. I'm glad everything worked out OK...unbelievable!
WOW ! That is an incredible birth story ! Extreme opposite to my babies that JUST WOULDN'T COME OUT !!! ha ha. I had to have C-sections with both. I always wished my babies would just "fall out" but then I read your story and I think, ok an operating room isn't sooo bad ! I love birth stories ... everyone I hear is so unique ! Yours is one I will definately remember !!
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