Helene Marie, Born Jan 23rd...

Continuing from the last post... that afternoon alone with Brixie Lee was in fact my last real alone time with Brixie Lee. We put her to bed that night (Jan 22nd) and I started have very strong, hard contractions. We called Melissa and Grandma over again (at least it was 9pm instead of midnight) for another round of "run to the hospital."

By the time we got to the hospital I was sure Helene was just about to pop! They took me in for my first exam and there was no change! They were considering sending me home, but my screaming made them change their mind. I labored in triage alone for 2 hours and was begging to get something for the pain (I'm a huge baby). I will say right now that I have an entirely new respect for any woman that has gone through natural child birth. WOW, that was crazy pain!

They finally admitted me at mid-night and we got our labor room. Between 10pm and mid-night I only dilated another 1/2cm (up to 3-1/3cm now). I couldn't believe it. I knew I would not be able to handle a long labor, so I told them I wanted an epidural. Unfortunately the hospital was very busy that night and the anesthesiologist would not get to me for another hour (so I was told). He finally showed up at 3am (3 hours later) and I got the relief I had been wanting so desperately. Our amazing nurse, Megan, examined me again and I was only 4-1/2cm (I wanted to cry). At least the pain was gone. Don was able to get some sleep and my exam at 4:30am showed I was still progressing slowly, only at 5-1/2cm. The nurse said we would probably not see a baby until 9am or so. Again, at least the pain was gone.

At 5:30am the nurse came in and asked me if I was pushing. I was very confused and told her no. I had started to feel something different, but I had no clue what it was. She asked me if I knew my water had broke and I told her no. Don was still asleep when she did the next exam and Megan said, "oh... there she is... it's time to push!" I couldn't believe it. In one hour I went from 5-1/2cm to fully dilated (10cm) and Helene was ready to pop! I called Don over (he was still half-asleep) and he was completely shocked at what he saw... me in the pushing position, telling him to grab a leg. It was just the three of us in there and the look on Don's face was priceless when he realized just how hands-on he was going to have to be.

Being the perfect husband that he is, he shook off his shock and started helping me get into position to push. We pushed on every other contraction and about about 15 pushes (15 minutes) and then Megan said it was time to get the doc! Unfortunately the doc covering for my doc that night was in surgery, so we had to wait there for 20 minutes. That was a shock! The doc got there at 6:35am, said, "yes, it's time to push." He got into position and 1 push later Helene, as Don says, "popped" into the docs arms.

Helene Marie was born at 6:36am, weighed 6lb 4oz, and 17-3/4" long. She was beautiful! I know every mother says that, but now I know why!
Our first 24 hours with Helene was a bit of a haze because we hadn't slept in 2 days. By Saturday afternoon we started making some calls and letting people know what had happened. Sorry if we missed anyone, I'm still not sleeping, but things are getting much better. I wanted to get this story out there for everyone to enjoy and before I started to forget.

Hugs to you all,

The New Mathewson Family!!!!