The Loony Lewii: June 2011

So we've been a bit busy the last week or so let's do a (not so) quick recap of how our little nugget arrived. I am a bit long winded so feel free to skip to the bottom for the pics if you don't care. This is also part permanent record for us. (Thanks Brandi!) We had an appointment with Beth's new doc on Monday June 6th to check up on how Gavin was faring in his super-cramped quarters. We had all decided to think about inducing that Friday or Saturday to give him one last shot to see if he would come on his own. With that the doc ordered us to have an ultrasound to check his amniotic levels, placenta health (me being deathly afraid of the thing and all) and size.

I think Dr. T had a premonition about what was about to happen as he scheduled this ultrasound for Tuesday morning at the hospital. Everything about Gavin looked great, but they estimated his size at about 9 lbs 11oz and wanted to start talking about keeping us right then and there to induce. Apparently they though our little chunky monkey might literally destroy my wife's lady parts on his way out. Beth managed to pout her way into being let go and put on the induction list for later that night as we wanted to have a death row style last meal (actually just Dairy Queen) and she wanted to take a nice long hot shower and finish packing [Beth comment - plus, we had to finish Season 3 of The Wire!]. So off we went commenting on how everything we did would be the last time we did it being non-parents.

Beth showing off her hospital bracelet while telling Bill and Mary that it was go time!

(48-72 hours later but go time nonetheless)

So we grabbed our bags and pillows and checked ourselves in at the hospital at 7 pm. We get all settled in and they start the process. (I will skip some details for the faint of heart) We eventually dozed off around 1 am. Beth was having difficulty sleeping through the pain so they gave her an Ambien at about 3am.

Our board upon check in.

We then wake up to 6 nurses we haven't seen, flying around the room and sticking Beth with needles trying to get an IV started and they couldn't find Gavin's heart beat. This was the most terrifying wake up you could possibly have. Beth kept her cool (thank you Ambien) as his heart rate eventually appeared and started to speed back up to normal. You know how newborns will squeeze your finger if you put in their hand as an automatic reflex? Well dumb boys have a tendency in the womb to do this with their umbilical cord until they start to pass out and let go. This was the common theory as to our horrifying wake up.

After a few hours of monitoring to make sure he was still okay in there at 11 am they started giving her Pitocin, which is essentially steroids for contractions. They start you off with a small dose, and continually crank it up until you start to get some action.

Joan came by to come us company while we were waiting....and waiting...

The Pitocin process took a few hours before they really started going but Beth was doing a great job of breathing through them and not trying to injure me or insult my heritage as they continued to increase in frequency and strength. The problem with this process is that once they crank up the Pitocin, there's no stopping the contractions. The contractions started coming with maybe 30 seconds between each go around. This is when I successfully convinced Beth to get the epidural by making her think it was her idea... 20 minutes later (at 7:30 pm) in strolls Dr. Seamus Malloy with his patent leather red and black Nikes and long gray hair. He calmly goes through a rehearsed schpiel as a telemarketer might, detailing what Beth was about to feel.

I think I speak for everyone when I say, THANK GOD for epidurals [Beth comment - I concur!]. Within 10 minutes Beth was laying back comfy as could be, no longer feeling the havoc that the Pitocin had brought her body. After a few hours of steady contractions sans pain, many check-ins by our fabulous nurse and a little bit of sleep, it came time to start pushing (3 a.m.). I called and updated Bill and Mary and alerted my parents it was actually go-time. We invited my mom into the room as a calming presence for both of us, and because she is a nurse who loves deliveries but hasn't witnessed one since she had me. Our delivery nurse Nancy was absolutely amazing too and we could not have been more thankful to have them guide us through those last few hours.

Beth was absolutely incredible through this (again I will spare you the details). At one point she had a cold rag on her forehead like Rambo and gave me as fierce a look as she could muster and said "Let's do this!" The nurse asked me if I wanted to watch and I decided I would give it a shot. Much to my surprise it wasn't weird or gross or alarming to witness. It instantly becomes so natural and beautiful to watch happen. The time came and the doc walks in at the last 3 minutes and the miracle truly starts to happen. [Beth comment - the doctor was actually 15 minutes late and waiting for him was the worst 15 minutes of my life! Rargh!] I watched the whole thing as Beth gave birth to our son. It was simply incredible and as soon as we heard his first cry, I immediately joined him. They brought him to Beth's chest and I cut the cord [Beth comment - Holding him for the first time was the most incredible moment of my life. I don't think it will ever be topped!]. I even let the nurse give me a tour of the much-dreaded placenta without even raising an eyebrow. We were instantly head over heels for the not-so little guy (who weighed in at 9 lbs 11 oz!). I must again say how amazing my warrior queen is. Ten minutes after giving birth she told me "it wasn't that bad" and she would be ready to do it again in a couple years. After witnessing the miracle of child birth, I ask that you please call your mother and thank her. And again I am thankful for my penis. Here are some pics and we'll update again soon with our first adventures in parenting.