In the very early morning hours of Oct. 22, 2009, Steve and I welcomed our second baby boy - Colten Michael Hiltpold!!! The story goes like this...
I had been oh so antsy for WEEKS waiting for Cole to arrive. I had been dilated for over a month and quite honestly I was annoyed that I had 2 weeks left until I was actually due. The morning of Oct. 21st, we had a brunch at the hospital (where Amy is unfortunately spending her time these days). About noon, our Dr. came in to check on her and I mentioned that I was really ready to have him - and even asked if she might break my water at my appointment the next day. I also mentioned to her that I would really like to have him that day (Oct. 21st) seeing as it was 10 years ago that day that Steve and I met. She just laughed and said that I had 12 hours left in the day and she would be happy to deliver him.
I headed home, played with Cade, vacuumed, picked up - the usual. About 4:30 I had a contraction - not uncommon. I noted the time just in case - although I had been 'noting times' for a month to no avail. About 8 minutes later I had another...and 11 after that one more. This went on for about an hour. I felt good otherwise and the contractions didn't really hurt, so I wasn't too concerned. Steve and I had plans to go to the movies - and that's where I figured we would end up for the night.
At 5:30, Steve called. He was on his way home and stuck in traffic. I decided not to worry him since I wasn't really sure I was in labor. I figured I would just wait until he got home and would be more sure then. I called Mom and told her that I wasn't sure what would happen, but if she wanted to take a shower or something to go ahead...while I was on the phone with her, the contractions went from 8-10 minutes apart to 4 minutes apart...uh oh.
So now I'm pretty sure I'm in labor and I needed to tell Karyn. She was fixing dinner for Cade, but I really had something more pressing - I had to change the sheets on my bed. Don't ask - I'm just a freak like that. So contractions are 4 minutes apart, Steve isn't home yet and We're trying to change bed linens...seems normal to me.
Steve got home about 6:15. I said "Hi, change clothes we've got to go". And he said "To the movies?" and I said "no, the hospital" and no lie...he says "for what?" Oh my dear sweet husband. I love you!
So we get in the car, swing through Whataburger and head to the hospital. When we get there, my doctor just happens to be there with her partner Dr. Walters. She said "what are you doing here?" I said "well, I think I'm in labor, so I thought I'd stop by". Dr. Walters evidently said to her "She doesn't look like she's in labor." My Dr's response - "No, that's just how she is." Not sure what that even means.
They take me to triage where they check you, monitor you for an hour, check you again and if you have made progress, they admit you. On my first check, I was 6 cm dilated, 90% thinned...so they skipped the rest and admitted me. By this time, it's 7 o'clock and the last thing I want to do is have a baby at 11:55 and have that count as my first night in the hospital so I ask my Dr. if we could drag this out until after midnight (ie: no pitossin). She said "Not if you want me to deliver him. I'm breaking your water and you're having him tonight." OK then.
So right away I'm asking for my epidural because by this time the contractions hurt and I can't talk when I'm having one...every 3-4 minutes. They tell me that I have to have my labs run, anti-nausea medicine and 2 bags of fluid first...geez, we better get a move on because that seems like it could take a while...and it did! 2 hours later I'm still waiting and when I ask where the anesthesiologist is - they say "he's doing a c-section."...Awesome.
So finally I get the epidural which is great - at least on one side. I can still feel every contraction on my left side even though my right side is so numb I can't move that leg. But hey - it's better than it was and it's the best I've got so here we go...or..um..not...
So there appears to be a slight issue that my son is in the wrong position. He's belly up (instead of down) and has his head flexed all the way back - so he's coming out face first! Now, it becomes apparent to me by all the extra people in the room that this is a reasonably big deal. It also comes to light that I could be having a C-section if I can't push him out. Although they seem to think it might take 2-3 hours of pushing to determine this...what the????
So we start to push around 11. But then we stop - because my Dr. is doing ANOTHER C-section...good lord! So we start again around 11:55. Ah ha! I DID make it past midnight!! 45 minutes later - at 12:39 in the morning, he popped out. And I mean that literally. In fact, it was one big push and he popped out so quickly that the Dr. wasn't ready and everyone was yelling "stop - don't push!" Seriously?!?
So he was bruised and battered and really unhappy. The swelling was rally bad. He couldn't open his poor eyes for 24 hours. But they had warned us that face first babies (which evidently are not very common) have this and that he would heal up nicely in a week or so. He did. He's a delight through and though. Just as sweet and good tempered as C1. All we could have hoped for. It was a rough start, but totally worth it. We can't wait to share him with you all.
Welcome baby Cole!!
At Delivery
24 hours after delivery
What a difference a week makes
