Matt + Janae: Baby Verene

Verene Huang (黃子宜）was born on September 18, 2007 at 7lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long. As a new daddy, I do have to say she is the cutest baby in the world...really, the entire world. OK, at least my world.

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Birth

As I was getting ready to head to work earlier on Tuesday morning, Janae's water broke at 5:30am. My plans and attention shifted to going to the hospital. It was amazing how calm Janae and I both were making preparations to head out (I credit this to the many classes we took which gave us a slight idea of what to expect). After calling the nurse and letting the hospital know we were coming in, we grabbed the rest of our stuff and headed to Fair Oaks hospital. They situated us in our labor room, hooked her up to an IV and pitocin to start the labor (Janae's water broke but no contractions).

We soon called for Chengyu, Janae's OB friend. It was always my plan to have someone else with us in the delivery room to help us understand our real options. Hospitals and doctors, like any other business, operate by predefined rules and procedures, which minimize liability for them but may not be in the patient's best interest. I've heard enough horror stories about doctors and nurses changing shifts through the labor and re-hashing different already failed approaches. Fortunately one of Janae's best friends had delivered many babies when she practiced at a large hospital in China.

She kept eye on the drug levels, labor progression, and explained things the doctors couldn't explain. One example of this came after seven hours of labor and Janae was only dilated at 1 cm. The doctor explained we could keep waiting, increase pitocin, or try an epidural in hopes it relaxes the muscles to allow for dilation. Chengyu explained there are medicines that can be applied directly to the cervix to increase dilation but would not be considered seriously because of the increased monitoring and slight risk of infection, an approach she would have used. The epidural had an indirect chance of working since the cervix muscles are a different type of muscle than those targeted by the epidural. She also explained there were other tools that are used in China to open the cervix at a slow controlled rate, an approach not used in the US. Given the choices given us, the epidural was the best and it would relieve pain. Contractions at this point were, according to Chengyu, common to those observed an hour or so before delivery. Janae and braved labor naturally to that point! I believe she could have made it through without any meds even though she was determined she couldn't.

What are the next steps if the epirudal didn't work was the question Chengyu had me ask the doctor. She was already thinking of the next step knowing there was a chance what we were trying didn't work. She was right. Another six hours went by and still no dilation. We were given the choice of going for a C-section or continue waiting and hoping for a turn of direction. We still had 9 hours before hitting the 24 hour mark after the water broke and danger for infection really sets in. Again, the personal doctor and friend said it probably wouldn't turn for the better and given consideration for Janae's energy level, we decided to go with the C-section.

Janae finally allowed the anxiously awaiting grandparents and family into the delivery room to be with her a couple hours before the delivery. They had been awaiting at home all morning adhering to her strict orders to not come until later in the day. The decision was a wise one. When one family member was allowed in, every one of them came. The room quickly filled with her parents, my mom, her sister, and our niece. It was too much caring and concerning for anyone to truly relax. Everyone left again a little before the C-section and we were left alone to prepare.

The baby was born at 8:37pm in the operating room.

Overall the experience was a very good one. It could have been much worse. The epidural relieved a lot of the pain and the C-section came before any actual pushing. All I wished for in our labor was for Janae to have a good experience. I just didn't want our experience to be added to the already too many horror stories out there. Its truly a blessing for Janae to feel it was a positive experience.

First moments

I'm leaving you for someone younger

were the last words out of my mouth before leaving with the baby to the recovery room.

I was suited up in doctor's operating gear and sat behind the shield with Janae neither of us daring to look at her insides. The C-section proceeded quickly and within minutes I heard a cry, which started before baby actually came out. My head popped up with the video camera. A nurse quickly took confirmed it was a girl and then proceeded to clean her up. Soon after, I left Janae with my new love. Baby was so quiet and didn't peep a sound when the nurse gave her her first shot. I thought this was wonderful! A quiet baby. Already parents will know that the first day doesn't count. Baby is so tired through the birthing ordeal they're not quite in their crying element yet.

Autumn quickly bolted into the room where I was with the baby. The nurse quickly scooted her out and instructed her to wait in the waiting area. She decided to wait outside the open door instead. She entered once again before the nurse asked her to leave again and this time the nurse closed the door. After Janae joined me in the recovery room shaking from the anesthetics, we spent some time together before I left to allow others to see the new baby. Only one was allowed in the room at a time besides Janae. It was the first time I left the baby. Everyone took their turn and eventually left for the evening.

Matt + Janae

Baby Verene

Birth

First moments

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