Where Do I Begin?

As I sit here in my hospital room and ponder this posting, I ask myself, "Where do I begin?" The last three days have been a complete whirlwind of experiences and emotions. I guess it's easier to give you guys the chronological events first.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

This day seems like eons away now! It started out pretty calm actually. James and I woke up, had breakfast, watched the UT basketball game, ran some errands, took a nap (which would come in handy later), and just enjoyed a normal Saturday. James's mom, Doris, was due into Houston later in the day.

I started to have some contractions in the early evening, but they were sporadic. I did tell James that maybe I should eat something in case I had to go to the hospital. So, what did I eat? A hot dog. Nice, huh? Doris arrived around 7pm; and then they went to pick up dinner. As I ate that, I experienced some more contractions. Then, we were watching the Memphis-Tennessee basketball game; and the contractions became more regular and more intense. I started having James time them. And around 10pm, I called Dr. Samuels to tell her that I had 7 contractions in the last hour. She said she had been waiting for my call since my last appointment and to come on into the hospital.
So, we drive to the hospital where I get checked into my room. Things are going fine. I am still 4 cm dilated, but now 90% effaced. I can't believe I am finally in labor!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Around 2am, Dr. Samuels breaks my water. Contractions are becoming more intense. I was trying to do this naturally, but I couldn't. It was getting too hard. So, I got my epidural, my new best friend. They put me on the pitocin to help the dilations. Jayda, my Labor & Delivery nurse, informed us that the baby's heartbeat was slowing down after every contraction and that they would need to monitor this more. After a while, she said that things hadn't improved and Dr. Samuels wanted me off the pitocin. By this time, I was at 8 cm. Not too bad, right?

Well, 2 hours later at 4:30am, I am still at 8 cm. Dr. Samuels decided it would be best to do a C section or else I might never deliver. I just look at James and he just looks at me. We are thinking the same thing. Both of us had hoped to avoid a C section. But I trusted Dr. Samuels and knew she was doing what was best for me and the baby.

So, suddenly, the room is abuzz with nurses. They move me to the operating room. They made James wait for 15 mins in the waiting room while they prepped me. He said it was the longest 15 mins in his life. For me, it felt like seconds. Everyone was moving so quickly in the operating room. I was on the table with the oxygen mask. The IV was giving me the most terrible shakes.

James is finally escorted into the room; and he holds me the entire time. I tried to remain calm and tried miserably to keep from shaking. I am just trying to listen to what everyone is saying and for my baby's first cry. I knew things would be okay if I could just hear him cry. Finally, it comes...my baby's first wail. I have never been so happy to hear a baby cry in my life. It was the most amazing noise. Dr. Samuels says that everything looks good and then they take him to go cleaned up and weighed and whatever else they do. They take James away while I am left to get closed back up. No fair. I just want to see him and hold him.

After what seems an eternity, Bart, a nurse (who also was kind enough to take the pictures in the operating room for us) brings my baby to me and lays him on my chest. His eyes are open; and they are directly looking into mine. You see in the movies and you read in the books about immediate bonding. But to feel it happen was just so amazing. This was our baby. He was finally here and he was safe. I just held him and looked into his eyes. He was just so quiet just looking at me. Then, James is next to me and kisses me. We are a family.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. Dr. Samuels told us that it was a good thing that we did the C section because not only was the baby facing anterior, but also the umbilical cord was loosely wrapped around his neck. She believes this may have been the reason that I wasn't dilating faster. I am just glad that we are all safe and sound.

After surgery, I am supposed to be in the recovery room for an hour and the baby will be in "transition" for 4 hours to make sure everything is okay. I must have been in that room for almost 3 hours because of the shift change at the hospital. James stays with me most of the time. He tells me that my parents have been here since 5am and are waiting with his mom.

I was starting to wonder if the baby was going to beat us to the room. But I am finally taken to my recovery room right before 9am. The nurse brings the baby in and I can't believe he is finally here. We all of course take turns holding him. Doris then asks what we have named him. James and I had a few names that had made the final cut. But we decided on Andrew James Pham Lenz.

My parents head home and drop off Doris so she can get some rest too. The rest of the day is a blur just spending time with Andrew. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff are in and out of my room. James and I try to get some much needed rest as well. Andrew gets to spend most of the day with us. We love watching him and holding him. We are still in awe that we have a son. What a truly amazing day this has been!

Andrew weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz and measure 19 3/4 in long.

Here are some pictures from Andrew's first day: (1) Our First Family Photo; (2) Baby Andrew; (3) Proud Dad and Son; (4) Nonna and Ba Ngoai (Vietnamese for maternal grandmother and pronounced like the word "why") with Andrew; and (5) Papa holds Andrew for the first time.