The Kahn Family Blog: February 2009

It all started out on 8:00am on Friday the 13th. The excitement of contractions beginning got the both of us, Allya and Jeremy, to awake with anticipation. Allya woke me up by saying it's starting. The contractions were timed anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes apart. Allya and I attended our birthing class, and I assured Allya multiple times that we need to wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart and lasting a good 30 seconds.

Grandma Bonnie came late Thursday evening, and joined us in the festivities of Friday. Allya wanted to go and take care of many things before her mother was to come on Saturday morning. We went to Costco, Albertson's, and walked all over - Also in hopes to expand her cervix to a more dilated position.

The day progressed and Allya wanted to eat only clear liquids, or soup in to make sure that there wasn't anything that happens during child birth. So, we went to Souplantation for dinner with Grandma Bonnie, Grandpa Rob, and Mark. The contractions began getting closer together, anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes apart, and apparently painful.

About 12 midnight, Allya was in so much pain during contractions, that I made the assumption it was time. Contractions ranged around 5 minutes apart, and were supposedly extremely painful. So, we went to the hospital. At around 12:30, they began checking her out. I had to wait in the waiting room, and I had to sit in the waiting room guessing what was going on. But, about 1:15 in the morning, Allya came hobbling out of the room saying she was only 2 centimeters dilated and that she needed to walk around the hospital to see if that might help her get more dilated.

As a quick aside, For those that don't know - When you begin labor, your cervix starts dilating... When the baby comes out, you want it 10 centimeters dilated in order for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Now, back to the story.

As Allya and I walked around, we met all sorts of people, smelled all sorts of smells, and got to know the hospital inside and out. So, we kept walking until 3:15. We went back to see where she got checked out last time, and once again, they asked me to wait in the waiting room. Another 30 minutes later, I got annoyed at how long it was taking. I asked the nurses and they told me she was going to be sent home with some drugs to help with the pain, but she was only 2.5 centimeters dilated. by 4:30, I got so frustrated, I told them I need to see my wife - NOW. They walked me back to Allya, and I found her in so much pain just waiting for a shot. They gave her the choice to walk around for another 2 hours or go home, rest, and try again later. We waited and waited for the nurse to come with the drugs. As we waited for another half hour, Allya decided to go home without the drugs.

We got home around 5:15ish on Saturday morning, and I needed my sleep. As I tried to fall asleep, Allya was in the worst pain of her life - She had no idea what was to come. She tried sitting on her birth ball for awhile, tried sleeping, but nothing worked. Every contraction kept hurting and hurting. She tried sitting in a warm bath for awhile, and that seemed to help immensely with the pain. I was able to get some sleep until around 7:15 before waking up. I helped her into the bath, but it wasnt until about 8:30 to 9:00am that Allya was hurting so bad that I made the decision that we should go back to the hospital to see how dilated she was and if it was time. So, we made our way to the hospital. Allya wanted to continue to walk around for another 2 hours to help the dilation process, but I explained that we must get checked out first - the worst case scenario is we walk, if you're not further along. Allya then made me park far away, instead of in the emergency parking, so she could walk some more. As we walked, I told her that I'm going to bet she's a good 4 or 5 centimeters dilated. She got so mad at me saying not to get her hopes up. We got in the hospital, and we got to the same station where they asked me to wait in the waiting room. This time I refused. I told them that I am her partner, her teammate, and I am here to support her - I refuse.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Allya's mother was arriving at LAX. Unfotunately, I was in the room getting her checked out, just as her mother was leaving baggage claim, and she called me asking who was picking her up. We had previously arranged Allya's friend to pick her up, but the problem was that she didn't remember how her mom looked - nor was I able to talk on a cell phone because of the baby monitoring equipment around. I managed to get Allya's mom to look for Shirley, and my mother was in touch with Shirley. They found eachother and began traveling back to this side of town.

Back in the hospital, Allya was getting checked out with me next to her. All of a sudden, the nurse started calling everyone in to prep for admission - She was 8 centimeters dilated. The nurses wondered where the wheel chair was that she came upstairs with, but I explained that we walked up here. All the nurses were stunned to hear she walked up from the emergency parking being 8 centimeters dilated. I then told them that she actually had me park the car. Everyone was amazed.

We were admitted to a labor room with Allya at 8 centimeters dilated. The nurse helping us out reminded us of Ms. Cleo - But, with some spunk. She kept saying, "Yoo need tah have dah good stuff - yeah no - tah take dee edge off". The doctors explained that an epideral would help with her pain, but I explained to Allya that she was a good 8 centimeters dilated, so that she's basically over. She listened to my advice, not thinking that I've never been through labor. Luckily, she was now hooked up to the monitors and I could empathize a bit with her, watching the rise and fall of the contractions. I noticed a correlation between the baby's heartrate, the rise in the chart - Then, Allya's moaning. So, before she began to moan, I would work with her on her breathing. I would repeat, "Breathe... Breathe... Relax... Relax... "Finally, Allya got so mad with me, she told me to relax myself... and breathe with her...

I only had one contraction with her where I nearly broke my finger. And note to all of you husbands with pregnant wife - Cut their finger nails... She dug hers into me a few times...

By 12pm, Allya was fully dilated and the contractions were happening in full force. Allya's mother got to the hospital just in time! I allowed the mothers into the room thinking it okay - But, Allya was in too much pain and asked them to leave. So, it was myself, my wife and the doctors all waiting for Pearl to arrive.

Finally, with no epideral, and no other drugs to reduce the pain - She popped out Pearl Antoinette Kahn at 12:55pm on a beautiful sunny afternoon. I will spare the details, but the pictures say it all.

To come, a video documenting the whole thing.

Allya will KILL ME with this shot - But, she didn't know. The first Picture of an amazing baby!