Today is appointment day. I leave Stevie with a neighbor, take Stan to school so I can have the car to go to the doctor's office later in the day. It's inconvenient being a one-car family, but that's the way it is, and you cope with it.
I think my appointment was at 2:00pm, but the time doesn't matter. I'm all weighed, blood pressured and pulsed and temperatured by the nurse, and in that oh, so chic examination gown (yeah, yeah I know), waiting for the doctor to come and do his thing.
We talk about how I'm feeling. Fortunately this time I've avoided the pre-eclampsia I had when I was pregnant with Stevie, and everything is going well. I do mention the contractions again.
So, I lie back on the table, the doctor palpates my huge belly, then with the stethescope listens to the baby's heartbeat, and whatever else is going on in there. All of a sudden he raised his head and asked "Did you just have a contraction?" "Yes, that's what I've been telling you about."
Doctor says go to the hospital immediately and get admitted. Nope, can't do that. Have to go get my husband at school, go home and get my already-packed bag, make arrangements with the neighbor to keep Stevie awhile longer, then husband can drive me to the hospital. OK, says the doctor, but be in the hospital by 4:00 o'clock. OK, we can do that.
So, I go by the school, pick up husband and tell him now's the time. And we do get me back to the hospital and admitted by 4:00 pm. However, the doctor doesn't get there until about 6:00. I'm still having regular contraction, although not big ones. I'm dilated somewhat. So it looks like I'm ready--or at least the baby is ready to make his/her entrance into the world.
But my water hasn't broken, so the doctor takes care of that with his handy-dandy little scalpel. Nothing happens for awhile, but all of a sudden a contraction that takes my breath away. Ok, we're on the way!! Let's get me to the delivery room!
After picking up Stevie from the neighbor, getting some dinner and all those domestic things husbands do while Mommy's in the hospital, and calling our soon-to-be sitters Rosalie and Cathy to stay with Stevie for awhile, it's about 8:00 pm before he gets back to the hospital. To find out I've already delivered.
A boy.
There! now you know. He's eight and a half pounds, 20 inches long, a bunch of dark hair, and beautiful! I get to chose the name this time, so it's Andrew.
Next: going home.