Jennifer's Story |
Tim and I were married only 9 months when I began to suspect that I was pregnant. I started to feel sick while getting ready for work one morning so I told my best friend about the incident and of my suspicions of pregnancy. I hadn't mentioned to my husband my suspicions so that evening at a party I mentioned to him I had better not have a drink. He looked at me and asked why....then it registered in his eyes. His reaction meant a lot to me. He just shrugged and said don't let Tim Jr. ruin your day. From that day on our excitement grew along with the newest member or our family.
I spent the first 5 months of my pregnancy quite sick. At the end of my 5th month I had lost close to 30 lbs but was still progressing normally. After the morning sickness stopped my little bundle started pressing down on my pelvis which left me with a pinched nerve in my hip. This condition made it hard to walk at the end of the day and even harder to sleep at night. I persevered with a lot of attention from my mother and husband. I had a lot of support during the pregnancy as this was the first grandchild on both sides of the family.
My due date was November 13.1993. On November 1 my doctor began suspecting a large baby and sent me for an ultrasound to confirm the position of the baby. This test confirmed what he believed. Two weeks before my due date my baby was the size of a full term infant. We knew our baby was going to be above average...okay well good...or so we thought. November 13th came and went with little baby action. So did November 20th and 27th. Finally my doctor decided to induce me. He thought that the time had come since the baby had grown considerably and I was not going into labour on my own.
On December 2nd Tim and I checked into the hospital at 8:00 am and began the induction. The doctor choose the oxytocin gel to start things off and that did the trick .Within 2 hrs I was labouring hard and fast. I guess I just needed that first little push. I walked the halls between contractions for the first 10 hrs with my husband and mother there every step of the way. I had never seen my husband so upset in our relationship. When we hit hour 11 I had begun to have contractions every minute and they were lasting a long time. I began to do my heaving breathing techniques and was in considerable pain. Tim sat with me sweating and holding my hand. My father was stoically sitting in the living room adjacent my birthing room with my in-laws, sister and brother. I was not progressing.14 hours had passed and I had only dilated 6 cm. The doctor decided that it was time to do a C- section. My blood pressure was high, I was beginning to dehydrate and the infant was beginning to show signs of weakening. At this point my husband lost all his strength. This being our first child he was unsure what all of this meant. He thought that there was something seriously wrong with me or the baby. So when the decision was made to do the C-section the doctor asked if I would like someone to come in with me. I was so upset at this point that I needed someone with me. I asked Tim but knew the answer. He couldn't ...he was in tears and was exhausted. I knew who would hold my hand and be my strength like he had all my life...my Dad. I only had to look his way to get his answer. He quickly changed into hospital scrubs and met me in the operating room. Once I had my epidural and was ready (which was only 15 min) my Dad was brought in and sat down to the right of my head. I was no longer feeling the contractions so I could talk with Dad and tell him I was okay. After a few moments of the doctors work and a bit of jiggling me around my Doctor brought forth my first son for my father to hold to my face.
I Never in my life have I felt such immense pride and true, pure, massive love. My hero was sitting with me holding my first child...his first grandson moments after his birth. My world existed in that moment. Dad took my son to the incubator where the nurses wrapped him up and gave him back. Then my father walked down the hall yelling" Tim ...come see your son."heedless of the time and other's situations. We were the only family in the world for a moment. The only ones to have this miracle. My father's name is Avery Duncan my first born son is name Michael Duncan McInnis. I honour my husband and father with this name.
I was quickly whisked to the recovery room for one hour. Upon returning to my room I was greeted by all my family and the new Dad. All were amazed at the perfection I had carried within me. Michael had bronze red hair and wide, dark eyes. We were all in complete adoration of our new little man. My father considers the event of Michael's birth a special link with his grandson and with me. I will never forget the wondrous events of Michael's birth nor the support given me by my loving husband who gave my father a gift so great that words could never do justice.
December 2nd we celebrate a little more than a birthday, we celebrate the love of a family.
Love and Laughs....
