Aidan Gilbert's Birth Story ! 11/13/05

Aidan's Birth Story 10/13/05 8lbs, 20 inches

(if you haven't already gotten it from Shari!)

Warning: its long and detailed!

It was Wednesday October 12th, Hockey Night in the Gilbert house. Scott plays hockey on Wednesday nights about 45 minutes away from home. It was around 7pm, before Scott was leaving for hockey when I just felt 'different' ... I just had a feeling this was going to be it... all of the other contractions I wasn't sure about - this was different. I asked Scott not to go to hockey because I felt like it may be coming - but he said" you have been having contractions every 10 minutes like this for weeks now... call my cell when you have another..." and he left for hockey ....

7:15pm - Called Scotts cell phone (he was just pulling down our street) I told him I think this is it for real, but if I was wrong I would feel bad - but I told him I think he should come home... he said "call me again when you have your next one"

This went on for about 45 minutes until he got to hockey. They were coming closer and closer, I hadnt eaten dinner yet - I was going to make myself something after Scott left but never had a chance because the contractions were coming closer and closer. When they got to 7 minutes I called the dr - and tried to call Scott. I couldnt get a hold of him so I texted his cell phone (he was in the 1st period of his game, and gave his cell to one of the spectators to watch - he looked up and saw him waving the phone - and tried to call me back) I was on the phone with the dr, and now trying to get in touch with Shari...

Called Shari's cell, and home ... no answer!!! Whats going on?? For months she answers every time I call in fear I am in labor - now I am and Scott isnt here and she didnt pick up!!! Finally we got in touch with each other, I told her to come get me, and Ryan... Ryan was SO excited this was for real! she picked us up - brought Ryan back to her house and me to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital, Scott called to say when he would be there - he decided to FINISH the PERIOD before he left!!! Luckily it took longer than I thought and didnt give birth before he got there!

He showed up around 9:30pm, Shari stayed with us for about another hour until 10:30pm. I was 6 cent dilated - and asked for the epidural then... by midnight - my contractions had stopped ... I was so disappointed... at midnight they broke my water and started up the pitocin, and kept coming in every half hour to up the dosage. Scott was able to take some cat naps, but I was awake & exhausted but couldnt sleep - just uncomfortable - had the shakes - my leg kept kicking weird - just annoyed at that point too.

Finally around 7:20am, they came in and checked and I was FINALLY 10 centimeters! So
they re-broke my water, which was weird - I guess his head plugged it up? And then I felt the need to push - I pushed like he!! until 7:56am, and he popped right out! I couldnt believe it! I almost gave up pushing and then there he was! They gave him to me right away until they heard him breathing, and took him to get suctioned.

They didnt even weigh him yet- so we had no idea how big he was, and they started suctioning his lungs. They explained what they were doing, and we didnt think much of it since Ryan had to get meconium suctioned and he was fine... and then they took him away - he didnt come back for a few hours - and that was when the NICU dr came in and started discussing with me the problems and their thoughts... and spinal taps... and meningitis... and pneamonia, etc ... and I started bawling. I had no idea how bad it was, I thought he would be right in my room in minute.

I felt so guilty, so sad, so everything all at once. I spent all this time on bedrest, in the hospital, away from Ryan and Scott and the world, protecting him so I didnt give birth early and have him in the NICU fighting for his life... and now I go full term at 38 weeks, end up having an 8lb baby with a perfect birth (no tear, no episiotomy, nothing - walking around 1/2 hour later as if I never gave birth)... and it didnt matter- none of it -he was now sick and we didnt know what was wrong or why. And I couldnt hold him, feed him, and wasnt supposed to touch him.

As you know, he had pneamonia, which I was happy about - it was the best thing of all the alternatives for him to have - he spent 1 week in the hospital. The hospital was wonderful and they boarded me for the week. They put me up in a room, fed me and they were wonderful - and they did not have to do that (all free of charge). Finally after being in the oxygen chamber, then on oxygen mask, and on all his meds, he was moved into my room - which was wonderful!

Now we are home and he is sweet as pie. Everything is going smoothly, I am tired but that is about it - he is a perfect sweet baby, and we are all so glad he is home!!!

(I warned you it was long!)

I will post pics soon !