Our Life Lewis

The Minnesota Twins were heading into extra innings against the Detroit Tigers when Heather had yet another contraction. This one felt strong but so had many of the others in the previous weeks and it was difficult to get excited for each one at this stage of the game.

We had been to the clinic that morning and were having to seriously consider inducing the birth but even that would have to wait another week at the soonest.

The game was awesome and after three extra innings the Twins were able to secure a playoff birth with a win. The battle against the Tigers had lasted a little over 4 and a half hours and it was approaching 9'oclock when I joined Heather on the couch with Danny Boi.

"Ok...I think I'm going into labor."

"Ok, I'll get my watch... Do you know where my watch is?"

"Nooooooo...."

"Oh, were taking pictures already are we? Then I'm taking a picture of you cause your hair looks funny."

The contraction lasted an hour, then two hours, and holding consistent at 6 minuets apart. Time to call the hospital. You know all the stories about first time parents always showing up at the hospital too early and being sent home, well so do the labor nurses that you talk to on the phone. So Heather gives her the history the dramatic change in contraction intensity and consistency but you know 6 minutes apart is not 5 minutes apart, Heather sounds pretty good on the phone so it must not be that bad yet, blah blah blah.

The hospital said "Wait an hour and call us back."

Tavin didn't like this person over the phone talking like she knows soooo much about his mama.

"6 minutes isn't good enough for ya? Boom! Try 4 minutes apart! How you like me now"
(P.S. Tavin is a BAD A _ S)

Less than twenty five minutes later we're calling the hospital again and we're not asking... we're telling! See you in 15 minutes.

I could tell things were progressing rapidly and had already packed our things in the truck, this had peaked Danny Boi's interest and he was now frantically following me everywhere and ended up literally under foot a time or two. Heather said good bye to the kitties but Danny Boi couldn't sit still long enough to even pet, straight to the kennel with him and we were off.

I swung up to the emergency room entrance and walked Heather in. There was a bit of action going on, not packed wall to wall with people but enough that the hospital staff had a look about them like they were waiting for someone to tell them what it was exactly their job was...

Two people in line at the registration desk... not even going to bother with that. Security guards up ahead, bingo! Just had to look at one and point to Heather's belly and we were in business. He grabbed a wheelchair and a nurse, the nurse protested but once we explained to her what her job was she conceded to our demands.

I met up with Heather and the security guard a mili-second later with bags hanging off my back, arms, shoulders, other bags (got it all in one trip!). The security guard ushered us past the secure doors into the maternity ward and up to the nurses station where we signed in and were brought into our room. Looking good!

We all spring into action, clothes off, gown on, yes we know what the cup is for...

Heather is in bed, I've got the essentials for the room ready, and the nurse checks out Heather.

"Dilated 5 centimeters, you're not going back home"

Ummm, yea. We knew that already. Why do I get the feeling they are not taking this as seriously as we are? Do they know something we don't? After all they are the professionals. A few questions and the nurse is out of the room. I guess we got our selves into this and we'll get our selves out.

The contractions are comming quicker now. The pain and pressure is beyond even trying to act tough and Heather is in need of reassurance, I'm up and ready to coach her through this. Oh right, I'm a rookie... as it turns out I need a little coaching to get me out of the gate.

"Just tell me I can do this." "Don't do that, just give me your hand."

I can totally handle coaching.

So, how's this supposed to work... is someone supposed to be checking in on Heather? Um, cause the coach is thinking things are progressing rapidly. Where is the nurse with the doctor with the drugs?!

Um, I don't know what labor looks like... I know what shock looks like, chills, uncontrollable shaking, loss of color in the lips, face, and extremities. Shock looks a lot like... well Heather right about now.

"Can you send the nurse in?!"

Heather's at eight centimeters and the pain is a 10. The nurse is getting the I.V. line placed and the most readily available drug ready. Shock can also look like panic, anxiety, it can look like... well our nurse right about now.

A mili-second later Heather is fully dilated. Where is the doctor?! No time. Just me and the nurse and Heather seeing how Tavin looks and feels with pushing with the contractions. Solid.

The I.V. fluids and drug dose has eased Heather's physical shock and she now looks like a warrior ready for battle. I like it! Tavin's progress has cemented the reality of the situation for the nurse... now is the time. The all call goes out for a doctor, any doctor, seriously!

On cue our doctor strolls on it, arms crossed, takes a look at the action.

"Yup, I can see the head. I'll be outside."

WHAT!!!

Two mili-seconds later Heather expresses her desire for the doctor to be present, the nurse agreed. Once Tavin could see that the doctor was in fact present it was only a few contraction crunches until the doctor gave Heather his final instructions... now this time you will feel like pushing but I don't want you to.

That was the last straw... Tavin had had enough of this funny business. This is the Life of Tavin, not the Life of Brian! I am outta here!