The Birth Story: shy viewers beware

Your dad and I went to the midnight showing of Star Wars on Wednesday night, May 18th. We had been to the midwife that morning, and she said "see you next week." It wasn't looking like you wanted to come out anytime soon. Your dad was sure it was going to be another week! Well, that sounded like a LONG time to me! I wasn't feeling very well that night before the movie, but decided to go anyway, for the adventure of it. (Your dad and I love to go to midnight movies!)

We got home about 3:30 in the morning. I waddled up to bed, and woke up about 9am when my water broke. I jumped out of bed (well, as much as you can jump when you're 9 months pregnant) and ran to the bathroom. Sure enough -- my water was breaking all over the place. I called down to your dad who was working on the computer, and he came upstairs, a bit in disbelief! We called the hospital, and they told me to come in right away because the amniotic fluid was a little bit green, which means there was meconium in the fluid (basically you pooped in the womb)! It turned out you were a little older than we thought, and couldn't hold it any longer. It was a sign you were ready to join us in the world.

I wasn't really having any contractions when my water broke, but on the way to the hospital they started coming pretty regularly -- about every 5 minutes. We called all of the family -- Uncle Tony was really excited because he and Aunt Andrea were int own from Seattle that weekend and were really hoping you would come out so they could be there to meet you! Wow!

Grandma Cathy came to the hospital early afternoon and helped me walk around, stay focused, and optimistic. Your dad was the best coach ever -- he held my hand when I had a contraction, and breathed with me, which helped a lot. In late afternoon, I sat in the bathtub and the contractions got closer together and much more intense. At 6pm, Martha, our midwife, came in for her shift and sat with us while I was in the tub. She said by 8pm we'd have to make a decision for the night, since we needed to get some sleep. I was only dilated to a 4 or so -- and still had a ways to go. We could either take something to sleep and give it a go the next day, or we could do an epidural (that makes your lower half numb) so we could rest a little and see you before the day's end. Well, I wanted to see you!!!!

I got the epidural (halleluia!) -- and right after I did, your and my blood pressure dropped. They were very worried about both of us, and the nurses moved me on my side, which helped you, and gave me some extra oxygen, which helped me. You must have been in a certain position cause you really liked it when I was on my left side -- and really didn't like it when I was on my right.

Your dad said it was really scary. He had just been talking to Grandma Cathy, Grandpa Jerry, and Grandma Connie (who came to meet you, too!) that I had the epidural and was doing well. On his way back to our room Martha and another nurse came running by him, to help us! It all turned out ok, but I had to stay on my left side for most of the night. We found out later the umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck -- and I had 5 tough contractions in a row -- it was too much for us! Whew!

After the excitement died down from that, your dad and I slept a little bit -- even though you were working so hard to move your way out into the world, and my contractions were very intense, I couldn't feel them. Wow, the miracle of medicine! The nurse had asked me to let her know if I could feel any pain, which I did at about 1am. She checked me and said, "You're ready!"

Your dad ran to tell the Grandparents that you were ready to be born, and they stood outside the door, anxious to hear the cry of the newest member of the family. I started pushing about 1:15am -- and it was so gratifying! On the first push, Martha said "I can see the head!" Well, that had me eager to push again -- and again! At one point, I felt your little head (well, not so little when you think about where it came out of), and all I wanted to do was get you out! You had been working so hard, and I was working hard so I could finally meet you! I was determined! They had me pushing on my left side, which is a bit unusual, but no matter -- at 1:49am you were born into this awesome world! We were so happy! I will never forget that moment, because you became real to me. This little being that had been kicking and moving around inside me now was living int he world, and belonged to us! Your dad got the first glimpse of you and turned to me with JOY in his face and said "It's a girl!" Well, I had been so preoccupied with getting "the baby" out, I had forgotten about that part!

You had to be swept off to a little heater in the room to be cleaned off -- So, I sent your dad, who was holding my hand and wiping my forehead, etc., immediately off to meet you and see how you were doing and tell me all about you.

"What does she look like?" I yelled to him!
"She's beautiful!" said your dad...

And he is so right. You were the most beautiful newborn I had ever laid eyes on. Gorgeous skin color (all the nurses said so, too), tons of dark hair, and soooo expressive!!! Most people think you get that from me. :) Right away you were looking around, observing, oohing and ahhing... We decided that you were a "Maren."

G & G Koering and G'ma Connie came in after we were both cleaned up and loved you up immediately, of course. The next two days were a whirlwind of visitors, gifts, champagne, cake, pictures -- and lots of staring at you. Here are some of the folks who came to visit in the hospital and in the following weeks:

Uncle Tony, Aunt Andrea, Aunt Kate and Aunt Molly (right away at 4am), Uncle Adam, Aunt Heather, Josie and Ryan, G'pa Len and G'ma K, Amy Aubin (from Denver!), Kate Wolfgang, Stephie Allshouse (friends of mine in college), Aunt Jane and Uncle Dave, Zuel and Missy, Char Aubin, Julie and Matt Guidry, Mary Beth Senske, the Freid's, Jen Weyandt, and the Bireley's!

You are so loved.