Makenna's Birth Day

Is there any way I can keep this brief? Well, for me that would be an unexpected miracle of sorts.

I will say that having Makenna was a challenge—after all, she was the first.

There are, of course, all the unmentionables that shock and surprise a new mom in the delivery room (hemorrhoids, catheters, episiotomies and such) and then just the process of becoming a parent and caring for that first tiny newborn who depends on you for every need. The lack of sleep. The worry over doing everything just right. That strange underlying sensation that your time is no longer wholly your own and that this experience will actually change who you are forever.

We boiled every bottle and washed every layer of fabric that might come into contact with her delicate skin in that special baby detergent. Everything was brand new. And the crib and changing table were the nicest pieces of furniture in the entire house.

Most everything about my pregnancy with Makenna and the ensuing labor was quite normal: from the enormous amount of weight I gained, to the weekly visits in my last month when I cried on the examining table and begged the doctor to just take her out already, to the relief I felt when I finally got that epidural.

I was due on the second and that Friday came and went. So the dear man put me out of my misery and induced me on Monday. It was a long but uneventful labor typical of a first baby, something in the neighborhood of 12-14 hours. I could not tolerate the TV being on or anyone talking while I had a contraction (a trend that would prove true during future deliveries). And surprisingly enough, sitting on that big birthing ball was the most comfortable position I could get into until I had the epidural (it was a comfort, however, that I couldn’t duplicate with the other babies).

I remember asking the nurses at each stage, “How long does this usually last.”

There were various replies to my question because we all know that labor is different for everyone. But when we got to pushing and it was after 9:00, I asked the question again. “How long does this stage usually last?”

“Well, some women push for hours.”

I took one look at the clock, looked Steve in the eye, and announced: “I’m having this baby TODAY.” I was very determined.

I did deliver her before midnight, and with time to spare, but also lost a lot of blood in the process and had to endure the doctor’s hurried examination immediately following delivery to stop the bleeding and determine the cause: a large and low lying placenta. Pushing was difficult but the epidural dulled the pain. It did not, however dull the pain of that exam.

Makenna was born at 9:20 and weighed 9lbs. 2oz with a full head of beautiful black hair. As expected, she was perfect.

But I was exhausted: it was a weariness that permeated to the core and left me unable to get out of bed without assistance. My blood loss got me an extra day in the hospital and a transfusion before I went home. The fatigue made nursing difficult; I ended up with an infection and a trip to the ER and discovered, not without regret, that bottles were much easier on all of us. . . especially on dad who must have made hundreds of trips up and down the steps in those first days.

So that was how Makenna made entrance into the world 9 years ago. Despite the love and awe I felt for her, I swore I’d never have another baby. And I meant no idle threat.

That brings us to Madison.