David's Birth
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After finally getting through to my ex-husband on the phone, I told him the bad news of his son's death. I requested he come immediately. I also called my parents to ask them to make the eight hour drive to our home. They called my ex-husband to make sure it was ok. They left at 5 p.m. The doctor talked to me and my ex-husband for around 15 to 20 minutes. We asked about an autopsy and donating his organs. We were told in most cases the autopsy would not show anything anyway, but we could have one if we wanted. David's body would have to be sent up to Akron. We couldn't donate his organs because he had been dead between 12 and 24 hours, which was too long. We were told it was best to wait until the next day to be induced. He said we would have time to start dealing with the shock of David's death. So my doctor sent us home. I was worried about the big snowstorm that was coming, and I hoped my parents would make it in time.
We called our clergymen, the rabbi for my ex-husband, and my pastor. My pastor was still out of town on vacation, and I talked to the youth pastor instead. He got in contact with the senior pastor. The rabbi came over around 7 p.m. We asked him about our options, and because there isn't a tradition to go by, we were able to do anything we wanted. What he didn't realize was that I had never planned a funeral, and that I didn't even know what to expect. Who knew we would be planning the funeral of our third child?
We had a hard time falling asleep that New Year's Eve. We didn't stay up to watch the New Year come in. All I could do was to cry. My friend, Cheryl, was getting the sisterhood of the synagogue together to bring food to our house after the funeral. My friend, Sandy, was organizing my Bible study and church friends. We realized how many friends really loved us through this terrible trial. Around 2 a.m. I woke up with contractions that were pretty regular and I couldn't go back to sleep. I called the hospital and they told me to come on in. They were expecting me 5 hours later. Our next door neighbor, Bernadette, came over and slept on the couch. She was there when the boys woke up on New Year's Day. (Bless her wonderful soul.) I also called my parents and sisters, who had stopped over at my twin brother's house, and they got up early and completed the rest of their trip. As we walked into the hospital, people in the waiting room commented that there was another one coming in. They also commented that it must be the full moon. I just wanted to scream! The difference was that my baby was dead.
I was in early labor, and the nurse got my I.V. going with Pitocin. I have never had a labor that wasn't induced. My other two boys were 9 days late and both were induced. They told me once I was dialated enough, I could have an epidural. I wouldn't be able to feel the contractions, and it would be easier on me emotionally. I wouldn't be doing all that work and then have no reward at the end of labor. Around 8 a.m. my doctor broke my water, and we thought it would be awhile until I would deliver. My ex-husband went out to find something to eat. He ended up going to Walmart and buying poptarts and orange juice, because everything else was closed. My parents had arrived at the hospital right before my ex-husband left, and my mother stayed with me while my dad took my sister to our house. They were going to watch the boys so Bernadette could go home. I asked where my brother and other sister was. They had to get my sister contact solution, which she had forgotten to bring. They were coming later in my brother's car.
A pain started in my right side, and I ignored it. I felt it probably was an uneven epidural. Then when it kept bothering me, I told the nurse. The doctor checked me. He told me I was crowning and the pain was my urge to push. Neal hadn't made it back yet, but we didn't have to wait long. They immediately got him and my mother appropriately dressed, and they were holding my legs to put them in the stirrups. I couldn't feel anything, and I heard this thud! My mom had dropped one of my legs...and we all laughed. My doctor asked if my legs could be any longer! I only pushed a couple times, and David was delivered. The doctor and nurse held up the sheet so we couldn't see him. They wanted to make sure it wasn't a cord accident. And it wasn't. He was perfectly normal and beautiful. He looked just like his older brother, Reuben.
MAIL
