Two weeks ago, I was priviledged to witness the miracle of birth. Yeah, I know it's a cliche 'the miracle of birth', but sure seemed to be a miracle, a wonder, an amazing thing.
Amy began having contractions on Sunday morning, October 24 at just 35 weeks and remained in denial all day. She fnally agreed to go to the hospital to get checked out, but insisted they would send her home. Well, she wasn't in what they call 'active labor'. Apparently, you have to be dilated over 4 centimeters to be considered 'active', but the contractions were coming regularly so they admitted her to labor and delivery. Although she was given something for the pain, she had a very miserable and restless night.
Finally around 10 a.m. she began to progress and got an epidural around noon and was able to get some sleep. For some reason, I was never really concerned about the safety or condition of the baby. I knew we were in the best place we could possibly be to deliver a preemie.
Amy's doctor suggested Amy try to deliver the baby vaginally because she was progressing so well and the baby would be small. Amy was a little apprehensive but agreed because the doctor said if the labor stalled out, she would do a c-section. Around 3:30 she was fully dilated, the doctor was called in and after about 30 minutes of pushing, little No-name Walsh was born. Lee and I were able to be in the room during the entire birth. Amy's nurse and doctor were amazing. Her doctor was so excited and supportive, she was almost like a cheerleader. She encouraged and praised Amy the whole time. She was so relaxed and made us all feel that everything was under control, which it was.
Right before the baby was born, a team of pediatricians and nurses were called in to attend to him. They took him right after he was born and started working on him. He was what they call 'floppy' and was breathing a litte funny (they called it 'grunting'), but they explained this was all very normal for a preemie. Baby was whisked off pretty quickly to the NICU where he spent only one night. We were able to visit him at any time and Aunt Jen actually spent most of the night with him.
Next day he was moved to another place called the CNU where he had a private room with a bath. Very classy. By that afternoon, he was in the room with him mommy. On Wednesday afternoon, he was named Brady Edward Lee Walsh. And, on Wednesday afternoon was both mommy and baby were sent home.
Oh, Eamon was allowed to visit Brady shorly after he was born and has been in love with his Baby Brudder ever since.
Just read this and it touched me. I remember Rosie's birth and the feelings that almost overwhelmed me. You are so right, it is an amazing wonder and truly a miracle. Especially when it is your baby girl creating that miracle! I've been haunting Amy's blog looking at the new pics, I hope I get to see Brady before he is too big. They are just so beautiful!
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