This was written by my best friend Karen.

She showed up at the hospital at 5:00 p.m. on the first day of labour. I was induced at 9:00 a.m. that day. She kept an account of my contractions, how long they were and at what time they happened as well as some of the comments and goings on of the two days. It was one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me. It truly was a labour of love. If any of you ever have a friend as good as Karen, you are truly blessed.

Here it is- I hope the format survives- if not, you can still make it out.

******

July 24, 2006  Paula was induced with gel beginning @ 9:00 a.m, had hard labour for at least 4 hours.

I came to the hospital at 5pm.  Paula was having some mild contractions, but nothing like earlier in the day…..a bit of a reprieve.  Had some bites of dinner and the Blue Jays were playing the Mariners on the television.  Contractions were about 6 minutes apart on the average….moderate severity.  Started keeping records of contractions:  (and other miscellaneous notes)

 

duration                 time          comments

1:00                     9:25pm            diolated to 2cm

1:40                     9:35pm

  :45                     9:38pm

1:00                     9:42pm

  :30                     9:51pm       

  :45                     9:58pm

  :50                    10:08pm       

  :50                    10:15pm        

  :50                    10:20pm        sleeping now

  :50                    10:25pm               

1:35                    10:30pm        strong one

  :55                    10:35pm   

1:05                    10:40pm       

  :45                     10:45pm         milder/doctor here

  :45                     10:54pm          2.5 cm  doc ordered Demerol

  :50                     10:58pm

1:00                     11:03pm        shot of demerol/adivan/gravol in the bum

  :50                     11:11pm        doc left

  :50                     11:20pm        P fell asleep/Lloyd cuddled up behind her on hospital bed

  :50                      11:24pm        strong one

  :50                      11:30pm        Paula snoring  vital: Baby’s BP/good   

  :50                      11:35pm   

  :50                      11:42pm        strong one

  :35                      11:49pm        sleeping deeply

  :50                      11:53pm        both snoring (how cute!)

 

July 26, 2006    I’m sitting in the rocking chair in a semi-darkened room

  :50                        12:02am       

  :40                        12:08am

  :45                        12:14am

  :30                        12:19am

  :45                        12:27am

  :40                        12:32am

  :35                        12:38am

  :25                        12:41am

  :15                        12:44am        a few small ones

  :35                        12:48am        Lloyd up to small chair bed

  :30                        12:52am        Paula up to pee

  :35                          1:11am       

  :15                          1:18am

  :25                          1:26am

  :20                          1:34am        they are getting milder

  :10                          1:40am

  :30                             1:48am          stronger one

  :35                             2:00am         

duration                      time                 comments                                                      Page 2

 

                                     2:25am          nurse came in w/monitor- P slept through it – baby bp strong

  :15                             2:32am          mild one

                                                            observation: getting milder and further apart

                                                            sleeping soundly

                                     2:45am          I left to sleep on bed across hall

                                     4:00am          Paula/Lloyd sound asleep

                                     5:00am          Paula/Lloyd sound asleep

                                     6:15am          Paula/Lloyd sound asleep

                                     8:00am          Paula showering/Lloyd just getting up

                                     8:03am          I leave to get breakfast for Lloyd and myself

                                                            Subway breakfastwich/coffee and blueberry muffin for paula

                                     8:45am          hospital breakfast served/P ate muffin, milk, juice, fruit

                                     8:55am          Having no contractions lately, doc ruptured water

                                     9:01am          Walk around hospital – one small contraction on walk/leaking

                                     9:30am          back to cocoon (what she calls the hospital room)

  :30                             10:02am         mild one w/some gushing w/some blood

  :35                             10:41am        

  :20                             10:50am         good, they’re coming back

  :50                             10:59am        

  :50                             11:14am         starting to get stronger

  :20                             11:47am         dinky one

  :40                             12:18pm

  :30                             12:29pm

                                      1:00pm         doc ordered IV drip w/OXYTOCIN

                                      1:05pm         Oxy started at 6 drips per minute

  :40                               1:13pm         “stronger than others” says P

  :45                               1:21pm         “down lower” says P  Lloyd attempting a nap

1:05                              1:27pm         “gradual tightening going on”  “WOW, felt that one in the lower back”  Lloyd back up, assisting his wife again

2:05                              1:30pm         “Why isn’t it stopping?” (continual moans)  Sat up straighter, “much better”

1:00                              1:35pm         “Oooh, that hurts different”  on left side, sharp pain

                                                            Nurse increases OXY to 12 drips per minute

1:00                              1:43pm         “Pain really hasn’t gone away”  “Stuff is going on, but not like in waves like yesterday”

1:25                              1:53pm         “have to pee”…….”ahhhh, better”

                                      1:58pm         “back aching”  applied a heated pad, better, doc here again

1:00                              2:01pm         “they’ve increased since peeing”  doc says to hold the drip  at 12 drips per minute  “doing good” says doc

1:45                            2:06pm          “woa, that was a long one.  Really hurts on the left side at the belly”, “thanks honey, enjoying the pressure on lower back”

                                     2:15pm          Karen, David (dad)and Hazel (mom) leave for lunch

                                     3:15pm          back again, Jane here massaging P’s back, giving her support

                                                            Nurse increased oxy to 18 drips per minute

 

Duration                        time                comments                                                    Page 3

 

1:45                            3:30pm                       “Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God it HURTS (crying)

                                                            That was the biggest contraction so far

1:15                            3:33pm           “I’ve got to throw up”  (spits into pan, 4x)

                                                            Nurse turns Oxy back down to 12 drips per minute

1:35                            3:39pm           “It hurts there, why does it hurt there?  Feels like someone is stabbing me in the side!”  (maybe baby’s legs someone says)  “I want these tubes off me, please, take them off me”  Nurse unhooks P for a bit.  P is hanging over bed.  Lloyd Says “You’re doing a great job, Paula.  You’re so loved & we all are so proud of what you’re doing”  Actually getting a reprieve from contractions since turning down the oxy drip.

1:45                            3:44pm           “Wasn’t THAT fun?”  P says, making us all laugh in relief

1:00                            3:51pm

3:55pm           doc here again  “I'm just gushing Jack”, “that’s good, P” says doc    Exam:  Head still in same place, no change.

                        “Come on Baby, listen to your mother”  Piece of membrane

was retrieved with a crochet like instrument….”Don’t poke him Jack” P says.  Gushing LOTS now.  “At 4cm now.  But need to get head out of the way so can get some of that fluid out of there”, say doc.”

1:35                            4:03pm           “I have to go pee, now” says P…”wait”……(BIG  contraction –                                      Doc warns “it is usually a ‘doozie” after examing you……that should bring you closer to 5cm now with the exam and that contraction” “we’ll give you some more Demerol – head is high, baby is still quite high.  Demerol will help get things going”  doc will be back around 6pm…P peeing.

 

4:12pm           “I just feel like shit” says P. Administered another Demerol shot, this time in the leg. “OUCH, THAT HURT”  “that made the IV feel like a piece of cake!!”  “I want to go to sleep”

                        1:20                            4:13pm           Nice long moans……”need to breath more.  Need to breathe deeper Paula" says nurse Laura.  Vitals: 5.5 sugar

                                                                                    BP 155/90

                        2:00                            4:18pm           “oh God, it hurts – this side thing again”  “HELP ME”

                                                                                    (Looooong LARGE moan) “OH GOD HELP ME PLEASE that hurts me so much” (Lloyd applying pressure at L side)

                                                                                    Lloyd and I are massaging and applying pressure, getting Some relief now……Calmed her down…..Starting to snooze                                                                at 4:25.

2:00                            4:33pm           Hooking up the monitors again.  “Try the nitrous oxide gas?”   asks Nurse Laura. “NO, I don’t want to throw up, I’ll die” says  Paula.  She snoozes between contractions….Baby’s heart

                                    4:35pm         is down a bit to 135/129….usually been around 135-145

                                    4:41pm           Baby back up to 146….GOOD!

  :30                             4:43pm           Leaving to call my hubby Carroll on pay phone

                                                            Missed a few contractions while away on tele

  :50                             5:05pm           Lloyd asks Paula to take a bite of plum for him.  She does.

                                                           

 

 

 duration                      time                 comments                                                      Page 4

 

                                    5:10pm           Paula sleeping….I asked the question to Nurse Laura

                                                            “What is a typical scenario with this oxy drip?”  She said

                                                            “typically it’s 1 cm an hour, 2 hours of pushing…..baby could     

                                                            be here before midnight, BUT this IS a first baby, so…..

                                                            God only knows”

                                                            Saw Lloyd stretching while Paula sleeping….so I went over                                                                   and gave him a back, shoulder and neck massage.  He is

                                                            Such a great partner- he’s being so compassionate,

Supportive, encouraging, and comforting.  L&P are talking so kindly to each other. He’s feeding her ice chips, water, rubbing her back, her side, her face, her hand, holding her hand, he’s literally been there for her 98.8% of her aches, moans and

                                                            Contractions (when he’s awake) – he’s really getting an eyefull Of what labour is all about.  God is instilling empathy and                                                                       extra compassion into him for his suffering wife.  True Love!

                                                            “Gives us an idea of how Jesus must have suffered says L.

                                    5:13pm           Paula’s sleeping pretty soundly in between contractions & getting some much needed rest.

  :30                             5:15pm           The room’s been darkened for nearly one hour now.  Nice.

                                                            Cool cocoon as Paula calls it.  David had to leave & go golfing                                                 or ‘something’, can’t just sit and watch and feel helpless.

                                                            Hazel wants to be here.  Laura the nurse is a trooper, a calm,

                                                            Collective person – in charge and in control.

  :20                             5:18pm          

  :30                             5:21pm           Paula’s mumbling incoherently as she begins contracting, and                                                  during.  Always wanting Lloyd by her side. If he leaves, she

                                                            calls him over to her.  It’s great….quite lovely, indeed!

                                                            Hazel’s quite quiet.  Being entertained, yet highly concerned

                                                            Surely quite empathic for her daughter’s condition.  She is                                                                     also tired and a bit subdued by the whole ordeal.

It’s tiring witnessing all this labor…quite a profound exhibition.

  :40                             5:25pm           There’s for sure a presence of anxiousness and readiness for                                                   this stubborn precious soul to come and be greeted by us all.

1:00                            5:32pm          

                                    5:34pm           Beep, beep, beep!  Battery low on IV pump.  Paula is in a                                                                      state of delirium, and asks “Is the baby ok?”  “Yes, the IV pump just isn’t realizing it’s been plugged in, is all”, says Laura

  :40                             5:37pm          

  :40                             5:38pm           “I wish you wouldn’t have made me eat that plum, Lloyd”

  :40                             5:40pm            

  :40                             5:41pm           Lots of short spiking contractions…..different pattern

1:00                            5:46pm

:50                               5:54pm           doc’s back……exam time!  “cervix is definitely dilated.  Head still is quite high.  A good 5-6 cm, head is surprisingly high, though.  Higher than I like it.”  He mentions he may want to administer an epidural because of the slow progress….wants to see more contraction work.  Paula tattles on Lloyd for making her take a bite of plum….funny!

 

6:15pm           Nurse Laura says “Paula why don’t you get up and try to go to the bathroom”.  Not exactly the best time to get up with all the tubes and cords, but as P is getting up, a big contraction begins….”WAIT”…then, after, begin to mosey over towards

 

 

duration                        time               comments                                                                  Page 5

 

bathroom, Paula moving quickly, but her IV pump stand is now plugged in…..not so mobile….and Paula nearly pulls IV out of her hand….make her wait, she becomes a bit irate….upset

she has to be doing this NOW and ANYWAY…..then she goes to the toilet….has another huge contraction sitting on the toilet……blurts out..”I TOLD YOU I DIDN’T F*****ING HAVE TO PEE”.  Waddles back to her bed, a bit of minor tension in the air…….AND as soon as she gets to the bed, she has another huge contraction and gets plugged back into all the machines…not what she wanted, but necessary, unfortunately.  P apologizes for cussing, talking harshly!

No need, Sister…nice gesture though.

                                    6:20pm           Massaging Paula’s feet, hand and consoling her at bedside

                                                            Lots of large contractions, wasn’t able to record them, trust me                                                 huge ones for the next twenty minutes….a real trooper though                           6:41pm            Vitals:  177/97….yikes really high!  Redo it….

                                                            152/95, better, but still a bit high.  Sugar 5.2….baby bp 142

                                    7:20pm           Haven’t recorded for a while….took a break

                                                            consensus is:  contractions are definitely getting closer

together and bigger and longer in endurance.  Witnessing Paula’s pain threshold building…a Mom in the making!..

1:25                            7:30pm           A huge contraction…..spiked high on monitor

                                    7:37pm           Doctor back……exam……quick one!  Concerned look!

                                                            “head unchanged”…..walks over to Lloyd sitting on the chair                                                                  bed by washroom…..obvious conference…Jane present.

                                                            Cervix the same.  Head the same.  Oxy, contractions, regular                                                    2 options…..keep w/ oxy and do pain control…..or highly

                                                            Suggest c-section b/c he believe baby is too big….not coming

                                                            Down…..it’s in the forefront of doc’s mind to consider c-section

                                                            Paula’s BP is up…..big concern.  Want’s to call it quits.  Do s                                                                some pain control, recommends c-section (again). Paula could

                                                            get to 10cm and still NOT get this baby out.  Doc concerned                                                                  for both mother and baby now.

                                    7:45pm           decision to go for c-section

                                    7:50pm           Karen, Lloyd and Paula pray

                                    8:00pm           Anesthesiologist Carl comes in and takes blood.  Lloyd signs

consent forms.

                        8:03pm           Nurse Laura administers Fanatol (pain killer) into IV.

                                                Paula’s contractions go to almost ZIP. She calms considerably

                                    8:10pm           Catheter inserted.  Paula pees.  Paula a bit disappointed but

                                                            relieved, but excited too.  Baby is going to be OUT within the

                                                            hour.    Lloyd still reading and signing forms.  I’m consoling

                                                            and removing jewelry from Paula. 

                                    8:20pm           They come to roll Paula to OR.  Lloyd will be present in

                                                            delivery.  David and Hazel disperse.

8:25pm           Nurse Pam and Nurse Laura advise me that Paula and babe

                        will be moved to Room 104, private room, making room for

                        other maternity cases.  Ask me to clean and move personal

                        items. 

 

 

 

 

 

duration                                                      time               comments                                                      Page 6

 

9:00pm           I come back from going to Extra Foods to get flowers and a vase to put in the new room.  Set up room, somewhat,

join Hazel and David in hallway outside OR.  Talking,  waiting, anxious…..at about 9:20 (on hospital clock)

we hear a baby’s cry…Hazel says, “A BABY, OUR Baby” and I say “THAT’s A GIRL”.  We pace, more pacing…..for nearly 35+ minutes…waiting impatiently, I might add…we hear more crying….a wayward doctor walking the halls says…..”that’s some strong lungs on that baby”…..we pace more…..we laugh, cry and anxiously chat…….finally we see the OR doors open, Dr. Bryson is standing there……and notices we are over-anxious…..and says “someone needs to inform those grandparents of the sex and let them see their baby” ……….duh!  So, out walks Lloyd beside doc and in Lloyd’s arms is a baby…..he says…..with a HUGE GRIN on his proud face……

                                                           

9:58pm            “I’d like to introduce to you, M E A G H A N”  We all melt, yelp, cry and swoon.  A beautiful baby girl.   It’s finally OVER!

But, really…..just a new beginning!

 

 

 

  Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the precious gift of the birth of your daughter to Paula and Lloyd.  Thank you for your protection, Jesus, and the blessings on all three of them.  Thank you that Paula and Meaghan are healthy and strong.  Thank You for the whole experience.  God is Good!      Amen

           

 

                                     

 

 

A BS acquaintance contacted me recently to remind me that folks might like to know about my daughter's birth and I thank you for that Virgil.  :)
I'd like to get back to blogging again- I think I can be more honest now but this new baby is pretty demanding on my time and I want to dedicate as much of my time as I can to her.  We'll see if it's in God's plan...In the meantime, for those of you who care...

It was a long pregnancy- I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes which meant the extreme fine tuning of my diet.  What a rip-off.  Pregancy is supposed to be the time that a woman can gorge on ice cream and chocolate and get away with it.  I was 10 days overdue and had to be induced.  It still took two days of labour and our Princess had no intention of coming out so we C-sectioned her and on July 25 at 9:18 Pacific Time, the cutest kid on the planet was born.  Meaghan Hazel is our little miracle!  Or should I say BIG?  She was a whopping 9 pounds 11 ounces- no wonder she wasn't moving! 

Anyway, my parents came out from Ontario to be with me and my best friend Karen was there through the labour as well as my amazing husband Lloyd.  He was stellar and I was never more proud to be his wife.  We were an incredible team together- spurred on by the Spirit of Christ. 
Karen actually took notes through the labour- the time and length of my contractions, things that were said and done- and I'm going to post them a little later because they are so amazing.  What a gift she gave me. 

Here is my account of Meaghan's birth:

Doc decided to induce me as I was 10 days late so I went in to the Hospital on a MOnday morning and because I live so far from the hospital, Doc wanted me to stay.  I was the only one there having a baby so I got the room I wanted which was very cool.  Lloyd and I began unpacking to settle in.
 
Even cooler was that I began having contractions on my own literally MINUTES before they put the gel inside me to begin the induction.  They put the belt on me that monitors contractions and the nurse said "is something happening to you right now?"
And I could feel a contraction and got really excited because I wanted it to be on GOD's terms, not man's.  
so I was thrilled about that!  My doctor had a young med student practising with him during the whole time and her name was Jane.  Jane was awesome- just wanted to mention her because she figures in later. 
 
so the contractions began to pick up and I was in hard painful labour for many hours.  My husband Lloyd was incredible- we were a great team, I have to admit.  He was there doing everything he could for me and kept encouraging me and telling me what a champ I was.  I was never so proud and happy to be his wife.  He spent some time cuddling me in the bed from behind, other times he massaged me and always he was there by my side.  At one point, I got into the big shower and held the spray to my stomach and Lloyd was there as well as the nurse.  The nurse told me to put my arms around her and put my head on her shoulder.  Lloyd began to tear up at this display of compassion- it was humbling and beautiful. 

Jesus Christ was front and center as we brought a big cross to be my focal point and we prayed often.  Oh - this was weird- the contractions began to get really bad- they were 2 minutes apart and 2 minutes long, and suddenly the spirit told me to pray.  (My best friend Karen was there then, having arrived at 5:00 p.m.)  There was a nurse there watching and the three of us prayed in front of her.  Seconds after we finished praying, my contractions began to lessen in intensity and I was given a reprieve for about an hour.  It was an amazing witness.  We told all the nurses and Doc about it.  Tres cool.  Anyway, after all this, I had only dilated TWO centimeters and Doc was concerned that I was going to need some sleep for the next day.  I was reluctant to take any drugs because of my past with them and fought the suggestion all day until he told me I’d need the rest for the next day.  He prescribed some Demerol and I was able to sleep between contractions and got some solid rest that night. 

The next day I awoke, took a shower and felt ready to face the day.  I knew I was going to meet my baby sometime that day.  My friend Karen had stayed the night and to my absolute delight she had written down every contraction I’d had, how long it was and what time it had happened at- AND comments that I had made.  Incredible.  Count yourself blessed if you ever have a friend like that. 

My Doc told me that he wanted to break my water that morning to get things going and I agreed.  We did that at 9 am and it began the contractions again.  (they had stopped by morning)  We went for a walk around the outside of the hospital and I stayed upright quite a bit this day to get gravity in motion.  By 1:00 the Doc presecribed an oxytocin drip which would intensify the contractions and I was stuck in bed chained to my IV and to the baby monitor strapped to my tummy.  Half an hour after the drip, the contractions were excrutiating again. 
Jane, the med student was massaging my hand ( I had pretty bad carpal tunnel during the pregnancy)and back giving me a lot of relief.  I was honoured to be giving her this kind of experience as I knew I was only her second birth.  Her compassion was extraordinary. 
By two in the afternoon, the contractions were getting bad enough that I was crying during some of them.  Despite the water breaking, baby’s head was just NOT moving down.  We tried to break it some more and got a gusher but it still didn’t help.  Doc prescribed Demerol at 4:00 to help get things going.  By 5:00 I’m mumbling incoherently between contractions.
By 7:30, despite being dilated between 5 and 6 centimeters, the baby’s head had still not engaged and my Doc Jack was very concerned.  He conferenced with Lloyd and Jane and recommended a C section for the safety of me and the baby.

they administered Fentinol at this time which COMPLETELY took away the pain of my contractions which was amazing, but I was totally out of it and my memory is fuzzy here. 
I was terrified of being able to feel the incision of the c section so despite my absolute horror of needles, I was a very good girl keeping as still as possible for the needle in my back to numb me for the operation.  My surgical doctor was Doctor Iglesias so we all made jokes about him singing.  Lloyd was there the whole time for which I can only say “Thank God” 
So we waited anxiously, Lloyd holding my hand and finally at 9:18 p.m. on Tuesday July the 25th, they said “It’s a Girl!”
And Lloyd, having been so CONFIDENT of her sex being male was in shock and said “it’s a girl?”  and then we heard her cry and I began to cry as well.  Then they brought our beautiful Meaghan up to us and Lloyd held her for me as I touched her and kissed her and cried some more.  “Our baby!” I kept saying over and over and thanking God.  We sang the Doxology right there in the operating room- we wanted praise to God to be the first thing that she ever heard. 

They took me to the recovery room and Lloyd took Meaghan to introduce her to my folks who had come out from Ontario and also to my great friend Karen who displayed friendship like I had never seen before.  I was totally out of it drug-wise and completely wrecked because of the work of labour.  My first night was a total blur- Lloyd took care of Meg, thank God because I was incapable of doing so.

We stayed there in a different room- basically the best room in the hospital for the next 4 and a half days as the women of this amazing hospital helped us through the horror of being unable to breastfeed for 3 days- they took Meaghan from us one night for 6 hours so we could sleep when we were so desperate for it.  We were in our little bubble, protected from the world and it was magnificent.  My husband was amazing during this time.  God showed us many things and gave us many opportunities to witness, which we were honoured to do.  Jane finished up her med school training while we were there and came to say goodbye.  We told her what an amazing spirit of goodness she had and she told us that she was a Christian too which just made us so happy knowing that such a kind caring doctor was in the making.  The Lord sent us the most perfect nurses for each day- each giving us valuable insight and knowledge- and most of all, they all gave us their hearts.  I’ve never seen care givers so professional yet so loving in my life. 

My doctor finished his practice the day we left to go for a year’s sabbatical so we were blessed with his caring and knowledge as well.  God’s presence was so tangibly present during this incredible time.

And OH!!!!  On Monday morning as I slept, the night before I was to go to the hospital,God gave me a vision in a dream I had.  I didn’t understand it until a couple of days later but it was a gift so compassionate and beautiful I must share it with you all. 

In the dream, a little boy no bigger than a toddler was walking towards me with his arms outstretched.  In his arms was a baby.  He walked not like a toddler, but like an adult, with confidence and almost a regalness.  He held his arms out to me and was offering me the baby, which I took.  I lifted her and took her in my arms and looked at her (and yes she looked like she does now!) and said “She’s a girl!”  with utter delight.  (God knew my heart’s desire)
The revelation I was given days after the dream was that the little boy was my first- Lance Michael-the little one I aborted just over 20 years ago.  Her big brother brought her to me.  And that is the truth in life also.  Had it not been for Lance, my life would have been completely different and Meaghan would not be here. 
I felt his love and absolute peace in the dream- a true gift from our loving Lord. 

Now I am home with this girl and I can’t explain my joy- my heart bursts with love for this child and I am more in love with my husband than ever.  The Lord speaks to us about the importance of praying together as a family.  Lloyd has stepped up like never before.  I am ready to build him and build him and turning to Christ whenever I can, help solidify this family so that w