So… I’m a Dad now…
… and it actually feels great. People aren’t kidding when they say it’s a life-changing event, and in more than the obvious ways.
The labor went really quick, but the first few parts didn’t seem like it. Sabriena has had back problems since forever, so we were hoping she could do it without the epidural – everything was going great, she dilated most of the way without it and was doing well coping with the pain… until it came time for the baby to start moving.
I guess doctors describe the baby’s position in the uterus on a ten-point scale from -5 to +5… -5 being chilling way up like it’s nowhere near time for delivery, and +5 being ready to poke out if he moves any further. Well she went from -1 to +2 (or 30% of the baby’s total non-delivery movement, so I gather) in 30 minutes… so 10% every 10 minutes. From what she tells me it was pretty excruciating, so we went ahead and ordered the epidural – which was just as well we didn’t mess around any further because after the epidural it turns out she was 8cm dilated, and they wouldn’t have done it any later. :(
Not long after the epidural, it came time to push – and that part flew by. It seemed like one minute I was feeling like it was never going to end, and the next I was watching my kid being lifted up onto my wife’s stomach. A doctor’s handing me surgical scissors and pointing at the cord, and I get the stereotypical “am I qualified for this?” thought before I go ahead and get it done – it was a lot harder to cut than I expected!
I was pretty worried about his health, because as I understand it I was a pretty sick kid… and Sabs’ sister had a bunch of problems with Jeremy, so I think I was just naturally expecting a repeat of that… but he came out flawless. He’s strong, healthy, a bit on the small side but there’s nothing wrong with that.
We waited for what seemed like an eternity for the hearing test, only to find out somewhere around the 24 hour mark ourselves that he was by no means deaf… every time we moved… opened a soda can… or some kind of food wrapper… that boop from the barcode scanner whenever the nurses would scan Sabriena’s medication… everything warranted him sitting up and checking it out.
We’re home now, and I’m so glad. Hospital beds suck, along with the guest beds – even though our room was pretty cushy. Even though our mattress isn’t the greatest it’s so nice to be on our own bed… even though I haven’t got any sleep yet.
Update for stats: Born 1:08pm USEST, 7lbs 6oz (3.34kg), 20" (50.8cm).
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Montpelier, IN 47359, USANavigation: Older Entry Newer Entry