At 6am on September 17th I woke up to pee, only to walk into the bathroom and find my bladder had a mind of its own. It seems my water had decided to break right then. You were on your way, and just like your parents, early to the party despite planning to arrive late.
That whole day seemed like some surreal dream. We weren't quite expecting you to arrive for at least another couple weeks, as you were due to arrive October 3rd! In retrospect, I think we were in shock and any of the stress or worry I may had built up if you had gone the whole 40 weeks
I had been diagnosed with a bacteria (GBS), quite normal for most women, and was told to go straight to the hospital once my waters had ruptured to start a penicillin drip.
We showered and packed the rest of our bags, called a cab and off we went to Mt. Sinai.
By 7:30am we were set up in triage, waiting.
As I hadn't yet experienced contractions, the roaming doctor needed to confirm whether we were actually in labour. I was 2cm dilated, and he agreed you were on your way. They hooked me up to the IV drip and the nurses attached sensors to listen to our vitals. It was so comforting to hear your healthy heart beating away, eager to make your way and find us!
The cramps rolled in and out. I breathed my way through them — distracting myself from the pain (thanks Hypnobirthing) with Vogue's September issue and some TV in a room marked private for expectant parents.
The delivery ward was very busy that day and like the contractions, the hours rolled by too. Every delivery room taken as we patiently waited for our own. Turns out we weren't made priority as I had decided not to scream my way through the pain. And I suppose forgotten, to some degree. At about 10:30pm we had had enough. The contractions were intensifying. We finally urged the nursing staff to find us a room. 15 minutes later we were settled in our delivery room, where I think my mind/body decided to jump into full labour.
I hadn't been checked since the very early morning when it was noted I was 2cm dilated. An oversight, I think. But our nurse promptly checked to understand the progress we had made. She exclaimed, "this is very interesting", which alarmed your daddy and I. She followed that up with a laugh and screamed "you may be a full 10cm!". My labouring was so quiet that she barely believed I was as far along. She brought in another nurse to confirm my progress. That nurse checked me again and also thought I was a full 10cm. Dr. Sherrif was then brought in to confirm where we were in our labouring — she was satisfied. Even if I had changed my mind about wanting the epidural there was no time! We were doing this! You were on your way. And fast!
With a bit of work, a few good pushes, you made your entrance into the world at 11:53pm after 18hrs of labour. All 6lbs, 3oz of you!
Daddy cut your umbilical cord just after a minute, as your cord was quite short and we didn't want to delay bringing you up to see us!!
Your cries were the most beautiful sound we had ever heard!! Your daddy and I both cried with joy at seeing you. You were gorgeous, healthy and alert! Your eyes opened and you saw your mama. We spoke to you gently, welcoming you. Your screams softened and stopped almost as soon as you heard our voices and settled into me. You knew who we were and knew you were safe with us!
You were home!! Completing our amazing family of 3!
How proud we are of you!! We love you so very much Keaton Jónas Kimmett!!!
