October 22nd was the due date, but I did not want to get my hopes up that this child would be on-time or even early for that matter. We all remember what happened with Holden! I started to feel some cramping during the week, but that mostly happened when I would carry Holden and his large toddler body on my very pregnant belly.
That week, I tried to keep myself pretty busy. I remember getting my hair cut and highlighted, my toes and nails painted, and I tried to take Holden outside because I knew I would be inside for a while. That Friday, October 21st, Holden and I went to a playground, and I spoke with a father there who told me to try walking on a balance beam. That worked for his wife. I smiled and later tried walking on the yellow curb. Still no contractions.
I had made plans with my friend, Molly, to get ice cream at Friendly's. While we didn't know each other in high school (we both went to Robinson), we both frequented the restaurant after big high school events (yes, mine usually involved the band!). I met Molly there after Holden went to bed and enjoyed a delicious Reese's peanut butter sundae with peanut butter ice cream. We talked for almost three hours and we each went away with prayer requests on our hearts. Mine, of course, was for the delivery of the child inside of me to come soon, and come easily.
I walked in the door close to midnight - a rarity these days. Nathan had waited up for me, and we talked for another hour before finally going to bed. We knew when Holden woke up, we were going to be exhausted.
Around 3:00AM, I started to feel those cramps again. I rolled over and woke Nathan up and told him. He asked if they were consistently coming and if I felt them in my back and front. I answered no to both. Since we had been up so late, he told me he was going back to sleep and to wake him up if anything changed. The cramps hurt and were keeping me from sleep, so I asked him if he could set up some Sons of Anarchy for me to watch (we were waiting for labor to start the season). He did it, and I called my mom to let her know that this might just be it, and for her to be prepared, just in case. (And yes, just for the record, she did tell me to go to the hospital at this point).
I tried watching the first episode of the season and concentrate on Jax's new haircut, but those cramps just kept coming and I eventually had to get out of bed and stand. Around 4:00AM, I called our doula, Marilyn, and told her about the cramps that kept coming, but were not "textbook" so I didn't think I was really in labor. I had two contractions in two minutes while talking with her. She advised me to wake Nathan up and go to the hospital.
After hanging up with Marilyn, I went to the bathroom (for the eighth time that night) and broke out into a heavy sweat. That is when I really knew it was time. I immediately went to Nathan and said we had to go - now! I changed into a comfy skirt, a sports bra and t-shirt and put my fuzzy slippers on from New Zealand. Nathan called my mom and called Marilyn and while waiting for him to change, I got on our floor on all fours begging and apologizing for an epidural. The pain was intense and the contractions were coming quickly.
At 5:30AM my mom showed up to watch Holden and showed me the PBK plate she bought him for Thanksgiving. I'll never forget how excited she was about the plate, and how confused I was that now was the time she thought was appropriate to tell me about it. But, Nathan pulled his car up, and I got in hugging the front seat of the car. No seat belt. At this point, I was just trying to breathe through the contractions, letting out low, "hooo hooo hooo" sounds.
Nathan drove very carefully to Fair Oaks Hospital and parked in the emergency lot. He grabbed our bags and helped me out of the car. I stood behind him, grabbed the collar of his shirt and had two contractions in the parking lot while trying to make our way to the entrance. We finally stepped inside and Nathan began checking me in. I had another contraction at the desk and then my water broke. It didn't really break, it gushed out and I announced it to everyone because I didn't want anyone to think I was just lazily peeing myself.
Once my water broke, the kind girl behind the desk knew we were serious about being in labor and she quickly beckoned a wheel-chair. Unfortunately, sitting was not very comfortable and all I wanted to do was stand and rock; but, I was told I had to, "SIT DOWN." While in the elevator on our way to the L&D ward, I tried to stand again, but heard, "SIT DOWN." We rolled into L&D and our nurse took over and I tried to stand up for a third time, but then heard, "You need to SIT DOWN because you ARE NOT having this baby in the hallway." I apologized profusely and was rolled a few feet away into a room.
The nurses told me to get on my back in the bed, but instead I just made it to the bed and stayed on my side. I held onto the side-rail of the bed and yelled out for anyone to grab my right leg. This was it, and my body just knew it. I let out a low and hard grunt and pushed. I was told to stop pushing, but my body didn't hear what they said. I let out another low and hard grunt, pushed again and heard her beautiful cry at 6:18AM.
They placed her right on my stomach. I saw the umbilical cord and her sweet face. I was filled with such joy. Nathan cut the cord and the nurses took her for the check-up. I "birthed" the placenta and received a couple of shots, a few easy stitches, and began to shake uncontrollably (they told me later this was a normal side effect), but warm blankets helped me out. My baby girl was given to me and she latched right away.
While waiting for my recovery room, I ordered breakfast and immediately walked around. What a difference no needles, no drugs, no nothing made. I felt incredible and the oxytocin my body made on its own was more powerful than anything I had ever experienced.
Once we were settled in, I told Nathan to go home and see Holden and for my mom to come to the hospital. Marilyn stayed with me as I marveled at my sweet little girl. This was as close to heaven I have ever been. We were discharged two days later and began our journey as a family of four.
MAURA PATRICIA SANDELL
October 22, 2011
6:18AM
8 pounds, 6 ounces
21.5 inches long
