Grandma's point of view

The following is a little ditty written by my mumsy, at the request of others I paste it here:

Yes, Brandon and Julia had their baby daughter Kadence this very morning (January 21, 2009) at 3:07 a.m., weighing in at 5 lbs. 5 oz., and 19 inches long. Due to high blood pressure and concerns of pre-eclampsia, labor was induced. It was an arduous 16-hour labor. Julia was admitted to the hospital on the evening of the 19th after she and Brandon enjoyed a dinner out with her mother, Toni. Some tests were run and Julia was administered pitocin (sp) at 9:00 a.m. the following morning, had her water broken at 12:00 p.m., just three hours later, and was dilated to 1.5.

At 6:00 p.m., labor for nine hours resulted in an additional half centimeter dilation. Also, about this time Julia's dad and sister had to return to Price. Kimball (Julia's father) teaches obstetrical nursing at CEU and he had clinicals this morning at 5:00 a.m. at the hospital in Castleview for their morning report. Julia derived a great deal of comfort from her father's presence and knowledge -- he was with Julia for the administration of her epidural and kept telling all of the women folk what he understands and knows from his training. I look at childbirth in a new light. His sense of humor and calm was assuring to the family. My heart fell for my dear daughter-in-law when her father and sister left. It was a great disappointment to her.

At 9:00 p.m. (12 hours into labor) Julia was still dilated to 2. Crestfallen but determined, a young mom labored on.

There were new whisperings of concern Julia would need a C Section. She was becoming very discouraged and having a great deal of pain. Her blood pressure, if I remember correctly, at one point reached 189 over 93. Julia confessed afterward that she had been praying for all she was worth to just be able to hang on -- she just wanted to have things move forward so the baby could come. I choose to believe God heard her prayers (and the silent ones of the grandmothers, grandfathers and extended family members elsewhere). Concerns of introducing infection blocked further checks for a dilation status update until midnight.

The presidential inauguration and its related celebratory events may have concluded for the nation, but introductory events were about to deliver some desperately needed welcome news for Brandon and Julia: at the midnight hour, literally, word came that Julia had dilated to a 9.5. So, yes, in three hours she moved from 2 to 9.5. One half centimeter to go! The nurse advised Julia that they would administer yet more anesthesia (I believe this was the fifth round of anesthesia), and they were going to have a "rest and descend period" of one hour, hoping that now that the cervix was nearly prepared the baby would advance toward the birth canal and that this downward pressure would complete the dilation. The lip of the cervix apparently still needed to completely open and that this resting period would provide the time for the baby to advance into position for delivery. Hallelujah!

Well, that one hour extended to two hours. At least Julia was able to get some rest and had relative relief for that period of time. Shortly after 2:00 a.m. (we had all dozed off a bit), the nurse entered and indicated that the doctor was on his way. She set up the room for the delivery.

Breaking news: it was the doctor's belief that the baby was in a posterior position and this was preventing the baby from descending. The doctor would need to assist the baby in turning.

Julia graciously invited Chelsey and myself to attend the birth -- we had planned on waiting in the waiting room. So, this was an unexpected and joyful invitation, and we joined Toni (Julia's mom), and Brandon for a long-awaited event.

There were multiple episodes of "push, Julia, push," while the doctor literally grabbed ahold of Kadence's little head and twisted the positioning of her little head. This went on for a half hour. I have to admit some degree of incredulous amazement and alarm at the extent of physical wrestling the doctor undertook to reposition this little baby. It's incredible how giving the flesh in lower quadrants can be. Cheers were heard by all -- especially those of Julia -- when the doctor, with great happiness and smiles, announced that Kadence had turned. And then, miracle of miracles, Kadence was delivered. The doctor's announcement was, "She's a peanut." Kadence is a very, very tiny little girl. She is only two or three ounces larger than my daughter Tandy's twins were. She is healthy in every way!!!!! Well, she does have some bruising of her head from the doctor's valiant struggles to get her turned but this will heal. For now, her beautiful dark brown hair disguises much of the bruising.

Julia's birthing pains were not yet over. Though family had all oohed and aahed over this newborn, shared hugs and expressions of affection and love, and left for home, Julia spent the next two hours with a doctor, a resident and five nurses who had to attend to hemorraghing, removing massive clots and getting bleeding under control. The extent of her pains may be slightly more appreciated when we all learned this morning that she had been given morphine to subdue the pain. Even Brandon, fatigued and worn out from his role as supporting husband and father, had fallen sound asleep on his bed in the room, oblivious to the efforts being expended in support of Julia just four feet away. I have fought off thoughts of self-condemnation all day for not having stuck around to continue my support for Julia. In all fairness, however, if the doctor was aware of these post-delivery complications at the time we all left, he didn't make them public. If these problems arose after we had departed, then he certainly would not have invited us all back to the room where they needed to stabilize and ensure the well-being of a new mother who had given everything she had to the miracle of birth. I'm grateful for calm and level-headed medical staff that offer reassurance and expertise. We have a very happy family today due to their training and support.

Welcome to the world, Kadence Armstrong! You are a beautiful baby and we look forward to sharing life with you. Congratulations to Julia and Brandon and best wishes all around for your happiness and success in every way!

Julia, you did do it "basically natural." (This is an inside joke but it is a tribute to beautiful women who are empowered with a sense of their possibilities and purpose -- I an blessed to know so many of you!)

Hugs and love,
Lisa