Finally, Announcing Benjamin Keating
So my son was born on the 28th June 2010. It has taken close to a month to post that news here as my son was born on…..
Yep it has been an interesting and tiring first few weeks, testament to this is the fact that I am sat in the dark downstairs typing a blog post at four in the morning. I was on nappy change duties and then couldn’t get back to sleep. Must have hit one of those mystical sleep period moments that trick your body into thinking it slept more than it really has. Eithe that or I am going insane…
So how was the birth?
Well thanks for asking.
Benjamin was a grand total of eleven days late. He was due to be induced on the morning of the 29th June so with true timing he decided to start coming on the 27th. Somewhere early in the evening of that day Leigh got the first signs that she was going to go into labor – though they could have been BHs but they were getting regular.
At about 3 a.m. we knew that she was fully on the way as her waters broke, apparently with a pop, and so we headed to the hospital for the days events, which would turn out to be more of a trial than we would have liked.
3.30-ish – Arrived to discover that the hospital Delivery Suite was full, a mixture no doubt of England leaving the world cup, the third day of full moon (see my thoughts on the synchronicity of dates and the fact that more babies are born on a full moon), and a general sense of interesting timing means we are sat in the waiting room.
3.45-ish – Leigh pukes. The cramps are making her nauseous and she just can’t help herself. She wasn’t quick enough to get to a toilet so it is change of clothing time.
4.30-ish - we go up to the Maternity ward as there is still no more room in the suite – Leigh cannot have gas up here and so is left to the joys of cramps for a long wait…
8.00-ish – finally they are going to move us downstairs as there is room in the delivery suites. Leigh has puked a couple of more times.
9.00-ish - we make it downstairs – no it wasn’t a long way – we just had to wait on midwifes who have their hands full – mostly with newborn babies – the place is very busy!
9.30-ish – Leigh gets some gas and some painkillers. It gives some slight relief – and at least it lets her focus on something other than the cramps – she is dilating well
11.30-ish – Leigh gets a painkilling injection (not an epidural) and is told she is still dilating well they expect the baby in the early afternoon…
14.00-ish – Arses – she is still at the same level of dilation, just a centimetre or so to go, but there is less movement, we get a new midwife (the previous one had been on for 18hrs) eventhough they usually don’t like to switch midwives.
15.00-ish – the midwife isn’t that chipper about Leigh not moving for a while and starts to monitor her carefully. Leigh is looking tired but can still smile – which everyone thinks is very strong of her – frankly I am amazed as she has been in pain for 12hrs+ now – how can she smile.
The midwife tells her to focus on Oxycontin (spelling!) which is the chemical that helps in labour. My mind starts thinking of Phineas and Ferb and I am imagining scenes:
Doofenschmirts Evil Incorporated….
DS: Perry the Platapus, what are you doing here? Never mind you are just in time to see me initialise my Oxycontinator ray. Yes I will send every woman in the tri-state area into labor. You see when I was being born my mother had a hard time dilating due to a lack of the chemical….
Anyway
16.30-17.30 – Midwife has now started to be really concerned as the cervix still will not open fully and we have been stuck at the same point for hours – she starts to consult with the resident Obstetrician.
18:00 – Leigh is put on a drip to get some fluid into her as she cannot keep food or liquid down due to throwing up so much – she still manages to smile for us though – beginning to wonder if she isn’t a superhero in disguise now.
The midwife and I start talking about Monty Python, strange conversation number 872, and I have to explain some of the references to Leigh.
18:45 – Obstetrician is not chipper and thinks that the cervix is becoming bruised/swollen from the pressure and that the baby is not going to come out – she is also concerned about Leigh’s hydration and the general distress the baby may be in. They ask if we want to use the sunroof option and Leigh and I agree.
19:15-30 – We go into the operating theatre – I get to wear scrubs 
– Leigh is given some serious drugs that numb her from the chest downwards – she is very relieved as the pain suddenly goes and starts to make jokes with the anesthetist now that she can talk without waves of pain. Monty Python follows us into the operation as they have a little machine that goes “Bing”.
19:48 – There is a wailing sound and suddenly a voice that says “Well, what a noise, if you want I can put you right back in there” and 30 seconds later they pass me my son to hold. I show him to his mummy who is looking so relieved and happy. I have to gulp back tears – it is very emotional.
20:10 and 34 seconds – first photograph of Benjamin is taken and then a picture of me in my scrubs.
The first picture of my son
Amazing to think that he had so much good colour – he looked huge as well, they all thought he was over ten pounds as it was he was a mere 9lbs 3oz at birth – huge feet as well
Me in my "action" scrubs
Yes, as usual his dad likes to pose – I really liked those scrubs.
Parents and baby - I am still in my scrubs
Leigh was so tired….
Mum and baby - he's already awake
Amazing that he had his eyes open and was so interested in the world – he weas seeing it all as a blur though.
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