Thursday, June 15, 2006

Wyatt's arrival (part 1)

Lauren was crampy all day on Sunday. She was just not feeling right. She was having contractions all day but did not think they were all that bad. They got worse as the day progressed but she has a high tolerance of pain so we were not sure if she was in labor. Around 3 pm she suggested we go to the hospital. She even said, “They will probably send me home but I would rather be safe.”

We dropped Maxfield off at our neighbor’s house (thanks Ann) and headed to the hospital 15 miles away. When we approached the tolls booths I asked Lauren to act like she was in serious labor so we could see if we could get through the toll for free. She said no. I asked again as we approached the next toll booth , “Please? Act like they do in the movies. Moan and stuff. I want to see if the guy at the booth let’s us go without paying.”

“No. I am not doing that. Don’t ask again.”

We signed in at the brand new, just opened a few weeks ago, hospital at 4:40 pm and were seen by a the triage people fairly quickly. One of the funny things about being in a brand spanking (pun intended) new hospital is the fact that none of the nurses knew where anything was in the rooms. The simplest task of finding a rubber glove took several attempts of opening different drawers and cabinets. The hospital was slow that day. There were about 20 staff members with only about 4 patients.

Lauren was at 5 centimeters and the they we going to admit her. The triage nurse was excited because they finally had “someone going up.” to the delivery floor. She wheeled Lauren past the nurses station where 15 nurses stood chit chatting. One of them asked something to the effect of “You got one?” referencing how slow it was at the hospital. The Triage nurse nodded . I asked for a round of applause for Lauren because she was “going up” and the 15 nurses applauded as we headed towards the elevator.

They wheeled Lauren up to the delivery floor. The nurse wheeling us got lost in the new hospital and it took us quite a while to find the right department. The entire hospital is based on circles. There really is no left or right when turning down the hallways because you are walking in one big circle. We entered two separate areas of the hospital that were totally vacant of any person. After a few tries we finally found the birthing area and into a delivery room and settled in for the night.

Kind of.

18 comments:

Effie said...

they wouldn't have let you through without a toll...only a small handful of toll booth operators do that...we went the exact wrong direction on a toll highway once and started asking the toll booth guy for directions--you should have seen the obscene gestures being made at us by the people behind...they ended up waving us through!

Effie said...

more story?

Unknown said...

Wow... a new hospital is good, but not knowing where anything is? That could be scary...

*waiting for the rest of the story*

Kari said...

LMAO, you are too much, lol.

I would have been freaking out when they couldn't find where you were supposed to go. And empty sections of the hospital...that's just gives me goosebumps...creepy.

Waiting for the rest...

Meegs said...

Yay! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!!

Oh and by the way, Wyatt looks exactly like Max!

ieatcrayonz said...

What, no police escort?

Nature Girl said...

I'd have been creeped out by an empty hospital! You'd think they'd use their "spare time" between patients to aquaint themselves with their surroundings. Yikes..I hope no emergencies come in before they know where everything is! Too funny about the toll booth, I'd have let you go thru free! stacie

Anonymous said...

Delivering a baby would have been last of that hospital's worries if this had happened to me as my head would have exploded. Kudos to you both for keeping your cool amid confusion!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the only person not overly excited was Lauren. LOL

Anonymous said...

An empty hospital to me would have meant they killed everybody, straight out of Stephen King.

Glad you're not dead, and even managed to go home with an extra person! Can't wait to hear more!!!

Unknown said...

Wow I would've been so psyched to be in a brand new hospital. I'm right now trying to decide which hospital to deliver in.

Since Wyatt was born that same day I'm guessing her labor was QUICK. Lucky duck.

She's gorgeous, she's crafty, AND she has a high pain tolerance? Lauren is superwoman.

Anonymous said...

The girl is crafty like Ice is cold

Anonymous said...

So far these people have not inspired confidence. I surely hope it got better.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you really know how to work a cliffhanger!

Love that they gave you a round of applause..that really helps to take your mind off of contractions..lol...

LizzieDaisy said...

So glad I got back to visit today... looks like it was just in time for all the excitement. Can't believe you left us all hanging though. Ha. Just like you. :)

Congrats in the best way. So thrilled for you, Lauren and Max (great room btw!!).

Hope they find the room before she hits 10... I'll be up all night worrying...

Andrea said...

Oooh, I love a good birth story!!! Can't wait for part II! (Settling down on a comfy pillow on the floor...)

Anonymous said...

Samantha jo campen is a riot! That response was so funny! William, you really know how to tell a story! I love it! Anxious for part 2. So happy for you all.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you, Lauren and Max! Wyatt is so very handsome and looks just like his big brother.
Love the name... my boy is also a Wyatt.
Welcome to the world sweet boy!