Ethan's Here!

On August 11th (Vince's birthday) we woke to an 8:30 am alarm. We had a 9:40 appointment with our midwife on post. I stood up out of bed and there it went. I peed on myself again! This was the third time. Sheesh! I took my wet self to the bathroom to finish what I'd started, but there just wasn't an end to it. My water had definitely broken! I knew I wouldn't be coming back home, so Vince loaded up the car with out suitcase and diaper bag while I jumped in the shower. When we got to the hospital we didn't even bother to head to the OBGYN clinic, but straight into the labor and delivery ward. The nurse checked us out and confirmed that it was time. I'd had contractions all day and night the previous day, but by the time I had gotten to the hospital I wasn't feeling a thing. My contractions weren't happening, so they started me up on Pitocin for induction. Whew! The contractions came on quickly!!! We went through three shifts of nurses and doctors who seemed to constantly change up the game plan. On Pitocin. Off Pitocin. Back on Pitocin. Every time they checked me I was no more dilated than before. I stayed at 3cm for 13 hours. Ethan's heart rate was going down too, so finally the doctor came in and started his official briefing. I already knew in the back of my mind that this was going to happen. I just knew. I signed the papers and they wheeled me in while Vince donned his white jumpsuit. They laid me out on the table like Jesus with my arms spread out to each side, and put up the infamous blue curtain so I couldn't see a thing. Vince and I just stared into each others eyes while it happened. It's strangely one of the most romantic and intimate moments we've ever had together. I'm so glad he was there. He peeked around the curtain every so often. Just seeing the look in his eyes made me know that whatever he saw was okay. Finally, his eyes widened, and I knew they had pulled Ethan out. He was here! His little cry started, and they passed him over to the incubator in the corner. I could see the chubby white arms and legs wiggling around. He was beautiful already. With one blink he turned pink, and Vince went over to say hello to our little boy. He came back to tell me, "He's perfect!" and kissed my forehead. They wrapped him up and brought him over next to my face. I smelled his sweet breath, kissed him and told him I love him. They put him back in the little warmer and Vince stayed with him while they sewed me up. It didn't take long before the blue curtain was coming down. I asked if I could see my placenta. They knew I was a medic since we'd been cracking jokes about it during the operation prep. I asked if I could get continuing education credits for being there too. If I hadn't been so paralyzed at the time I'd probably have wanted to poke it and inspect it a bit further. HaHa! (I'm sure some people might think that's a little gross, so I'll move on.) Anyway, that's pretty much the story of how little Ethan Michael finally came into the world. Here he is...

Ethan Michael O'Donnell

August 11, 2010

9:51 pm

7 pounds, 6 ounces

20 inches long