I got a phone call around 8:30am October 7, 2002.
The nurse said "Dr. Robinson wants you to come in for a stress test. Can you be here by 10am?"
Having had an ultrasound the week prior, I assumed they found something they wanted to check out. I wasn't due until the 17th, so I didn't think much of it. I did not call Dennis at work. I just went to their office.
I had experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions for several months and didn't think this was any different. They strapped me in and hooked me to the monitor. I was told to push the button on the device in my hand whenever I felt a contraction. I pushed it rather often.
The Dr came in and explained that they called me in because of a concern about the amount of amniotic fluid. The results were read wrong and there was no problem. She then said, "I cannot send you home in good faith. You are in labor."
OH my.
I was a few days shy of the hospital's safe-to-deliver date in regards to the lung development. So they moved me to a "holding area" and monitored my contractions until they could officially admit me.
Priceless phone call was made at this point...
"Hey Dennis! How are you? What are you doing around 2pm today?"
"Um, I'll be at work, why?"
"Any chance you could swing by the house and pick up a few things then meet me at the hospital? Looks like we're having a baby today."
silence.
stuttered sounds in an attempt to find the words
"uh, sure."
After being moved to the holding area, I called my best friend, Lisa, who was the Occupational Therapy supervisor at that hospital.
"Hi Lisa! What are you doing during lunch? Will you have time to swing by the OB floor and visit me?"
"WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?"
more stuttered sounds trying to find the words
Just after 8pm that night, Benjamin Lucas Dirren arrived!!
For several reasons he was delivered C-section. One of which was him being breach. He made a unique and surprising arrival...as being pulled out my his feet, he peed as soon as it hit the cold air. =)
At age 7, I can attest that experience was a foreshadow of his life. He does not pee anytime it hits the cold air, but he certainly is unique and surprises us.
thank you, God, for this amazing being and the opportunity to be his mom!
