Whenever I’m desperate for something to write about, I’ll ask one of my kids for an idea. As often as not, the answer is “me.” This week my daughter Lizzy suggested I write about Nick Jr.
Last week my twelve-year-old Tom suggested I write about “The Magical Day” he was born.
I thought that’s very sweet, but there was one little problem. The result of that day was absoulutely magical, but the 24 hours of labor before he arrived via a cesarean section at 12:30 a.m. was not.
For almost seven of those hours, I was 9 1/2 centimeters dilated. The C-section had to be performed while I was under general anesthesia.The “trendy” walking epidural I had been given during the long hours of labor was raised and lowered so many times in anticipation of my delivery, that by the time my doctor did the c-section, no spinal anesthetic would work.
I woke up around 2:00 am that December day in the recovery room with my husband at the foot of my bed holding a moving bundle of blankets that was our beautiful baby boy.
My husband was all smiles as he brought our newborn son to me. Because of the general anesthesia, and some complications it was causing with my oxygen levels, I could not hold my baby. So I touched his tiny little feet and said, “Hi Tommy.” My son turned his head around to the voice he had been hearing for almost 42 weeks.
That was a magical moment and one I will never forget.
But the day was not what I had fantasized about for almost 10 months.
My husband and I would dream about what it would feel like to finally meet the child we so desperately wanted after four miscarriages. We had gone through so much, surely we would get the birth story that would rival any that I saw on “A Baby Story.”
Early that Wednesday morning in December, I thought I was well on my way to getting my perfect baby story. It was 10 days past my due date, and when I started to get contractions at 3:00 am while watching reruns of “Law and Order,” I knew this was probably it.
I woke my husband, and I remember never wanting to leave our bed as we lay and timed contractions. My husband was anxious to get to the hospital. We lived in Queens, but our doctor and the hospital were in Manhattan. I was thinking of savoring the moment and cocooning with my husband and soon-to-be-born son. Joe was thinking of getting his pregnant wife into the city through rush hour traffic.
Months earlier, I decided that when I started to get contractions, I would first go to my sister’s East 85th St. apartment a few blocks from the hospital. While she was in Los Angeles on business, the place was ours.
My plan was that I would labor at Wendy’s and then go to the hospital. My husband decided not to argue with me, even though he wanted to go straight to the hospital. He respected my wishes and brought me to my sister’s. I barely walked up the two flights of stairs and waited for Joe to park the car. The pain was intense, but I was adamant about not calling the doctor until 9:00 a.m.
The plan was to go to the doctor’s office, and I was going to stick to it. There was no way I was going to be one of those first timers who arrived at the hospital only to be sent home.
By the time we decided that my plan was not going to work, it was a weekday at 8:30 a.m. on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Good luck hailing a cab. My husband left me off to the side of Third Avenue because the teacher at our Lamaze class had warned fathers not to look for a cab with an obviously pregnant wife. I stood on the corner of 83rd street holding onto a lamp post. Not a pretty picture.
When I saw a garbage truck pass by, I thought perhaps they would take me to the hospital. Finally my husband hailed a livery cab and gave the driver $20 for a eight-block ride.
Fast forward 16 hours later, flat on my back, and feeling like a Mack truck hit me. It was taking so long to get my oxygen levels back to normal that the nurses suggested my husband go back to my sister’s place to get a little rest.
We had requested a private room so he could stay with the baby and me, but it did not look promising. We said goodbye, and I was left alone in the recovery room, no husband and no baby. I never saw this on “A Baby Story.”
I thought my luck was picking up when they wheeled me into my room, a beautiful private room. Even though it was a shift change, I begged the nurse to let me see and hold my baby because even though my son was seven hours old, I had never held him.
I still remember the pure joy and pure fear as she put him in my arms. I was in my room, holding my perfect son and I was all alone. Well, not really alone, because now I had him. The beautiful baby in the blanket.
To make this day even odder, my husband did not come to the hospital till about 1:00 in the afternoon. I thought maybe he was just really tired because we had spoken on the phone a few times and he didn’t say anything was wrong.
Turns out that being up 24 hours and full of adrenaline made him forget the instructions from my sister to not lock the deadbolt. Yes, my husband was locked in my sister’s apartment until he could get a locksmith to get him out because her super was out Christmas shopping.
I can still remember him coming to my room with the most beautiful red roses and a box of chocolate cigars to give out. He had the biggest smile on his face and that room became our whole world for four full days.
As I write about this, I see that Tom was right, the day he was born was magical: in a Joe and Kathy kind of way.
Ah, having babies according to plans never seems to go as smoothly as we would like! Sorry your man had to endure getting locked in–I bet he was stressed!!!
I had to chuckle, my hubs almost missed the birth of our daughter as he was in the hosp. cafeteria getting a bite and didn’t hear the page and got a bit lost coming back to the floor we were on! But, as luck would have it, he made it! Have a great night!
I didn’t get to hold Jonathan until 4-5 hours post C-section either, because I was so exhausted I was out to it in Recovery and because he was under observation in the nursery due to low blood sugar levels. That was the worst part about his birth 🙁
Oh my! What an adventure. Now THAT’s a story for “A Baby Story!” 😀
(p.s. I’m still chuckling about your hubby being locked inside the apartment. I know, I know. I’m BAD ;p )
Oh, those magical baby moments! What a sweet and hilarious baby story, Kathy. Thanks for sharing. Happy Monday! ☺
PS…I grinned and giggled at the thought of your poor Joe being locked away in your sister’s apartment. Sounds exactly like something DH would do! LOL
Thanks everyone!! Tom was laughing yesterday because he didn’t know that his dad was locked in his aunts apartment for part of his first day on the planet!! I guess I never told him that!!! I can’t thank you guys enough for your support, I was not sure about this story and your comments and support always make me feel great about continuing to write and try new things!!! Thanks!!!
Samantha, don’t feel bad about laughing, I still can not think about that day without hystercially cracking up, it is just so “us”!!
Thanks again everyone, much love to you all!!
That’s an amazing story! I’m so glad you wrote about it. Tom should be proud of that one. Your husband getting locked up made me laugh too.
And I agree, that would have made for an interesting, “Baby Story.” Mostly miserable at the time, but much more memorable. 🙂 And such a happy ending. 🙂
The toughest adventures bear the best rewards, don’t they? And yah, too funny that your husband was locked INSIDE, hahaha!
As you love wedding stories, I love hearing birth stories. It’s always disappointing when we don’t get the birth we dream of, but the end result was prefect and that’s what truly matters. Thanks for sharing!
Your way is the best way! Isn’t it funny how even the birth of our children reflect our lives and how chaotic or dramatic or even boring they are. We all have dreams of a very different birth and some how they never go as we watch on “A Baby Story”. I swear watching that show just screwed with my head! Hey its Tara from That’s A Wrap I really hope you will check out my new home! I would have emailed you but I don’t have an email!!
Thank you so much for the great comments and support, it means so much to me!! Much love to you all!
What a wonderful story!!
I actually “like” it when things don’t go as planned, it makes for an interesting story to be told later on in life.
Always love coming to visit you x
ps – I think your hubby was totally trying to steal your thunder 😉
Hi! I’m a new follower and what a great post for me to start with! I also love birth stories! The more realistic, the better! Perfect birth stories are lovely but when life takes over and things don’t go as planned they make you appreciate how fickle life is sometimes.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by First Comes Baby… and checking me out. I’m going to continue reading now! Nice to meet you!
Isn’t it funny how things never go as planned? Thanks for sharing with us! Love it!
Great story. It amazes me how we all seem to remember these birth stories.
Thanks for the visit and follow. Back at ya!
Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
That was indeed a beautiful and magical story. I bet Tommy loves hearing it over and over again (as most kids of loving parents do)!
Thanks for dropping by my blog and for taking the time to comment. I was also pleasantly surprised to find another person who liked my FB page. I have liked your FB page as well!
Regards to your lovely family!
I love hearing birth stories- each one is so different and unique. And yours is completely magical to you and your family. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Everyone’s story really is different and somehow never like the ones we see on screen. I like reality better with all of its twists and turns. I found you through VoiceBoks and am now a follower!
Yankee Texan Mom
Hi Kathy!
I was lurking here last night but never got around to writing back until now.
Thanks for dropping by my blog. You are very thoughtful!
Now reading your boy’s story is like going through scenes of a comedy/adventure book! It’s hilarious! Btw, I’ll have my DH read this…He passed out when I was given the epidural!
Hi Kathy!
Aww, what a nice post! And brings me smile when I read how your baby turned towards your voice when you called his name! That’s just so so so sweet!
Btw, thanks for sharing your thoughts on my latest post about having our 2nd child. Really appreciate it and hope you have a wonderful day ahead! 🙂
~ Jenny ( http://www.imafulltimemummy.com/ )
What a birth story! Wow! Things have a way of not going as you hope sometimes. Glad he is okay now and you too.
My own birth story with my boy wasn’t quite expected either. I’ll have to write about it one day…
I think this is an even better story than anything I’ve ever seen on a baby story. I especially like how you’re husband was locked INSIDE your sisters apartment, that’s just the icing on the cake. Although it wasn’t perfect or according to your plan, I think this story is the ONLY way it should have happened. Perfectly!
Wow, this had me in tears. Thanks for sharing. You have such a beautiful family.
http://babycravings.blogspot.com/
Now that is magic! It sounds like your family doesn’t do dull moments!
Loved this!!! I can’t say I scheduled my children, though I know many who did. But I suppose they came when they were suppose to. Such a beautiful/heartwarming story here.
PS in response to your question. I did all my own design. (replied to your comment, but wasn’t sure you’d be back over) I’d be happy to help you if you want.
What a great way to catch your memories and put them down. You poor thing with the c-section anestia problems…My first was 32 hours of labor and then a c-section, but I can’t imagine not having the numbing drugs all ready to go. It is so sad how c-section mom’s get left. I got to see my kiddos for a minute (coudln’t hold them) and then I was left alone in recovery for a couple hours while my hubby followed the babies. It was sad for sure! I’m still laughing about your husband locking the door and gettting stuck!
I had electric shock therapy to block it all out. My daughter is now 21 before I know it I’ll be grandma, shudder.
Thanks so much for all the great comments!! I never thought about electric shock treatments to block it all out!!! Lol!! As always I so appreciate all the support I get here, thank you so much!!!! Much love!!
Truly magical Kathy! Now I REALLY REALLY regret being so paranoid when Noah was born. I was scared and worried about everything when I was pregnant with him until the time he came out that I don’t recall any ‘magical moments’. I’ve missed it. But I guess I have a lifetime to make up? And you…after 4 miscarriages??!!! You are one BRAVE woman and truly magical yourself! Thank you for sharing your story!
That’s a lot of labouring!
Not funny that your husband was locked in your sister’s apartment…but kinda funny…at least you got gifts out of it! I’m still waiting!
From one mommy with a less than “A Baby Story” delivery experience to another, I totally feel your pain. My labor was horrendous as well. However, if we all had “Baby Story” births, who would write the cool, funny blogs, right?
Thanks for following me. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and am following you now as well.
Have an awesome weekend,
Kim 🙂
Wow! What a story! It is truly magical, Kathy! It’s so nice to meet you! I’m over on http://www.mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com/
Blessings,
~Erin
Great story! I am your newest follower from Voiceboks, I love your blog! My parents are from LI, and my Moms family used to live N Shore-Mattituck, Riverhead. I am a long way from you-all the way in Phoenix, but cannot wait to follow your adventures!
I love birth stories, and yours could totally be on A Baby Story! They should show moms-to-be what really to expect! My husband was working two hours away when I went into labor with our first so I had to drive myself to the hospital, contractions and all…he barely had time to get there before she was born. Crazy!
Thanks for sharing yours! Visiting from vB! 🙂
Amanda
It’s been a long time since I’ve read any birth stories. I enjoyed yours a lot, and yes, it WAS magical 🙂 I love how your son said that. Your husband is so sweet to bring the roses.
I too suffered 4 miscarriages before my first son was born. I do believe, when you never think you’ll get to be a mom, finally having your child in your arms is an unbelievable gift.
Thank you for sharing!