AvecLion
October 11th, 2006, 02:58 AM
Wow. I don’t even know where to begin.
Well, Swan and Soldier checked into the hospital Monday afternoon at 4 to be induced. J and I got there about an hour later (each of us took the night off of work) – this is not only our granddaughter but also our goddaughter. We figured early am, 9 or 10 at the latest, and it would be over.
WRONG!
Swan hadn't dilated and she was 5 days post term. She walked. She bounced. She rocked, she did EVERYTHING the nurses suggested to move things along. She was given an insert to soften the cervix. The meds made her nauseous. She tried to rest, so did he. And when she’d whimper or shift position, he’d start to wake up. The doctor woke her to check her after 12 hours – slightly softened, no dilation. Round 2 - same as the first round. At 2, her water broke. Cervix finally softened, barely dilated. Decision was made to induce her at this point. Almost 5 hours later (and minimal additional dilation), she got her epidural. She asked everyone but me and her husband to leave at that point. Soldier and I held her in place and comforted her while the procedure was done. Even with the epidural, she was still feeling intense pain and within a half hour mentioned she wanted to push. I had a feeling, so I went the nurses. They checked her , almost there. In the time it took the doctor to arrive (about 10 min). she fully dilated at last.
Now when the doctor had checked Swan throughout her stay, she wanted me there but asked me to stay behind the curtain. Everyone else (but Soldier) was asked to leave the room. They had both asked me to be there when Anna arrived, but my daughter is very modest. I wasn't going to cross any of her personal boundaries - not a problem at all. Her pregnancy, her rules. I asked her what she wanted, she wanted me and Soldier with her, all other family out.
It was 8:05 pm, Swan was holding my hand and giving a trial push. She asked if I would hold her leg up as well. So keeping my word not to look at THAT, I watched her face and reassured her. She told me it was OK to look. So I did. It was the best gift she ever gave me.
For the next 15 or so minutes, I watched my granddaughter come in to the world. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I’m honestly still overwhelmed by it all. I may have had 5 of my own, but I couldn’t see them while they were being born (obstructed view. But I saw Anna’s head come out – I saw her open her eyes as soon as her nose cleared her mom - And as soon as that little butt came out, I looked back at my daughter and said, “Honey, you’re a mom”. Swan was almost in shock…until she heard that little wail – then she laughed and giggled. I watched tough man Soldier break down in tears as Daddy held his little girl for the first time.
And there was more. I didn’t just watch Anna’s birth, I watched my Swan take flight. She isn’t my little girl anymore. For the first time, I saw her as the woman she really is. The child who got hysterical at a booster shot gave birth to her first child like she’d been doing it her whole life, complications, frustrations and all. No screams, no cussing, a few grunts while pushing, a moan toward the end. She handled it better than anyone else I know of – including me. I saw how tender the Soldier really is – not just with Anna, but also with Swan. I am so proud of how Swan handled herself, of how they interact – and not to mention the gorgeous new inquisitive addition to our family. Anna was alert right up until we left at 11:00 pm. She knows her mom’s voice – she’d hear Swan and turn toward her.
I am now at work. It’s been 45 hours since I got any sleep, and 7 more before I will. Tears keep welling up – not from being overtired, but just from the whole experience. Honestly, it started out nerve-wracking, but ended up being the most amazing time of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I’ll always be grateful to Soldier and Swan for the memories.
For those who keep stats: born 10/10/06 at 8:25 pm (eastern), 7 lbs, 9.3 oz, 20 inches - and blond hair (for the time being). ;)
Introducing Anna Marie Dorothy (AnnaDot):
Well, Swan and Soldier checked into the hospital Monday afternoon at 4 to be induced. J and I got there about an hour later (each of us took the night off of work) – this is not only our granddaughter but also our goddaughter. We figured early am, 9 or 10 at the latest, and it would be over.
WRONG!
Swan hadn't dilated and she was 5 days post term. She walked. She bounced. She rocked, she did EVERYTHING the nurses suggested to move things along. She was given an insert to soften the cervix. The meds made her nauseous. She tried to rest, so did he. And when she’d whimper or shift position, he’d start to wake up. The doctor woke her to check her after 12 hours – slightly softened, no dilation. Round 2 - same as the first round. At 2, her water broke. Cervix finally softened, barely dilated. Decision was made to induce her at this point. Almost 5 hours later (and minimal additional dilation), she got her epidural. She asked everyone but me and her husband to leave at that point. Soldier and I held her in place and comforted her while the procedure was done. Even with the epidural, she was still feeling intense pain and within a half hour mentioned she wanted to push. I had a feeling, so I went the nurses. They checked her , almost there. In the time it took the doctor to arrive (about 10 min). she fully dilated at last.
Now when the doctor had checked Swan throughout her stay, she wanted me there but asked me to stay behind the curtain. Everyone else (but Soldier) was asked to leave the room. They had both asked me to be there when Anna arrived, but my daughter is very modest. I wasn't going to cross any of her personal boundaries - not a problem at all. Her pregnancy, her rules. I asked her what she wanted, she wanted me and Soldier with her, all other family out.
It was 8:05 pm, Swan was holding my hand and giving a trial push. She asked if I would hold her leg up as well. So keeping my word not to look at THAT, I watched her face and reassured her. She told me it was OK to look. So I did. It was the best gift she ever gave me.
For the next 15 or so minutes, I watched my granddaughter come in to the world. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I’m honestly still overwhelmed by it all. I may have had 5 of my own, but I couldn’t see them while they were being born (obstructed view. But I saw Anna’s head come out – I saw her open her eyes as soon as her nose cleared her mom - And as soon as that little butt came out, I looked back at my daughter and said, “Honey, you’re a mom”. Swan was almost in shock…until she heard that little wail – then she laughed and giggled. I watched tough man Soldier break down in tears as Daddy held his little girl for the first time.
And there was more. I didn’t just watch Anna’s birth, I watched my Swan take flight. She isn’t my little girl anymore. For the first time, I saw her as the woman she really is. The child who got hysterical at a booster shot gave birth to her first child like she’d been doing it her whole life, complications, frustrations and all. No screams, no cussing, a few grunts while pushing, a moan toward the end. She handled it better than anyone else I know of – including me. I saw how tender the Soldier really is – not just with Anna, but also with Swan. I am so proud of how Swan handled herself, of how they interact – and not to mention the gorgeous new inquisitive addition to our family. Anna was alert right up until we left at 11:00 pm. She knows her mom’s voice – she’d hear Swan and turn toward her.
I am now at work. It’s been 45 hours since I got any sleep, and 7 more before I will. Tears keep welling up – not from being overtired, but just from the whole experience. Honestly, it started out nerve-wracking, but ended up being the most amazing time of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I’ll always be grateful to Soldier and Swan for the memories.
For those who keep stats: born 10/10/06 at 8:25 pm (eastern), 7 lbs, 9.3 oz, 20 inches - and blond hair (for the time being). ;)
Introducing Anna Marie Dorothy (AnnaDot):