Yesterday, as I mentioned below, was a perfect day.While I had been very excited about Kate's arrival for months, part of me was worried about the host of things about the labor and delivery that were beyond my control. Would Kate be healthy? Would Devoted Wife (DW) be OK during delivery? Would DW threaten me with bodily harm, or worse, during the agony of labor? Would I embarrass myself and pass out? Would Kate be born during a BYU football game, presenting me with a (justifiably) difficult dilemma?
When it finally happened, everything went better than I could have dreamed, and our little Kate joined our family in a remarkably smooth delivery (smooth for me, that is; DW may have something else to say about it).
I don't think that anything quite prepares you for the moment your first child is born and that object you love so much in the abstract now becomes the person that you love in a very tangible way.
While the labor was relatively smooth, because the labor nurse spotted some meconium in the amniotic fluid during the early contractions, the medical staff took precautions and had the NICU staff in the labor and delivery room during the labor. Immediately after Kate was born they inserted a tube into her throat and made sure that they cleared her mouth and throat of meconium and any other potentially harmful fluid. We were very pleased with the skill of the medical team and I was personally grateful that they took such good care of my girls.
Once they cleaned her up and our pediatrician checked her out from tip to tail (she has all her fingers and toes, responds well to the neuromuscular tests and is, dare I say, too cute for her own good), we were able to keep Kate in the labor and delivery room for about four hours. DW's most challenging part about the birth process may have been after the birth was over, as she got very nauseated every time she tried to sit up or stand. The nursing staff let us stay in the labor and delivery room while she was recovering. Given the fact that the labor and delivery room is about twice the size of the recovery rooms (which are "semi-private" rather than private; see my post below), it was nice to be able to stay in the larger room. DW's parents and sister were able to spend a few hours with us there. Then they got us settled into our semi-private recovery room where DW tried to feed the baby for the first time. Kate appeared to be far more interested in nuzzling with mom rather than feeding, which the nursing staff assured us was just fine. Finally, DW ran out of energy, the nursing staff took Kate back to the nursery, DW feel asleep and I drove home, thinking about the events of the day.
As I said before, it was a perfect day.
While the labor was relatively smooth, because the labor nurse spotted some meconium in the amniotic fluid during the early contractions, the medical staff took precautions and had the NICU staff in the labor and delivery room during the labor. Immediately after Kate was born they inserted a tube into her throat and made sure that they cleared her mouth and throat of meconium and any other potentially harmful fluid. We were very pleased with the skill of the medical team and I was personally grateful that they took such good care of my girls.
Once they cleaned her up and our pediatrician checked her out from tip to tail (she has all her fingers and toes, responds well to the neuromuscular tests and is, dare I say, too cute for her own good), we were able to keep Kate in the labor and delivery room for about four hours. DW's most challenging part about the birth process may have been after the birth was over, as she got very nauseated every time she tried to sit up or stand. The nursing staff let us stay in the labor and delivery room while she was recovering. Given the fact that the labor and delivery room is about twice the size of the recovery rooms (which are "semi-private" rather than private; see my post below), it was nice to be able to stay in the larger room. DW's parents and sister were able to spend a few hours with us there. Then they got us settled into our semi-private recovery room where DW tried to feed the baby for the first time. Kate appeared to be far more interested in nuzzling with mom rather than feeding, which the nursing staff assured us was just fine. Finally, DW ran out of energy, the nursing staff took Kate back to the nursery, DW feel asleep and I drove home, thinking about the events of the day.As I said before, it was a perfect day.
See all of Kate's birth day photos here
4 comments:
Rich, I'm so glad you are such a diligent blogger!!! These pics and your editorial are speedy AND captivating!
Congratulations! Tell Jaime I'm sooo excited for her and can't wait to come visit!
rich, jaime,
we're just kicking it in bed, checking out the beautiful little kate. what a joy she is! all our best and our love.
take care,
steve and kate
she is ADORABLE!!
i'm thrilled for you guys. absolutely thrilled.
Jaime, Baby Kate is beautiful! Congrats!
Your old college roomie, Monica
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