Luke's Birth Story

Luke Charles Kincaid

was born Wednesday January 16, 2008 at 5:53 am

Weighing 7lbs 7oz and measuring 19 inches long

I had an OB appointment on January 14th, where Dr. Lamb preformed and internal exam and informed me that I was 1.5 centimeters dialated and was having contractions, I didn't feel anything! I left the appointment excited but knew it could still be days or even a couple more weeks before "baby boy" arrived.

I went home and packed my hospital bag and finally called the hospital to pre-register, thinking/hoping that it would happen soon. It didn't.... nothing happened all day!

Later that evening I noticed a small amount of bloody show which is a sign that the cervix is beginning to dialate. I called into work and let them know I wouldn't be there tomorrow. Nothing more happened, but I just couldn't sleep at all that night.

I really don't remember what I did the next day (Jan. 15) until about 6pm when my mom left for work at St. Marks Hospital, where she is a Clinical Coordinator, which is just fancy speak for head RN. Shortly after my mom left for work I had 1 hard, double-over-in-pain contraction and my water broke. I had secretly been desiring an unassisted childbirth (UC) so I hopped in to the tub hoping that would ease the pain...it didn't.

Oddly enough, I don't recall having distinct contractions but rather just one long painful ache that never subsided.

I decided that I couldn't do it and called my mom at work to come get me and drive me up to the hospital where she works, around maybe 7:30pm? Mom came home and got me about 8pm and we made it back to St. Marks around 8:30. My older sister, Sarah was already there waiting for me.. camera in hand. I went and checked in and spoke with the Charge nurse.

CN: So was it one big gush or is it a slow drip?

Me: a Gush.

CN: I don't think your waters have broken, but we'll check ya anyways.

I went into the room they indicated and changed into my paper gown. A few minutes later a very nice young nurse came in and did an internal exam with what seemed to be litmus paper to see if my waters had broken. She kinda smiled and said your about 4 cms and your waters have broken.. looks like your having a baby.

I was admitted.

I turned on the TV to CNN where they were disecting the primary election poll results. At some point Dad and Barbara also showed up and they all started talking shop, as everyone in my family except me is in the medical profession.

At somepoint I asked for an epidural and was informed I would need to have IV fluids first, but she could give me a shot of narcotic pain releiver in the meantime. That stuff is awesome.

Shortly after I received that wonderful, amazing injection, the Nursing Supervisor of the entire hospital walked into my LDR room, checking up on my mom to see if she really left work for the reason she said, at somepoint I finally asked who she was in a tone that made it quite clear I wanted her to leave.

The rest is a blur. I remember that around 5 am the nurse checked and said that I was complete. Sarah, Barb, and mom all coached my practice-pushing as the nurse kinda chuckled and sat there, since they were pretty much doing her job. Around 5:30 am the Doctor on call, Dr. Susan Horvath came in and the room transformed from a comforting bedroom like environ to an almost operating room-like setting.

I pushed and pushed until the doctor said the baby's head was pretty big and asked for permission to do an episiotomy, I don't recall what I said but I remember thnking, " I don't care, do whatever you want." She did the incision and Luke was born.

I didn't feel that immediate overwhelming love that we all hear about. I thought he was adorable and I was glad he had hair but I didn't realize I loved him until he was a few days old, about the time we left the hospital.

Luke didn't have a name until we were about to leave the hospital. I chose Luke for it's meaning "bringer of light", I didn't really love the name but it was all I could think of and now Luke is totally a "Luke".. it just fits him.