Karston's Birth Story
Posted by Nathan & Valerie at 12:40 AM |
Dear Karston,
I do not have a birth story of my own, so it was important to me to write this down for you. This is your birth story.
At 6:30am I was laying in bed trying to get a few more minutes of sleep before getting up for work when I thought I felt my water break. It was Thursday, September 4, Opening Day of the 2008-2009 NFL football season. I got up to use the restroom and called to your dad, "Nathan, I think my water broke". He responded from his slumber, "What time is it?" After a few minutes I coaxed your dad to get up to talk things through. I was a little confused because I wasn't feeling any contractions yet. This was nothing like a TV drama. I called your Aunt Rachael and she advised that I call the doctor. I had been going to the same doctor who delivered your cousins Korbin and Shannon. The emergency message on Dr. Doppelheuer's machine advised that I call Dr. William Garcia. Your dad called and spoke with Dr. Garcia. I was unhappy to learn that Dr. Doppelheuer was away and since my water broke, I needed to go to the hospital right away even though I wasn't feeling any contractions. Dr. Garcia was worried that if I stayed home I would be exposed to infection.
Your due date wasn't until September 14, so your dad and I had only had partially packed bags for the hospital. We took our time packing and I ate a big breakfast of Honey Nut Cheerios, toast with peanut butter, an orange, a Nutri-grain bar, a glass of apple juice and a bottle of water. I knew once we got to the hospital I would be on an IV and wouldn't be allowed any food. Your dad posted a blog to let friends and family know we were going to the hospital, then he put some music and Hypnobirthing MP3's on his iPod for me, and loaded the car. I knew your Grandma Linda and Grandpa Joe would be up early to go to the temple so I called to let them know we were going to the hospital. I emailed your Uncle Brandon and Aunt Rachael to tell them we were on our way. I joked that I had a sneaking suspicion I was going to miss watching the Redskins at Giants football game that evening. After making it through morning rush hour traffic on I-495, we stopped at a McDonald's near the hospital so your dad could have a few breakfast burritos.
Around 9:30 am we checked in at the hospital and were taken to triage. It was a large area with many beds with curtains between them. The nurses who helped me were Karen and Renee. Karen put a sensor on my belly to listen to your heartbeat. I loved watching it on the monitor. A second sensor was put on me to monitor my contractions. I was surprised to learn that I was having contractions three minutes apart. The nurses couldn't believe I wasn't feeling them. Renee asked questions about my health and filled out forms. Karen told me I was dilated to 4 cm. All 22 labor and delivery rooms at the hospital were full so I would need to wait in triage. I read a book and listened to your dad's iPod.
Sometime after 10:30am, room 313 in the labor and delivery unit became available. Karen rolled my bed from triage to L&D and introduced me to my new nurses, Barbara and Stephanie. When Karen informed Barbara that I was dilated to 4 cm's yet cool and calm, Barbara was really surprised because I wasn't feeling any pain. She had a dry and funny sense of humor and placed a consent form for an epidural on the table next to my bed. I laid on my left side and listened to the Hypobirthing MP3's on the iPod. After 2:00 pm I was dilated to 7 cm's, Barbara was intrigued with how calm I was and had to know what I was listening to on my iPod. I joked that I had one more Hypnobirthing class coming up that weekend and she could attend it in my place if she wanted.
Around 6:00 pm I began feeling contractions. I had stopped listening to the MP3's and lost my concentration and felt pain mainly in my back. By 7:00 pm I began asking questions about having an epidural. I actually signed the consent form. Barbara and Karen's shift ended and I was introduced to my new nurses Susan and Alicia. Around 8:00 pm Dr. Garcia and Susan told me if I had the epidural it was likely I would want to rest for a couple hours before trying to have you. The alternative was that I was fully dilated and could begin pushing anytime. I talked things over with your Aunt Rachael and decided to go naturally and begin pushing.
Each time I felt a contraction I pushed in 3 sets lasting 10 seconds each. Susan and your dad were on either side saying positive things to help me. At one point Susan asked me to roll to my left side between contractions. She said your heart rate was dropping and was using a tactic to keep it from slowing down. I'm not sure how many times I had to roll to my left side but it felt good to be able to lie on my side between contractions. Dr. Garcia came in periodically to check my progress. I wasn't sure if my efforts were helping until Susan asked if I wanted to reach down to feel your head. I was unsure whether I wanted to because I was afraid I would only be able to feel the very top of your head. I was afraid I hadn't made much progress. I decided to feel your head though and found that it felt like it was most of the way out. Doing that gave me renewed energy. Dr. Garcia had just been in the room and left. Susan had to run and get him. I think it took me only three more pushes. Your dad later told me once your head was out Dr. Garcia worked your shoulders back and forth and you popped right out. It was 9:26 pm. I had missed most of the Redskins game but didn't care.
I don't think your dad had it in his agenda to cut your umbilical cord but Dr. Garcia offered so your dad did it. You had been very active in the womb and had put two knots in your umbilical cord. I've learned that about 1% of babies are born with knots in their umbilical cord. If either of the knots had become too tight it would have cut off your oxygen. Babies with knots in their cords often result in a miscarriage. The knots could also have been why your heart rate was dropping during labor. I think back to your 4D video and how fixated you were with picking up, sucking on, and dropping your umbilical cord over and over again. I imagine you did this for months. We are so blessed to have you. You were cool and calm. You made your first cry when Susan plopped you down on my belly. You were covered in white. I was still in a little bit of shock and didn't know quite what to do or say to you. The natural endorphins had given my body a lot of energy and I was shaking like I was cold. You were perfect. It wasn't until I went back to watch your birth video that I saw the shape of your head. The nurses and pediatricians in recovery kept telling me your head was very bruised. One nurse even said, "hopefully it will be ok." I remember thinking "hopefully?!!" Within two days the cone shape was gone. From the time I began pushing until you were born was a little less than 1 1/2 hours. Susan whisked you away to clean you up and perform your APGAR test (you scored 9 and 9). You were 7 lbs 1 oz and 20 inches long. Dr. Garcia gave me one stitch. Having you was truly an amazing birthing experience.
Love,
Mom
I do not have a birth story of my own, so it was important to me to write this down for you. This is your birth story.
At 6:30am I was laying in bed trying to get a few more minutes of sleep before getting up for work when I thought I felt my water break. It was Thursday, September 4, Opening Day of the 2008-2009 NFL football season. I got up to use the restroom and called to your dad, "Nathan, I think my water broke". He responded from his slumber, "What time is it?" After a few minutes I coaxed your dad to get up to talk things through. I was a little confused because I wasn't feeling any contractions yet. This was nothing like a TV drama. I called your Aunt Rachael and she advised that I call the doctor. I had been going to the same doctor who delivered your cousins Korbin and Shannon. The emergency message on Dr. Doppelheuer's machine advised that I call Dr. William Garcia. Your dad called and spoke with Dr. Garcia. I was unhappy to learn that Dr. Doppelheuer was away and since my water broke, I needed to go to the hospital right away even though I wasn't feeling any contractions. Dr. Garcia was worried that if I stayed home I would be exposed to infection.
Your due date wasn't until September 14, so your dad and I had only had partially packed bags for the hospital. We took our time packing and I ate a big breakfast of Honey Nut Cheerios, toast with peanut butter, an orange, a Nutri-grain bar, a glass of apple juice and a bottle of water. I knew once we got to the hospital I would be on an IV and wouldn't be allowed any food. Your dad posted a blog to let friends and family know we were going to the hospital, then he put some music and Hypnobirthing MP3's on his iPod for me, and loaded the car. I knew your Grandma Linda and Grandpa Joe would be up early to go to the temple so I called to let them know we were going to the hospital. I emailed your Uncle Brandon and Aunt Rachael to tell them we were on our way. I joked that I had a sneaking suspicion I was going to miss watching the Redskins at Giants football game that evening. After making it through morning rush hour traffic on I-495, we stopped at a McDonald's near the hospital so your dad could have a few breakfast burritos.
Around 9:30 am we checked in at the hospital and were taken to triage. It was a large area with many beds with curtains between them. The nurses who helped me were Karen and Renee. Karen put a sensor on my belly to listen to your heartbeat. I loved watching it on the monitor. A second sensor was put on me to monitor my contractions. I was surprised to learn that I was having contractions three minutes apart. The nurses couldn't believe I wasn't feeling them. Renee asked questions about my health and filled out forms. Karen told me I was dilated to 4 cm. All 22 labor and delivery rooms at the hospital were full so I would need to wait in triage. I read a book and listened to your dad's iPod.
Sometime after 10:30am, room 313 in the labor and delivery unit became available. Karen rolled my bed from triage to L&D and introduced me to my new nurses, Barbara and Stephanie. When Karen informed Barbara that I was dilated to 4 cm's yet cool and calm, Barbara was really surprised because I wasn't feeling any pain. She had a dry and funny sense of humor and placed a consent form for an epidural on the table next to my bed. I laid on my left side and listened to the Hypobirthing MP3's on the iPod. After 2:00 pm I was dilated to 7 cm's, Barbara was intrigued with how calm I was and had to know what I was listening to on my iPod. I joked that I had one more Hypnobirthing class coming up that weekend and she could attend it in my place if she wanted.
Around 6:00 pm I began feeling contractions. I had stopped listening to the MP3's and lost my concentration and felt pain mainly in my back. By 7:00 pm I began asking questions about having an epidural. I actually signed the consent form. Barbara and Karen's shift ended and I was introduced to my new nurses Susan and Alicia. Around 8:00 pm Dr. Garcia and Susan told me if I had the epidural it was likely I would want to rest for a couple hours before trying to have you. The alternative was that I was fully dilated and could begin pushing anytime. I talked things over with your Aunt Rachael and decided to go naturally and begin pushing.
Each time I felt a contraction I pushed in 3 sets lasting 10 seconds each. Susan and your dad were on either side saying positive things to help me. At one point Susan asked me to roll to my left side between contractions. She said your heart rate was dropping and was using a tactic to keep it from slowing down. I'm not sure how many times I had to roll to my left side but it felt good to be able to lie on my side between contractions. Dr. Garcia came in periodically to check my progress. I wasn't sure if my efforts were helping until Susan asked if I wanted to reach down to feel your head. I was unsure whether I wanted to because I was afraid I would only be able to feel the very top of your head. I was afraid I hadn't made much progress. I decided to feel your head though and found that it felt like it was most of the way out. Doing that gave me renewed energy. Dr. Garcia had just been in the room and left. Susan had to run and get him. I think it took me only three more pushes. Your dad later told me once your head was out Dr. Garcia worked your shoulders back and forth and you popped right out. It was 9:26 pm. I had missed most of the Redskins game but didn't care.
I don't think your dad had it in his agenda to cut your umbilical cord but Dr. Garcia offered so your dad did it. You had been very active in the womb and had put two knots in your umbilical cord. I've learned that about 1% of babies are born with knots in their umbilical cord. If either of the knots had become too tight it would have cut off your oxygen. Babies with knots in their cords often result in a miscarriage. The knots could also have been why your heart rate was dropping during labor. I think back to your 4D video and how fixated you were with picking up, sucking on, and dropping your umbilical cord over and over again. I imagine you did this for months. We are so blessed to have you. You were cool and calm. You made your first cry when Susan plopped you down on my belly. You were covered in white. I was still in a little bit of shock and didn't know quite what to do or say to you. The natural endorphins had given my body a lot of energy and I was shaking like I was cold. You were perfect. It wasn't until I went back to watch your birth video that I saw the shape of your head. The nurses and pediatricians in recovery kept telling me your head was very bruised. One nurse even said, "hopefully it will be ok." I remember thinking "hopefully?!!" Within two days the cone shape was gone. From the time I began pushing until you were born was a little less than 1 1/2 hours. Susan whisked you away to clean you up and perform your APGAR test (you scored 9 and 9). You were 7 lbs 1 oz and 20 inches long. Dr. Garcia gave me one stitch. Having you was truly an amazing birthing experience.
Love,
Mom
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5 Comments:
great story. thanks for sharing!
Birth stories make me all weepy. I can't wait until I can see this baby inside. OH MAN - I want to hold him so bad.
Thats a beautiful story.
It's cool you wrote that down.
I guess you made it through labor??
Did you do the drugs? (I think I may have read the story too fast.)
wow thanks for posting that! I really truly enjoyed it. I never get to hear (or read) in depth stories from the mother's eyes. I always just hear the summed up "i went i pushed i left" stories. Thanks :) Beautiful story for a beautiful moment.
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