Our little man.
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:14 PM
“You’re ready. 10 centimeters, complete, and +1. Let’s start with two test pushes. Dad, you need to grab a leg.”
~~~
Monday, April 12th, 12:55 PM
“Well you’re only about a centimeter dilated. Kaiser will only let you go 2 weeks past due. We can talk about scheduling induction now or we can wait for a week.” Our doctor adds that she will not be around next week because her sister is getting married.
“Might as well do it now,” Melissa says. “What days do you have available?”
“We can do it, April 20th, at 5:30 PM.”
“Ok, that sounds fine,” Melissa says.
I’m disappointed by this development. Everything else in my life is so planned out; I was really looking forward to the labor spontaneity.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:25 PM
“Things are looking good. I’m going to get the delivery cart ready.”
“We’re going to have a baby!” I’m just a little excited.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 6:27 AM
“I’m feeling kind of crampy this morning,” Melissa says.
“Different than the last few days?” I ask?
“I’m not sure. Do contraction pains start in the back and move forward?”
There’s only one thing to do in this situation… Google it. WebMD says Melissa is having real labor, not more Braxton Hicks. Time to start calculating the contractions, luckily there’s an App for that.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:30
“We’re pushing. Baby will be here soon!!!” That’s the text I sent to Melissa’s mom, who is my contact to huge group in the waiting room.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 8:30 AM
“Dulce, are you ready to make the drive?” I ask.
“Oh, oh, oh. Uh… I need to get dressed. Get in the car, uh, uh, uh.” Grandma maybe hyperventilating.
I call Melissa’s brother. His excitement seems to disturb his office. “SHUT UP,” he says. “I’M ABOUT TO BE AN UNCLE!”
My mom is in Modesto. She has to drive an hour back home to get my dad. My brother is asleep and doesn’t answer his phone. No surprise.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:35 PM
“Pushing lasts between a half-hour to 3 hours for most women.”
“I’m shooting for a half-hour,” Melissa looks determined.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 10:15 AM
“In a perfect world, I’ll examine you and we’ll say your staying. You’ll be uncomfortable for a few hours, get an epidural, then be happy for 3 or 4 hours, then it will be time to push.” This is the doctors projected schedule.
We’ve been in the triage room for about an hour already, feels like about 10 hours. The drive to the hospital was less hectic than expected.
The doctor also puts the “Vegas Line” on the baby weight at 7 lbs., 13 ounces. That sparks a series of over/under bets. The “unders” won.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:45 PM
“You’re a really good pusher. Justin, do you want to see the head?”
“Um, no.” A decision I would reverse shortly.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:30 AM
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:30 AM
“The baby’s heart rate is really dropping,” Nurse Christie says. “We need to figure out what’s going on.”
This would happen for the next 12 hours. Almost like clockwork, every hour on the hour, the baby’s heart rate would plummet for a minute and then go right back up. This would keep the doctors, nurses, and expecting parents on their toes for the rest of the day. Each time it dropped, more people would come into the room.
Eventually, they would hook him up to an electrode to get a better read on his heart rate. Luckily, the first time this happened was the scariest moment of the entire birthing process.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 11:50 PM
“You have amazing control of your legs. That was a really good epidural.”
All I can do is agree. Melissa seems to be in no pain, but is still in complete control. She’s amazing.
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 3 PM
“Can you go tell them I’m ready for an epidural?” Nine hours of contractions was enough. The last few have been really strong.
Minutes later, an older gentleman comes in to administer the wonder drug. I’m in panic mode. Melissa and I have agreed that her mom would come in and take care of her while the giant needle went in her back. Problem is, her mom’s not here yet.
I guess I have no choice.
“I can just stand,” I say as they scramble to find me a seat.
“No you can’t. It’s not allowed. Too many dads pass out. Most of them are firefighters and police officers.”
“Good thing I’m a television news producer.” I don’t pass out. I don’t look either.
~~~
Thursday, April 15, 12:15 AM
Thursday, April 15, 12:15 AM
“You’re doing amazing Meli,” I say as she digs deep to push for a fourth time during a particularly long contraction.
“The head is just about out.”
~~~
Wednesday, April 14, 3:30 PM
Wednesday, April 14, 3:30 PM
“There’s meconium in the womb. That is a little worrisome because if he comes out and takes a deep breath, he’s going to inhale it all.”
Not exactly the news expectant parents want to hear. This probably means mom won’t get to hold him right away. It also increases the chances of a C-Section if they can’t get him out soon.
Just something else to worry about.
~~~
Thursday, April 15th, 12:28 AM
“One more push. Here he comes. No don’t swallow little guy! We need to suck that stuff out of his lungs. Dad, if you want to cut the cord, you need to act quick.”
The little man comes out screaming… and pooping. Even in shocked panic, I know that’s funny.
I cut the cord, and they rush him to the warming table. An older British woman starts clearing his lungs. I’m in awe. I can’t do anything but stand there and look at him.
“Justin! Get the camera!” Melissa brings me out of my trance.
“Oh yeah, the camera!” I spent $800 on it, better use it. I also take a second to text… “It’s a boy!!!”
~~~
Wednesday, April 14th, 4:30 PM
“So you’re still not going to tell us the name?” My mom asks. Probably the 12th time she’s asked today.
Everyone is in the delivery room visiting Melissa. After the epidural she feels great.
“They’ve been trying to get me to tell all day. Even offered me money,” I say.
“Oh yeah? How much?” Melissa asks.
“Not enough.”
~~~
Thursday, April 15th, 12:58 AM
“Dominic, meet your family. Family meet Dominic Ryan Chechourka.”
“I love the name,” I don’t know who said it… because I’m holding my baby boy for the first time, so I’m a little distracted.
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