Your Birth Day!!!!!

Saturday August 10

At 9am, Mom woke up from some contractions. They were not painful. She thought she had diarrhea, but she didn't. She noticed around 11am that the contractions were very regular about 5 minutes apart and lasting for about 30 seconds. We decided to still go out to lunch with Alison at 12pm. Mom wrote down all her contraction times and it was still happening every 5 minutes for 30 seconds. We finished up lunch and went back home. We called Santa Clara Kaiser and they said they had 1 room available but we should wait until the contractions are 45 seconds long or more intense. Alison left our house and we just waited and packed all of our stuff. Mom took a shower and when she came out, the contractions became much more intense. We called up Santa Clara Kaiser, and they didn't have any rooms available so they asked us to try Hayward or San Jose, but they didn't even give us the numbers.  Dad searched for the phone number while mom was in a lot of pain. He called the main number and connected to the Labor and Delivery. They had a room available and asked to come in. Mom's contractions were really painful. 

We got to the hospital and were put in room 1. They checked dilation and it was at 4cm so Mom was officially admitted. They attached all the monitors to check Mom and Baby. Mom was in a lot of pain so they gave her some Fentonal. It immediately made her feel better but it wears off after about 40 minutes and she can only take it every hour. So, she was in a lot of pain. They took her bloodwork so they can make sure she could take an epidural.  By the time the bloodwork came back, she was at 9cm dilated. After a lot of thinking, mom and dad decided it's best to do an epidural. Mom was given 3 times a normal dose and it took some time to have effect, about 15 minutes.  Then, we waited for a bit and Mom felt much better. The midwife came in after about an hour and found Mom was 10cm+ dilated. The midwife broke her water. Mom tried to push but can't feel anything because the epidural was so strong.

Sunday August 11

We waited some more and Mom started getting more feeling so around 12:20am on August 11, mom started pushing. She pushed so hard and strong, you came out at 1:01am. Mom had a lot of bleeding and almost passed out. You had lots of skin to skin contact with mom and I held you for a bit because mom was so tired. They weighed and measured you: 7 pounds 2.9 ounces and 20 inches.

Last doctor appointment for mom

Friday August 9

Today, Mom had her regular doctor appointment. Everything is going well and the doctor thinks you will come in a couple weeks. There is no evidence that you may come early.

Possible baby names list

Here are the final possible names for you:

Marcus
Benjamin - "Ben" in Chinese sounds like "stupid"
Lucas
Owen
Gavin
Max
Timothy
Conor

Marina's baby shower

Marina had her baby shower at my parent's house. She got lots of clothes, toys, and played some fun games. Daddy was white water rafting with his company.

Dry run at the hospital

Today we drove to the Santa Clara Kaiser hospital to find out exactly where it is and to give our paperwork so we can have baby Marcus. We got to see how nice the hospital is and how nice the labor rooms are. We are trying to prepare as much as possible.

Getting Baby Room Ready

Today we did a lot of work in your room. We put together the crib, and the changing table that Auntie Jeannette and Uncle James donated to us. We also painted a bookshelf white. That was a fun project.  We also will order a white dresser for you. It is in the After photos. We are washing all the clothes that Auntie Jeannette and Uncle James donated to us. You already have a lot of cute clothes!

Mom had a baby shower at her work, Huawei and we have some toys and things for you already. We are almost done getting everything ready. We also put in the car seat, because daddy doesn't want to have to do it while we are at the hospital.


Room Before:

Room After:

Birthing class

Mom and dad took a birthing class that lasted the whole day. We learned a lot of new things. Many couples in the class were nervous, but we are not. Dad knows mom will be strong and he will take care of her. We hope you are a safe and quick birth.