Steve & Shay's Story...: September 2008

Here are a few thoughts that recount the birth of Cole Bennett Reimer......if you just want to see the pictures scroll down!

Day – Saturday August 30, 2008

We had a good day with Dennis and Louise….had a great breakfast and we were looking forward to the day going to the farmers market and the usual looking-loo of Kelowna.

(Side note) – Shay had a bit of pinkish bleeding and mucus in the morning, but since she had no idea what it really was the day continued on.

So we bought some apples, peaches, went to TJ Kids to buy a baby seat – something I could cross off my list of “to-do’s”. We went to Quails Gate Winery as well…….mmmmm more wine to add to our collection. As the day continued on Shay felt fine, with exception to a bit of cramping and what she thought was constipation.

We looked around Kelowna – drove around looking at property and some open houses. We even hit up the new London Drugs eventually returning home for dinner. Dinner came and went (Shay had a great appetite). Soon after dinner her cramps increased….she felt more bloated and uncomfortable……the blood and mucus had returned. Then came the 24 hour nurse hot line…..

Shay talked to the Nurse (a former labour and delivery nurse) at which point we were advised to go the emergency (as the nurse thought we could be in pre-labour….the sign…..Shay had passed the mucus plug).

We arrived at emergency and were whisked in immediately. Arriving at the maternity ward, we were met with Ruth who would be our nurse for the evening. She would be replaced by Sue as time went on……and on the time went with Shay feeling more uncomfortable. She was already 3cm dilated!!! The baby was coming……

Dr. Benwoit would be our gracious delivery doctor along with a pediatrician. The staff were unbelievable….very supportive and helpful.

Shay was soon hooked up with an IV, put into her hospital gown (very cute) and laid in bed….after more blood pressure checks, a dose of some drug, and more pains it was inevitable that Cole was coming sooner than later (the doctor had hoped for a delay in the birth for Cole to get more nutrients or perhaps delaying the birth for a few weeks, but this was not to be the case).

I didn’t like seeing Shay in pain. As time went on, and after a lengthy back rub, it was clear to me that birth is painful….Shay was not a happy camper and did the best she could to deal with the pain……on came the epidural. This was not a pleasant site to see – something being stuck into your spine can never be fun, but Shay was a trooper. Alas, the pain stopped, but the pressure didn’t.

30 minutes later, approximately, we were in full dilation (3cm to 8cm within 3 hours or so). The cart was rolled in with all the delivery tools, the nurses in the room and the doctor doing his thing. Shay was in unbearable pain…..ahhhhhhhhhh!

What was I to do? Our prenatal classes were a week away, Shay hadn’t been coached on breathing nor was I. Furthermore, I wasn’t quite sure how to handle a pregnant, birth bearing mother……I wasn’t quite sure how she would react!?!?!?!

She didn’t like the gas mask nor the extreme pressure of her “undercarriage” giving way! I was proud of her. She breathed, gave out the screeches of pain, breathed more and pushed….and pushed and pushed. I told myself to keep looking into her eyes and painting her with terms of endearment……I don’t think she heard a thing.
Despite telling her I loved her, that she was doing great, and that she needed to push again and again, I still felt hopeless. All I was doing was standing there looking at her, and then looking down to where Cole would be entering this world (he’d be “shooting the chicane” soon).

I then saw what appeared to be his head….wow…….moments later is was over as Shay gave her final push (with the help of the doctor). Then came the baby cries……..unbelievable! Cole chirped a bit, whimpered a bit as he was quickly handled by the pediatrician. He was then rapped in swaddling clothes laying near by – the pediatrician quickly held him up as both mommy and daddy said “hi we love you”…….then we was briskly taken away.

This time was now Sunday August 31, 2008 at 4:09 am – he weighed 3lbs 9 oz.

The next phase……..

We knew his lungs would be underdeveloped and that the next 72 hours were critical for him – not a happy place for Shay and I. However, we had great support from Dennis and Louise……and both sets of parents were on their way the next day to support us further.

Little Cole was doing the best he could. He lay in his spot, with what looks like a plastic dome covering half of his body – this would be the oxygen tent he lay under to offer him a bit more support while he breath on his own. The oxygen count would rise and fall, depending on how much he needed, he too had an IV like his mom did, helping him along, as well as being hooked up to numerous machines to monitor his little body. What a site is was…..

Cole was doing fine, but Shay and I were a bit concerned. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that he came early and the poor little guy had to fight for his life the first few hours. But all in all, he was good and proving to the nurses that he didn’t need much help. What a precious site that beheld us both….a little miracle from God…..a little baby boy we would now learn to cherish and love the moment we laid eyes on him…..

Shay and I were now in a private hospital room down the hall from Cole. The first 24 hours we almost over! It’s now Monday morning, Sept 1, 2008 – a whole new meaning to Labour Day weekend…

I spent the night with Shay, we were both exhausted….me more than her. Our parents now in town and little Cole still needing help with oxygen….but as the day went on he improved. For a few hours he did without his oxygen dome, but he still needed it. We wanted to hold him, but this wouldn’t happened for a while (we were sad we couldn’t touch him for the first 48 hours since light, sound and touch were too stimulating for him). All we could do was look at him, gaze with our love and offer prayers up…….

It was a long day…we introduced both grandma’s and grandpa’s to him…….oh how proud they were! And as the day continued on, we hoped things would continue to improve for him and they did. He required less oxygen…..and the nurses were very encouraged by this (Chrissy and Shauna Lee were his nurses that cared so well for him…..we owe them much gratitude and thanks).

It was now about dinner time and I went home to Dennis and Louise’s to eat with them and mom and dad…..I left for about 2 hours. I hit up London Drugs for some newly developed pictures and then had a quick meal only to return to the hospital…..

I returned to the hospital….and just missed Shay holding him in her arms. She spent a couple hours doing this while I was eating dinner. I walked into the nursery to see her changing his little diaper and then I held him in my arms for about 20 minutes are so…..what a site to my eyes….my little boy! He looked up a bit and this was the first time I saw his eyes open.

After a few minutes the nurse decided to give him his first bath……this was fun to see, although he didn’t like it too much. He whimpered and cried at being nurse handled (I don’t know why!!). So we were taught how to wrap him up, wash his little face, shampoo his hair and wash the rest of the body (guys, it’s like washing a car, start from the top and work your way down!).

Soon he was all squeaky clean – he was then put back into his crib (without the oxygen tent) with the anticipation of graduating to the incubator! This would happen before bed time….

Well in he went….apparently it was the “Cadillac of all incubators” and there he lay, in his new home. I think he likes it there!

The time is now 11:30 am September 2, 2008. We’re not sure how long we’ll be in Kelowna….it’s inevitable we’ll be transferred to Vancouver at some point, but that could be a few weeks away. So here we are in sunny Kelowna – approaching 30 degrees and I’m stuck in the hospital (this is the one time in my life I’d rather be inside rather than out)!

Wednesday September 3, 2008….

Yesterday was a fairly uneventful day. Cole just chilled out in his “Mercedes” of an incubator, getting a bit stronger and trying to get his temperature up. In the evening Shay was able to hold him – she did the “kangaroo care” (this is his bare little body tucked on her bare chest…the idea is that the mothers warm body transfers to the little guys).

It was another special moment for mother and child….I just watched and experienced warm fuzzies all over. I then went home to Dennis and Louise’s home….leaving, for the first time, my wife and little boy. It was a restless night for me as thoughts of my family flooded my mind.

Now we’re into Wednesday and Cole had his first field trip – he needed to go to the opposite end of the Hospital for his kidney ultra-sound. Apparently his blood potassium, which is filtered into the kidneys, was a bit too high. Needless to say, all is well with his kidneys – he just needs more time to chill, grow and get stronger.

So here we are into day four……we’re waiting for the doctor to come around to do her “rounds”…..and we’re wondering if today is the day that Shay is discharged from the hospital. We’ll wait and see.

Here are a few pictures of the week...