We are so blessed: The birth of Nicholas

By Published On: May 7th, 2012

Written by: Jana May 06 2012 Since I found out […]

Written by: Jana

Since I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks, it was textbook normal. I followed “expecting” to the letter. But things weren't going to stay that way. I didn't know that I had put myself on bed rest, but by the time I reached 30 weeks, I could hardly get out of the recliner.

I got off work the eve of my 35th week, went out to eat with the hubby and did the weekly shopping trip. I felt tired but otherwise fine. The next day was a typical Saturday for me. I stayed in the recliner as much as I could. I was just so tired! I accomplished a little housework before my husband and I went to a neighboring town to enjoy their buffet. I was starving! On the way home, we stopped to check on a friend and then went by our dear friend’s house so I could take advantage of their swimming pool. Did I mention it was June? I was hot! I was hoping that the cool water would cool me down and take some pressure of my back and legs. Their daughter had just come home from a trip up the east coast. At 7pm, I was sitting at their kitchen table looking through her amazing pictures when all of a sudden I “peed” in her kitchen chair. My friend said by the look on my face she knew my water had broken.

After some deliberation, we decided to call the doctor. Of course I had not packed my bag yet. Luckily, the baby's bag had been ready for months! Even though my water had broken, I had no pain whatsoever. I was in a total state of calm and control. We packed a bag and headed to the hospital. I insisted my husband drive at normal speed since we had hours of labor ahead of us. He glanced at the fuel gauge and of course it said “E”. Now he panics. I'm still calm. He slides in the next gas station and gives it his best NASCAR gas and go maneuver. It was 33 minutes later and I finally had a “pain.”

I didn't let him know since he was still in a state of lead foot and I refused to pay a ticket at those traffic camera areas! Well…that was until we got closer to the hospital and my contractions were closer together. At that point I threatened to kill him if he didn't run that red light! I had 3 contractions, 10 minutes apart, lasting a minute and a half each. I had 4-5 contractions 5 minutes apart and then they barely let me get a breath in between. When we got to the hospital I was dilated to 4, 80% effaced at 0 station. Yep, we're having a baby! This was around 8-8:30 pm.

The nurse settled me in and told me she'd check me in a couple of hours to see how I progressed. The doctor ordered Pitocin so the nurse strongly recommended an epidural. I fought the idea. I was enjoying the stadol! But the doctor was next door and everyone insisted and I was tired so I agreed. I'm glad I did after watching my contractions on the monitor. Sometime just before the epidural I told my husband our son would be an only child!
The nurse forgot to tell my husband and mother they could come back in so I waited by myself. I was busy though because my little wiggle worm kept getting off the monitor and I would have to adjust it to find him again. His heart beat was nice and steady. Until…the monitor dropped off and started screaming. My heart sank. I was all alone. My little preemie gave up…I lost my son.

The nurses came running and couldn't find a heartbeat. She was frantically telling me what she was going to do. I just wanted her to shut up and work. When she tried to insert the internal monitor, she looked up at me and said, “He’s coming!” that's why we couldn't find a heartbeat. The doctor got there just in time to massage me and get the NICU nurses to our bedside. He said, “Next contraction, let’s push.” Ok. That's fine but tell me when because I feel nothing! With great coaching, I pushed three times with that contraction and twice with the next contraction and my sweet boy shot out like a cannon with the doctor catching him by his leg. The NICU nurses took control immediately. I didn't get to have him on my belly like you see on TV. I'm proud to say that my 4lb 15oz, 17″ long bundle of joy scored a 9 Apgar! We are so blessed. He never spent a moment in the NICU. I was so relieved to hear that strong cry. This all happened at 11:20pm. In 4 hours and 20 minutes, I went from ready to swim to holding my sweet Nicholas Ray Connell.