I mentioned that I took my nice camera and lenses with us to the hospital. Well, since all of the chaos, and finally getting settled here at the house, I’ve finally had the opportunity to go through and pick my favorites to share with you all.
Let me know what you think of our little bean 
(Tip: click on a thumbnail to see the whole picture)
Nurses are godsends. And in my opinion, they’re the most underrated part of the medical staff that doesn’t get the credit they deserve.
I have to admit, that I’m a bit of a doctor snob. Not only do I go to a doctor or specialist that I’ve received a referral from some I trust, I then research the physician’s credentials, where they went to school, residencies, specialties, publications (if appropriate) and if they’ve had any medical licensing board complaints.
As we planned our move, I worked with my wife to identify the practice and hospital that would deliver our baby. All of the doctors had high reviews, excellent credentials and had privileges at the region’s top-rated birthing center. But I have to say that I totally overlooked the nursing staff at the hospital.
While nurses are often thought of to be the “go-fer’s” of the medical community, they would amaze you with their knowledge, professionalism, care and attention to detail.
During the 36 hours of labor and delivery and several days of recovery, we had the most amazing care from some of the most incredible women in the L&D ward. I can’t compliment them enough about how they looked after my bride and baby, how they were attentive and quick to respond when we needed assistance. They were on-the-spot to help us with breastfeeding questions, and even went out of their way to ensure that even I was comfortable during our extended stay. They even made “hospital corners” on a bed with a round bottom.
I think we saw the doctors (OB, anesthesiologists, surgeons) for a total of 4 man hours. The rest of the time, we were under the watchful care of the most amazing team of nurses we could find.
To all the nurses out there, YOU ROCK!
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Madeline Aubrey Michaels Born April 26 at 8:34 a.m. 7 lbs 15 oz, 20.5 in long 1st poop, 8:36 |
6:34 a.m. – And the pushing begins…
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5:22 a.m. - We’re till waiting to start the pushing, but we’re getting close. Kristin can definitely feel the baby moving downwards. the anesthesiologist has come in a couple of times to increase the dosage of the epidural, and the itching has seemed to pass.
While we’ve waited and endured over 30 hours of time here at the hospital, I’ve had some time to reflect on this whole process. I know there will likely be a few first-time fathers reading this who will journey down the same path we’re on, so here are the biggest takeaways that I’ve encountered:
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4:46 a.m. – Water ruptured and “Saved by the Bell” on TV. Perfect programming as we hurry up and wait for her arrival. But it’s hard to keep our attention on the TV, because of the darn kitten constantly meowing in the room.
Apparently, one of the servos in the epidural pump squeaks like a cat whenever it cycles, making us all look around the room for the feline intruder.
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3:57 a.m. – 9cm! Come on baby! We wanna meet you!
Apparently her water hasn’t broken, but there was just a high leak and a small volume that tested positive for amniotic fluid. The doctor’s on her way to officially break her water, and hopefully, we’ll start the last stages for having our daughter in our arms.
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11:54 p.m. - One of the hardest things you can do as a father, husband, lover or even friend, is to be completely helpless when someone is in need. That’s how I’ve felt for the past half hour while Kristin’s having a reaction to the pain meds. She just about wants to peel her skin off as she can’t stop itching. And, as we increase the dosage of the pain meds, she just continues to itch more and more.
It’s a lot like how I felt last summer, when I had a major sunburn all over my back. We thought that it would be great to slather on a fat layer of aloe vera lotion, only to find out that I’m allergic to the stuff. Not only did my skin get as red as a tomato, but I thought that I was going to explode as I tried to do anything I could to quell the itch in my office.
Cold compresses, Benadryl, and any visualization tricks aren’t working at the moment. So, until the next dose of epidural medication comes along, I’m completely unable to help but hold her hand and stroke her head. As ridiculous as it sounds, I wish I could switch places, just to take away her pain.
7cm. Down to the home stretch.
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9:12 p.m. - We have some awesome friends and family! We’ve received countless phone calls text messages, Facebook posts, likes, comments to this blog and instant messages throughout the day, and the consistent level of well wishes is humbling.
I did want to take a minute and thank a few additional friends who have not only continued to wish us well, but have also worked to ensure that I ‘m not digging a grave for myself.
You see, live blogging the birth of your first child could be a risky endeavor. Especially had I not have secured the permission of my bride.
Rest assured my friends, not only is she aware of it, but she’s been an enthusiastic contributor. Inhibitions gone, walls torn down and laying beside me completely vulnerable, she is the most amazing woman on the planet, my best friend, and she’s about to become the mother of my progeny. I couldn’t be prouder to share this story with her, and with you all, and we hope you’ve enjoyed the ride thus far.
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8:03 p.m. - “I think I just peed the bed.” I’m sure that’s what was said, because just as I came back into the room from getting a glass of water, the nurse was checking a wet spot on the bed. But, alas, no pee! Yes, that means that her water broke!
After a quick exam, it’s official that we’re half-way there!
Kristin’s taking a nap since the epidural is doing wonders and she can’t feel the contractions at all.
Me, I’m a bundle of anxious nerves as I watch “Chuck” on NBC and eat the pizza that I picked up. When will she get here? What will she look like? Will she have her mother’s eyes or my butt-chin?
One thing’s for sure, she’ll be a little ball of thick black hair.
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7:24 p.m. – Epidural- Almost 24 hours since we arrived, and we’re only 4 cm. Our little passenger just doesn’t want to get off the ride. Well kiddo, the ride’s over and you only bought one ticket!
Oh, Betty White’s shift is over. Now on to nurse #3.
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5:15 p.m. – Like mother, like daughter. Already my munchkin is causing trouble and is just as stubborn as her momma. The nurse keeps trying to get a pulse for her on the baby monitors, and she keeps wiggling. The minute we get her locked in, she decides to do a few cartwheels.
I guess she’s not ready to be in the spotlight yet. I think the “no flash photography” onesie we were given will be perfect for her personality, but she’ll just have to get used to it knowing how much I’m going to be snapping away.
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3:40 p.m. – More fentanyl and a Texas Roll. Apparently the baby’s in an odd position, so they’re having her roll onto her chest, but keep her body turned around like a corkscrew. This should help the baby rotate into the right position.
Oh, and more things from the latest fentanyl fog:
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2:39 p.m. – Labor is practice for having an infant. Essentially, it’s about finding sleep in between spurts of excitement. Her contractions are several minutes apart, and she’s finding every moment to sleep in between the next set. I’m certain, it’s going to be similar with feeding/changing.
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1:41 p.m. - Contractions are getting stronger, but at least they’re not ontop of each other like they were when this first started. We have no idea of how far she’s dilated, but we don’t want to have to get an epidural and have to sit here for hours.
In the mean time, Kristin’s learned the joy of peeing into a hat for the protein test. Just as long as she doesn’t try to put it on my head afterwards.
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12:17 p.m. – So, we took classes for childbirth, Lamaze, and breastfeeding. The one class we missed…Dancing. one of the best things we’ve found that helps during the contractions is dancing. Slow swaying, bending of the knees – if you can master this dance, you’d be just fine on Dancing with the Stars.
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11:14 a.m. – Walks are good and the contractions have regulated. Now it’s a matter of waiting for the baby to get a little lower.
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10:40 a.m. - 3 Rules of Breakfast – The Betty White clone gave me a break to go downstairs and get some grub.
Rule #1 – Bypass the breakfast burritos. Not only do powdered eggs taste bad in any form, they especially suck when wrapped in a tortilla with some sort of mystery meat.
Rule #2 – Avoid the bran muffins, unless you’re in close proximity to a bathroom. Not only will they keep you regular, they’re loaded with Exlax and work wonders on your system like a McRib sandwich.
Rule # 3 – Get a teflon tongue if you have the coffee. It’s 1 part coffee and 3 parts napalm.
Also, I ran into one of the engineering staff here at the hospital. Word to the wise. If your name is Clint, and they put your name on your shirt in script lettering, make sure they separate the dot from the body of the “I,” so it doesn’t make the “LI” look like a “U.”
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9:30 a.m. – Pitocin @ 2mL/hr. We both got a bit of sound sleep since the last dose of Fentanyl. Nurses have changed shifts and we’ve gone from the woman with man hands, to one that looks and sounds like a brunette Betty White.
Word to the wise, check your nurses hands before they need to shove something inside you.
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6:30 a.m. - Fun things overheard when in a Fentanyl fog:
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6:12 a.m. - So, the best friend left and the pain is back, but no dilation. Pretty certain this isn’t good.
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3:09 a.m. - Kristin gets a new best friend…Fentanyl.
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2:00 a.m. - So, we found out that the stuff they used to induce, doesn’t like Kristin. In-fact, the contractions are coming so fast and often, that we had to remove the Cervidil. Kristin finds out the hard way that it probably wasn’t a good idea to have a bowl of pasta with garlic before we came.
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12:43 a.m. - So, the contractions are starting to get painful and are preventing her from getting any shut-eye. So much for that idea.
Also, what ever happened to those old kidney-bean spitup basins? Well, since it was a bear to keep putting those into the autoclave to sterilize them, someone came out with a pop-out basin. What does this ingenious product look like, you might ask? Essentially, imagine a giant blue condom that would fit an elephant. Now, bring it to your mouth, and evacuate the contents of your tummy.
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12:03 a.m. – She’s going to try and get some rest. I’m going to watch Sportscenter for the 4th time.
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11:06 p.m. – Apparently there’s a lot of contractions happening, but she doesn’t feel them yet. Maybe just Braxton-Hicks, maybe wishful thinking.
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9:30 p.m. - Paperwork’s all done, and Kristin’s looking sexy as can be in the hospital gown. Time for the meds. BTW, tear-jerker movies like “Eight Below” should be banned from hospital rooms, especially ones full of emotional pregnant women.
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8:21 p.m. - Arrived at the hospital, checked-in to the Labor and Delivery ward for our scheduled induction. We had hoped that she would’ve come before we had to go this route. But, we’re here and ready to meet our daughter.
I can’t believe how much stuff we packed. During our tour of the L&D ward, the nurse told us that we would have to bring a lot of stuff – mostly for me since the “Dad” isn’t the patient, and they don’t really care about my well-being unless I pass out. So, here are the essentials we brought:
I’m sure I left something at home.
But, let’s get this party started!
**DISCLAIMER – The thoughts offered in this blog are offered as purely as experiences, and not as medical advice. Please consult your personal physician and nursing staff. I am not a doctor, nor have I played one on TV.**
Nesting (ˈnɛstɪŋ) — noun: The tendency to arrange one’s immediate surroundings, such as a work station, to create a place where one feels secure, comfortable, or in control.
My wife hates the word because it’s related to birds and she has an incredible fear of them. Nonetheless, as many fathers experience some sympathetic feelings, physical changes and pains/etc. during a wife’s pregnancy, “nesting” is one that I’ve experienced the most.
We recently relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, with her at 7 months pregnant. No, I didn’t let her carry the boxes of books up and down the stairs (only the dresser). But for most of month 7, we spent it apart while she continued to work in the LA area. During that time, it was up to me to get most of the house in order. Though, while my “nesting” was preparing for my wife’s arrival, we’ve both also experienced the need to get the nursery ready in our final preparations for our daughter’s arrival.
The hardest part was finding a theme for her room. Originally, if we had a boy, we were going to do a “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” motif. However, when we found out we were having a girl, nothing seemed to fit. Babies R’Us didn’t seem to have anything that worked, and as much as we searched the sets online, nothing excited us.
That’s when we got the idea to do our own travel theme. We’ve both loved seeing the world, and we want our daughter to as well. So, as we wanted to decorate, without painting the newly rented apartment, the best idea was to create custom decals at Kinkos, or find a set of ready-made ones.
Just our luck, RoomatesPeelandStick.com has a wide variety of Mega Sets, including the one we selected, with a Parisian motif. Including a purple poodle, the Eiffel Tower and hot air balloons, we were able to quickly design the room without A) breaking the bank, or B) permanently damaging the walls.
From Star Wars collections with Princess Leia in the gold bikini to all of the Disney princesses, Japanese cherry blossoms to under the sea adventures, they have a good match for almost any theme.
For all of the expectant moms and dads out there who want an easier way to decorate, that doesn’t involve paint, drop cloths or annoying salespeople at baby stores, give it a look.