Oliver's Story - Day 17

HE'S HERE!! Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but our little man Oliver decided to make his debut into the world yesterday afternoon at 1:35PM. SO needless to say there was a lot going on yesterday and the computer never made it out of the bag. Here's the timeline - roughly and Oliver's Story
Like always the nurse comes in at 6AM to perform my non-stress test, my night nurse was a little blonde - whom seems to be the only name I don't have written down. The test went fine, BP was fine and no contractions. I got up about 7 before breakfast came and used the restroom and when I stood up had a big "gush" of fluid (just what you all want to know). Later I would tell Kevin had I been home I would have considered that my water break. I called the nurse back down and let her know what had happened and that it was more than normal fluid and she said to keep them posted.

7:40ish I started feeling contractions - I KNEW these were contractions as the were intermittent and slowly intensifying. So I called my nurse down, the day nurses had come on so I had Tina and her Mizzou nursing student Tracey. They hooked me back up to the monitor to eye the contractions and said Dr Theis would be done soon to evaluate. From my calculations the contractions seemed to be about 6 minutes apart and after about 30 minutes they were becoming more intense.

9AM - Dr Theis came in to see what was going on, which were her words when she came in "What's going on here?" As every other visit she made had been uneventful and I was doing just fine. She reported on yesterday's ultrasound and said everything looked great, but now I was definitely contracting and they were going to do what they could to slow and eventually stop them. So she order a shot of Terbutaline followed in two hours by a oral medication called Procardia. After about 5 minutes the nurse came back in with the shot and injected into my right hip. It took about 10 minutes for it to kick in and relax the contractions. So now it was just wait and see...

9:45AM I wasn't going to call Kevin because I really thought anything was going to happen and that the medication was going to do the trick. Quickly I realized that I needed his comforting words as I was getting more and more anxious and scared about the situation. I called the school and had them call him down to the office to tell him what was happening. I didn't think he needed to come. After about 5 minutes of me letting him know the assistant principal sent him on his way as they had found a sub and he needed to be with me. I had a sense of relief come over me and was hopeful for his arrival. Next I called my mom at work. They called her down to the office and I let her know what was going on as well. I told her that I thought things were going slow down and we decided we'd be in touch. So Kevin was on his way and I felt better having talk to him and my mom.

10:50AM And there back. the contractions were slowly coming back and this time with a new intensity! So I called my nurse down letting her know that they were back and also seemed to be speeding up. I tried to make it, but it was getting quite uncomfortable to say the least! She got down to the room and it seemed as if the contractions were nearing 3 minutes apart. She had me Preoardia which was supposed to also relax smooth muscle - uterus and hopefully shut labor activity down. As soon as she gave me the pill I began having a contraction and sat up to try and take the pill. As I was sitting up I began to feel nauseous and then new I was going to be sick. The nurse was scurrying to find something for me and just grabbed the trash can next to the bed. And there was breakfast a second time. ;) I never got the pill down. At this time they called Dr back down and she ran through a list of things she wanted them to do. 1. Another shot of Terbutaline, 2. Pain meds, 3. Get me on an IV, 4. get me upstairs to Labor and Delivery so that she could perform an exam. WHAT?? Labor and delivery, looks like we're having a baby!!

So as the nurses are performing all their task, it was pretty amazing how several nurses came in and were all working to get things done. Tracey, the student nurse and another student nurse began packing up my belongings, which basically had become a small apartment of stuff!! I told them to call for a UHaul!

11:40AM I made it upstairs and the second shot was kicking in. As we entered so did Kevin. WHEW!! What a relief he made it and I felt like I could breathe again. They got me into a gown and switched me into a labor bed and OH MAN this is really happening. Shortly after Dr Theis came in and checked me and I was dilated to a 7, ALREADY! So she said we are having a baby either today or tomorrow. And here we thought we were going another 2 weeks! I guess baby has other plans. She outlined our approach and decided that we weren't going to do anything more to try and stop labor, we're going to ride it out!

Noon And they are back gain. My contractions started up again and I don't think that there is anything we can do now! The nurse thinks that Dr checking me probably instigated them. after about the third one I started feeling pressure with the next one. At this time, Liz - my labor nurse, decided she better check me. 9! What I had dilated 2cm in a matter of 10-15 minutes. Wow this little one wants out! And the army was mobilized!
With in minutes Liz was getting Dr back in the room and another nurse Tammy came in to help get me and the room ready! Then the NICU team was in and set and here we go. As the contractions were coming they started having me push. Push.... What I don't know what I'm doing. Fortunately I had the best nursing staff coaching me through. after about 5-6 pushes or so Dr checked our time and my dilation and said we 've got enough time for an epidural do you want one? UH YEA!! So the called the anestesiologist up and within minutes he was in and they sent the NICU team out. The Dr thought we had 30-45 minutes before baby was coming. So I signed the consent and he began preppring. They sat me up and moved me to the edge of the bed. Liz held me as I curled over the baby and let the anestesiologist do his thing. He got the local in and was starting the epidural. He said if you start having a contraction let me know and I'll pull back. A couple of minutes later here was a contraction and it had some fury. I let him know and out came the epidural. I looked to Liz and said I think I need to push, then to Dr Theis "I have to push!" "Can I lay down, is the needle out?" So they laid me back down, scooted me to the end, got me all "set-up" and it was definitely go time. My pushing was not very good and between contractions Liz and Tammy and Dr all coached me up on what to do. So as the next one came I was better but not good enough. They gave me a few more pointers and the next one I nailed it! I felt some pressure, deep breath, push, hold, count to 10, baby is coming! Deep breath, push hold count to 10, one more and it's out. Deep breath, hold, push count to ten, and HE'S HERE! "You have a beautiful baby boy!" Dr Theis. He came out screaming, which is the best sound new parents can hear! Kevin cut the cord and in my arms they placed him!!! THERE IS NO FEELING LIKE THAT!!

Then we handed him over to the NICU team and they began their work. He was breathing, but shallow so the put a tube down his throat to help him take some deeper breaths! He looked pretty good. After they had done everything they needed to they wrapped him up and put him back into my arms and let Kevin and I check him out and tell him how lucky we are and how loved he was! After a couple minutes we handed him back off so they could get him downstairs to the NICU and weigh him and measure him and get the process started. Kevin went with them and I could breath again as our little boy Oliver Wayne Powell was doing well and I was ok.

The nurses were absolutely amazing and I am so thankful for being where we are. To Dr Theis who did so wonderfully as things moved so quickly! To the NICU team who is working their magic with our little man now. He is doing great and we will keep everyone posted with his progress. Looks like I'm being discharged tomorrow and he will probably be here another 4-5 weeks, we'll just see how he does. Right now he is amazing and SOOO cute!

Please keep us all in your thoughts in prayers as we do have a long road ahead of us. The good thing is he comes from a long line of fighters - he's got many angels above watching over him who were all fighters in their time on earth. He's also had a very good start in the NICU and we hope and pray that this continues. We know there will be tough days ahead and it's going to be hard not taking him with us, but we know he is in great, knowledgeable hands!!

To be Continued.....