“I Can’t Believe You’re Here”
Welcome Catcher Isla!
When — July 2022
Where — Clackamas, Oregon
Whether the first or the sixth, each baby is a miracle…
“I don’t think we’re going to make it to the induction on Saturday!”- was the text Xochitl sent me Thursday night. This was not her first baby (or her second or even fifth!) so she was familiar with labor pains. I went to bed with my cell phone turned up and waited for the signal…
Fast-forward to the next morning and Xochitl told me things slowed down at 1 am. She was no longer experiencing the low-back pain and her contractions were now erratic. It looked like baby girl would wait until her induction date after all.
Saturday morning was the big day! Xochitl and Jeff checked in to the hospital and got settled into the delivery room just after 8 am. Xochitl was already 4 cm dilated! Those contractions she experienced over the last few days were doing their job!
It was just after 11 am when Xochitl texts me and lets me know they started the Pitocin and expect things to start moving quickly. I start making my way towards the hospital.
When I arrive a little after noon, Xochitl and Jeff are wrapping up their lunch from Olive Garden and are talking about how they are so excited to meet their baby girl!
By 1:30 pm, Xochitl’s contractions are more intense and she is taking deep breaths through each one. At this point, the labor nurse decides to up the Pitocin a little. Xochitl’s water hasn’t broken yet so there is also discussion of whether she would like to have the doctor break her water or not.
At 1:50 pm Xochitl and Jeff FaceTime their 5 girls who are home with grandma. It is incredible to watch them talk about the baby. Xochitl is an amazing mom and, as an observer, I can tell she loves her children so much and she misses them. She is ready to give birth and bring her baby home so everyone can be together!
Shortly after the call home, Xochitl’s contractions are more intense and she decides she better get the epidural before labor progresses too far.
At 2:30 pm the anesthesiologist enters and prepares to give Xochitl the epidural. Contractions are only getting stronger and everyone agrees now is the best time to administer and place the epidural.
I re-enter the room just after 3 pm while the nurses and doctor check baby’s position and discuss whether or not to break Xochitl’s water. Everyone decides to let Xochitl rest- she is tired and will need to gather her strength for delivery!
After only a few minutes of quiet, the nurses and doctor re-enter the room. They noticed some large contractions on the monitors and want to check baby’s position again.
By 3:35 pm (minutes after the nurse and doctor return) Xochitl lets everyone know that baby is low and it might be time to push! When the doctor goes to check Xochitl, she notices that her water must have broken slowly and it is indeed time to deliver!
Xochitl is calm and strong. She pushes perfectly for 2 more contractions. Baby Catcher Isla is born at 3:48 pm. She weighs 7 lbs. 7 oz. and is 21 inches long. She is beautiful. With dark hair and bright eyes, she melts every heart in the room instantly.
Xochitl holds baby Catcher to her chest and exclaims, “I can’t believe you’re here!” It isn’t long before Catcher opens her eyes and looks up at her parents. She cries and reaches out for something to hold and finds Jeff’s hand. She has a tight grip on him and stares up with her gorgeous, dark eyes.
After she lets go of dad, she reaches for her mom and instantly latches onto mom’s cheek. Xochitl is beaming. She laughs and her eyes fill with tears as she soaks up these first few moments with baby Catcher…
A little while later, Xochitl and Catcher have their first latch. This is new territory for mom and baby. While the breastfeeding journey may be short, it’s one that must be attempted given the current formula shortage. Xochitl always puts her children first and it is incredible to witness the way she provides for her family.
When I pack up to leave, I look back and see Catcher snuggling in mom’s arms and I hear mom softly say again, “I can’t believe you’re here.”
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