Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Happy Birthday to You!

Fifteen years ago, at 11:30pm on 8/20, my labor began with Hammer.  My mucous plug dislodged (don't ask, those who know, know...), and I had some mild contractions. 

Hubby and I ran over to the hospital, after we spoke to the OB doc on the phone, and they checked to be sure my water didn't break, also.  It didn't.  Back home we went and at 4 am on the 21st, I was trying to sleep.  We both had to be at my OB docs office for a non-stress test at 9:30am, so the sleep was too short, and my last.

Up at 8:30am, and my mild contractions had stopped!  The non stress test was fine, and I was sent back home, assured by my OB doc, that my labor would restart again real soon. 

For those not familiar with a non-stress test, they strap you up to a monitor that checks for contractions, movements of the baby, and the baby's heart rate, and then have you drink a bunch of sweet stuff.  If the baby is good, the heart rate will go up and movements increase.  If that doesn't happen, it is an indication that something isn't right.

Hubby and I went out to breakfast at the diner, and then went to my parents house.  Hubby immediately fell asleep on the floor.  I tried to nap, but spent most of the day chit chatting with my dad. 

At 4pm, I had a contraction again.  Mild, no big deal.  Hubby just woke up, and he wrote it down in his note pad.  Another one at 4:20, another around a half hour later, and then back to 20 minutes.  It seems that this was it, labor is back!

We went to a local restaurant, the Crow's Nest, and began a tradition of the place to eat before having a baby.  The meal was great, and would end up being my last until sometime on Sunday! 

After dinner we headed over to my Aunt Mae's & Uncle Joe's house, and every 15 - 20 minutes, I had a cute, mild contraction and Hubby dutifully wrote it down.  Everyone at my Aunt's did a pool of when the baby would be born, Saturday or Sunday and how much would the baby weigh.  I remember we watched America's Most Wanted, and I believe a Yankees game, back and forth.

Hubby and I were home alone in our apartment by 11pm, and trying to get some sleep.

I couldn't sleep.  Hubby was in snore-ville.  I took over writing the contractions down, which were now more intense and at 10 minutes apart.  I wanted to sleep but just couldn't.  I also had to run to the bathroom a lot as my body cleansed itself.  The fun was starting to wear off, and the contractions, not so cute.

By 3am they were about 5 minutes apart, but occasionally I would go back up to 8 or 10 minutes.  I soldiered on alone.

At 5am, I woke hubby with a punch.  I know not nice, but I was in pain, and I yelled at him 'Here is your notebook, I am tired of doing this alone!'   I remember his eyes getting wide and seeing him wake up the fastest ever, as he took in the way I looked, stooped over and in pain, and seeing the numbers in the notebook at 5 minutes apart. 

At 7am, we decided to go to my parents house, as they are less than 1/2 mile from the hospital.  I remember Hubby helping me get out of the car, and having to stop half way to the door for a contraction.  After we got settled, since my contractions were about 3 minutes on average apart for the last 2 hours, at 8am, I called the doc.  And, to the hospital we went.

At this point I will compress the rest of the story for you. 

Unfortunately, even though my contractions were very strong, in the 100 plus range on the monitor, I was not dilating very much.  Stalled at just 2 cms, which I was before labor.  They broke my water and gave me pitocin.  That just made me throw up, and the pain worse. 

Finally, although it took from 8:30am until 6pm, I was dilated enough for them to giveme an epidural.  I could smile again, talk and laugh.  I was totally ready to go!!! 

Unfortunately, my body was not.  They maxed me out at the top pitocin dosage, but I only barely dilated to 5cm's.   Time for a c-section. 

Hammer was born 9:53pm, on Saturday, August 22, 1992.  He was 8lbs and 8 3/4oz.  He was 21 1/2 inches long. 

I will never forget his face when Hubby held him for the first time, while I was still on the OR table.  His eyes were so big and blue, and he just looked at me, with a sweet smile!  Once they dressed him, and put him in the blanket in Hubby's arms, he didn't cry at all!

Hammer was soooo alert, and he looked from Hubby to me, and we both felt like he was just taking it all in, 'Yup, this is my mom and dad!' 

His poor head, which was (is) huge, was coned on one side and bruised from where it had been smashing into my pelvis for the last twodays!  They feared a skull fracture, and had to xray his head right away!  Thankfully, there was none, but it did take almost 3 months for his head to take its normal shape. 

And, that was the amazing story, of Hammer's first birth day.  And, the birth of my first, eldest child.

These stories become legend for our kids, and there is so much more.  Like how during the 14 plus hour wait for my parents, which was shared by my Aunt Mae and Uncle Joe, the dining room table fell apart as they sat at it.  

Or how, Kathy was left home alone, and how Leslie snuck in to see him and I early in the morning before visiting hours because she worked at the ER! 

Dearest Hammer, you are my first, my eldest,  and I cannot believe it has been 15 years since you were held, first in your father's arms, and then mine.  The time has flown, yesterday you were a sweet baby, today a young man.  I am so proud of the person you are and are becoming, each and every passing day. 

I wouldn't have thought it possible on that day, but I do love you more now, than I ever could then. 

Happy Birthday, Hammer.

be well,
Dawn

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34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Hammer. I love this story. I  had an entry about my oldest daughter when she was born too on her birthday. I tell you you don't forget those moments no matter how much pain you are in.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAMMER! mom, u had me lol w/tales of "cute" contractions (of course, i knew what was coming, having gone thru labor myself).  loved the ode to your first =)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Hammer!  I used to ask my mom to talk about my birth sometimes and the story was not really all that intersting, but she liked telling it as much as I liked listening to it.  I sure miss her.

Russ

Anonymous said...

ahhh so sweet...man you are lucky my mom was knocked out for all 4 of us...they really didn't believe in natural childhbirth like 40 yrs ago....though mom says that is fine with her! HA! I try to blame any issues she complains about on the drugs they knocked me out on...ha..hey it is worth a shot! Happy Birthday Big H!

Anonymous said...

Awww I wanna cry I love birth stories and so happy you shared Hammer's.
Happy Birthday hope you have a great 15th year.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAMMER..........and may all your wishes come true!!!!!
-Ellie

Anonymous said...

A "Very Happy Birthday" to Hammer this brought back to me my own births and also at my first Grandsons who will be 15 in October.What a lovely age to be at.I hope Hammer has a terrific day and thanx for sharing your precious moment.Take Care God Bless Kath
astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your first born son!! Your story is similar to my first born. I will tell it on Friday since that's his 13th birthday!
hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Hammer!!  Great memories.. thanks for sharing :)
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

HB Hammer!!!! Have a great day! ;)
TY Dawn for sharing your memories. {{}}
Hugs to all,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Aww Dawn,  You are such a MOM.  Thanks for sharing your story.  
Hammer, pretend that all of j'land is singing here.....
Happy Birthday to you..
Happy Birthday to you..
Happy Birthday dear Hammer....
Happy Birthday to you...
And many, many more..
Smiles,  Leigh

   

Anonymous said...

Awww!  I love birth stories!  Happy Birthday to your eldest!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Hammer!  Best wishes and prayers for a great day!
loving you
karyl

Anonymous said...

I'm sending happy birthday hugs to Hammer!  
Missie

Anonymous said...

The Legend...The Birthday Boy! Happy Birthday to Hammer. --Cin

Anonymous said...

Best wishes for a Happy Birthday to you "Hammer". Great entry! Have a wonderful day!
Katie
http://journals.aol.com/ktkamanski/HappyBeingMe/

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful birth story!!!  Happy Bday to Hammer!
Hugs,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Hammer!  My kids love to hear about their "birth" story! Have a Great Day!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday,Hammer!!!!!! -Dawn-

Anonymous said...

Hammer, I do not sing very well, but Happy Birthday to you. How are you doing on your Eagles requirements? Good luck with that, Bill

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Hammer!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAMMER!!!
LOVE YA,
CARLENE

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to a handsome young man! (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Hammer!  Isn't it just amazing that we can remember just about each and every second of all of our labors.  What blessings, though.  HUGS  Chris

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Hammer..and ew birth sounds nasty..mucus plugs and oh god.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Hammer!!!

Joann

Anonymous said...

He was already smiling right after birth?  Must have been all that koolaid they gave you for the NST.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAMMER!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you Hammer.....

Michele

Anonymous said...

happy birthday to your Hammer!

make it a great day!
Sharon

Anonymous said...

What a great entry!!
Gillie

Anonymous said...

aww happy belated bday to him :)

Hugs,
Gretchen

Anonymous said...

Tsk, I always miss the birthday celebrations......... HAPPY BELATED ANYWAYS!
Gaz

Anonymous said...

Happy (belated) Birthday Hammer!  De ;)

Anonymous said...

What a very nice story!!  I know he is worth it all!
Lori