Birth Story by Jeremy Quinn

The following was written by Jeremy the night I gave birth to Kaden 5 years ago.  He gave it to me 6 days later on my birthday.


So there we were, sitting at Verne and Sidney's.  It was 12:10am and and Amber was starting he 10th, or so, speechless contraction.  She asked if this one was late.  I told her no, but it was going to be a strong one because it was late.  12:11 struck and Amber's water broke.  She jumped up from the couch and shoved a towel between her legs.  She took five steps towards the bathroom and had to stop.  Her adrenaline caused a body-shivering not even Ranger School could produce.  We took a minute to regain our composure and to control the adrenaline and the nerves.  She continued to the bathroom while I woke Sidney up.  Sidney helped Amber while I performed my headless chicken dance.  During the five second dance I observed a puddle of water by the front door.  The first second, I thought it was me.  The next 3, Amber.  The last second I realized it was Pearl (the dog), caught up in all the excitement.  As we drove to the hospital I thought I was going to get lost in the eight minute drive (mind you this is where I grew up).  I could already see my Dad telling the story while our friends and family laughed, but it wasn't to be.  Shortly after, Amber was admitted to the hospital.  Sidney and Sarah showed up for support.  I felt odd in front of them, coaching...at first.  Her mom was a seasoned veteran and her sister was fresh off her own delivery the month prior.  In time, I became more vocal and supportive as Amber became less vocal and focused.  Her labor lasted 13 hours at the hospital, with a total of 44 hours from the first contraction.  During this time I saw the strongest person I have ever known.  I had been thinking of where to get Kaden's name tattoo.  But during labor I thought, "why not Amber's name?".  To me it wouldn't just be my wife's name, it would be my hero's name.  I would tell everyone that she was my hero, my inspiration in hard and painful times.  She was so cool, calm and collected during the labor.  All were amazed, her parents, nurses, doctors.  They said that natural childbirth was becoming scarce, extinct (I don't know what they said exactly, but that was what they were trying to convey).  We ended up with nurse Tammy.  She was the best.  I'm truly thankful for her.  During all her contractions Amber would focus on a spot, generally on the floor.  She kept her own breathing cycles while grabbing on to something fiercely.  All you could hear up until she pushed the baby out was heavy, rhythmic breathing.  It was funny when I was coaching, because I got no feedback, just heavy breathing.  In one contraction I would say, "focus, work with it, focus on just this one contraction, just one step at a time, good job", and the next one I'd say, "steady, drive through it, keep driving, think of the big picture, the reward for all this hard work".  I thought for sure an hour into it she was going to call me out and go on a tirade about how I made no sense and I had no clue of the pain she was enduring.  But it never happened.  While she was pushing I was all up in the action.  I had one leg, while Sidney had the other.  Ber would take her cleansing breath, and then a deep breath, then hold it in and push.  My job was to count to ten while she did this.  Sometimes I sped up the count on the contractions, because the three, ten second breath-holding pushes looked like an eternity in her blood shot eyes.  All Ber could say was "Okay, okay, okay..." to all the instructions being given to her in between contractions.  As his head came out, they downshifted her pushing to a slow, steady push.  Kaden had arrived.  When his body came out, it was surreal.  Total 30 second barrel, 1-3 seconds in reality.  The doctor took a split second to look him over, checking the airways then he was up on mama's chest.  Amber repeatedly said, "My baby, my baby".  So much emotion, even as I sit here and type by Amber's side with K cradled on her chest. I'm in awe of the new found badassness of my life, Kaden and especially Amber.  I cut the cord 2 times, one real and the other was a photo op. set up by the nurses.  Each time I cut, I cringed.  It seemed too out of control with fingers, toes and wiener flying around.  I know there are some poor souls out there with only their father to blame for their missing body part.  The Doc sewed Ber up while the nurses took all his sizes and readings.  Sidney left the room and gave the news to all the lobby.  Ber, baby K and I sat there in amazement at what just happened and was happening.  Shortly thereafter, the fans came in and filled the room with praise.  We're so fortunate to have all of this, the family, medical care and a kick-ass son.  Currently it's 9:45pm and Ber's picking out the outfit for K's first official picture.  There's been too many firsts already, too many to write about and too many to remember.  Life has just become more beautiful and nothing can stop it.  I love you, happy birthday.