Baby Timothy James came into our world at 8:03 PM on September 25th, 2010 weighing in at 6lbs 13 oz and 22 inches long.Labor started on the evening of the 24th, although I had no idea that's what was going on...the contractions weren't exactly what everyone led me to believe they should feel like. We checked into the maternity ward at 11:11 AM (make a wish ;] ) on the 25th. Labor in general was nothing like I thought it would be...the water breaking was more disgusting than I could have ever imagined! The pain was tolerable for me until the back labor kicked in...and eventually kicked my butt. All the front, pelvic contractions I handled just fine...but the back contractions got stronger and more frequent than the other and I was only getting a minute or less in between contractions...which is a huge misconception, thank you TV. I was doing alright up until I was dilated to a seven around 4PM...but when they checked on me an hour later, I was only dilated to a six, because my cervix had swollen due to me pushing down through the contractions. "You need to stop tensing up during your contractions." Um sure...oh hey, can you come closer to the bed so I can punch you...or smack you with my IV cord? That back-step broke me, and after trying one of the drugs to 'take the edge off' which did zero for my pain, I went for the epidural. Damn.
At around 7:10 PM, I started pushing. Things seemed to be going well...they said they saw his head moving down with every push. Then I heard my doctor whisper, "I don't like that." "DON'T LIKE WHAT?!?!" I panicked. She looked at me, shocked that I had heard her...as if she isn't the one person/thing I'd be focusing on at this particular time...sure, lets turn on the Food Network and I'll see what easy, 30-minute meals they're showcasing today...come on, you're delivering my child, you got my attention! They told me it was nothing, and to give it another push. After that push, I was told to stop, as they started prepping me to move to the operating room for an emergency C-section. I just started bawling...this is exactly what I didn't want, and really wasn't emotionally prepared for. Turns out, the placenta had abrupted from the uterus...which caused Timmy's heart rate to drop. So they wheeled me off, and in 8 minutes, they had me in and him out.
I'm so grateful that they were able to act as fast as they did and save our little boy. But honestly, I'm bummed that I was out for his big entrance, and even when they took me to my room after the operation, I was still completely under the effects of the drugs, so I don't remember much...except texting people and falling asleep mid-text...and repeatedly saying, "I can't keep my eyes open." I had no sense of time or what was really going on. And every time I fell asleep, I was back in the delivery room, pushing...I felt like the whole ordeal was incomplete in a way, even subconsciously.
Recovering has been an obstacle with a newborn. I fancy myself a capable, strong person...and here I am hobbling around the house, crawling up the stairs, and climbing into the shower...covered in spit-up and pee, and grimacing all the while. Every cough and laugh evoked a gut-stabbing pain and over-all, I felt just awful. But then there's that little face...those little fingers...those little, beautiful dimples that he very rarely shows off...those 'little' things make the world of difference and I'd do it all over again for our handsome man!
Four weeks have gone by, and I feel able-bodied again, thankfully! I'm enjoying the time off work, getting to know our son...he's so remarkable...can't believe we made him, he's part of us...I mean, wow...and P.S. he's beautiful! Looks just like his dad. :)
The morning of the 25th.
Our little man!
Proud parents...me, completely out of it.
Me and my boy.
Swaddled with love.
Going home with my little bug.
Father and son.
Family.
Timothy James Southard <3
