Happy Almost Birthday

One year ago today I was sent to he hospital. I had, what was to be my last, appointment with my doctor when she informed me that I was having contractions (I know, please don’t hate me, I thought they were Braxton Hicks) and because my blood pressure was a bit elevated that I was to go directly to the hospital. I remember it very clearly. I was elated!

It was noon and I went out to the car to call my husband to pick me up because we were going to have a baby today. I then called my mother-in-law, as she was the only family member home at the time and told her that I was on my way to the hospital. Now she didn’t quite believe me at first, because it was a running joke that whenever we spoke she would ask if I was on my way to the hospital and I would always answer yes. So when I finally convinced her that it was true this time, she just about jumped through the phone.  Lastly I called a friend of mine who worked at the hospital to let her know that I might be around during her shift that evening and she was also excited. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! I was finally going to meet the person who had been growing inside me for 8 1/2 months, my baby, our baby.

We arrived at the hospital and I was calm, Chris was calm. The night before I realized that I hadn’t yet packed my bag and did so. I also realized that Chris didn’t have a comprehensive list of people and their phone numbers/emails, so I created it, printed it and carefully put it on his desk so he would see it. So the list was made and the bag was already in the car. I knew about the nesting thing, but I had no idea about he premonition thing! So, we walked down the lobby of the hospital prepared, at least I thought I was prepared…

What I wasn’t prepared for was sitting in the maternity room waiting for a nurse who never came. Finally being admitted into the room and being hooked up to machines and being told I can’t move, oh and by the way you need to lay on this side please, nothing is wrong, we just want your pressure to go down and the baby to be comfortable. Never mind that I wasn’t comfortable! I was so looking forward to using the big ball to roll around on during labor too.

I also wasn’t prepared for not getting dinner and then being told that I wasn’t progressing fast enough and since I wouldn’t have the baby until 2 am at this rate they wanted to slow down the petocin so I could get a good night sleep. That meant I wouldn’t be having the baby until tomorrow. I was crushed, devastated. I wanted to have my baby now, right now, I was ready! But it was not to be, at least not for one more day.

One year ago today, Aiden was not born. It was so frustrating at the time because we didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl and the hopes of finding out had to wait an extra day. My uterus was ready because it contracted all night long though, one year ago today.

Today I look into the eyes of my not quite one-year-old son and remember all those thoughts and feelings. He has no idea why mommy keeps looking at him, hugging him and kissing him with so much love behind each one. He has no idea how hard it was to wait one more day to have him in my life.

Happy Almost Birthday Aiden.

4 comments May 18th, 2006