The Lapinski Family: James' Birth Story

We knew from the very beginning that I would have a c-section for this birth (my third one, based on the fact my bone structure is too narrow for my larger babies, and that I have a "hook" on my tailbone that makes deliveries challenging; Samantha was born without a c-section, but it was a difficult delivery that required vacuum suction and the breaking of my tailbone). Leading up to the end of this pregnancy, we were not sure though if I would go into labor on my own prior to the scheduled c-section date (like I did with Jack), or if I would actually hold out. My fingers were crossed that I would wait until February 4th so that my doctor would be the one to deliver James. I would be 39 weeks and 2 days on that date. The earliest that the hospital would allow us to schedule a C-section is 39 weeks, but my doctor was not available until 2 days later.

I was quite uncomfortable towards the end. I was feeling more contractions than I ever felt before with my previous pregnancies and I was clearly carrying a larger baby, as well. But my body DID wait until February 4th.

My mom came to my house the day before, as the plan was for her to be at home with the kids during the delivery. In the past, her and my dad were always at the hospital for the births, but my dad was traveling and I knew that I would feel better/more secure knowing that I had someone that I trusted to be at my house "running the show" while I was away.

Before Steve and I took the girls to school that morning, we took one last photo as a family of five. Ugh, did I mention the excessive swelling that my body was doing? I was retaining fluid all over, especially in my hands and feet. And this was before I was pumped full of IV fluids.

With Jack at home with my mom, I made sure that all of my bags were packed and then we left for the hospital around 11:15 am for my scheduled surgery at 2 pm. We checked in to triage right on time -- at noon -- and the IVs and paperwork began. All while my stomach was rumbling from being so hungry. After all, I was not allowed to have anything to eat or drink, even water, after 6 am.

My surgery was delayed for an hour because the operating rooms were working overtime that day. There were lots of babies being born. But the whole event was so casual, much as it was with Sophia's birth, that I didn't mind one bit.

And then James came out -- screaming loudly and holding tightly onto Dr. Barton's finger. All 8 lbs. 7 oz. of him. He was my largest baby of all, beating Sophia by 3 oz.

He was immediately evaluated (perfect Apgar scores!) ...

And then given to me for skin-to-skin contact right away:

He was foot-printed for his birth certificate:

And then his daddy was able to hold him for a bit while the doctors finished up my surgery.

I spent two hours in the recovery room before I was wheeled to my Mother-Baby room, where I would stay for the next two nights. Steve was with me until about 9 pm that night before he headed back home.

The girls had their hearts set on being able to come up to the hospital the very day that James was born, but we knew that that was not going to be a feasible option. With my surgery scheduled later in the afternoon, it would late by the time I got settled in my room. And it was.

So, it worked out perfectly that the girls were invited to a birthday party for our neighbor that same evening. It gave them a reason to be at home (and not up at the hospital) and to take their minds off the fact that I, too, was not at home with them.

The next day, Steve surprised the girls by picking them up early from school and bringing all of the kids and my mom up to see me and to meet their new little brother. It was love at first sight ...

Not quite one day old yet:

His frown just cracks me up. I have a baby picture of myself taken at the hospital when I was born and I was sporting the very same frown.

We did not share his name with anyone prior to his birth. It made it special for us to then share with everyone at that time. He is named after my dad (who goes by Jim now, but was always called Jimmy when he was younger). And his middle name is Steve's middle name, Steve's dad's middle name and Steve's grandpa's first name. Yes, it carries quite a bit of heritage with it.