The Birth Story

Malia was due to be born on May 17th. 
But, even though I was having contractions everyday and  was already 3cm dilated, my due date came and went. 

On May 22nd, the doctor called us in for an ultrasound where Marcus and I learned that there was only 7 cm of amniotic fluid left surrounding the baby, which  meant it was time to get the baby out.  We went ahead and were scheduled to be induced the next  morning (May 23rd).

Marcus and I packed and prepared for the following morning, and looked forward to our last good night's rest.  His dad, Mel, was scheduled to come in for the Bolder Boulder, so we thought we would take a leisurely drive out to the airport to pick him up on the evening of the 22nd.  It wasn't long before leaving for the airport that I began to have my usual evening contractions.  This time, they seemed much stronger, but I paid no attention to them because this was a nightly ritual that I was very used to!  Halfway out to the airport, I realized that sitting in the car for an hour may be more than I could handle,  so we turned around and came home.  I soon realized that this baby may not wait until the morning to make it's appearance!

Contractions came fast and furious and we thought at one point my water might have broken, so we headed in to the hospital just in case.  Halfway to the hospital we got in touch with the doctor who told us that the contractions needed to be more consistent than they had been, not just clumped together and every 10 minutes apart.  She said it sounded like typical early labor and that we would be more comfortable at home.  We turned around and headed home.  When we got home Marcus started timing.  From that point forward the contractions were 1 minute apart lasting about 1 minute.  After about 30 minutes of timing we had enough and got back in the car and headed for the hospital...again.  Marcus can attest to the fact that I was less than cooperative during the ride in.  Apparently I was trying to open the car doors and make a quick escape!  

Upon arriving at Boulder Community, my contractions were right on top of each other.  I would take about 2-3 steps towards the entrance and stop to have a contraction.  Luckily, an emergency room nurse came out with a wheelchair and quickly got us up to labor and delivery.  

After a quick exam, I was told that I was 8.5 cm dilated.  The staff began racing around to prepare the room.  Even though I wanted natural child birth, the contractions were coming too fast and were too strong, so I asked what my options were for medications to take the "edge off."  The doctor and nurse laughed and said my option was to start pushing in a few minutes.  I also wanted to get in the jacuzzi tub, but was concerned that it might "slow down the labor."  The nurse said it was the quote of the week and the doctor said, "slow it down to what, two hours of labor from one?"  The doctor told me I would only be able to stay in there for a minute or two, so why bother with the jacuzzi, but I made them start filling it anyway.  We arrived at 10:00pm and delivered Malia at 10:50pm.  My entire labor was only 3 hours long!  Next time, I will camp out in the parking lot around my due date!

Marcus and I chose not to know the sex of the baby ahead of time.  90% of our family and friends believed that we were having a boy (including me).  I think I had finally convinced Marcus it was a boy too, because he really just said it was a girl to prove everyone else wrong and really had no definitive feeling one way or the other.  We were shocked and thrilled to have a baby girl.  Malia has been so much fun and already we can't imagine our lives without her!

Some Facts

• Malia is currently 21" tall.

• She weighs  7 lbs.  15 oz.    

• Her name Malia is the Hawaiian version of Mary.  Malia means "calm and peaceful (waters)".  Leta is Marcus' mom's name.   Leta passed away  in 2005 from MS.  In honor of her life,  we named Malia after her.
                                                
• Also, Marcus had twin cousins growing up named Maile and Malia.  We have always loved Hawaiian names in general, and especially loved Malia.

• Malia smiles when you kiss her lips.  She has been known to giggle too!
                                                 
• Malia already has been sleeping 5-6 hours through the night (most nights).  She is a very laid back baby (just like her mommy and daddy)!

• Malia has really long fingers.  Marcus and I both have short stubs so we don't know where this came from!  Possibly a future pianist???