~A Birth Story~

Friday July 7th 2006:

I worked all day, really hard. I was on my feet for 4 hours straight copying, binding and scanning. I thought for sure I would have Aidan this weekend because of working so hard.

Chris and I went to Big Fish to celebrate my birthday. I did not feel right and dinner tasted weird. Maxx knew something was up and would not leave me alone or stop licking my face.

We attempted to walk, but I was just too tired. I called Joan in a panic, I wanted this baby out!

10:00pm - I was settling in on the couch and Chris had just kissed me goodnight. He turned around to head upstairs and my water broke. It gushed out all over the couch. I ran to the bathroom and we immediately started calling people.

11:00 pm - Chris and I made it to Beaumont and found out my water did break and I was going to be admitted.

Saturday July 8th

I was started on Pitocin to get my contractions going, since I was not having any or could not feel them. Joan and Mom arrived to help be my coaches. Stephanie was in Chicago and was so upset that she may not make it in time; she had nothing to worry about.

I had many contractions with little progress. By 4 am I was dilated to 1.5 cm and decided to take some drugs. Wow, I should have done that earlier. I was going to try for natural; with all the back labor I was having it was impossible. Breathing through the contractions just did not cut it. I wonder if the pitocin had anything to do with it.

Noon - I finally was dilated to 4, but Aidan was moving back up towards my rib cage. A different nurse came in a tried a technique to get him to move into the correct position. It worked, but still no progress in dilating.

2:30 pm - Dr. Bhargava tells me I need a c-section. I start to cry. I have come this far only to stop at a 4. I also cry because I am scared. She said she would give me another hour.

3:30 pm - No change in dilation, so I am off to get a c-section. Dad and Gram make it just in time to see me off.

Chris gets to wear a stay puff marshmallow man suit…he looks worried as I get wheeled by him. I am worried too, a c-section is major surgery. The operating room is bright and white. There are a ton of people in the room. I start to shake, partly from hormones and mostly from nerves. I shake throughout the entire surgery.
I don’t feel pain, just pressure. I hear the familiar clinking of the tools that are used to open your uterus and know Aidan will be here shortly. Then I hear him cry! I started to cry and looked at Chris. He was all aglow. He got a quick glimpse of Aidan over the curtain.

Dr. Bhargava and everyone else in the room comment on his size and how I would have never got him out vaginally. The pediatricians were betting on his weight. One even said 10 pounds! Well he was “only” 8 lbs 12 ounces. After 17 minutes passed Chris was able to hold Aidan and show him to me. He was so alert and so beautiful. I will never be able to explain what love I felt at that moment. I finally had my son.

Aidan Christopher Moses
8 Pounds 12 Ounces
21 Inches
July 8, 2006 4:32 PM