The Story of Nicholas

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
(Four days before due date)

2am- I wake up to slight cramping and convince myself that this couldn't possibly be "it". The baby isn't due for another four days!

5am- After being awake for a few hours with mild contractions, I think I feel my water break. Not sure if it really did, since this didn't happen with Preston. Call the doctor and they advise me to come into the hospital to be checked out. We call Mimi and Grampy in for reinforcements!

6am- Mimi and Grampy arrive. I am feeling fine, no contractions. Was it a false alarm

7:30am- Contractions are back! Alex and I head to the hospital with our bags packed. Mimi and Grampy take Preston back to Framingham

8:00am- Am examined by a midwife in the triage area of the maternity ward at MGH. I am four cm dialated, but they seem to think I am not ready to be admitted. They tell us to walk around, go get something to eat and come back in two hours. I am feeling OK, contractions are painful but bearable.

10:00am- I am re-examined and no change. The midwife sends us home as she thinks I'm not quite ready yet. I am discouraged, but exhuasted and just want to get home and go to bed.

11am-1pm- Home in bed and contractions are getting stronger. Then, POP! my water definitely breaks this time. Contractions are so painful I cannot speak. Back to MGH.

1:30pm- I am admitted and quickly given an epidural. The pain is intense. Nothing like I felt with preston, as I have been on the epidural overnight before I started pushing. As I am getting the epidural, I feel like I have to start pushing.



2:30pm- The epidural has been in for about 15 minutes and it is numbing the contractions, but they are still painful. I feel an intense urge to start pushing. The nurse tells me to try and wait until the Doctors can get scrubbed in. Easier said than done.

2:36pm- The doctors are ready and I start pushing.

2:42pm- Nicholas Patrick arrives into the world! Alex lets me know that we've had another boy, even though I knew it all along! Welcome, gorgeous baby! They put him on my chest and he starts nursing almost immediately. I am still kind of in shock at how quickly it all happened. An amazingly smooth, but painful, labor and delivery.

That afternoon, Bobby and Jen, Mom and Dad and Preston come to visit.




Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Kathy were coincidentally at MGH that day for a dr's appointment, so they were also able to come and meet the little guy. I am tired but feeling good. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday morning and then took baby Nicholas home to begin our life as a family of four!