Marley's Story

Before both babies wake up from nap time, I need to get down on paper, or blog, Marley's birth story.  I like to go back and read them from time to time, and since we are going on 3 weeks, I need to write this out so I don't forget.  I put up some pictures for those of you who don't want to read ahead, since it is more of a journal entry, a very LONG journal entry, it may be boring to most.  You have been warned.

Because Beckham was born so fast, I was certain that I was going to plan better and make it to the hospital this time for the drugs.  I had talked to my doctor throughout the pregnancy and told her that I deliver fast and that I wanted to give myself plenty of time at the hospital.  She told me to go at the first sign of contractions.  Well, the morning of the 22nd, I had a regular check up, and was dialated to 4.  She said the baby was in a good position and that she would probably be coming this weekend (this was on a thursday).  We left the drs. at 11 am and drove to Nate's office to pick him up for lunch.  I was haveing contractions on and off, but nothing regular that I could time.  We had some killer food at our favorite El Tarasco and I ate lots of salsa and drank 1 to many diet cokes.  Contractions still off and on, but they almost felt like poo cramps, so I wasn't to concerned. Sorry about the poo reference.  We took Nate back to work and I had Beckham down for his nap at noon.  I got in bed for my nap, and felt rather uncomfortable with all these off and on stomach cramps.  I called my mom, and said I wasn't sure if this was it or not, and she asked me if I felt in my heart that this was the real thing.  I hung up, knelt down, and said a prayer that I would know if I should go the the hospital.  It was a yes, so I called Nate and told him to come home, then I started calling all of the baby sitters we had lined up to come watch Beckham.  Nobody was home.  I called Nate's mom and asked if she could come right away and she said yes.  She lives 45 min. away though.  In the mean time, I threw bags together for us, and I'm feeling like the baby is coming any min.  Nate got home and I told him I had to go right away and that he should stay with Beckham and I would drive myself to the hospital.  Than I had another contraction and realized I was an idiot, so we grabbed Beckham and hopped in the car, and told Nate's mom to go straight to the hospital to meet us.  I love the frantic trip on the 405 in traffic while I'm in labor.  It brought back some memories from Beck's birth.  Anyway, I'm trying to just breath and keep my legs closed and praying with all my might that the baby waits till we get to the hospital.  Nate is trying to stay composed while going 90 mph, and get around the stupid people that are in our way.  At this point, everyone is in our way.  15 min later we pull up to the front door, and I jump out of the car and run, or waddle briskly holding my pillow and insurance card, through the front doors, to the elevator, down the hall, and around the corner to Labor and Delivery.  Only, the doors are locked.  Nice.  Turns out they installed a fancy intercom system so someone has to buzz you in.  After I figure this out, I push the button and yell, "I'm having a baby," and they very promptly opened the doors, where I then preceded to run down another hallway, where I was met by some lovely nurses.  I handed them my insurance card and ID and said that I had babies very fast and that I wanted drugs.  They got me in a room and I ripped my clothes off and threw the gown on and plopped myself down on the table.  The doctor came in and checked and I was a 5.  My hope was restored, I would get the drugs.  They went ahead and took me to the delivery room and hooked me up to the I.V and asked me all sorts of questions.  The contractions were to the point that I couldn't talk through them and I told them to check me again because I could tell the baby was coming soon.  They kind of looked at me like "calm down, we've done this before."  The doctor told me she would know before the baby comes because she could see the heart rate drop on the monitor.  Still no drugs.  Nate and Beckham found me and came in and turned on some cartoons for the boy.  It didn't work of course.  He wanted to run and touch all the cool machines.  After 2 or 3 min.  I felt I needed to push, I knew what was happening because I could gage the pain and feelings from Beckham's birth.  Nate's mom had come, and the doctor said I was only a 7 so Nate took Beckham and went to help his mom get the car seat and stuff in her car.  He said he'd be back in 15 min.  I told him that was to long, but he said he'd hurry.  Well, he left and it was just one nurse in the room.  I told her I was going to break my water and could somebody come help me.  I pushed once to break my water, and that got her attention, so the doctor came in and I told her I'm having the baby now and that I was going to push.  She told me that I could try and kept watching the monitor.  They didn't even have the stirrups up on the bed yet, so I squatted and screamed a few times and pushed like crazy and after 3 pr 4 pushes, her head popped out and then everybody believed me that I was having a baby.  I remember as I was wanting to die, asking the doctor for some help, like trying to help pull the head out and she said, "that's your job."  Nice words of comfort.  Anyway.  The sweet blissful euphoric feeling that comes as soon and that huge head pops out was just like I remembered it being with Beckham.  At 3:04 p.m.  I gave a little hallelujah shout out and asked if it was a girl.  Yes indeed.  So, as I was holding my beautiful screaming baby girl and feeling absolutely fabulous, I hear some commotion in the hallway as Nate comes running in the room with the most confused look on his face.  The nurses were saying "where were you, you missed it."  I smile and tell him to call his mom and get her back up to the room, and get out the camera.  

It was truly a wonderful experience.  I didn't get my drugs like I wanted, and the pain was as bad as I remembered, but I knew what was coming this time, and how long it would last etc. so after the fact, I was grateful for how things turned out.  It was really a peaceful delivery since it was just me and the doctor in the room, the windows were open and the sunlight was streaming in, and aside from my few screams, it was rather quiet.  I wish Nate had been able to see his little girl born, but now we have a funny story to go back and tell.  Nate called me a freak of nature and took some pictures.  Anne brought Beckham in the room and he got to see Marley before Anne took him to her house for a few days.  So, we were at the hospital for 50 min total before Marley was born.  It was 45 with Beckham.  We had a nice night in the hospital and left the next evening and spent a few days with just the 3 of us.  Anne and Darrell brought Beckham back up a few days later.  I missed him so much while he was gone.  After visits from my Mom, sister and brother to help us out, we are settling into life as a family of 4.  It is crazy at times, but I absolutely love it.