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Stephen Michael Kraft's Birth

Hi All!

Sorry that this has taken so long, but this is the first chance that I may get an hour of uninterrupted computer time.

Thursday night deteriorated rapidly. I was is a lot of pain, having contractions that were 10 minutes apart - not getting closer and I had terrible indigestion. I thought that my earlier bouts of heartburn were bad... I was plagued with the inability to sleep, so I finished sorting thru the freshly washed baby things. Sorting sleepers form onesies, etc. I finally fell asleep at about 3 a.m.

Friday a.m. Glenn's alarm clock went off at 6:30 and I thought about getting up. However, was too wiped out to do anything about it. At 7:00 I knew that I had to get up and put a lunch together for him, and get a move on. This was NOT to be! :)

Trying to roll out of bed I had the "I wet the bed" sensation. I knew that my water broke. I told Glenn I thought my water broke, and he got me a towel. I think at this point I proceeded to calmly ask Glenn "do you want to be a daddy today?" He looked a bit startled and then relaxed. Things get a bit blurry here as I was in a bit of a tizzy. The baby was kicking up a storm, and each kick produced a bit of water. We called Kathi (midwife) via pager as I didn't want to intrude on her brother who is also her room mate. Long story there, but he is an actor and the play he is in opened on Thursday night. I actually felt guilty for having my water break. Any way, Kathi suggested having breakfast, as there were no contractions. So I went to take a shower. I took a luke warm one, as to not upset the delicate balance of things. Trying to go to the hospital during Atlanta rush hour was not in my game plan!

About 20 minutes later, now I guess it was about 7:30 or so, the contractions started. I was in the process of thinking about breakfast. Needless to say, that idea went out the window.

We called Kathi again and told her the deal. I was guessing that contractions were only 3 minutes apart! OH NO!!! Rush hour had already been plagued with 3 accidents between us and the hospital. Kathi told me to get a move on and head directly to the hospital. We got out of the house at about 8 a.m. and contractions were the same. I had forgotten how to relax, how to stay calm, and was a basket case.

In the car we broke every law available. Glenn drove on the shoulder and sped at every available opportunity. As I had forgotten how to relax, I was breathing way too fast, and couldn't feel my fingers or my ears. Very wierd. We made it to the hospital at 8:25. Not too bad.

At this time, we found that Kathi had called ahead for us and I was put in a LDR suite. Very nice! I was admitted and asked to give a urine sample. Ha! Right! Didn't happen! Kathi was there about 15 minutes later and the fun began.

I had really wanted a natural birth, but that was not to be. I was in so much pain at this point, that I was begging for drugs :) But, I think it was me that said the outcome was my first concern! After 7 sticks with no luck, just to get blood, I was glad that I was getting an epidural. It was a light one, and I could still feel the contractions. I was able to move my legs and change positions with no help, this was good and I was happy again! However, it was the worst 8 minutes waiting for that edge to be gone!

At about 9:30 or 10, after the epidural was in and running, the monitor showed that all contractions had stopped. I was able to confirm this, as I was not feeling any. The baby was doing great, and still moving. So, we were not concerned. Kathi checked me and I was at 6cm. A number I could live with. Still no contractions. It was now 11. Kathi checked me again, because I had felt the baby moving down. I was cramping a little but nothing like I expected. I was at 8. At noon, I was at 9 - 9 1.2 and complete. Kathi thought that I would need to gather my strength and get ready. She was guessing I would be ready to push in about 30 minutes.

Well, at 12:10 p.m. I needed to push. Kathi came back in (she was charting me) and asked what it felt like. I can only describe it as earth moving! I could feel the babies head descending. It was time.

I started to push. I only had to push thru 5 sets (15 pushes total). It was wonderful. I could see the baby crowning, as they had brought me a mirror. And when the head was born, I felt it, as did Glenn. The wait was over. I was in tears (of joy).

The baby's head was born and all I could see was black hair and a blue face. Kathi said something to the nurse, and I started to scream "its blue!". I was terrified. The cord was tightly around the babies head. Kathi cut the cord, and I pushed the shoulders out. The baby was blue and not really moving from what I could see.

Kathi was able to get the baby to breathe a bit and handed him to me. Glenn told me we had a baby boy. I am tearing up at the thought of all of it. It is very over whelming. Stephen Michael was born! Kathi took him quickly to make sure he was indeed OK, and I started to worry that there was a problem. He hadn't cried yet, and that scared me. Glenn was called over to the warming table, and I entered the longest minute of my life. Everyone was gathered around Stephen, and I was alone. I heard them call for the resuscitation team, and I started to bawl. Kathi told me that he was fine, but I still couldn't hear him, or see him. Glenn told me that he heard him, but I was still waiting.

Finally my fears were put to rest and I heard a very faint cry. I think I will always remember that first cry, as it was truly the only sound in the world that mattered. I was given Stephen shortly there after and things were great!

Stephen actually made his entrance into the world at 12:35 p.m. on Friday, March 21. He weighed 5 pounds, 3.4 ounces and was 18 inches long. He had dark blue eyes and brown hair. His apgars were 3 (1 minute), 9 (5 minutes) and 9 (10 minutes). I think he is perfect, and beautiful, but, I am probably a bit one sided on these points.

I was able to nurse him in the delivery room. He latched on and had no problems once the positioning was right. He has a strong suck, and I have had very little pain and virtually no problems. It is a wonderful feeling.

I stayed in the LDR suite for about 2 hours, and then moved upstairs (via wheel chair) to a private room. They took Stephen for about 2 hours to run blood tests and clean him up. He is Blood type B+ and I am O+ (Glenn is also B+). His blood work was fine and he was in my room from then on. He was taken to the nursery 3 times a day for evaluations (weight etc.) But his pediatrician did the initial visit in the room.

We took Stephen home on Sunday, despite his ABO incompatibility jaundice. He has a nurse that visits every morning to take blood, etc. He has a bili-blanket and his BR count is down to a 14.2. Finally getting lower, so hopeful the light will be history soon!

Well, I think that is it. But the days are a bit of a blur. Stephen just came in, so he must be hungry. More later, hope you are all fine.

Susan

PS - Check out all his pictures on his web page.