The Birth of Sterling Conrad by Crystal Ogle
September 30th, 2005, 9:59 pm: Your dad called to say I should head over. The contractions began grabbing their attention around 9:30, and they are quickly getting more intense. I gather my things and start their way.
10:20 pm: As I pull up to the house, I can hardly see in because the windows are fogged. It must be the tub, I think to myself. Sure enough, mom is already in the soothing water. “Oh David, ouch, these hurt! Help me breathe.” Your mom says. Dad begins to help her focus. As usual, Cynthia beat me here. We can both see that this labor is progressing rather quickly. The signs look good. We begin to ready the tub for birth. “I love you” your mom replies to your dad, after a few hard contractions.
11:21 pm: The tub is ready for birth, and so is your mom! The contractions have really picked up, and are about every 2 minutes or so. There are a lot of double peaks to the contractions, and hardly a break in-between! Your mom is working very hard. Your dad, Cynthia, and I all breathe words of encouragement to her. Cynthia and your dad take turns counting the seconds to her … “that’s 15 seconds … now 30 … it’s peaking … now 45 … it should be letting up …” During a brief break, your mom comments on how different this labor is from Amelia’s. As the next contraction begins, I kneel at the side of the tub, and notice that your parents have hung a beautiful picture of them holding Amelia in the tub, just after she was born. It’s right at eye level for your mom to see and concentrate on. What a powerful focal point.
11:43 pm: Your mom says she almost feels like pushing. “It doesn’t feel as scary this time” she says.
11:54 pm: Now mom begins to feel a lot of pressure as you move down. She begins to grunt.
Saturday, October 1st 12:06 am: Your mother is amazing as she lets you “labor down”. She’s on her hands and knees. With each contraction she breathes while letting you and her body work together to bring you down and out, grunting through the peak of each contraction. She can feel your head now. You’re really close.
12:10 am: You slip from your mom, into the warm water. Cynthia is careful as she untangles you from the cord that is wrapped around your body, and then places you on your mother’s chest. Your dad moves around to have a better look. “It’s a boy!” he announces to your mom. “Oh David, it’s a boy!” your mom replies.
