The Story (a pg-rated photo tour) Part 1

So if you 1) have read any previous posts, or 2) talked to Kim in the past week, you already knew that we were overdue. Due date was July 14. After the due date comes, mom and baby go through a series of non-stress tests (apparently they can also be called stress tests, but I am highly skeptical of the idea that the exact same thing can be called by opposite names…) First (non) stress test was scheduled for Monday, July 21.

At the test, mom’s blood pressure was deemed high (see preeclampsia), so we were shipped off to the hospital for induction. Luckily, we were warned that this could happen, so bags were packed and loaded.

Kim was admitted (after an awkward delay, we must have gotten to the hospital ahead of the induction orders, which led to “So, why are you here again?” being asked multiple times…) and given dinner.

Kim was placed on medications that got her ready for contractions. If you want to know more about what “getting ready for contractions” means biologically, feel free to ask, but if I post it here I lose my pg rating. Those medications took all night to take complete effect. During the night we slept (a little), read, re-watched the pilot episode of The Office, and took walks.

The requirement to monitor baby’s heartbeat and mom’s contractions necessitated use of telemetry for walks. Basically, ‘telemetry’ is bridging the monitor sensors to the monitor equipment via a battery-powered wireless transmitter.

I mostly include this picture because we were apparently the first couple in the history of the hospital to carry around the telemetry equipment without the rolling IV stand. At the hospital, all it takes to be “that clever couple” is to hang a wireless transmitter around your neck. We like being “that clever couple”.

We thought we would have much of the following day to slowly progress through labor. We had family on both sides on hand to visit, play cards, and so on. Kim was feeling some pain, so we delayed the visiting long enough to get her some drugs. Once the drugs set in, I went out to send in Kim’s mom and sister. With the two of them on their way back to see Kim, my plan was to hang out with my folks and sister and Kim’s dad for 5-10 min.

About 30 seconds later, Kim’s sister comes running down the hall to tell me that I “might want to come back to the room, there’s a lot going on.” I went. To find a room full of doctors. And Kim in stirrups.

From left to right:

One of Kim’s feet (as much of her in this position as she will let me post), Dr. Esther Moy (I was told that no one remembers the name of the name of the doctor who delivers your baby. I took this as a challenge), Daniel the Med Student (I hope it is not condescending to call him Daniel the Med Student, because he was very nice and knowledgeable.)

More of the story when I have time (so if I understand this whole parenthood thing correctly, might mean never…)