Frankling Footsteps: Isaac's Birth & Ongoing Photos

Dear all,

Well with hindsight we should probably have seen this happening a few days before hand but our little bundle of joy still managed to give us quite a shock by arriving early. Perhaps it was Jen's somewhat strong Braxton Hicks contractions on Saturday that should have alerted us to a problem. Or maybe the fact that she decided to clean under the stairs on Sunday, a space that Andrew finds difficult to move in. Or maybe it was the investment letter that arrived on Monday addressed to Jen with a picture of a baby on the envelope saying “Eighteen years from now, someone might thank you for reading this...”

In any event Jen decided to ask about the pains during her normal scan which was scheduled for 2:30pm on Monday. She was eventually scanned about 3pm and referred for assessment since she had been having contractions of some sort every 5 minutes since about 8:30am (including while doing surgery etc at work until 1:30pm!). However the maternity ward was supposedly so busy that it took until 7:30pm for Jennifer to be examined. We found out afterwards that all the labour rooms were busy with women who were eventually discharged for not being in labour.

Jen told the doctor that eventually saw her that she wasn't sure whether she was a) in labour or b) she was just being a big wimp over what were actually Braxton Hicks contractions before being unhelpfully given a suggestion of c) cystitis by the doctor. After he examined her, we were told that Jen had been quietly labouring, and was now 3-4cm dilated and that we would be parents within 24 hours. Because Jen was only 34 weeks we were also advised that we would be shown the special care unit in the next few minutes before being whisked off to a delivery room.

Psychologically this was a huge shock for which we weren't really ready and to understate things it takes some getting used to. Also, since Jen and I were both kitted out in work clothes and had basically nothing with us at the time a friend helped Andrew get the necessary stuff ready at home that evening. Jen also felt compelled to give Andrew his Christmas present early, a set of cards appropriately called Things You Really Should Have Done Before Having Children (incidentally she bought these on Monday afternoon, while she was in labour).

There are some advantages however to everything happening early including:

getting out of the last 2 antenatal classes (including the tautologically named “Active Birth”)
the fact that Andrew receives £500 off his 2004 tax bill since baby was born before 31st December
and there are so many holidays at this time of the year to spend with baby.

We won't dwell on the gory bits of the process accept to say that they don't call it labour for nothing. Jen was very brave surviving on a malfunctioning TENS Machine and gas and air. Andrew did the right things most of the time, apart from when he commented to the midwife that it was the shortest day of the year to which she reminded him “Its probably not for Jen!” Our little boy arrived into the world accompanied by the standard compliment of bodily fluids and proceeded to express himself. Here are some of the vital statistics of the process:

Labour: Approximately 32 hours in length
Andrew Hit: 0 Times
Time of Birth: 4:30pm GMT on Tuesday 21/12/2004
Weight: 2.58kg (5 pounds 11 ounces)
Estimated weight if full term: 4.54 kg (10 pounds). This made Jen happy our baby came early.
Length: 44.5cm
Head Circumference: 32.5cm

Post birth we entered the rather strange world of having a pre-term baby – albeit a rather huge one who had only 1 monitor on him. You can look at and pick up your baby but he can't leave the room and only the parents and grandparents can see the child. It takes longer to really realise you have a child because your not required to constantly change nappies, provide feeds etc, although that's not always an unpleasant thing in every respect... The hospital also gets all these babies into a set routine which (if it works) we are quite happy about.

Making decisions about basics such as a name today proved quite hard with all the business of “the day after”, but we managed to do that fairly quickly given our extensive due diligence (!) over the months. Isaac Solomon roughly translates to “laughing peaceful one”, which given his mannerisms so far seems to fit him...

Here are some pictures of Isaac sleeping in a variety of poses.

Now the joys of parenting really begin...

Love,

Andrew & Jen (& a sleeping Isaac)

PS Thanks to everyone who has helped in whatever way so far and/or sent congratulations.

Ongoing Photos:

Christmas 2004:

eyes open

making his mark

bath time.

Early January 2005:

Jen & Isaac before leaving hospital

Isaac about to get into his snow suit to go home

Isaac in snow suit, strapped in ready to go home

Isaac getting his hair washed by Mum

Bath time at home

Time for a cuddle from Dad

Time for an outing

Time for an outing close-up

29th January 2005: