Names and the First Part of the Birth Story
Looks like I created a little confusion on Ms. Z's name. Her proper name is Zofia. It is the Polish version of Sophia and is pronounced "ZOH-fi-ah" (emphasis on that first syllable). As John's mom says "it is a very old name". We wanted her to have a connection to her Polish heritage that would still have a bit of a modern feel. And I think the sound of the name is beautiful in Polish or in English. The less formal version of Zofia is Zosia and we use both names (and still call her "Z" every now and again, too) since we like both. When we looked up Zofia in a baby name book (it doesn't show up in all of them because of it's Polish origins) the meaning of the name was given as "Wisdom". I would certainly wish her much wisdom in her life. Anyway, I hope that clears things up a bit.
We're settling in at home, and while she sleeps on a perfect Friday evening I thought I'd share the first part of the birth story. Which, more or less, is the fact that we weren't expecting to have birth story to share this week!
Once the issues with my blood pressure started to occur, I was moved to the twice a week visit plan to my OB's office. This was to keep an eye on me and Z -- I got my blood pressure and blood work done and she got non-stress tests. She always did well, and I continued to have high pressure issues, though my blood work remained decent and didn't show any real signs of pre-eclampsia.
On Monday, I was expecting to go through the same drill and then head for home to take care of my usual work routine from bed. The only difference was that this visit would have an ultrasound to assess baby size and amniotic fluid levels before the nonstress test and regular checks and bloodwork.
The ultrasound went fine and I got to hear those words every new mom-to-be fears: Your baby has a big head!. As we saw her move and a few good yawns, we had no idea that we were going to be getting a better view less than 24 hours later. Nonstress test was good, too. But then we had to wait a long long time to see the doctor (there was only one in the office that morning) and I spent a long time on my side getting uncomfortable and waiting (not to mention not getting much to drink). When she took my pressure, it was high, even on my side. So, rather than wait 24 hours for my blood work, I earned another trip over to Prentice to the labor and delivery triage unit to have my blood work done at the hospital so we could have the results more quickly.
The blood work came back fine, but my pressures were staying a bit elevated. Another doctor in my practice was able to see me and it was her opinion that while I wasn't pre-eclampsic, that I could be entering a more dangerous place for my health, and the only solution to that was to have the baby. The fact that I was about 1 cm dilated and that the baby was head down were all good things, and suggested that I might not be left with a C section as my best option, although there was some worry that my cervix might need some extra help (it seems that different doctors had different opinions as to what my level of dilation indicated). I was to start the induction process as soon as a labor and delivery suite could be found for me.
I was shocked. And my brain and hormones didn't work together very well at that moment. I started sobbing (not for the last time while we were at the hospital for this trip). I'm still not sure whether it was from anxiety, fear of the unknown or just excitement. So much was going on in my head. John just held my hand and looked into my eyes and told me everything was going to be okay. And reminded me how exciting it was going to be to meet our baby soon. He helped gather up some of my things (no, we did not have our hospital bag packed) and get ready for the move from the triage unit to the labor and delivery.
A long about 4 PM (the morning started for us at 10:30 at my OB's office) we got a labor and delivery room -- LDR 9. A nurse (one of the first of many who was to be both kind and exceptional -- I can't say enough good things about the nurses at Prentice) escorted us into our room. Larger than I expected, with a bed (for me), bathroom facilities, and a comfy chair and pull out couch for John. And all the equipment for the baby after the delivery. It was so hard for me to believe I was in this room (we had missed out on our hospital orientation due to my bed rest) so I wasn't entirely prepared for what it all meant. But as the nurse stepped out (telling us that the Labor and Delivery nurse would be there soon) it hit me that we weren't going to be leaving this room until I had my baby. My baby. More fears and anxiety (would the induction be painful? what if something happened to me or her? would I have a c-section?) started, but now an under current of excitement started to fill in there as well. Meeting my baby soon. The culmination of everything. All symbolized by one room and a bunch of equipment.
Tomorrow: Induction
I was also induced, for fear that my daughter's head would be too large, and we were really hoping to avoid a c-section. I was already a week late though. When I went in, WOW I was so anxious. And the induction sucked with a capital SUCKED. :) But knowing I'd meet my baby in less than a day was very exciting. I'm right there with you on that feeling!
Hooray! Baby story! Babies are the darndest things- very rarely do they do what they are supposed to, and really tend to go whenever they darn well please. I'm glad the nurses were nice; I've heard both horror stories and nothing but praise about both hospitals in my town, so it's always hard to judge them.
Makes ME cry. And there you are, making us wait for the next chapter!
I've been waiting for this story. Thanks for telling us the start. You make me feel like I was right there with you.
I'm glad I know this story has a happy ending :o)
What a cliffhanger! Believe me -- I was right there with you ... those sobs and feelings of absolute disbelief happen whether it's your first baby or your third! Can't wait to hear the rest... :)
Birth stories are important. Thanks for sharing yours.
I think Zofia is a beautiful name, as is the less-formal "Zosia" (and how cool, a name that starts with "Z"!). Back when I was a little kid, I had an wee bit of an obsession with learning the meaning of names, and I have always really liked "Sophia" and its variants, because of their meaning "wisdom". One of the names on my short-list for our Hypothetical Future Child, should it turn out to be a girl, is Sofia (German spelling).
Oh, this is the start of a great story and I can't wait to hear the rest of the details (even though I have an "in" on the ending - tee hee).
Congrats again.
Sophia, in greek, means indeed wisdom. It's the name that is at the origin of philosophy. Your daughter will be wise indeed....
I was induced for the last 2 of my babies...their labors were starting and stopping..and the doctors thought it not good for the babies. I tell you what..it really 'sped' it up...baby #3 was 1 1/2 hours of labor..baby #4...we 45 mins! Got a catcher's mitt!
Congrats on Zofia.....my Mom's name is Sophie...Zosia in Polish....I am Polish 100%.....keep us posted and enjoy the new addition to the family......many years of fun to come!
Wonderful story...can't wait to hear what happened next. :) Congratulations again!
How exciting, and how terrifying! I was induced too, but at 2 weeks late. I thought I'd spend the evening playing cards and watching Seinfeld with daddy-o, but the gel on my cervix started it all in motion. Poor guy, he'd run home to let the dogs out and when he came back I yelled 'get the bedpan' and, well, ick. At some point I remember thinking 'did I sign up for this?' and 'I'd like to get off this train, now, please'. But in the end it was 8-10 hours between the beginning and the baby, and in the labor classes we were asked what we hoped for. I said, 'oh, maybe an 8 hour labor, so the baby doesn't rush out too quickly and I'm unprepared, but also so that I'm not in labor for days'. And what did I get? Just what I asked for! Women who've had natural and induction (of any sort) say the labor comes on harder and faster w/ the induction. So I'm glad you are all home and doing well and you can tell us your story! I LOVE Z's name! I have friends who also called their not yet born child 'Z', because they had names picked out, both boy and girl began with Z. I'm awful glad the kid is a girl, her name is ... oh crap, I'm on lunch during a training session and her name is escaping me! I remember her COUSIN's name, Zentha. The boy's name was going to be a tough one, some 3 or 4 syllables difficult for English speakers to pronounce. The kid is my godchild! WTF??? I've been on this computer too long, clearly! OK it just came to me. It wasn't Z, it was V! Vizma, a Latvian name that refers to the way light sparkles off of the snow. Which is funny to me because I distinctly remember walking in the moonlight on a snowy night through a birch grove and thinking of my friend Andra, little did I know she was pregnant! Sorry for the long comment!
I really love the name Zofia and Zosia, either way, great name. I think I must be the oddest person ever. I have no desire to have children, but I love reading about other's birth stories and such. Thanks for sharing yours.
Thank goodness the folks at Northwestern did such a great job of guiding you through unfamiliar territory and rapidly shifting circumstances. At the end of the fear, uncertainty and elation came your baby love.
I've been away, so let me offer you a hearty congratulations!!
I was induced with my 1st too. I'm so sorry. It is a very tought experience. I can't wait to read more. I just hope yours didn't take the 4 days mine did.
I, too, had BP issues before my Annie was born. I spent about a month in the hospital, and had an emergency c-section at 34 weeks. All this to tell you- you know how you worry that long term, your baby might not be okay because of the blood pressure and all that? My Annie is 9, incredibly healthy, taller than her classmates. Perfect. So be assured- Pefect Zofia ahead!!!! Congratulations!
wow. i hadn't been here in a while and hadn't realized that you were having the baby so soon. Congrats, hon.
You've chosen a beautiful and unique name for your equally beautiful and unique daughter. It's perfect.
Nothing scarier than a hospital room -especially when you enter on a gurney on your back!!!
The first experience is always unlike what you have imagined! Next time(you're thinking-like I will do this again!) will be much easier simply because you know what to expect-no tour or class really readies you for that.
Nurses keep people alive-not Dr.'s -they show up for the glory-Nurses do the scut work. Always be nice to the nurse.
Zosia is a very very cool name.
So many people name babies, and never realise that the baby girl is going to be a grown-up someday.
She has a beautiful, dignified name.
Congrats!
Cleo.
(Yes, my name is actually Cleopatra. I hated it for a while, but I grew to love it.)