Naomi's Birth

Katie began early labor around 5:30 pm on Friday, December 11 (2 days after her due date). These contractions were significantly stronger and more regular than the Braxton Hicks contractions she'd been having for months, but they were also mild enough that she was able to sleep for a few hours through the night to rest up for the work ahead.

Her water broke at 4 am the next morning (Saturday, December 12), and active labor began (ouch). Soon after that, we called our friend Emily, who is training to be a doula and had agreed to support Katie in labor. Katie labored for about 5 hours at home, and we headed for the hospital around 9 am. Katie checked in at 7cm dilated, but unfortunately plateaued here for several more hours. Finally at 4 pm, she had reached 9.5cm and was able to start pushing.

At 6:36 pm on Saturday, December 12, our precious little Naomi Julian made her way into the world.

This photo was taken around 5 am, about an hour after Katie's water had broken and active labor had begun. She leaned on this swiss ball some of the time. You can also see the bowl for nausea, and Daniel's iPod Touch, which we used to time the contractions.
Resting in between contractions.
(Finally!) on the way to the hospital, 5 hours later. You can see the rain on the windshield - that day held one of the biggest storms Orange County had seen in a long time.
Around 2 pm, Katie was put on oxygen because the baby's heart rate was decelerating significantly during contractions and not recovering well.
Daniel applying counterpressure on Katie's hips, to try and alleviate the pain in her lower back - this was one of the most difficult parts about Katie's labor.
Daniel and Emily helping Katie.
Katie also tried supporting her upper body over this bar that popped out on the bed, while letting gravity help the baby drop.Note: The next 6 photos are a little bloody. If you would prefer to skip them, click here.
Welcome to the world, Naomi Julian!In this photo, you can also see two other interesting things. One is the position of Naomi's arms - we noticed in her ultrasounds (and notice all the time now that she's out of the womb) that one of her favorite positions is having her hands up by her face. It seems that she held this position all the way through the birth canal as well! She came out with her arms folded across her chest, rather than down by her sides like most babies. This meant she got caught in the birth canal, and it's part of the reason they had to use a vacuum to assist in her delivery.Second, you can see the cable for the internal fetal monitor running from Naomi's head to Katie's thigh. They had to monitor her more closely in later labor, because of the heart decelerations.
Being given to Mama. (You can see the umbilical cord wrapped around her leg and one of her arms. They think this was what was causing the heart rate decelerations.)
Meeting Mommy for the first time.
Cutting the umbilical cord. Unfortunately this had to be done in a hurry because she was a high-risk delivery, and the NICU staff needed to check her out (they were called in because of her decelerating heart rate).
Hearing her cry for the first time - what a joyful sound!
Is it over?
Emily was such a blessing to have as a companion through all of that!
Putting faces with those familiar voices for the first time.
The placenta!
Holding Daddy's hand.
Weighing in at 6 pounds, 13.5 ounces.
Our strong little girl figured out how to use her lungs right away!
And these feet sure like to kick!
Footprints.
Katie and Hilary, the midwife who not only supervised Katie's entire pregnancy, but was actually there to deliver Naomi! This was a surprising blessing because there are dozens of MD's and midwives who rotate in at the hospital, and it is not all that common for the person who saw you through your pregnancy to actually deliver your baby.
Looking at her new daughter...
All spruced up.
Daddy!
Meeting the rest of the family - two very excited Grandmas.
With Nana.
With Papa Sher.
Getting dipped by Grandpa Lloyd.
With Grandpa & Grandma Peckham.
Meeting Aunt Erica.
All the ladies: Grandma Gayle, Aunt Meghan, Nana Takahashi, Aunt Erica, Grandma Peckham & Auntie Jess.
With Grandpa Grider and Aunt Erica.
With Nana & Papa and Aunt Meghan & Uncle Josh.
Three generations of girls - Nana, Mommy & Naomi.
With Uncle Joe & Auntie Jess.
Only missing Uncle Andy, who flew in 10 days later.

Recent photo comments

Kaiser has this special button that you may push after your baby is born, and it plays a lullaby over the loudspeakers of the entire hospital. This is special for new parents, but also for other sick patients - when they hear it, they can know that a new little life just entered the world.

Andria Guerrero: That must be a really sweet sound to patients who are ill, great idea.

Julie DeHart: That's a great idea. Love the respect of life they are showing. :)

Kristi: That's sweet.

Melissa Sturgeon: Cool! Our Kaiser didn't have that.

Katie and Hilary, the midwife who not only supervised Katie's entire pregnancy, but was actually there to deliver Naomi! This was a surprising blessing because there are dozens of MD's and midwives who rotate in at the hospital, and it is not all that common for the person who saw you through your pregnancy to actually deliver your baby.

SherTakahashi: Thank you Hilary...God bless you.

Emily: She was one cool midwife. I'm referring any Kaiser patients I know to her.

Melissa Sturgeon: Congrats and wow you are lucky! I ended up with 2 midwives I had never met who delivered Caden because they were changing shifts just as I was 10cm and ready to push. But it turned out just fine. They didn't do much anyways. Andrew and I did all the work until the 20 minutes of pushing at the very end and the stitching part.

Welcome to the world, Naomi Julian!In this photo, you can also see two other interesting things. One is the position of Naomi's arms - we noticed in her ultrasounds (and notice all the time now that she's out of the womb) that one of her favorite positions is having her hands up by her face. It seems that she held this position all the way through the birth canal as well! She came out with her arms folded across her chest, rather than down by her sides like most babies. This meant she got caught in the birth canal, and it's part of the reason they had to use a vacuum to assist in her delivery.Second, you can see the cable for the internal fetal monitor running from Naomi's head to Katie's thigh. They had to monitor her more closely in later labor, because of the heart decelerations.

SherTakahashi: I love the look on Hilary's face - she's so serene.

Kristi: Our baby girl has had her arms up and hands around her face at each u/s too! Does she continue to do it now?

Daniel: Yes, it's still one of her favorite positions. :)

The placenta!

Mom Takahashi: Traditional family picture. We now have 2 generations of placenta pictures for our Fractured Photo Album.

SherTakahashi: EWWWWWW

Katie: Awesome. I was so glad Erica got this - I was wondering what that thing looked like! :)

Tim: YESSSSS! Dinner!!!

Aunt Erica: Naomi's "home" for the last 9 months

Carrie Kokoska: Four babies and that is the first placenta I have seen!

Katie: Wow Tim, I'd heard that some women eat their placentas later (like in a soup or something), but you must be a really committed Dad to do it ;)

Ashley Nick: That's awesome.

Mom Takahashi: I love this one

Kristi: Love this one!

Elena: Beautiful. Congratulations!

Only missing Uncle Andy, who flew in 10 days later.

SherTakahashi: Look Nana, it's the Peckhams

Donni: What a great picture!

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