Grace's Birth Story

I found out I was pregnant with Grace in either late February or early March. I was so excited. Mike was significantly more ready for this one! I took Mikey to my first appointment so that the doctor could confirm that I can in fact read a pregnancy test. Turns out, I can. Mikey sat in his stroller and ate blueberries. He was 16 months old. We bought an "I'm a Big Brother" shirt from the hospital gift shop. Mike told his parents, quite eloquently I might add, at Easter and I went home (Watertown) with Mikey in his new shirts. My parents were shocked and taken aback by how soon it was.

This pregnancy was similar to the last. Again, I had some bleeding, but this time it was earlier in the pregnancy. The baby was fine although I spotted through most of my first trimester. We found out we were having a girl and I was so excited. A brother for Mikey would have been nice, but I had always wanted a girl.

I had a decision to make this time around. I could schedule a c-section or try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I decided originally that I would try for a VBAC. As I got closer to my due date, I decided to schedule a section with the doctor that delivered Michael and hope to go into labor before hand. I was due November 15th and scheduled for the 13th.

We arrived at the hospital for a 9:30 section on the 13th. This experience was so different from Michael's birth. I knew what to expect. We went up to the PACU where we would get ready. I would don my oh so sexy gown and Mike his "doctor clothes." I walked into the OR at about 9:20. I was ready, but incredibly nervous. Not about the birth, but the spinal. I was afraid they would miss again. They gave me a stool to get onto the table and then took it away. It's a good thing they did because after they missed with the spinal the first time, I spent a good amount of time evaluating my ability to make it to the door before they caught me. I was big and slow and stuck on the table, so I breathed through the fear and talked with the nurses. It was horrible, but over fast.

The atmosphere was very light for major abdominal surgery. We were all chatting, sharing stories about kids and waiting for Baby Grace's arrival. At 9:57AM, I heard the most amazing sound I have ever heard. She was screaming. I didn't hear that with Michael. She too was a perfectly healthy baby weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces. Again, I got to hold her on the operating table. Mike and I spent some quality time in the recovery room with her. We were all much more alert and aware of what was going on.

While Michael's birth was a positive experience for us, Grace's was 100 times better. We enjoyed her, we knew when to take the help offered. Mike got to go home and sleep in his own bed. I enjoyed Mikey's daily visits. We arrived home on Sunday as a family of 4 (again with a little yellow baby).