a beautiful beginning: beckham gabriel’s birth story.

It’s quite amusing to me how things work out sometimes…almost perfectly. When Irene inquired a few months ago, she said she preferred not to have any labor shots of herself. What was more important, was when the baby arrived and when he/she was to meet their older brother, Hayden. What are the chances that I arrived JUST as the baby was coming into the world? I did. But it seems as though I was stuck in the hallway as it was happening! D’oh!

You see, I randomly texted Irene around 3pm Friday, wondering if there was any new info since her first babe was 10 days early and she was then only 9 days out. She told me the baby was given the eviction notice because they’d wrapped up all important things and their desired Dr was home from vacation. Unfortunately nothing was happening but she was certain she’d “will the baby out” over the weekend. Three hours later I was in the middle of a family portrait session when I received the “contractions are regular” text. I finished the session and then got a “How far away are you? Can you head to the hospital?” message.  I met Adam (at the highway entrance) to get my breast pump since I was no longer going home to feed Nico.  As he threw my bag in my window, my phone chimed, “Pushing hard, come quick!!” GAHHHHHHHH! Imagine me driving well above the speed limit, (single) breast pumping, throwing back mt dew and crackers, yelling at cars to get the hell out of the Mothership’s way. Believe it, it happened just like that.  I wrote Marty at 7:45pm that I was outside the door of the TRIAGE room but with lack of space and urgency of the situation, I was forced to stay in the hall. (BOO!) I couldn’t believe the rush this baby was in! At 7:47pm I heard Beckham crying and Marty giving the “YES! LET HER INNN!” approval. The tiny room was overcrowded with residents and nurses (total of 10 people) so as the baby boy was placed on mom’s chest I found the 1ft x 1ft available space at Irene’s head. A handful of minutes later her Dr arrived to clean her up give his congrats. Thankfully some nurses at bNorth know us now and Amy (from Nora’s birth) was so very kind to subtly move everyone and unnecessary equipment out. (We would never ask for ask for anything to be done just for us so THANKS AMY for noticing I couldn’t move!) Big bro came in to meet baby Beckham soon after and by gosh it was the cutest thing ever. He was so proud.

Needless to say, my adrenaline rush (enhanced by mt. dew) did not slow down til may hours later leaving me laughing in bed how the whole situation worked out exactly how she had wanted. Well, minus the fact her whole L&D was barely 2 hours, but at least she made it to the hospital and into a bed!

Irene, I’m so happy  you were able to have your fully natural birth and so quickly! Oh ya, I hope the move in less than a MONTH to GENEVA(!?!?!?!) is smooth sailing. Brave individuals you are! He’s 5.6lbs, 18″ of teeny sweetness!! Congrats, you guys!

Love, Melanie.

7.20.12