Wednesday, September 9, 2009

At the Hospital--Labor Day

So, Instead of adding a string of new posts, I will edit this post as we go along.


We put off leaving to the hospital until we were sure that the contractions were back. THey were, so at about 10pm, we picked up our bags and headed down to the curb. I saw a light on top of a car in the distance and thought it might be a taxi on our street! We didn't even have to go to Broadway, and it was one of those nice new hybrid cabs that were quiet and the driver was very calm and not sporadically maneuvering the city.

We are currently in the hospital, passed through triage, and in a labor room that has...get this...a shower (it doesn't look too clean, thank goodness for the flip flops).

Brecken is at a 4, or was almost two hours ago, and contractions are still here. They measured the baby after some misadventures with the sonogram machine (they couldn't figure it out and blamed it on 1am). They say he is as big or bigger than Reuben and if labor goes smoothly he could probably have a V. delivery. If labor slows or stops they may do a c-section--pray for the smooth and natural kind please.

The midwife keeps commenting on how calm Brecken is. The nurse asked where we were from. She said "you are too nice, you don't have that New York 'appeal.'" She is nice too, she is from Jamaica. So far the staff has been kind, and all women. They still can't find Brecken's chart though, oh well, what can you expect when that thing has been passed through a different set of hands every week.

Tune in next time as we continue our adventures on Mount Sinai...

4:19am New York

Contractions are stronger and steady, baby is fine and so is Mommy. They do 20 minutes on monitoring and 40 mins off so Brecken can sit on the ball and walk around. Natural labor is thus far way better than induced.

5:45am New York

5cm...and the waters are close to breaking...

6:50am New York

Almost at a 6. The midwife breaks the waters.

12:48pm New York

It was decided after little progress between 6:50 and 9am that they would start a LOW dose of Pitocin, which we fully consented to because it was a choice between that and the road toward a C-section. Then WHAMMO--the contractions came on hard and fast and Brecken went from a 6 to an 8 in an hour and a half. They shut off the Pitocin and after another hour of mega contractions and involuntary pushing that couldn't be stopped, even though she was still at an 8, she begged and pleaded for a break (I saw sweet little Reuben in those pain-ridden pouty lips). After a careful discussion in between the rigorous blows we called in the anesthesiologists and they administered a combined epidural (not a full one--they call this a walking epidural some places, but not here on Mount Sinai). They didn't yell at Brecken, she maintained a steady blood pressure, and afterwards I made sure to ask if she was going to be mad at me for allowing the decision to happen. She is content, resting, and CONTRACTING consistently, and feeling the progress but without all the rigors. With the combined epidural she feels more in control than when she did while suffering the involuntary pushing urges. Brecken says "it feels more like a balloon this way than excruciating pain." To answer the question that is pressing on all of your minds--will this baby be born today? Only time will tell--but all of us on the Mount are hopeful for a 9/9/9 baby. All your prayers and well-wishes are appreciated, keep them coming!

2:44pm New York

Full dilation has been reached through steady and on-schedule contractions. Simeon is measuring about as big as Reuben was (9lb 9oz). The possibility of shoulder dystocia (head passing through, shoulder not) remains, which is what initially prompted Brecken to move toward the decision of Pitocin to avoid slowing labor and getting stuck. However, if things go as planned and prayed for we are told that there will either be a baby by 4:20pm or we will have to "reassess." Keep sending prayers--they're working!

17 comments:

Tammy Lorna said...

I'm just soooo excited for you right now! I wish I could give you a huge hug Brecken - you'll have to do it for me Justin - and make sure you knew just how much we all love you, and just how much we're all rooting for the quick, smooth and natural option.

Congratulations on being calm. You can do this. Even if you ARE in New York.

It's 5:45pm here, and now I won't want to go to sleep until I hear how everything's gone.

hugs, kisses and prayers!
xo Tammy

PS. And good luck to M & L on the drive over from Min.

Lark said...

7:45 am checking in.

Sandy M. said...

I am SO excited for you!!!! This is real reality blogging, isn't it?! :) It sounds like you are going so great, Brecken (and Justin too)!
If you have had Simeon by now - then Congratulations!!!
I hope you can all get a good sleep now, and have a wonderful first day with your new baby! :D
xo

Michael and Natalie said...

You can do this! Remember, you can do this! Remember the chest bump!

Jordan Reasor said...

This is much too graphic for us weaklings.

Tammy Lorna said...

Okay, well, it's after midnight in Brisbane so I'm going to have to go to bed
(don't worry, I haven't been JUST staying up for your blog posts!)
When I get up in the morning, you may already have had him!
Very exciting.
Lots of love, will check in again in about 5 or 6 hours.

xo Tammy

emilysuze said...

There's got to be a baby Simeon by now! Where's the update?!? :)

I think Brecken's probably calmer than all of us readers at home!

Jessica said...

Seriously, I'm checking in between classes. Where's the update. I hope you have a healthy baby by now. I can't wait to see pictures.

Mindy said...

Hope everything went well. Can't wait for another update!

Rachel said...

Go Brecken, Go! You rule! Praying for you, love you so much! Simeon, I can't wait to meet you.
Justin, thanks for just saying "v" and not the full word, because even though I have one, I hate that word more than anything.

emilysuze said...

You are so in control of this birth! Awesome!

emilysuze said...

4:20 is in just another seven minutes! Yay! Push, push, push!

Talyn said...

I don't think you understand that by putting down 4:20, you convinced several of us to come check again then. Or, now.

Kimberley Griffiths Little said...

All I can say is WOWZA!!! That's quite the ordeal. Reminds me of my births too much. ;-D
Adam was 9 lbs. 9 oz. I pushed FOREVERRRRRRRRR.

Can't wait for the next update! Hang in there and good luck!

Tammy Lorna said...

Okay, I've jumped out of bed and run over to my computer to see the update :)
And I'm sorry I slept so long. I'd forgotten about the 'cook children won't be born until Tammy's ready for it' curse! haha!
But it's okay, I'm ready now. Let Simeon come! I'm SO excited :)
xo Tammy

Sandy M. said...

He's beautiful! He looks like Reuben?!
Woo-Hoo!
:)
xo

Heidi said...

Congrats on the labor and progress!!! We're so excited for you guys. Good luck on the details and look forward to updates. Love and best wishes to you!