Austin's Birth Day

My mom arrived from America on Saturday, August 4th. What timing...we couldn't have planned it better. We captured one final pregnant moment, just in the nick of time!

Well, it all started about 12:30 AM on Sunday, August 5. I didn't have ANY signs of ANYTHING prior to that. Then, BOOM, out of the blue I was awakened with pain in my lower abdomen. "Could this be it? Is this what it's supposed to feel like? Is this a false alarm?" I had so many questions running through my mind. I didn't want to wake Arthur just in case it was a false alarm. Even if it wasn't a false alarm, he would need as much sleep as possible to help me get through the big event. So, I went to the bathroom and then moved to the sofa. Okay, maybe I should have woken Arthur at that point. But, I just wasn't convinced these were really contractions I was feeling. What was I thinking?!?!?

So, I turned on the computer and logged into a website that my sister gave me to help time contractions. You just press a space bar every time they happen and it keeps track of all the information for you. How easy is that! So, between contractions, I logged in and got it all ready. When the contraction started, I would just easily reach over and press the space bar. How difficult could that possibly be? WRONG!! I had no idea what was about to hit me. I was even trying to reach the space bar with my big toe at one point while lying on my side, biting the sofa cushion in agony. Again, what was I thinking NOT waking Arthur or even mom at that point?!?! Well, I waited until the contractions were about 7 minutes apart before waking Arthur. I really thought it could still be a false alarm. Again, WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING!?!

I finally made my way to the bedroom and calmly woke Arthur and said "I think I'm having contractions, but don't worry. I'll let you know when they are closer together before you need to get up". Yeah, like he was really going to be able to get any sleep after hearing that! Well, when the contractions were about 5 minutes apart, we rang the hospital and told them we were heading in soon. Of course, I had to have a shower first and get the final things packed into our luggage. Arthur also decided to have a shower and pretty himself up for the big event. In the meantime, mom was going nuts with excitement!

We finally left the house around 4:30 AM and as I stepped out the front door, BAM!! I felt a huge gush of fluid in my pants. Either I just peed myself or my water broke. God, please don't tell me I peed myself!! Okay, back in the house. I got changed and put on some 'protective gear'. Then, we headed out again. This time, I made about two steps out the front door and then threw up on the lawn -- TWICE. I was feeling really ill. We finally got in the car and headed to the hospital.

When the midwife examined me in hospital, she said I was already 5 cm dilated!! At that point, I was just begging for the epidural. I didn't give a damn how far along I was. I just wanted some pain relief....ANY pain relief!!! To my amazement, she actually said "Wow, you've come so far already, what a shame to not just go all the way". Was she looking for a black eye?! I WANTED THAT EPIDURAL NOW!!!!! Thanks to mom, I have a couple of photos which captured this moment with my oh-so-supportive hubbie by my side (and mom, the photographer, in the background).

Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long for the pain relief to kick in. After that, everything was just smooth sailing....until the pushing started.

At about noon, the obstetrician had me start pushing. He propped my legs up into the straps and sat in catcher's position. I was pushing like there was no tomorrow in the hopes that every push would be the last one. Unfortunately, little Austin was taking his time with each push. So, doc decided to use a vacuum to help his little head come out. Unfortunately, the vacuum unexpectedly dislodged and it took a bit of our baby's skin with it. So, now he has a big scab from that. :-(

Doc then pulled out the salad spoons and used them to help bring our son into the world. I just remember feeling a huge relief when it all happened. After that, everything is a blur. Doc put Austin on my chest and Arthur & I just gazed into his eyes. It was love at first sight. In the meantime, mom was in the background taking photos. I'm so thankful for that so that I can see some of the moments which I had forgotten!

Our little munchkin was healthy and gorgeous. His apgars scores were both 9's!! He was born at 1:17 PM, weighed 3280 grams (~7.2 pounds) and was about 50 cm in length (~19.5 inches). He's just perfect and we couldn't be a happier family. We love our little ray of sunshine, Austin Ioannou!!!

Our first family moments after birth:

Strike a pose!

Thank you, Dr. Steinberg, for the safe delivery of our healthy son!