The Birth Story - shorter than one would expect (-:

Finally a few minutes to jot down my thoughts about the most important (yet shortest) event in my life so far. Not quite sure how to begin all of this, but here we go...

Last weekend (Mar 10), I went to a workshop held at my school, thinking about how well I was walking and feeling that morning. I stayed for a couple of hours after the workshop, wrapping up things, and making a list for the following week (my last week of work). Ben had gotten me a massage certificate, so after stopping at Trader Joes and Freddies, I headed over to my massage. I remembered the entire time how the therapist at my last massage had said, "I really can't massage your shoulder and shoulder blades too much, that's a trigger point for early labor", wondering how in the world this massage therapist had had any training in prenatal massages, as she literally worked on my shoulder the entire time. I, of course, dindn't want to offend her, and just let her do whatever she wanted to. That night, I went home feeling pretty relaxed, spent time eating pizza at the neighbor's house, and fell asleep watching TV. Ben and his friend Scott went to the Comedy Club, while I snored the night away.

At about 3:30ish, I went to the bathroom and felt a little pop in my lower back. I thought it certainly was something related to the massage I had gotten earlier and because I was so tired, just went back to bed. When I woke up just an hour or so later, my underwear was wet (sorry if TMI), but there wasn't the gushing or anything else that I expected to be there. Ben was sleeping in the other room - this had made sleeping sooooo much easier the past few days - so I decided to google signs of broken water. I know, I know, I should have just gone with my instinct. Well, one of the fabulous pieces of advice I gathered from online was that you could do a "simple science experiment", by staying flat on your back for half an hour and then getting up to see if there was an "unusual flow" or "urge". I had neither and went back to bed.

I got up around 7:30am on Sunday March 11, feeling light cramps and lower back pain. Again, I thought that must be related to the massage, the back part that is, and never really thought about the cramps. By 8:30am, I was in the shower, shaving legs, thinking to myself that I should probably go to Madigan's Labor and Delivery, just in case. Around 9ish, Ben came downstairs, had coffee, and was playing around on FB. I told him that we probably should go to Madigan because I wasn't feeling very well. His response, "Let me just file my unemployment claim really quick and then I'll pack your bag". I know, I should have packed that bag a long time ago, but honestly had intentions to do it that Sunday.

Within half an hour, I had contractions that I don't wish upon anyone. They were about 8 to 10 minutes apart, scaring literally the crap out of me. Ben ran around the house like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to pack the back, throwing car seats into the car, and trying to calm me down. No such luck, I could feel myself wetting and pooping my pants standing up in the bathroom, trying to at least brush my teeth (sorry again, if TMI). When we were finally ready to go, the contractions were less than 5 minutes apart. There was no way in the world, I could sit in my car. Ben moved everything from car to truck and I attempted to climb into the back of the truck, all the while screaming like I never have. I thought for sure by now the neighbors must have heard me, but surprisingly none of them came out. Ben got me back in the house, where he had put blankets and pillows on the floor, ready to jump into action, if needed. He ran the dog over to the neighbors and called 911. The ambulance arrived in less than 3 minutes, my contractions being less than a minute apart. The paramedics and firefighters (I still feel really bad for them) let me into the ambulance, strapped me down, and started the IV. All I remember is one saying "get ready, baby A is already half-way out". Heck no, I was not about to give birth in an ambulance. I heard sirens, and off we were - not to Madigan (too far!), but right down to Tacoma General.

We arrived at the hospital and that's where my memory gets somewhat blurry. I remember being rolled into the OR on the ambulance's stretcher and the guys moving me over. I remember two doctors and a boat load of other people in the OR, looking panicked and debating on what to do. One of the doctor's said, "There is no time, I can see the head. We need to move now". I remember screaming "No, don't do this to me, no, no, no no no no no" and holding on to one of the nurse's arms like there was no tomorrow. They strapped down my legs because I truly just wanted to jump off that table. Not sure exactly where to, but I certainly had no intentions to give birth vaginally. Two pushes later, after pain that I truly cannot describe, Lilli Martha was born. I think they briefly held her up and then the doctor said, "There is no time for an epidural, we have to do an emergency c-section". Baby B's heart beat was down to 80 bpm. Some anesthesiologist (forgive my ignorant spelling, please) came to my face and told me something about breathing oxygen and that he wouldn't leave my side. He kept yelling at the people down below, "When are we ready? Tell me when we're ready, we have to get moving".

And that's it. Next thing I know, I woke up somewhere, holding both babies. Lukas Colin was born just 15 minutes after Lilli. I was transported to the recovery room and later post partum room, listening to two "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" melodies, and thinking the whole time, this just cannot be true. By then, Ben had joined me and the babies. I'll let him add his thoughts to all of this. We were immediately surrounded by nurses, pediatric staff, and all kinds of other people who took fabulous care of all of us, but particularly of the babies. I truly don't remember much of that first day, other than that I still cannot believe that these two mircale babies are finally here and the enormous amount of pain that I had.

An update on the rest of our stay at TG to follow soon.....as well as memories of our first days at home with both Lilli and Lukas. What a great experience. I couldn't be any happier and am looking forward to the years ahead with these two very special people. I am grateful for all of you who, altough you didn't know the birth was happening (and neither did I until the minute of, by the way), were supportive of us and sending positive vibes from all over the world.