The Birth

Many thanks to Brian (black & white) and my mom (color) for the photos.

Ela's labor began at around 9pm on Tuesday, September 20th. I was playing the violin, practicing for my orchestra rehearsal the following evening. I started having some small contractions, which continued through the night.

The next day the contractions continued, and Brian and I started timing them. Since it was Wednesday, the Heirloom Gardens workers came by to prepare the food for the garden share pickup. I had initially thought I might go out and help them if the contractions stayed mild enough, but by early afternoon things were strong enough that I decided to stay inside.

We called our homebirth midwives (Janet and Bergen) and my mom to come over at around 4:00 on Wednesday, when the contractions were about 5 minutes apart. We continued to labor at home throughout the evening.

Relaxing on the couch.

Belly shot.

Mom making lasagna for the crew.

Resting with Lucy after a shower.

On Thursday morning we continued to labor at home -- taking walks, getting in the shower, and trying all sorts of tricks to help labor progress.

On Thursday afternoon at about 3:00 we decided it was time to transfer to the hospital. We drove across town so that we could be at University Hospital, where my mom is a midwife. Both Brian and my mom were terrific during the trip to the hospital -- Brian had to navigate through bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic, and my mom was sitting in the back seat holding both an IV bag and the electronic fetal monitor.

The view from our room at the hospital.

Settling in with Lindsay, our wonderful nurse.

Janet and Bergen came along to the hospital, and stayed for the birth.

Much happier now...

Ela was born on Thursday, September 22nd at 10:10pm, after 49 hours of labor. The hospital staff told us it was unlikely that I would get to hold Ela immediately after she was born, since there was meconium in her amniotic fluid and because she was delivered with forceps. However, as soon as Brian cut her cord, she started crying. The doctors decided it was ok to give Ela to me right away.

Right after birth.

Saying hi to Dad. I really wanted to be able to see her face,
but it was difficult  because of how she was positioned.

First family portrait.

This is Brian's first picture of Ela. 

Bergen and Janet introducing themselves to Ela.

When Ela first came out she was lying face-down on my chest. She quickly started rooting, wanting to nurse. All of my breastfeeding training was from the seated position, so I wasn't sure how to breastfeed lying down. My mom assured me that she could help, and she guided Ela's head so that she could latch on.

Ela got a very strong latch right away -- so strong that I jumped (and scared the doctor who was putting in my stitches). "Whoa," I said. "Aren't you supposed to work up to that?" She was a natural!

This is my favorite photo -- my view of the little muncher.
To me, she looks like a caterpillar.

More eating...

...and more eating. She was really, really good at it!

She has her Daddy's hands -- beautiful, long fingers.

Daddy's first time holding Ela.

Bergen and Janet.

Nikki, the midwife who helped with the labor.

Lindsay, our nurse.

Under the warmer.

Ela weighed 5 pounds, 15.7 ounces.
19 inches long.

Getting a little bath.

Making the trip from the delivery room
to the recovery room.

All wrapped up.

Time for sleep...