The Birth Story of Bauer John-Thomas Blalock

I don’t want to forget a thing.  So, here I  write my memories of our son’s birth.  Welcome to the world, Bauer John-Thomas.  You are smart.  You are kind.  You are important.  YOU ARE LOVED.

Baby B. (we chose to be surprised with his gender, so referred to him/her as Baby B. throughout our pregancy) had a few dates, ranging from July 1^st – July 15^th.  Because of his projected size and a few other medical variables, a Cesarean Section was scheduled for the morning of July 10^th.  Grandmama Georgia was especially excited about this date as it is her birthday!

The first week of July I was getting more and more uncomfortable.  Just the usual  stuff – pressure on my bladder, (mostly) mild contractions, back pain and an overwhelming feeling that I was ready to meet my baby!  On July 7^th, Timothy called to check on me from work.  I told him that I was exhausted and was headed to bed.  There was still a condo to pick up, laundry to finish and a stack of thank you notes needing to be addressed and mailed.  They would have to wait.  It was 8PM and I was headed to bed.

Early July 8^th I woke up starving.  I had a breakfast of champions – Goldfish crackers  and a coffee cup of milk.  I stood up and suspected that my water broke.  I woke up Timothy to let him know.  He told me to call the doctor to ask what to do.  I wasn’t so sure, and the last thing I wanted to do was to go to Hospital triage and be told that I had just wet my pants!  I called my mom and she told me to go in as well.  I told her I would call if things progressed.  I hung up and headed back to bed.  And then it happened.  There was no mistaking that my water broke!  I screamed for Timothy.  He jumped out of bed and was greeted with, “My water broke!  I’m sure of it!  LOOK!!”  He ran to me and said, “Let’s go!  Let’s go to the Hospital!”  I told him we still had time and that I would call the Doctor on call.  (My wonderful  OB , Dr. Kent,  who has  been my doctor for my entire pregnancy is on vacation). 

I called my the doctor’s office and reached the answering service.  I was told that Dr. Flora was on call and would call me back.  My friend Heather had Dr. Flora deliver her 5^th baby and told me that Dr. Flora is an amazing doctor and that I would be in good hands with her should our doctor not be available.  She called back quickly.  I told Dr. Flora that my water broke and that contractions were starting.  After some quick arithmetic I was instructed to be at Hoag Hospital at 12:30PM to check in for a 2:00PM C-Section.

I called my parents, who were already in route from their desert house, to tell them the news.  Meanwhile, Timothy and I were frantically getting the house picked up, clothes dried, car loaded, car seat installed – the last of our to-do list.  We took a deep breath, hopped in the car and headed to the Hospital.  We were giddy, had a touch of the jitters, and held each other’s hand tight as we took our last drive as parents –to-be.  There were a few people we had to call to let them know the news.  Grandmama Georgia, and our siblings got the call and a handful of our friends got a text blast telling them that Baby B. is on the way!  A facebook post was posted to keep our friends and family in suspense.

.  We were escorted to a room where vitals were taken, an IV started , fetal monitor set  up and the waiting began.  It felt like Christmas Eve, the night before our wedding and a birthday party all put together.  Timothy and I just sat there in silence and stared at each other.  It was a peaceful silence.  My parents, sister and brother-in-law arrived just before I was headed to the Operating Room.

Dr. Flora and our Anesthesiologist  arrived and introduced themselves.  We laughed at the contrast in their heights.  Dr. Flora is barely 5 feet tall and our Anesthesiologist was just under 7 feet tall!  Dr. Flora looked like Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live, and had a bubbly and energetic personality.  They gave us the run down of what to expect and all consents were signed.

Timothy put on his bunny suit, shoe covers (which barely fit) and hair cover (which I found comical since he is bald!) and I slipped on my hair cover.  The nurses (who were absolutely wonderful!) gave us the “Go sign” and I was helped out of bed.  Timothy, my IV pole and I headed down the hall to the Operating Room.  A quick, See You Soon  and a kiss, and I was escorted to the O.R. for my Spinal and Timothy was showed where to wait for me.  I wish Timothy could have been there to hold my hand, but I put on my big girl face and hopped on the table and assumed position for the Spinal.

The Aneshesiologist was amazing.  I had myself all worked up for excruciating discomfort.  It was easy peasy!  Hardly hurt at all! The nurse held my hand and helped me to relax as the Spinal was administered.  It was over before I knew it. 

Timothy was ushered in once I the Spinal took effect.  The Anesthesiologist was at my head the entire time and was always one step ahead of any nausea or pain.  Dr. Flora and her assistant surgeon  started the Cesarean and told me what they were doing every step of the way.  I felt completely calm and kept focusing on the fact that in a few minutes I would meet my son or daughter!

My sweet husband held my hand and held his finger on the camera ready to snap away.  As Dr. Flora pulled out our baby, Timothy revealed, “IT’S A BOY!”  Our sweet boy was here!  He was crying a loud strong cry.  I got a quick peek and then he and daddy were taken to the corner of the room to get cleaned up while I was getting put back together.

Bauer John-Thomas was born at 2:06PM and weighed in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.  He was projected to be a 10 pounder, so we were a little surprised by our “small” 8.9 pound baby.  Bauer’s weight was always a topic of conversation with our doctors.  Our first and second trimester we were followed closely for suspected growth restriction.  This is caused from my thyroid levels since I am on total thyroid replacement.  At one point we were told to expect Bauer’s  birth  weight to be 4 to 5 pounds.  He quickly caught up during the third trimester!

Daddy took lots of photos (the first of many).  Then he was ushered to the recovery room to wait with Bauer - sweet bonding time for the both of them.  I joined them soon thereafter.  Bauer was placed on my chest.  He immediately latched on and I nursed him.  I couldn’t believe how alert he was.  I marveled at his big bright blue eyes and the perfection from his head to his toes.  His head was perfectly round (a benefit of not hanging out in the birth canal!) and he had the sweetest chubby cheeks.  Surprisingly he totally resembled his 4D ultrasound.  Technology is amazing!!

Timothy and I had some quiet time as a family of three and were joined by family one by one.  Nana and Papa Oregon and JJ all came back to the recovery room to meet Bauer.  Family was called to announce Bauer’s birth and then it was time to be wheeled to our room.

We joked that we were at Hotel Hoag.  Everything was first class.  We had a corner room with breathtaking views of Newport Beach’s Lido Island and the Harbor.  Our team of nurses were available with just a push of the call button.  They helped me to  get all comfy cozy in bed ( I was completely numb from the Spinal) and was waited on hand and foot!  Timothy took to fatherhood right away and was initiated with many poopy diapers and cries for food.  Bauer gobbled up the colostrum (which we referred to as liquid gold!) and we alternated between syringe and breastfeeding.

Bauer had his first bath.  Our nurse warned us that he would scream.  He didn’t!  Bauer looked like a little peanut in the big pink basin, and just laid back and enjoyed the pampering.  It was precious!  Daddy swaddled him up (and learned the burrito wrap and quickly perfected it!) and patted his back until he fell asleep.  My heart swelled as I watched my husband tend to Bauer’s every need.

After our visitors said their good-byes (Nana and Papa Oregon, JJ, Uncle Mark, Kathi Salley-Randall and Heather Kaufman) Timothy and I said a prayer of Thanksgiving to God for our healthy, beautiful, precious baby boy.  We whispered into Bauer’s ear, You are smart.  You are kind.  You are important.  You are loved.   We drifted off to dreamland.  Our dream came true.  We are a family.  The adventure of parenthood is ahead of us and we are thrilled at all that lies ahead of us.