It had been weeks now that I wanted Baby Gabe out of my belly! I had gotten so big and I was so tired. My pelvic bone hurt when I slept sideways so there was no way I could sleep that way. Unfortunately there was no way I could sleep on my stomach either! I had to pile up pillows behind me so I could sleep sitting up. This took a toll on my back! Everyday I would wake up with a sore back which made it no fun to sleep. Plus, I was waking up almost every hour to go to the restroom. As much as I enjoyed having the little man in my belly it was time to evict him! I tried everything! I went on long walks, I ate the prego pizza at Skippilinis that is supposed to put you in labor, my doctor even scrapped my insides. Ok...maybe I did not try everything but I do know I wanted little Gabe out. I could tell he was a big baby and at 4'11' I was running out of space for him. I remember that I wanted a sign...any sign that labor was imminent.
I remember waking up on Wednesday, March 23rd thinking to myself, "well...I am due on April 5th and so I still have some days to go. I can't sit here and wait for it to happen because it feels like FOREVER! I need to drop it and just let it be, he will come when he wants to come." That day I felt more relaxed and less anxious. Tony had taken the day off and we had gone to SF to babysit Michayla. We had a great time together! Lindsey decided to cook dinner for us when she got home from work. At around 7:30pm, as we were finishing our meal, I felt a sudden back pain (just for a second or two)...something very different than what I had experienced in the past. I remember feeling a bit happy, "yay! this was my first labor sign" I thought. I was waiting patiently for Lindsey to finish her sentence so I could share that I had finally felt my first sign. Honestly, I wasn't sure if this was even a true sign, but because it felt so different I thought "why not!"
Before Lindsey finished her sentence and before I was able to tell them the good news I jumped out of my seat as I felt I started peeing on myself. "Oh my god!" I screamed, "my water broke!...wait, maybe I am peeing...ok, no I think my water did break" We all began to panic, but Lindsey quickly took control and began to plan for what was going to happen next. She got me to the shower and brought me some change of clothes. Tony began making phone calls and then we were off to the hospital.
I was so nervous to get in the car as I was not sure what would happen next but I was so happy to think that Gabe was coming, my little man was on his way and we would all get to meet him! "Ok.." I thought to myself, "don't panic...stay in control and don't loose it!" I had to tell that to myself because I am such a wimp and I can easily start to faint out of fear. When I got to triage I was feeling good, still leaking but with no pain. Next to me was another lady moaning from her contractions. This was not helping as I knew I was about to follow her down the same pain path. Because I had cholestasis during my pregnancy, I did not have to wait until I was 4 cm dilated to get admitted. The doctor wanted me under direct supervision to make sure the baby and I were doing well.
Within an hour or so my whole family and a few friends were at the hospital...hanging out until they were told to go home as it seemed that my labor was going to take a long time. I labored throughout the night...dealing with my contractions as they came and went. "Not bad" I thought, I can do this! Fortunately my ObGyn was on call when I arrived to the hospital. After laboring for a good long time she decided to give me a break and I was given some drugs to help me sleep for an hour. After that my labor slowed down and they decided to give me Petocin to speed it up. When I heard Petocin I quickly said, "epidural pleeeeease!" There was no way I was going to experience petocin-full-contractions!
Almoust 24 hours later from my water breaking I began to feel the epidural fade away and I could feel the pressure and crazy desire to want to push. "Oh no...here it comes!" I thought and began to panic. I called Tony and asked him to please try to calm me down. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and asked the nurse to check me to see if it was time. She thought that it wasn't but after checking me she was surprised to see that I was 10cm dilated and fully ready to push.
Everyone got into position and got me ready to begin pushing. The nurse called the doctor for help but did not worry because it usually takes first time mothers 2 hours on average to deliver. Tony took one leg, my mom took the other while Terrie and Vicky watched and waited for little Gabe. I pushed with all my might. The first thing that came out was Gabe's hair, a small little curl! The nurse began to panic...this wasn't going to take two hours... the baby was coming out fast! And like the stereotypical story of ObGyns, the doctor showed up,all chippery, just to catch the baby.
I know this is already a long post but...My mom once told me "if i am not in the delivery room I will never speak to you again!" She denies she ever said that to me! Anyways, I knew I wanted my mom there for support. I know when I am going through some rough times my mom has a way of being there to calm me down and she becomes very soothing. Although I was so entranced in what I was doing during the delivery, I was somehow aware of my mother's reaction more than anyone else. She has always talked about labor like it is a piece of cake and always dismissed the complaint of pain. However, watching me go through it was NOT easy for her. She had to step away at one point and Vicky had to hold my leg because my mother had become overwhelmed. She pretended to go wash her hands but I knew that she went to wipe away her tears. She finally composed herself and came back to continue holding my leg. After it was all over and everyone became so excited with the baby, my mother never left my side. She just stayed there and held my hand as I recovered from the shock (it was a hard recovery for me since I was having compulsive shakes). The experience though, was very emotional for all. As soon as he came out everyone (my mom, Vicky, Terrie, Tony and I) was crying.
I couldn't believe my little baby had just arrived...Gabriel Alarcon Avila was born on March 24th at 7:49pm. He weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches long. Welcome to our family Baby Gabe!
Waiting for Baby Gabe...
Mom calls Eddy when the baby arrives and puts the phone down...all he could hear was Gabe crying in the background...he puts the phone on speaker and everyone hears Baby Gabe, they were all excited to know he had finally arrived!
Proud Tio and grandpa!
Grandpa came prepared with a celebratory drink!
Proud Father...
Proud Mother...
Michayla meets her little cousin!
