X-post from Birth Story!

Here is the story of Ryan Patrick:
Thursday, March 20 was supposed to be my last day at the office – by forced exit. My boss was afraid I would go into labor at the office and I insisted on working up to the last minute so he gave me an extra week maternity leave just to leave. I worked until almost 11PM Wednesday night just to get myself settled for my last day. I got home from the city at close to midnight and complained to DH that I was concerned about our home (under construction) and swore our baby could be here any day. I was hoping for anytime after Easter ;).
I went to bed and woke up with bad cramps at 6AM. I thought nothing of it as far as labor went b/c I had been waking up on occasion with AF like cramps and this was more of a feeling of constipation. I tried to go to the bathroom – nothing. I didn’t go back to sleep (I normally don’t get up for work until about 7:45AM). I continued every 10 minutes or so to try to poop –nothing. DH left for work and I told him I would probably hang home for a bit before heading into the city because I felt off . He wondered if he should stay with me but I said the cramping was very low and I understood contractions were high – over your belly button, so I probably just needed to go to the bathroom and would touch base with him before I went to work.
By 7:30AM he called and I had a little diarrea. I said it could be a sign of labor to come (not that morning!) b/c maybe my body was cleaning itself out. After one loose stool (sorry TMI) I went back to feeling constipated. I called my mom who immediately was super excited I was in labor. I tried to calm her and just said, “no, it’s not today – I just feel off”. She insisted I called the MD. I called and the MD on call suggested I go to L&D. Now all along I had said I wanted to labor at home as long as possible and that I wasn’t sure if I was into the epidural. So, I really only wanted to go to L&D at this point b/c I wasn’t sure what was going on – I wanted to make sure all was OK. At 8:30AM I called my office and said I was going to L&D to “check things out”. I had a little blood at this point and started to see what was my mucus plug.
M y mom showed up around 9AM with my 3-year sister. At this point I was thinking something was going on and I was of course concerned about a 3-yr watching me labor. My mom assured me if I was in labor I had plent y of time - told me to shower and then said we’d go back to her house for her to shower and wait there so I wouldn’t be kept at the hospital for hours on end.
I went to take my shower and kept trying to poop. At this point I was trying every 5-minutes, every 3-minutes and my mom kept saying “you need to try AGAIN?!” My little sister was told my baby was “knocking” which is why I was in pain. Right before we went to leave the house, about 9:30AM, I said “let me try one more time”. Then I said, “Oh Sh!t, if I push one more time I think a baby will come out – call someone to get the baby (hers) and let’s go straight to the hospital!”. Mom now believed I meant business. We got in the car and I called DH at work in Queens and told him not to drive like a maniac but it was def. time to get to me. A couple of minutes later I was sitting in a puddle. My water broke all over her car. Mind you, my sister had spilled juice on herself and was in the backseat yelling “mommy, wet”. I thought I splashed her or something! Every time I had what I now believed were contractions, my water broke more. I just felt waves of water pooling out – yucky.
I called Viacord to let them know I was in labor when we were about 10-minutes away from the hospital – this is how I can gauge how fast it went. We were in traffic on the Southern State at 9:46AM and still 15-minutes from Winthrop. We got there to the emergency entrance and yelled for help. When I tell you the movies really seriously warp this – it’s the truth. No one flinched! One woman seemed like she cared and was getting help but no one came back out! Then I MD walked past me in the lot and asked what the problem was “umm, I’m a HOUSE and standing in soaking wet jeans in March – guess what’s happening to me ahole!” Finally, someone escorted me in and the y got me a wheelchair.
My mom was waiting for her husband to pick up my sister so she had to drop me with the nurses. There was no time for them to even get my name. They yelled at me for bearing down. I said, “umm, it’s time for that – I’m telling you!” They threw me in a room and I ripped off my clothes so they could check me – I was 9cm dilated and baby was at -2 – it was time. I was thinking to myself “how do I have 2 labor coaches (DH&mom) and I’m all alone right now!?”
They escorted me to a L&D room and I hop up on the table. I was yelling, “I really need my husband for this!!” No time for an IV – no time for anything. They started to get up the stirrup legs and I look up to see DH walk in – THANK GOD. I figured Mom would miss it, but I was OK now that my husband was by my side. Then Hanauer walked in 2-seconds later (she just happened to be at the hospital at that time). She looked at me in position and I could tell she was in shock. They were still fumbling with the bed (it was broken) – no time for stirrups. She put on her gloves and that was that – time to go for it. I pushed once and said, “I guess my mom will miss this”. I look up and she was there – ok, now it was time.
I pushed the 2nd time and Ryan Patrick was here at 10:24AM weighing 7lb8oz, 21 inches long. I knew it was a boy! Boy did my labor coaches get off easy – I had no time to curse anyone out or be obnoxious! I am honestly still in shock that it all happened that way. No drugs (not even a tylenol during recovery) and it went from a poop to a baby in no time! I did tear – apparently just a little but upwards and downwards – but I didn’t feel it and it hasn’t hurt since.
I am told I should live at the hospital the last month of my next pregnancy as this was such an unusual first baby story!
After the first night in the nursery Ryan had to go to the NICU b/c he had low glucose level (probably adjustment issues from his warp speed commute down the birth canal!) But, we got to take him home Easter afternoon and he is perfectly adjusted – no more issues.
He is beautiful – we love him and it’s amazing to see my husb and with him – we’re so in love with our little man. Breastfeeding is no joke – he is latching fine, but man this is time-consuming! But, I’m hanging in there and hope to do this for my entire maternity leave. I plan to go back to work PT in late June or the first week of July and go back FT in mid-September.
So, that’s that. I knew he’d come early but I can’t say I knew it would be almost a week ago! I really appreciated being on this site – while I was TTC and when pregnant – you just can’t get better info so easily! I guess I’ll now join the parenting board! Thank you all for all your support !

My little man:

Message edited 3/26/2008 11:33:06 AM.

Re: X-post from Birth Story!

wow what a story!!!! congrats on your little boy!!

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what a great story!!
glad everything went so smoothly!
congrats on your new baby boy!!

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amazing story! i am glad it went so well for you - congrats!!!

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Great birth story, thanks for sharing and congratulations!!

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What a story!!! Thank you so much for sharing and your son is so handsome!!!

Lots of luck and happiness!!! Enjoy being a new mommy!

I had my weekly appointment with Dr. Hanauer on 3/20 and they cancelled on me a couple of hours before my appointment...I guess she had a couple of special deliveries that day!

Message edited 3/26/2008 11:57:53 AM.

Re: X-post from Birth Story!

great story. very inspiring, i hope i'm as lucky as you.
Where you in excruciating pain at any point?

Re: X-post from Birth Story!

that was a great birth story!!!! Congrats to you and your family!

is absolutely beautiful!

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That is amazing. I wish DS had come that fast! Just have to give a special for your unmedicated birth. I'm a huge fan of natural childbirth!

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Fantastic story!! I guess when Ryan was ready, he was ready!! Congrats on your gorgeous baby boy!!

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You must have a high tolerance for pain.
Anyway, congrats, your baby is beautiful!

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what an amazing birth story! congratulations and welcome baby ryan!

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I can only hope my labor will be as great as yours! Congrats on such a great birth experience and beautiful baby boy!

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Congrats!!!!!! He is beautiful.. I am glad everything worked out smoothly for you!!

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Thanks for sharing your story. Congrats!

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I'm sitting here like reading your story. I can't believe how fast that came for you...wow. I'm so happy things went so well for you. Congratulations on Ryan Patrick...he's adorable!!!

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Wow That is some story

Congrats He is absolutely beautiful

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that's such an amazing birth story! i cant believe how fast it all went for u, incredible! your baby boy is beautiful!