The Birth Story

In case you didn't get all the stats, the evening of the 16th was pretty normal. I had just started putting up the ornaments on the tree when Gabe got home from work. He had picked up some takeout salads for dinner. As soon as I ate the last bite of the salad (and finished Gabe's) I started having stomach pains. They were quick and similar to the ones I had Thanksgiving weekend so I recognized them. We left the house around 8:10 and got to the hospital by 8:45. They checked me in and sent me to L&D. My contractions were quick and strong, but I was still only 1cm dilated and 30% effaced. They decided to give me my epi then so I could relax and progress without pain, and get some sleep. Around 11:00PM (and feeling great) the doctor checked me again and I had gone up to 2cm and 70%. She broke my water, and we waited again. I watched Jordan's heartrate on the monitor and it dropped under 100 a couple of times, which freaked me out. The 3rd time, the doctor came in, told me I still was only 2-3cm, and because his heartrate had dropped a few times, she thought it best to have a c-section. She suspected cord issues.

So at 3:00 AM, Gabe called the world, as I signed the c-section forms. I was awake the whole time, listening to Christmas music in the OR! Gabe peaked over the curtain and watched them pull him out. It turned out his cord was wrapped between his legs and up over his shoulder. But then I heard him cry and knew all was well. I couldn't hold him, but they brought him to me and I gave him all kinds of kisses. Gabe went to the NICU with him while they put me back together. He was born at 3:58AM, Friday, December 17. He was 7lb 3oz, and 19¼" long.

Because he was in the NICU I didn't get to see him for more than 12 hrs after those first kisses. I finally got to hold him Friday night at 6:30, when Gabe wheeled me down there himself. At first Jordan's oxygen levels were low, but they cleared up quickly. His blood sugar levels were also low, and slower to come up. He was finally brought up to the nursery by me on Saturday afternoon around 1:30.