How to Have a Baby in a Blizzard: A Step-By-Step Guide

So, it turns out the watched pot can boil after all, though perhaps not exactly at the most ideal time. When I woke up Saturday morning I really thought there was no way I was going to be having a baby that day. I felt great. No contractions all night, so I’d had a good night’s rest. I took a shower, ate breakfast and watched the snow come down, preparing to stay inside all day (and perhaps watch Brad shovel several feet of snow from the comfort of my heated home). After lunch Brad took the boys outside to play for a bit. I stepped outside to snap some quick pictures before scurrying back indoors. The contractions began shortly after that, but I still wasn’t alarmed. I decided to take a nap while the boys slept. The contractions, however, wouldn’t allow it. Every ten minutes or so I would wake up to another painful tightening in my belly. After nearly an hour of this I gave up and came downstairs. My husband urged me to call the doctor. Why, I’d asked, since I wasn’t in labor and there was a blizzard taking place outside. At best, they’d laugh at me and tell me to drink water and lay on my side. He insisted and I sighed, a longsuffering sigh. Fine.

I called my doctor and told her the situation, fully prepared to share a chuckle with her over my husband’s senseless worrying. Men, we’d say, and roll our eyes. Not so. “Can you get in?” she asked. Sure, I thought. It’s only three feet of snow. I’ll hitch up the dogs and be there in a blink. “Just call an ambulance,” she says. Great. I hang up and tell my husband the news. He launches into a flurry of activity, gathering supplies like we will, in fact, be escorted by Saint Bernard to Howard County General. I feel pretty silly. Here I am, calling an ambulance to take me to the hospital where they’d most likely keep me for a day and send me home, still pregnant. I didn’t want to waste their time (or taxpayer money) on a false alarm.

As I sat on the couch waiting for the paramedics to come, however, the contractions that were once 10 minutes apart closed the gap to 7. Before I knew it, four strapping young men in handsome EMT uniforms and big manly boots came stomping through my door (maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all). Contractions every five minutes now. Hmmm. They told me to relax while we all waited for the snow plow to come make a path for the rescue vehicles to come through. These brave lads had walked through the snow to be by my side so that I didn’t deliver a baby in my living room unassisted. How gallant! They even asked for towels so they didn’t track snow in my house. Swoon.

Once the snow plows came through, they whisked me away to the hospital. The streets were deserted but for a few brave SUVs and one confused little PT Cruiser. The roads had barely been plowed and we rumbled most of the way to the hospital. Contractions every three minutes, gentlemen. We zipped into the emergency room where the receptionist informed us that I had to be evaluated by the triage nurse before they could take me upstairs. They said, “Sure thing,” and whizzed past her, whispering in my ear that they had no intention of stopping until they deposited me safely in the arms of a labor and delivery nurse. I owe these guys some baked goods, at least.

I said a tearful goodbye to the EMTs and got into my gown, ready to meet my son. As the nurses cranked up the warmer and laid out all the necessary gear I started to get excited. In a short time I would finally meet the little man who partied nonstop in my belly. I’d get to see his face and hold him in my arms. Smell that glorious, freshly-born smell. I found myself giggling, like I’d never done this before. The doctor pronounced me ready to push and though the epidural had worn off (seriously?) and the contraction pain was blinding, I knew that in a few short moments I would meet someone who would hold my heart forever. Pain is temporary. Love is forever.

Before I knew it a slimy, wiggly bundle was placed on my chest and I laughed out loud. The joy was too much to contain. They cleaned him up, pronounced him to be a giant among infants and gave him back to me. The new love of my life didn’t exactly pick the easiest time to arrive, but I have to admire his flare and style. What an entrance! I can only wonder what a lifetime with him will bring. Welcome to the world, my beautiful son.