Born at 7:09am May 9,2008. He weighed 5lbs. 8oz and was 18 inches long. I introduce my new grandson, KJ!

Pee Wee went to the doctor on Thursday and her blood pressure was way up. So we had to go to labor and delivery where she could be evaluated. Her BP spiked to 173\104. They decided to induce labor. We moved from triage to a birthing room and they commenced with the magnesium sulfate (to prevent seizures) and the pitocin. They inserted a foley ball, inflated it and waited for it to fall at- which would indicate she’d reached 3 cm. and that an epidural could be placed. It fell out within the hour. But there were so many babies coming on Friday morning that we had to wait for the anesthesiologist. Pee Wee labored like a champ for those few hours. She breathed fine, didn’t panic and didn’t start screaming and cussing. Finally she got her epidural and all was well.

Around 6:30am the doctor came in to check on her and noticed that the babies heart rate would drop with each contraction. They thought something like this could happen because of the combination of magnesium and pitocin, so they decided it was time to do a section. At this time she was 6 cm.

I was there when my grandson was pulled out at 7:09am. My daughter and I both cried when she heard him cry (I had already seen him placed on her belly, but she couldn’t see above the curtain). Then Pee Wee promptly fell asleep. I stayed with the baby until Pee Wee and he were ready to go to recovery.

She stayed until yesterday and I stayed with her. I have to tell you that I have a HUGE amount of admiration for post-partum support people (most often dads, of course). I didn’t sleep any more than she did while we stayed there. She needed a little more help than usual, of course, because of her incision. I helped her in every way that I could and she managed just fine. She’s having some issues with breastfeeding, but they gave her a hospital grade pump to help her get it going (she’s got large breasts and the swelling from the pre-eclampsia didn’t make that any better). Also, he’s a little “tongue-tied” so breastfeeding is a challenge for them both.

Mags is having a little difficulty adjusting to the new baby now. I try to give her the most attention and let Pee Wee tend to KJ, but when Pee Wee calls for help I go and, well, Mags doesn’t like that. So far I’ve had to pretend to pump my breasts, hold her like a baby, pat her butt, and show her pictures of her babyhood. I’m hopeful that she’ll get through this phase soon because she’s kind of driving me batty.

Oma¹ and KJ in the hospital chair.

1. Oma is German for “Grandma”