Evan's Birth Story

A year ago at this time I was bonding with my newborn Evan in the hospital. It was a whirlwind labor and delivery. Here is Evan's birth story.

I found out I was pregnant in November, the day of the hospital Gala. Ryan was the co-chair of the event, so we were at the head table. There was an open bar and several bottles of wine on our table for dinner. I was nervous because obviously I didn't want to drink, but it would be conspicuous if I didn't. I wasn't ready to tell anyone, since I was just barely 4 weeks pregnant, so I consumed a "mocktail" - a mixture of Cranberry juice and water with a lime. It looked enough like a drink, and all night long Ryan kept a full "drink" in my hands so no one had a clue. During dinner he swapped wine glasses with me twice so it would appear I was drinking my wine. It was a wonderful night. Ryan celebrated our good news by surprising me with a hotel suite and roses at the end of the night.

My pregnancy progressed without incident, thankfully. I was working a lot, teaching 4 days a week. It was difficult teaching bellydance, since I usually just wear a bra top and yoga pants, and my waist disappeared virtually overnight. I finally announced my pregnancy after Christmas. It was such an exciting time. I added a prenatal yoga/Pilates class in February. It was such fun sharing my pregnancy with my students.

In the weeks surrounding my due date I enrolled Zachary in a summer program at his preschool. My due date came and went and, although I didn't gain as much weight as I did with Zachary, I was huge and uncomfortable. The day I went into labor I had been to my OB and he swept my membranes. I knew labor was imminent. I went to pick up Zachary from his summer program. I was talking to another Mom in the parking lot, telling of my visit to the OB. She asked if I was feeling any contractions, ironically that was the moment my contractions began. It was 12:45 p.m.

I went home, not sure if my contractions were the real thing. I remember sitting at the table having lunch and Ryan suggested he and Zachary go out on the little boat so I could take a nap. Realizing that my contractions were beginning to come regularly, I politely vetoed that prospect. I called my labor doula when my contractions were 5 minutes apart. She arrived around 3:30 p.m. We labored together in my bedroom while Ryan and Zachary played downstairs. The contractions started getting intense, so Kathy, my labor doula, ran some hot water and put my in the tub. My water broke while I was in the tub at 4:30. Then contractions really started coming fast and furious. Kathy gently encouraged me to get dressed so we could get to the hospital. The problem was I didn't want to move until between contractions and there was no 'in between' contractions. We left for the hospital 20 minutes later, it was almost 5:00 p.m. and we had to cross the bridge into town! I was in transition 8-10 cm dilation, while in the car. That was the hardest part of my labor. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 p.m. Kathy gave them the important information, Ryan held my hand My OB came in and never left the room, Evan was born at 6:15 p.m.

I cannot believe it's been a year!