It was a year ago this evening that we were headed to the hospital anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little girl. Although she wouldn't be born for another 24 hours we knew that the new life we had been praying for was about to begin.
Here are the details as I can remember. I went in during the afternoon for my weekly appointment only to find that my proteins had increased and my blood pressure was elevated putting me at risk for preclampsia. Since I was already full-term (39 weeks at this point) the Dr. gave orders and scheduled an induction for the next morning. That meant heading to the hospital that evening. I honestly don't think I could have been caught more off guard. As the Dr. left the room to get some paperwork I vividly remember the smile that came across my face ...almost as if I were smirking. Shortly thereafter I found myself alone in the room not knowing whether to laugh or cry. I remember looking up at the mirror on the wall and watching a tear roll down by cheek as I tried to comprehend the details that were unfolding. The Dr. finally came back in, handed me some papers and said we needed to be at the hospital no later than 9:00 pm and she would see me the next morning. At that, I was out the door.
I remember calling Mike from the parking lot and telling him "well, we're going to have a baby" and he said "when?"...and I said "tomorrow". He started shouting and later I learned he was telling all the guys in the office "we're having a baby". Then I called my mom and dad to tell them to pack their bags...and I remember thinking that they couldn't get here soon enough. After that I called Krissie, our lifegroup host to let her know I would not be there that evening. I think I also called a few other friends on my drive home but don't actually remember who.
Once I got home I remember walking into the nursery, sitting down and just staring at the bags that had been packed for weeks. I checked my list several times to make sure I had everything and then anxiously waited for Mike to get home. He arrived shortly thereafter. I can remember the smile on his face as we embraced. It was as if we were seeing each other again for the first time in a long time. By this time it was about 6 pm. We packed up the car and decided to go to the bookstore. Mike wanted to get the book "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters". From there we went to the Olive Garden for our "last supper". I remember telling the waiter..."we are having a baby tomorrow". As I recall he wasn't that impressed but I didn't care...I was going to be a MOM!!
I don't remember much about the drive to the hospital but I do remember that it was "after hours" and we couldn't figure out where to park. Finally we just parked and unloaded all our stuff. I remember carrying the diaper bag and my pillow. After checking in I was asked to put on the gown and then we just waited for the nurse to show up. As we waited I paced around the room and kept looking at the little plastic bassinet with the tiny newborn hat, diaper, receiving blanket, and onsiee and just kept trying to imagine my little daughter lying in there.
The next morning I woke up around 7am as the nurse came in. I looked at her awkwardly for a moment before realizing that she was one of my former personal training clients from KUMed. I had no idea that she had graduated from nursing school and was working at OPRM. She was such a delight and still to this day one of the biggest blessings and highlights of the experience. Needless to say, she was AMAZING!! At 7:30 I was put on Pitocin to get the contractions started. I remember looking up at the clock every 10 minutes wondering where my parents were and wishing they would hurry up. Finally they arrived at 10:30, I was relieved and at this point I think I think I finally felt like the experience could begin. It seemed like everyone was huddled around the contraction monitor all morning and afternoon. They would tell me when a contraction was coming and at the time the excitement from the gallery made me think that someone had just scored a touchdown. I, on the other hand, had much more important things to focus on..like breathing!! I remember being scared to death to get the epidural and then learning that it wasn't that bad. Unfortunately at one point Lilly's heart rate dropped so I had to remain on my left side. This caused the medication to localize on my left side which resulted in my right side regaining feeling. What a weird experience to half of your body numb and the other half not.
Finally they called for the Dr. around 4 pm. I remember my mom, dad and brother giving me a kiss and hug before leaving to go to the waiting room. I remember Mike leaning over, whispering that he loved me and giving me a kiss on the forehead. Once the Dr. arrived she gave me a brief review on what to do and I remember preparing myself for the first "push" and realizing I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Unfortunately I don't remember a lot about the actual delivery. I do remember having the mirror so I could watch Lilly come out. I remember when her head appeared it was apparent that the cord was wrapped around her neck. I remember the Dr. saying, "sorry you can't cut the cord Mike, we have to get her out now". I don't remember the first cry but I do remember that I was losing blood and felt very faint. I remember the Dr. calling another Dr. in to help find where the bleeding was coming from but knowing in the midst of the chaos that I was going to be ok. I remember Mike frantically going back and forth from my bed to Lilly's checking on us both. At one point I remember him sitting in the chair next to me with his head in his hands. I do finally remember Mike telling me as he looked deeply in my eyes that she was going to be ok.
Although parts of the story are so vividly clear and others are a blur what I know now is what an amazing experience it was to share such a miraculous moment with my husband and feeling the presence of God through it all. 364 days later our lives have changed more than the 30 years prior and I can honestly say that we have been truly and richly blessed.
