Friday, December 26, 2008

Liveblogging a Birth

Well, okay, probably not. But this is as good a place as any for a few updates:

8:04 A.M., 12/26/08: So, we're at the hospital. After a nice Christmas spent with the family (both mine and Emily's, as her parents arrived in KC on Christmas Eve), we checked Emily into the hospital at 8 P.M. We've got a comfortable room, and the staff has been very nice and helpful -- due in part, I'm sure, to the fact that Emily brought a plate of cookies for them as a bribe. Em has experienced a few light contractions, and at 7:30 this morning, the nurses started her on a pitocin drip. Currently, she's reading a book and resting comfortably. More updates to come.

8:36 A.M., 12/26/08: Emily's doctor stopped by to check on her progress and break her water. According to Dr. Nguyen, all is well, and she's really pleased with how things are going. She added, however, that this might be an all-day thing, and advised Emily to take naps whenever possible.

10:29 A.M., 12/26/09: Contractions are coming more frequently now, with little pause in between them. They also seem to be sharper than before. Or, as Emily puts it more succinctly, "Labor hurts!" The nurse just checked her progress, and things are still going well. They had discussed giving Em some I.V. pain meds, but instead are going to go ahead and order her epidural.

11:04 A.M., 12/26/08: The epidural gets a BIG thumbs up! Em's verdict -- "Good stuff!"

12:01 P.M., 12/26/08: No news, other than that the baby is making good progress; we've got the sound of heartbeat booming from the monitor, nice and regular. Emily is resting at the moment, and before drifting off, whispered, "I love my epidural." So, that's going well.

I am also doing well. I got a decent amount of sleep on the hide-a-bed, and have been much happier since one of the nurses showed me where the Dad's Smorgasbord is -- I was getting a bit cranky without food or drink. Wi-Fi in the hospital is a nice feature, and some well-timed episodes of "Mythbusters" helped me and Em pass a couple hours.

With that, I believe I'll go scrounge up some lunch.

12:56 P.M., 12/26/08: Well. We've gone from, "This will probably be an all-day thing." to, "You can leave the hospital for lunch if you want, but you might miss the delivery if you do." Either the baby has decided he really wants out, or Emily has put her foot down and is enforcing the eviction notice. Dr. Nguyen expects the baby to be delivered this afternoon.

And for those who asked, lunch was chicken fingers and onion rings from the cafeteria (and no, there was no KC Masterpiece for dipping, Chris!).

2:02 P.M., 12/26/08: It's looking like it might be just about game time. The nurse is calling the doctor to see whether she wants to have Emily start pushing or not, and another nurse is "setting up the room." Everyone is just marveling at how quickly this is progressing, while Em continues to marvel at the quality of her anesthesiologist.

2:05 P.M., 12/26/08: The doctor says first pitch will probably be in half an hour.

14 comments:

Gloegert said...

Augustus is anxiously awaiting news of Gloege Olschki's arrival. He also wants to know when we can come over to play....

David said...

The baby will be accepting visitors tomorrow. Bring Taco Cabana.

Anonymous said...

We can't wait! What is the status now? It has been a whole hour and a half since that last update! You are slacking, Dave!

Angela & Rob

Gloegert said...

Keep on truckin' Em! Gus is so hoping for news of his little buddy when he wakes up from his morning nap at about Noon. So, hurry it up already!

:P

Anonymous said...

Yeah... can't wait for baby Olschki to get here! Thanks for the updates Dave!

Gloegert said...

Um, Gus wakes up for his Noon bottle in 23 minutes. Are you guys going to make my baby cry b/c when he wakes up there won't be any news about G.O.?

David said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David said...

I'm afraid the baby will not be making a noon appearance, but since I'm not the one who lied to Gus, I have no misgivings about that. Of course, if that Taco Cabana order we discussed makes it here before noon, I'd be willing to take up the matter with Emily ...

Gloegert said...

Fine. I guess Gus will just have be patient. It's a virtue we've been working on with him so this is just good practice.

Ok, time to go feed the beast.

Anonymous said...

so, what is for lunch? ;) Angela

Gloegert said...

Dude, maybe they have KC Masterpiece BBQ in the Dad's smorgasborg! That would be AWESOME for you to get your fav BBQ on the day G.O. arrives. KCM BBQ AND Hospital Wi-Fi? Man, does life get any better?

Unknown said...

OH my gosh I am quite excited! By using my incredible math skillz, I am guessing Emily is in full on delivery mode NOW! Yay! So, Gus just had a tasty meal of Alimentum at noon, had some quality play time, and is sleeping again. He informed me that he fully expects a new friend in time for his 4:00 bottle!

Anonymous said...

Anticipation is killing us! What is going on now? It has been soooo long since last blog! Angela

Anonymous said...

sending our prayers to all three of you, and looking forward to an update! lots of love,

the albright clan