Logan Alexander was born on Sunday June 6th, 2010 at 4:10am. He is a healthy and happy baby with some very proud parents. His birth was dramatic and intensely emotional – an experience that we will not forget anytime soon. It was a time of new discovery and love in the presence of close friends and family.
The evening of Friday, June 4th, we were resting peacefully. Earlier in the evening, Maegan had noticed that her “Braxton-Hicks” contractions had intensified somewhat, but nothing too noteworthy. Around midnight, Maegan woke up to early labor. We knew it was time - no more procrastinating - this was happening now. After all the birth classes and books we had read, it could be assumed that we would know exactly what to do. Instead, we just held each other and giggled, occasionally asking each other's opinion of what we should do next. "Should I fill the birth tub?", Dan would inquire. Should we call our midwives?
As Maegan got comfortable for early labor, Dan got busy and started filling the birth tub and preparing as we had rehearsed. The excitement was palpable. We labored together in the dimmed light all morning. It was the most beautiful time with both of us growing closer and loving each other. As morning's early glow began to trickle through the windows, we knew it was time to start making phone calls.
Our dearest friend, Ariel, was our first call at 5:45am. A labor and delivery nurse by day and a close friend for many years, Ariel agreed to our be our doula many months before. As she drove from Montclair (about 5 minutes away), Dan alerted Beah Haber (East Bay Home Midwifery) that active labor was underway. By 8:00am, the preparations were complete as Maegan labored more intensely.
Time became meaningless. Maegan's rapid progress seemed to indicate that we would be holding our new baby by mid-day. Of course, this was only an indication - in all actuality, progress slowed to a crawl and Maegan labored on. Soon it became clear that with each contraction, Maegan was becoming more fatigued. As of 6:00pm, Maegan had been in active labor for 12hrs and in transition for nearly 2 hrs. After trying every trick in the book to progress, we decided that Maegan needed to transfer to Alta Bates Labor and Delivery. Maegan had given it everything she had and then some - but now it was clear that additional assistance would be necessary.
Maegan was transferred to Alta Bates with the assistance of Dan, Ariel, Beah, Ellah, Jeannie, and Karen. The doctors and nurses, all colleagues of Ariel, were superb - Maegan was able to rest and prepare for the final stage of labor. Around 2:00am, it was time to bring the little guy into the world and Logan Alexander was delivered at 4:10am into the hands of his new father.
The first few minutes of Logan's life in the outside world were difficult. He was fatigued from the long labor and was also under quite a bit of stress due to an unfortunately placed umbilical cord situated loosely around his neck. With some help from the nurses, Logan was able to find his breath. Auntie Ariel gave him his first bath to get the blood flowing and soon enough, Logan was trying out his new-found vocal ability. At last, Mom, Dad, and Logan were able to get to know each other and recover.
It is time we will never forget. We found new love and humility, we discovered limits unknown and strengths untapped. In the end, we could not have done it without our closest friends to support us. Maegan's Mom, Karen, was an invaluable source of love and care. Our midwives were amazing, providing us with the best care that we could imagine and helping us make the best decisions possible. And Ariel, the strength and care that she provided along the journey could not be substituted. We are eternally grateful.
The joy that he brings to us is indescribable. He is perfect, we hope you all can meet him soon!
