Blair’s Birth Story

Dear Blair,

Although you’re almost four months old, it feels like you’ve been here for forever. The day you arrived feels like yesterday, and at the same time, a decade ago. We wanted to remember the day’s events, so here’s your birth story as told by your parents.

Your brother was born three weeks early. Your father always thought you’d follow a similar timeline, but your mother knew you would come closer to your due date. In fact, you arrived two days before your due date.

In the last few weeks ahead of your arrival, I was ready to not be pregnant anymore. It takes a toll at the end. I needed a way to jump start labor, so I started walking around our neighborhood. Each time a little longer. It only took a few days, but the night before you were born, I knew you were ready.

On your birthday, your father and I were already slated to go into the city for a last scan appointment. However, my contractions started to get stronger and closer together. Your Nana was with us that day to watch your brother. She saw me in labor pains and questioned our decision to take the train, “You really taking the train?” I turned to your father and told him we needed to drive. The look on his face was priceless. When your dad has a plan in his head, he needs to process the change. It was rush hour and we were going to drive into the city. He was afraid we’d be stuck in traffic and he’d be delivering you on the side of the road.

There was some traffic, but we made it to the city after 10 in the morning. On the way, I called my doctor and he advised me to swing by to check me. Yes, I was in labor and contractions were close enough together that we should go to the hospital. He called the hospital and there were only three beds left.

We were just two blocks away, so we walked. Did I want to to walk? No. But a one-way street means we’d have to drive around in the congested streets of the city, drop me off, and find more parking. Time we didn’t have. Besides, we had great parking–something you’ll understand one day.

By 11 in the morning, we were settled in the delivery room. What I learned from delivering your brother, is that I needed to place that epidural order ASAP. Over the next few hours we were just monitoring you, my labor pains were getting more intense, and we were just waiting at this point.

Once my water broke, you were on your way. Once I could feel that intense pressure to push, I called the doctor around 1:45pm. For the next 15 minutes, we worked to get you out. Your father and I were filled with anxiety and excitement as we knew we were about to be your parents.

Just after 2pm, you arrived. Nana J could not be there to catch you. Due to the pandemic, your father was the only one allowed in the room. But you arrived safely. When you came out and they put you on my chest, my whole body filled with love. You calmed down, and we just laid there for a few minutes. We were so happy to meet you.