Evan was born at 10:21 pm Friday April 25th, 2008, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz.
Our first son Mason was delivered by Caesarean section, but we had been planning to do "VBAC" (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) for our second. However, our HMO has a standard rule that they won't induce labor for VBAC patients; instead, they ask you to schedule a C-section at some time of your choosing on or after your due date. If you go into labor before your scheduled surgery, then the surgery is cancelled, and if you don't, you go for the C-section. So a couple of weeks ago, in a moment of (completely understandable) impatience, Shirley made the decision to schedule the C-section for Wednesday the 23rd, the first available slot after her due date.
As soon as the decision was made, though, the planned C-section began to feel anticlimactic. We had taken a 6-week childbirth course last time and never got to use anything we had learned, and we had taken a refresher course this time too. Finally on Tuesday afternoon the day before the scheduled surgery, Shirley decided she wanted to allow for a bit more time to let nature take its course, and after consulting with her doctor, she cancelled the planned C-section, intending to schedule it later the next week.
Fast forward to Friday morning. Shirley awoke complaining of "cramps", which were coming at regular intervals. Once she was fully awake it didn't take much convincing that her "cramps" were in fact contractions, and that she was in early labor. The contractions were about 10 minutes apart; Mark decided to work from home for the morning to see how things would develop, but when things appeared to stabilize he went in to work.
Shirley took a nap after lunch, and when she awoke, the contractions had begun intensifying and coming more quickly. Mark came home from work at about 3pm; by that time the contractions were about 5 minutes apart. We called the hospital and were told to come in for a labor check; when we were finally seen by the doctor at around 4:45, Shirley was about 3-4 cm dilated, and the contractions were getting stronger. We were admitted to labor shortly afterwards.
The epidural came early in the evening, and none too soon too, as the contractions were becoming quite intense. However, the baby's heartbeat was dipping with each contraction; the doctor told us that this was most likely due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby's neck, and he recommended a Caesarean section. Although Shirley had been hoping for a vaginal birth, she wasn't prepared to risk the health of the baby to achieve that goal, and we decided to go ahead with the Caesarean. Evan James Davis arrived at 10:21pm, with a healthy cry as soon as he left the womb. He weighed a healthy 7 lbs 11 oz and measured 20.5 inches long.
Mommy, Evan and Daddy spent the weekend in the hospital while Mommy recovered from the surgery and Evan was treated for mild jaundice (and Daddy stayed around to help out). From day one, Evan has shown himself to be an accomplished sleeper; he goes to sleep easily after his feedings, and he is also usually very quiet when awake, preferring to observe the world rather than complain about it. Grandma and big brother Mason came for short visits both Saturday and Sunday; both are very excited about the new addition to the family.
Everyone came home on Monday afternoon; Daddy is taking the week off work, so we are all enjoying a week of "relaxation" and adjustment.
Fremont, 28 April 2008