Leading Up To...

Let me just disclaim now that I'm going to tell the whole story in detail, mainly because we are half a world away and there are lot's of grandparents, aunties and friends who would be getting the scoop in person if only that were possible. I am going to include more than I normally ever would both in writing and a pic or two because in this situation it is the easiest way. Every good story must have a disclaimer right?

Saturday night I was feeling pretty down and wondering how I could possibly go to church and face everyones pity filled looks and condolences/advice on how to kick start things. I was determined to go but not looking forward to it. Then at 12:30am Kohen comes up the stairs in the middle of an attack of the Croup. If I hadn't had an inhaler we would have been heading to the hospital as he was turning red and his lips were blue. After the episode and everything settled back down it hit me- someone had to stay home with our sick son, I selflessly volunteered.

Sunday I spent snuggled up with Kohen watching a movie. I thought the pic was cute, proof we are being influenced in Asia where everyone wears masks all of the time when sick. He showed up with his favorite stuffed seal wearing a mask made from his pirate eye patch. Clever boy. Sunday ended as labor-less as every other day.

Monday morning I woke with a start at 6 am to my water breaking. YES!!!!!!!! I was SO happy, proof positive I wasn't going to be pregnant forever! I jumped in the shower, humming to myself and cheery as could be. It wasn't long before I realized that though my water had broken there weren't any contractions suddenly happening... We took our time (6 hours) getting things gathered and kids ready -school was off Monday and Tuesday so we arranged a babysitter and dropped them off on our way to the hospital. That's where the weirdness began.

We arrived at what would be likened to what we call Triage in the states. Through hand gestures and simple English we tried to explain that the Dr. had told us to come in cuz my water had broken. Watching Nathan try to gesture 'water breaking'? priceless. The biggest difference was when they went to do a pelvic exam they whip out the Iodine and use it liberally. I experienced more Iodine on Monday than I have in my entire life, they were very generous with it each time. I was at 3cm, 30% effaced and the baby was a -3 station. Nothing impressive. No surprises.

We were shown to the one and only Labor and Delivery room and they left us alone to change. We both freaked out at first thinking the red on the chest of the gown was blood but thankfully it was just some symbol. Then we were just looking around and busting up in a kind of laugh or cry type of deal, at what a crazy situation we were in. Who woulda thought we'd be in a grimey Asian hospital having a baby?! If you dare you can enlarge the pics. PS.- I was still wearing shorts with the shot of me in the gown so I'm not quite as indecent as I may appear. No excuse for the pasty legs though.
Next the nurses came in ready to give me an IV with fluids, a shave and an enigma. I smiled and pointed to each thing and said "No. No. And No." They had the hardest time figuring out why I only wanted the IV line put in with a lock- I think it truly blew their mind that I wasn't getting an Epidural. They were nice about it all though.

Eventually Nathan went out and asked the nurses if we could go walk now as contractions weren't happening and the Dr. had already told me we could- there was a bit of an uproar from them with the best line being, "No! She's at a 3, the baby might come out!" Nathan insisted they call Dr.E and of course he confirmed it was fine. Then Nathan pushed his luck by joking that we wouldn't go too far, "just to the 101" -the skyscraper about a 20 min. drive away. There were shouts of "NO!" and "That's too far!" before he could explain to them he was joking.
So we went walking and I'd have contractions but I could walk and talk through them and when I stopped walking they nearly stopped as well. At 3pm Anna, the Doula showed up and we went walking laps again and this is when active labor finally started. It was weird though, they were never that consistent of contractions. Some would be extremely strong and I'd have to stop and breathe through, then the next one wouldn't be quite so bad. I was convinced I wasn't getting anywhere. When we stopped for a potty break Anna realized she had forgotten to tell us it is pretty much B.Y.O.E.- Bring Your Own Everything. You get a little TP and that's it. No paper towels for drying hands, no tissue, no disposable underwear etc. So she ran down to the little outdoor market that sells all the stuff that you'd need at the hospital and stocked up.

When she returned I was checked and making progress so we walked some more and by the time we went back to the room it wasn't long at all before I started transitioning and before I knew it there was the usual flurry of nurses (I always wonder, why the flurry? It's not like it's a surprise what we are there to do) and everyone was preparing for Ander's arrival.