Birthin’ Babies

by Mom101 on 05.10.07
in Uncategorized


My OB looked at the blue sticky note dangling from my file this afternoon and remarked, “so, I guess we’ve got an appointment tomorrow, you and me.”

We do?

For what?

“For induction.”

Wh-a-a?

“You didn’t know?”

No, no one told me. I thought it was next week. Monday. Maybe Tuesday. But nope…tomorrow it is.

5/11/07

Weird to know the birthday in advance, isn’t it?

(On a side note, Nate was cute this morning. He said, “so, I know you’re a little worried about dealing with pitocin…would it be easier just to schedule a C-section instead? I mean, don’t people just do that?” My OB got a kick out of that one.)

So unless the cramping from today’s membrane stripping (not nearly as burlesque as it sounds) turns into contractions tonight, I will be induced tomorrow early morning in a sunny hospital room overlooking New York’s East River. Sorry to disappoint you but there will be no frantic rush to the hospital story. No water breaking in the middle of Haagen Daaz story. No pacing the Brooklyn Promenade at midnight in labor story.

Just a scheduled car trip across the Brooklyn Bridge and up the FDR drive in the traffic-light wee hours (5:30 is pretty wee to me) of the morning.

I’m grateful for the time to plan, actually. As my friend Hally says, it suits my anal Virgo ways.

What this plan-ahead Virgo hadn’t planned for however is just how hard it was to send Thalia off to Grandma’s for the night. Saying goodbye to her was unexpectedly heart crushing, knowing that the next time I see her, everything will have changed; she’s trading in her only child status for good. For better. For sisterhood and solidarity and all that good stuff. But I admit I’m mourning the end of this part of my journey with her. I will always remember this last week we had together, just the two of us–singing to videos, playing picnic with her animals (PARTY! she would scream, hands raised in the air, with every “cupcake” she served), knocking down towers of blocks, cuddling on the couch.

Above all, I’ll remember the moment that she pulled up my shirt, looked at my belly and said, “baby’s coming. Open the door.”

Indeed.

“Remember, no eating after midnight,” the nurse reminded me as I tried to contain my emotion and anxiety behind my sunglasses.

Which immediately made me think of what to have for my last meal. I was thinking pancakes. My friend Danielle suggested waffles. Either way, I know what I’ll be having tomorrow night.

{94 Comments}

94 thoughts on “Birthin’ Babies”

  2. Good luck with the pitocin thing. I’m glad you had a great week with Thalia. You’ll still have alone time with her sometimes, but I bet she’ll be a wonderful big sister! 😉

  4. I don’t understand why you just wouldn’t have the tuna roll tonight. It isn’t going to do any harm. Then again, just think of that as your goal is a good thought too.

  7. Yay! Push your way to spicy tuna land… pitocin, shmitocin. Congrats, keep us posted. 🙂

  9. Be prepared for the first time Thalia, your BIG BIG little girl walks into the hotel room. I gasped and then burst into tears when it happened to me. It is so bizarre to have another little baby and then see your toddler, who suddenly looks so much older. Rest assured, Thalia will just think its cool to visit a hotel room, see her family and—oh yeah, the baby is cute can we go to that vending machine again? I was hiccuping back big sobs of guilt over ruining Belly’s status of ‘one and only’, and she was just wondering where I got all those saltines and where could she get some.Many, many hugs to you and cannot WAIT for the news of her arrival. Enjoy your spicy tuna!

  10. It is hard, knowing things are going to change so much. Especially since you didn’t have much notice. I hope you get some rest tonight so you are ready for the big day. Can’t wait for the news! Jill

  11. I feel bittersweet for you reading that! It must be hard knowing what Thalia can’t know but you are absolutely right, sisterhood is a blessing.(And don’t mean to be all up in your uterus with ass-vice but I was induced and it took a looooooong time. I’m just saying, pack some magazines and have the sushi now. You’re going to be tired tomorow either way.)

  12. WHEEEEE! I’m so excited for you. I get misty even thinking of the first meeting between baby #1 and #2. I haven’t spent a full night away from the little guy yet, so I’m sure I’ll be a wreak.BTW- I had a dose of pitocin with the little man to ‘speed things up’ (now I think, “why on earth did I want to speed things up?!”)– just make sure you are on an epidural by then. Thinking of you and sending happy, strong pushes your way. Enjoy the maki!

  13. lmfao @ open the door! TOO STINKING CUTE! omg, congrats and good luck and YAY!!!!!! love you!

  14. pitocin isnt bad, Ive had it with all my kiddos and 2 of my babies I birthed with no pain meds. For the record i have a very low tolerance for pain so i’m not just blowing smoke up your ass. Good luck, best wishes and your “last” meal should be protein heavy or you might just chew the nurses arm off for nourishment during labor

  15. Good luck tomorrow and an early welcome to your little Taurus. And enjoy the sushi. I had the same craving when I was pregnant. Unagi and California Roll just didn’t cut it. I don’t even really remember what my husband brought me that night, but I know it was RAW. And the funny thing — my son (now 7) adores sushi. Minus the wasabi at this point but he can inhale an order of sake and maguro sashimi.

  17. You’ll do great. So will Nate and Thalia. The tuna – well, he doesn’t know what’s in store for him, so he’s happy too.With Tacy, I was scheduled for an induction. I grew very attached to that date. And we made it with 18 minutes to spare. 😉

  18. My youngest was scheduled for an induction at 5am on Feb 22nd. I went into labor the night before and she was born at 4:56am on Feb 22nd, just under the wire. *lol*

  20. Hurray for May birthdays!The night before I had my scheduled induction with my second my water broke.

  21. Hey Liz – Good luck and happy vibes and all that!! I do have to ditto what others have said… get some magazines. I went in for induction on 9/20 at 8 am and my stubborn little girl didn’t arrive until 8:30 pm on the 21st. But it wasn’t all pain or anything. Just boring wait time.

  22. Awww..guess I’m the last one to go, eh? Seriously, hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow, and you’re holding your new little girl soon. Last chance to battle over a name, right?Because I’m a VBAC, I can’t be induced, so I have to just wait it out. My doctor’s visit was today, and so far nothing is happening.Good luck and good drugs to you!

  23. Good luck tomorrow. I got the shock of my life when I saw my 20 month-old after I had her little sister. She went from being “the baby” to a big girl like *that.* It’s a very bittersweet moment, one I’m still not sure I’m used to, 9 months later.

  26. EEEEeeeeeekkk! I’m so excited! Texas is rooting for you guys! And we can’t wait to meet ol’ what’s her name. Whoooohoooo! Thalia’s sister rules! (And so does T)

  27. awww! You are blessed with Thalia, she’s awesome. I pray that all goes well for you and your family.Enjoy your new baby. As for US… we’ll be here … waiting patiently. oh yea.. PICTURES.. por favor.

  29. Wow, Fairly Odd Mother expressed all I wanted to share, and far more eloquently than I would have.So all I have left to say is CONGRATULATIONS!!!Oh, and I can’t WAIT to hear what you’ve named your little girl.And one last thing…in the words of the wise Mr. McFeely, “Speedy Delivery!”

  32. Both of our children were induced, so we never got to experience the rush to the hospital madness.Good luck tomorrow!!!

  33. You know that as a former doula, I am the first to nay say unnecessary interventions. However, when it is administered judiciously by an experienced doctor or Midwife, it is not as bad as the horror stories would have you believe. Often it is no worse than “real” labor. The key is to start slow, and increase the dosage gradually until a consistent labor pattern is established, at which point, it can be reduced or even discontinued altogether. I’m sure that it will be fine. And I remember having all those feelings of sadness and guilt over what I was doing to my first born, but it fades very quickly. Best of luck to you tomorrow!

  34. Baby come out! YAY! We’re all looking forward to this new boos arrival!

  35. I’m completely talking out my arse, but maybe your body will kick into gear now that it knows the pitocin is coming. I hope you’re in labor right now!

  36. Well, induction is my middle name….(feel free to use it) Celebration is in the air!!!! I kinda hope you go in tonight, just so you have a “little” excitement…..because…how could driving to a hospital to give birth to a beautiful baby girl and suddenly becoming a mom of 2, a mom to sisters, a mom of a family of 4, not be the greatest way to spend the day. The topper will be introducing Thalia to her sister…..TAKE PICTURES!

  37. how exciting! i hope you’re sleeping comfortably with your bags ready at the door!!!! how exciting!!! baby’s coming, open the door!!!your pregnancy has flown by for me, + i’m so happy for you! you might go into labor tonight, though, who knows?i am so honored to “know” you + i’m so happy for you mommy of 2 lucky babies! happy mother’s day!biggest webhugs!

  38. Good luck and best wishes for a smooth and easy birth!And as FOM said, be prepared for Thalia to suddenly morph into Baby Huey the first time you see her – it’s really quite a phenomenon.

  39. Best of luck for an easy birthing and a healthy baby. You are in my thoughts!

  41. I also went the pitocin/induction route (due to pre-eclampsia), and there was something both nice and surreal about walking into a hospital feeling so-ready to be done with the pregnancy, yet not-ready for the big day.Wishing you all the best for a safe birth and healthy baby!

  42. Mom 201. I can’t say that I experienced the rush to the hospital (scheduled C-section) or the thrill of having baby #1 meet baby #2 (since mine met each other long before I met them being that they shared a womb), but still know that you have a very exciting, exhausting and exhilarating day ahead of you! Good luck! I’ll be thinking of you over here on the other side of the world!

  44. I’ll be thinking of you all day! I know that feeling leaving your first… when I was pregnant with Daniel I used to play the Rainbow Connection with Josh (it was the summer of The Muppet Movie) and just weep. It seems such a huge thing.And it is huge. And sometimes really tough. But from the perspective of this end of the child-rearing spectrum, I see two men who are close friends and share so much more than DNA. Siblings with wise parents like the two of you are blessed with one another as well as the love their parents bring them…We’ll be waiting with bells on for the news. 8<)

  46. Man, if they could have held out one more day she could have shared a birthday with The Goon Squad.I still think that induction is a thing they should mention to the mother. Don’t you?

  47. Just wanted to say, I was induced with pitocin too, and it wasn’t that bad. Like Fidget, I have almost no tolerance for pain, but it was manageable. Started on the pitocin at 7 pm, and my beautiful daughter was born at 2:14 am, so not that long either. Good luck and best wishes to you and your family.

  48. darn it, a night of little league and I miss the big news. Hope all goes wonderfully

  51. Yay! I’m so excited for you. I’m sure it will be a breeze. Pitocin takes a few weeks to get out of your system, but hang in there- It is but a distant memory for me now. 🙂And I had that sense of loss too for my little Punky, but it was totally unfounded. I still have plenty of time for her and she LOVES her little brother, maybe more than almost anyone in this house! He gave her his first smile. I’m sure Thalia will be the same way. And you’ll still have plenty of cuddle time- better cuddle time now that she’ll be able to fit on your lap again.Yay, Liz! I can’t wait to see pictures.

  52. Good luck, Liz! You’re in my thoughts, today. I’m sending you some virtual hugs 🙂

  53. Wowee! Congratulations in advance. I was induced too. I enjoy your blog – making a link on mine.

  62. There is something surreal about driving to the hospital when you are not in labor knowing the baby will soon be here. However you “open the door” it is still exciting! Best of luck!

  64. This WAS me 81/2 years ago when my 2nd (the induction) was on his (late) way. All I could think about was my oldest child and if he’d be okay. FYI: you probably didn’t bring the computer to the hospital . . . but on the off chance, my induction was textbook. Stripping of membranes prior day, pitocin in the early morning and baby by 7:11pm!!! I even had time to put on lipstick after the epidural kicked in.I hope youe experience goes as well as mine did, and I can’t wait to hear!Sending you lots of hugs and support on this, your birthing day!!!!!Carrie

  65. That is the exact route I went: the stripping of the membranes (twice!); the walking and waiting and then the pitocin. It was wild! I hope all goes smoothly and as pain-free as possible! Best wishes to you and yours!

  69. Oh, I am so excited!!! I hope it goes very smoothly!!!I got a little teary thinking of you sending Thalia off. It’s OK to mourn that a little and it’s OK to always feel that you have a unique/special bond with her b/c she was your first.Can’t wait to see your beautiful baby!!!

  71. If your little Thalia gets annoyed at having to share the spotlight, send her over to me!I’ve been jonesing for another one and goddammit, I’m tired of going to third world countries to grow the family. I tried to go shopping for a sexy pair of mules in Cambodia once (just killing time waiting for the adoption papers to come through) and the guy brought me some real, live, non-Jimmy Choo mules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was Krazy! Good luck!

  72. You’re probably having your baby right now! Happy early Mother’s Day and an early congratulations on what I hope is baby’s b-day!And this:<>Saying goodbye to her was unexpectedly heart crushing, knowing that the next time I see her, everything will have changed; she’s trading in her only child status for good.<>I felt exactly the same way. It almost broke my heart. But the upshot is that everything changed for the best and my daughter can’t imagine life without her brother. So Thalia loses only-child status and in return she’s getting the gift of a sister. How utterly awesome (from someone who always wanted a real sister) 🙂

  74. BWAH! I knew I should have read my feeds last night! What with timezone, you’ve probably already had your lovely daughter, and I’m thinking of you all and wishing you all the best. We, too, knew the birthdate of my daughter (scheduled C)…an odd feeling, huh?So excited for you, you strong mama.

  75. ACK! Hope you’re done by now…I had a pitocin birth with my daughter, and boy, it hurt. But it worked. And I was scared to spend the night in the hospital. What a wimp I was. Am.Good luck, and I’m rooting for you all!

  78. Well, I hope by now you’ve had the baby.The best thing ever will be watching your kids (plural, can you believe it?!?) interact. I promise.

  79. ooooooooooohhhh! I am SO excited thinking you have your new bubba now. A little Portis. Or Dahlia?I second lawyer mama up there. My boys are beginning to really interact already. It choke up the mummy, it do.(Congrats, Nate!)

  80. I hope she’s snoozing right this second with Babygirl in a bassinet by her side.Good luck, Liz!

  82. Wow. I’m hoping you are already finished and your new daughter has been safely delivered. Good luck!

  83. I keep checking back hoping everything went well and that you had a safe and sound delivery. Good luck! Congratulations!!!

  86. Liz, I’m so excited for you! It’s 9:50 p.m. on Friday, so you’ve probably had the baby. Best Mother’s Day present EVER!!!

  88. Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear about the first meeting of kids… I am already starting to dwell on my daughter’s end of only-ness. Three more months to go…

  89. LOVING the picture.i came by way of amalah’s clubmom blog, so this is my first time. still, i have a feeling i’ll be refreshing for updates.hooray for babies!

  93. Welcome Sage! I’m so glad you decided against Clinton Portis, because that’s the name we’re planning to use! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Take care, mama!

  94. Congratulations!!! I hope you have a wonderful birth experience. I had a scheduled C-section in 2003 for the birth of my daughter, Lynda Elean, and I was able to get up early enough to put on makeup and fix my hair before heading to the hospital–I like those new mom pics so much better than the ones taken after seventeen hours of labor and then an emergency c section with my son in 97. In those I greatly resemble a crumpled rag.Again, congratulations. I am so happy for you!

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