Dylan's Birth Story

Dylan's Birth Story

You arrived right on schedule... on your due date, Saturday April 12th.

That past Monday, your perinatal doctor had told us that you were full term and to expect a 7 lbs. 4 oz baby. On Wednesday, my OB doctor told me that I was 90% effaced and at 3 centimeters. Your dad was so excited when I called him at work to share the news. After my appointment with my doctor, I came back to work that afternoon and all of my co-workers, friends and family were so happy - we have all been waiting for signs for you to arrive for so long. My boss told me that if I felt more comfortable working from home, I should go ahead and do so. Not going to lie, I was very concerned that my water would break at the office and it would be a “clean up on aisle 5” type scenario. Wednesday afternoon would be my last time at work for quite awhile.

By that Friday, I was showing many labor signs and I knew we were close to meeting you. On Friday night, your dad and I relaxed, watched "The Internship" (a funny movie with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson) and just anxiously awaited a series of contractions within 5 minutes of each other that would signal that it was time to drive to the hospital.

I didn't really know what a contraction felt like. Everyone from the doctors to my friends had assured me that I would know when I was having a contraction due to the intense pain. When I woke up at 6:02 AM on Saturday morning, I felt something but was still unsure that I was having a contraction so I went back to sleep. At 6:24 AM, I woke up again with the same feeling. It had to be a contraction so I woke your dad up and told him that I thought we should go to the hospital to get checked out. Even if they made us sit in the parking lot until the contractions became more regular, I knew you were coming today.

We weren't really in a rush to get to the hospital. I took a shower. Your dad paid bills. Around 7:30AM, we made our way down Greenville Avenue to the hospital. We got checked in at the front desk and were sent to Triage. The triage nurse checked for progress and was astounded to report that I was dilated to 6 cm (active labor starting at 5 cm). Where most women are asking for pain medication, your mama and dad were joking around and all smiles. When they took us to a labor and delivery room (#7 - mom's lucky number), your mom walked. The nurses were all amazed. Your delivering doctor would be mom's OBGYN. It all seemed all of the pieces were falling into place.

We were one of two couples in active labor. The first couple was at 3 cm. Since our labor was further ahead, the anesthesiologist went ahead and gave me an epidural for fear that the labor would progress much faster. While your dad had to step out of the room, the doctor and nurse helped me get the medication. The doctor was a big longhorn fan. The nurse was an Aggie fan. They were both amazed that your dad and I had such a great relationship given the rivalry of our colleges. Once the epidural took, your dad came back into the room and the waiting game began.

The labor progressed like text book. Every couple of hours, mom's doctor would check and I would be dilated more and more. Your dad turned on the Masters golf tournament. Jordan Spieth (20 year old Dallas native and Longhorn) was closing in on the lead to Bubba Watson. Everything was very relaxed. Your mom was in no pain. Your Gigi came in around 2pm. We have no idea how she was able to sneak around the nurse station but she found us. All three of us were so excited that things seemed to be going so well.

Around 9pm, I was dilated to 10 cm and it was time to push. A different nurse than the one from this morning and your dad helped your mom through the process. After 2 hours, the doctor came in and told us that you were "sunny side up" (meaning you were facing up instead of face down) and that she didn't think you would fit; therefore she recommended a C-Section.

I was devastated. I had always imagined you coming into the world through the natural process. After quick discussion, we felt it was best to go the C-Section route to get you here as quick and as safe as possible. We gave the doctor the okay for surgery. Your dad was provided scrubs. The atmosphere went from very casual to more intense. The anesthesiologist from that morning came back in with another anesthesiologist and they proceeded to give me very strong medication so that I wouldn't feel the procedure. They wheeled mom into the operating room (#3). mom's doctor was there with a team. After about 20 minutes (which felt like an eternity), your dad was allowed to come in to support your mom. There was a curtain so we couldn't see the procedure. At 11:45 PM, we heard the doctor say "oh there you are." Soon afterwards, we heard cries. Your dad and I were in tears. We were so happy that you were finally here. Your dad noticed that the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams was playing. We thought it was so fitting considering what happiness you had already brought to us.

We got the surprise of our lives when the doctors weighed you. You were a BIG BOY - 8 lbs. 12 oz. No wonder you didn't fit! But most importantly, you were healthy (Apgar score of 8 / 9). Your dad went behind the curtain to take pictures. The doctor told him that he seemed very curious about the process and wanted to show him your mom's insides – which he saw. I joke that your dad has seen more of me that I will ever will. Or want to see for that matter.

He finally got to hold you after the nurses were done cleaning you up. He took you back behind the curtain so that I could see you. We took pictures of our new family. The whole situation was so surreal and emotional. Afterwards, your dad gave you to me so that I could hold you as the nurses wheeled me back to Labor and Delivery room #7. For the next few hours, I was in recovery and observation. At around 3 AM, we were wheeled up to our room for the next few days (Perot #514). A nurse was there to help us change beds and get us comfortable. She spent a great amount of time talking about the TV channels and logistics of the bed and room. Your dad and I were so tired and hungry. Unfortunately the kitchen was closed and your mom was put on a liquid diet, so we would have to wait until the next day to get breakfast. However, this was so small of a concern compared to the new addition in our lives.

We are so happy you were born Dylan. You complete our family.