and then there was Quinn

This Sunday marks Quinn being 3 weeks old. After three amazing weeks of getting to know my son, I wanted to share a quick take on his birth. It was only three hours of labor and then there was Quinn. It all happened very fast, but I consider myself lucky. I also consider myself very fortunate with who I have gotten to know these first weeks.
On April 12, 2009 Quinn Warren Niekrasz joined our family. Being that it was Easter Sunday I had planned to have the soon to be Grandparents and Uncle David over for brunch. I had made the comment a few days before that if plans are made they are meant to be broken. I had a feeling that this little person would be coming on a day that they so chose. The morning of April 12th I woke up around 5am with some slight cramps, but had experienced a similar feeling the day before and nothing happened...so I tried going back to sleep. At 6:00 I couldn't sleep so I got up and began attempting to replicate Tartines (our favorite S.F. patisserie) morning buns. While grating the orange rind, I looked out onto the view from our kitchen window rubbed my belly and thought to myself "I think today is the day". I had no idea how long or how short this was all going to go. Near 7:00 my water broke and I woke John to say I think someone's coming. We gave each other a big hand squeeze and I said I was going to take a shower and then would call hospital to see what they advised. While showering the contractions began. At 7:47 I asked John to time them...the first one was 5 minutes a part. I called the nurse at the hospital near 8:00 and she asked the important questions and said that since it was my first birth, my water was clear, and since the contractions just began it was up to me when to come in. So I held off. Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is known for sending you home if you are only 2 centimeters. I was not wanting to go to hospital to then be told to go home and wait, so I held out a bit longer. The contractions began to increase and get closer together. All signs that things are moving. John was great in reading me when I couldn't even read myself and said...Let's go! So after grabbing some homemade nourishment from my Mom and Dad and a hug, we were off to see if the hospital would take me. The taxi ride was the longest ride across town I have ever experienced. The taxi driver was so excited for us, but his thoughtfulness of going slow over the cobbles went unappreciated in that moment! I wanted to get there and get there fast.
We arrived at The Royal and were made to wait in the Triage unit for more than a few moments. I was then taken to a room to be checked out before sent upstairs for delivery. The contractions by this time were painful and moving SO quick. With no midwife in sight and the first grunt from me, John went into the hallway and asked for assistance now..." My wife is having contractions 1 minute a part, we need a midwife". A midwife came in and pushed and prodded my belly all while I was having contractions. The Triage midwife had concern that the baby was in the breech position. We both explained that the baby had been in position for weeks. She then said she would have to do an internal exam. Note to ladies in the US: this was the first internal exam I had during my whole pregnancy. A bit different over here. Well, she discovered that baby's head was so far down and that I was at 6 cm. Time to move to the delivery ward. It usually takes an hour to dilate a centimeter, but at the rate I was going I was dilating 3 cm in an hour.
I was wheeled through the hallways with eyes clinched shut and contractions continuing to strengthen. I was in my room where we met Jackie. Jackie was not supposed to be my delivery midwife, but she was there and since I was moving so fast she was to stay with us and deliver who was to be our son. Who knew how truly fortunate we were to be in her hands. Jackie was an amazing part of our birth story. She was right there asking me how I wanted to deliver (positioning, ), if I was wanting pain relief (no time for that...just some gas and air please), and offering words of encouragement.
Soon after meeting Jackie she asked me to tell her when I had the urge to push. I said "okay...I have that". So we found a comfortable (if you can use the word comfortable while giving birth)position on the bed on all fours where I held on for dear life and began to push. She talked me through the ways to push. John was right there helping me focus on my breathing and telling me how good I was doing. I could not have gone through that day or these past few weeks without him.

Close to Quinn's arrival I decided to stop the gas and air and ended up delivering on my left side.
At 10:56am Quinn Warren Niekrasz was born.
Weighing in at 8 lbs. 1 ounce, 20 1/2 inches long, and some hair on his head he made us a very happy bunch. Jackie said he came out like Superman with his hand a bit above his head. We got to know Quinn very quickly with some skin to skin contact and lots of hugs and kisses. Since Quinn came out like Superman I did have to get a bit stitched up. Thank goodness for some local anesthetic and girl chat! At 2:30 (visiting hours) the Grandparents and Uncle Dave showed up to meet the newest family member. The room was filled with love, excitement, and happiness about this little boy. Soon after visiting hours were over Jackie came back to help us give Quinn his first bath. She usually doesn't get to do that part of the aftercare of a newborn, but was very pleased to have the time and get to be with Quinn. By 6:00pm that same day Jackie released us from the hospital with hugs all the way around and we were on our way home. Home is even more special now...

Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb - born with a weak heart
(So I) guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing

Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up + say goodnight . . . say goodnight

Home - is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home - -she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time Before we were born
If someone asks, this where I'll be . . . where I'll be

Hi yo We drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head Ah ooh


This Must be the Place; lyrics by David Byrne of the Talking Heads
(John and my song. We danced to it at our wedding and it seems very fitting for this experience too.)