Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Mr. Perfect

The dude arrived March 15th at 11:31PM, weighing in at 7 lbs, 11 oz.

[This is JEFF BTW, since Saydi is sleeping] IMG_8777

[Please skip this next section unless you are a female relative, or really trying to kill some time—I can’t imagine this is of interest to anyone else]

The poor midwife and nurse at the Cambridge Birth Center, being unfamiliar with Saydi’s past exploits in the realm of competitive speed birthing (see here) were unwilling to admit her right away, though dilated to 2cm. We hung out for a while with Saydi strapped up to the fetal heart monitor and ‘contraction meter’ from 9–10PM. It was showing mild / moderate contractions.

I was timing the duration and intervals and getting 35 second contractions every 2 minutes (which is par for Saydi’s serious labor), and starting to have visions of spoiling the birth center’s nice waiting room rug with another hurried birth like Charlie’s. They eventually realized that the contraption / sensor wasn’t strapped on quite tight enough, and with that corrected, found things were progressing a bit faster than they thought. Of course Saydi was chatting away and being generally cheery all the while, which probably threw them off as well.

Fortunately, her crack pit crew (myself, L the super-doula, her mom, and HK the doula/photographer) commandeered the master suite anyhow and put her in a warm bathtub around 10PM. The nurse and midwife then succumbed to the ‘facts on the ground’ (that’s a reference to the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, kids) and admitted her, checked her, and found she was dilated to a 3cm and set to launch.

This is the part where Saydi really excels. To carry the automotive metaphor to its absurd conclusion, she wasn’t quite as fast off the line this time, but MAN—she went from 30MPH to supersonic in about 30 minutes. She was just hanging out, doing a pretty regular pattern of 40 second contractions every 2 minutes like clockwork for awhile, and then it was ‘hey, I feel like pushing' [10 second push] ‘Saydi, the head’s right there’ [10 second push] ‘heads out’ [5 seconds] ‘Done!’  I may exaggerate slightly, but I would bet the whole pushing phase was less than a minute.

Saydi has always been amazingly poised and calm through childbirth, but this time she was so (outwardly) relaxed about things until the last 10 minutes or so that I really wasn’t sure if anything was happening. In talking to Saydi afterwards, it was clear that it was more intense that I could tell. But Saydi and her super-doula L are really good at keeping her calm and in the zone through really rapid labor.

IMG_8916

The little guy seems perfect in every way, and in fact did really well with the water birth format (which we had never fully tried before). He and Saydi hung out in the tub for quite awhile, where he turned from a strange purple to a healthy pink really quickly, and did everything else like a champ.  IMG_8974

Saydi’s mom and dad brought the kids down around 9AM the next morning and we had a great time introducing Hazel, Charlie, and Emmeline to the new guy. You will note that 1) he has really massive hands, so I’m hoping for either the NBA or concert pianist, and that 2) Emmeline was unclear on her feelings about this little doll that moves on its own.

She soon overcame her hesitation and held him for quite some time, pushing my hand away every time I tried to steady her or support his head a little more. In fact she bounced him and ‘shushed’ him and pretty much took over the mommy role while we let her.

The other two are thrilled, and truly affectionate towards him when they are not fighting about who gets to play with him next.

IMG_9093

23 comments:

  1. Congratulations to everyone!

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  2. I WANT A NEWBORN!!!! There's nothing closer to heaven. Enjoy these early days.
    WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR ALL OF YOU.
    WOW, He's amazing!
    much love, Lauralee and Linda in NY

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  3. I loved your recap Jeff. I guess my text message will have to be postponed for 6 weeks :)

    You could have told me "Saydi's in the tub," was really "Saydi's in the tub giving birth not soaking her aching body." Men!...Sheesh.

    So happy for you guys. He looks like another Shumway! Handsome as ever and possibly a future suitor for my little girl coming! If we could put dibs on him we would cause who wouldn't want a Shumway as a son/daughter in-law. I'm getting ahead of myself...

    Yeah, congrats, love you guys!!!!

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  4. Congratulations! He is so handsome. I love that our two boys will be so close in age.

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  5. I'm a female relative who loved your writeup, Jeff. It was great to see him on Skype tonight. Looks really sweet. Glad all are doing well.

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  6. I am uber-jealous of Nedra an want to see the little guy on skype asap. also. jeff. I move that you blog MUCH more often. honestly? this is one of the most delightful things I have ever read. you are so clever. yay! I love all of you so much. can't wait to meet the little guy next month!!!

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  7. LOL, that was a great and semi-non-graphic accounting. You do need to share a name, though, since "The little guy" is a mouthful. Well, if nothing else, call him Chico since you both speak passable Spanish. :P Congrats again. -Kaki

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  8. Yay!!! Way to go Saydster! Jeff...I really enjoyed your play-by-play. The new Shumway is a handsome little devil. I can't wait to talk!!!

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  9. Monica9:26 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Welcome little baby boy Shumway!!!! Jeff-- you should blog more often bc you are such a gifted and amusing writer. Loved reading about the birth. Way to go, Saydi! You are a birthing star.

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  10. SO SO SO happy for you all! We're excited to hear his name, but mostly just happy for all of you! He is beautiful and fabulous job Saydi!

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  11. So excited for you guys and can't wait to hold him in a month! Love you guys. Great recap, Jeff. Trying to wait patiently for more pictures. Love, Shawni

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  12. So glad your waiting is over! What a hansome little fellow. Hope you are all doing well. Much love to all of you.

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  13. Congratulations on yet another, successful male 'water birth' - likes like a tred for your boys!

    He looks so peaceful and you look amazing - who takes photographs 48 hrs after birth that well - you are truly AMAZING S.

    Bigs hugs and love,
    Stacey, Taylor, Theo & Max

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  14. Yay for a baby! Congrats!

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  15. WAHOO!!! Congrats you guys! So glad to hear that everything went so smoothly. I wish I could do a water-birth someday...Saydi - you are my HERO!!

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  16. YESSSSSS This is awesome. Water births RULE. London and Mr. Perfect will have that for sure in common. It is the best feeling leaving the birthing center like 2 hrs after you give birth. And no stiches and such fast recovery from that natural birth stuff. So glad you did Sayds. That is great. LOVE you and looking forward to seeing Mr. Perfect soon......

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  17. CONGRATULATIONS!

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  18. Oh, wow! Congrats to all! I'm with Saydi- labor is my very favorite thing in the world. And I love your recap - I'll even take the gory details! Can't wait to know Mr. Perfect's name. Love to all.

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  19. Hurrah! Congratulations!

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  20. Beautiful, Saydi! He's just gorgeous, and your family is just glorious! Happy motherhood!!!

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  21. Congratulations! He is beautiful.

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  22. Aaaah!!!! So exciting! That is really wonderful news :) Congrats to all of you!

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  23. Congratulations! He IS Mr Perfect! I am glad that everything went well and you are such an inspiration!

    Have fun with your new little man!

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