Starting today, I am trying something new on my blog, purely for my benefit (because I am much more likely to stick to a goal if I make it public!). Every Tuesday, I am going to {try to} post something I’m calling Tell Me a Story, inspired by Cherish Bound. As many of you know, I recently became a consultant for Cherish Bound, whose mission is to Find*Capture*Share the stories of our lives. I am motivated and inspired to share my stories. I recently talked with my mom about writing my Grandparents’ stories (such a huge undertaking!) and I would love to write my Father’s life story as well.
I have so many stories to share, but if I record them a little at a time, then I’ll eventually have books full of them!
Today, I figured I’d focus on the story of my birth, using questions from the “When I Was Little” Story Starter.
My mom was due with her first child (me!) around October 20th, but by the 14th she had been in labor for several days. Finally, at her last OB check up, the doctor was merciful and told her that several days worth of contractions 5 minutes apart was enough reason to send her in to the hospital. They scheduled her induction for the next day, October 15th.
Once she got to the hospital (San Leandro Memorial Hospital in California), they started her on pitocin. When she was about 3 cm dilated, they broke her water. Mom was laboring in a shared room, and the lady in the bed next to her was moaning constantly. Mom was determined not to be loud like her neighbor, so she quietly endured her pain. The nurse happened to notice Mom biting her hand, and asked he if she was in a lot of pain. “Um, Yes!” The nurse figured she’d check Mom’s progress…..and there was my head. And a cute head it was.
The doctor was called, Mom was swiftly moved into the delivery room, and everything was a frenzy. No time for drugs. The doctor walked in, slipped into his gown and gloves, and reached down to catch me as I was born. Mom was in the hospital for about 2 hours, and in the delivery room for less than 10 minutes before I was born, at 12:24 PM on October 15. 
I was 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long.
My mom remembers that the doctor was still wearing his white pants and white patent leather shoes (he figured Mom would be laboring for a lot longer than she did, so he didn’t have time to change!). After I was born, the doctor exclaimed, “Didn’t get a drop of blood on me!”
That’s when Mom started to hemmorage. Again, the room switched pace and everyone started working quickly. My mom could hear the blood gushing with each heart beat. (They were able to get the bleeding under control after my birth, but Mom almost died after my next sister was born 4 years later. Luckily, they were prepared for the next babies and got it under control before it was a problem)
Mom stayed in the hospital for 3 days and two nights, where she spent most of her time in the hospital bed watching the Oakland A’s (the local team) win their 3rd World Series. She really got into it that year.
Here are a few pictures of me after coming home from the hospital. I still have the blanket I was laying on and the dress that I was wearing that day.
Do you know your birth story? I challenge you to find out about it if you don’t. And then write it down! I’d love to hear your stories, too!
I decided to also enter this into Tuesday Tributes, now hosted by my friend Angie. I love you, Mom!
PS–If you’d like more information about Cherish Bound and what you can do with it, let me know!
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