So here’s a quick recap of what happened at the hospital, and some photographic evidence of said events.
2100h – Michelle’s water breaks. Patrick takes Cooper to Craig and Katie’s while Michelle changes her pants three times in fifteen minutes.
2200h – Arrival at the hospital. Quite busy, so we check-in and then park ourselves in the waiting room. Patrick attempts to distract Michelle from contractions with four month old celebrity magazine gossip. Does not work.
2300h – We get into an assessment room. Michelle is assessed at 3cm. Patrick calls parents and lets them know that baby is imminent, but that at a rate of around a centimetre of dilation an hour, plus pushing, baby likely won’t be here until breakfast time.
0000h – We attempt some walking. Does not last long. Michelle exchanges walking for lying on the bed grimacing in pain, and is much better at that. An epidural is requested.
0100h – Epidural still not here. That is all that matters.
0200h – A room and nurse are found, as well as an anesthesiologist. Epidural kicks in and labour is suddenly much more civilized. Michelle nows feels sheepish for requesting an epidural for what was likely only 2 or 3 more centimetres of dilation. Obstetrician comes in, assesses Michelle and is shocked to find that she blew through 7 centimetres of dilation in less than three hours. Michelle no longer feels sheepish.
0300h – After a half-hour rest implemented to try and prevent all the mothers in the delivery room from delivering at the same time, Michelle starts to push at about 0330h. Upon the third or fourth push, baby’s head is already visible. Nurse realizes that half-hour break did not accomplish objective. Obstetrician is delivering twins, so back up obstetrician is called in.
0400h – Obstetrician arrives and baby begins to emerge. Once baby’s head and shoulders are out, Michelle is asked if she wants to deliver the rest of the baby. Michelle gladly accepts, reaches down, and guides Isabelle the rest of the way out and on to her stomach at 0417h. Isabelle rocks two APGAR tests with scores of 9, and relaxes with mom and dad.
0500h – Patrick makes a number of phone calls.
0600h – The family moves upstairs to relax and enjoy some well-earned family time.
0700h to 1100h the next day – Lots of visitors, very little sleep and some great user instructions for our model of baby.
