I am in shock that it was a year ago today that we welcomed Ethan into our world. Since I never did get his birth story written down, now is as good as time as any to share it with you.

As you might recall last year by 5:45 pm Ethan had made his grand entrance. A few days later we introduced Ethan to all, in fact on my birthday! What lead up to all that you ask? Well grab a cup of tea and I will share the story with you.

J had just returned home from New Mexico, where he was interviewing for a potential position as a researcher at the National Labs. I was scheduled to be induced that evening. I was packed and so mentally ready to have this baby. The hospital called to cancel my induction, as they had a serge of labouring women. Drat! J was relieved to get a good night sleep, I however tossed and turned, not getting much sleep at all. I tried, but my nerves were fried and I was anxious.

The next morning I cautiously at breakfast and was about to shower when the phone rang!!! J & I got ready and explained to Becca that Ethan will be arriving soon. We hop into a cab (allowing Grandma M to have the car) and head to the hospital.

We check in, I undress and wait to meet our maternity nurse. We know that she will be the key to a happy, healthy labour and birth. In walks Nurse K … Oh she was such a magical blessing! I was so nervous being in the US, private healthcare system, the horror stories from women that ironically and better healthcare than I did … Nurse K set my mind at ease completely. She sat down with us to plan our day, including how we can have the labour and birth that we had hoped for. Nurse K was totally a goddess among nurses!

Nurse K set me up with the monitors and the IV, Dr D arrives shortly after a brief vist from Becca and Grandma M. We really wanted Becca to understand as much as possible and be there when she could be.

Dr D broke my water and attached an internal monitor. Now it was just a matter of time to allow the drugs to work with my body to jump start labour.

Nurse K encouraged me to sit up and to go as long as possible without an epidural. J & I talked and joked around a lot. We tried to relax and enjoy every moment. It was so much more fun and relaxed than when I laboured with Becca. That was such a scary experience! THis time around was wonderful and up until Nurse K went on lunch, panic free.

The contractions were intense and coming on strong but J would help me through each one with laughter and breathing. The induction process always makes things so much more. I was struggling when another nurse came in and insisted I lie down. I tried to argue but was feeling weak and overwhelmed. I as I went to lie down the panic set in, and the pain was so so intense. I freaked out. So an epidural was totally necessary at that point for me. Once that was all set I was calm again and the labour progressed.

Dr D came in at 5 pm to see how I was doing. I was fully dilated and ready to push! Ethan was COMING. However, the kid was facing to the side (rather than up or down) so we had to wait till he turned. I was lying on my side and I could sense when each contraction was about to happen. I would lose my breath and feel a little panic. It was intriguing. Eventually Dr D helped Ethan turn and he came into the world.

Becca was scooped away from me due to being preterm. Ethan was placed on me and stayed with us for a couple hours before being taken to the nursery to be weighed and all that jazz. It was so magical to spend that time with him. He was perfect. He still is perfect. His birth day was truly a wondrous day. J & I both enjoyed most of it and the end result was so so special.

That night, the hospital insisted J leave (it was an odd policy that I so do not understand). The woman that I shared a room with never turned her tv off. It blared throughout the night as she snored. Her baby was in the nursery. Ethan and I cuddled and nursed (sort of those first two nights were hard). In the morning I was in so much pain, and no nurse came to see me?!?! It was really weird. So I packed up and was totally ready to leave before J even arrived (he wasn’t allowed to come back till after 9 am!) I was so ready to get out of there! So I pretty much took care of the discharge stuff, never seeing a nurse, except to get some pain meds.

I was extremely overwhelmed with emotion when we got home. Hormones surged through my body, as I tried to balance my feelings fr Ethan, Becca and the world around me. As the weeks went by it all settled into place, but those first few days were tough.

So there it is. Ethan’s birth story. I hope to share some of the things that Ethan is doing as of his first birthday. For now though I am going to cherish this day with my family, celebrate an amazing first year.

Happy Birthday Ethan! We Love You!

Filed under Becca, California Living, Ethan, Maritimes Style, pregnancy